Summit junkie!

We spent the weekend at our family condo in Midway, and we didn't get home until late, so after the kids were in bed I did some easy miles on the TM. I wasn't feeling great and didn't have much energy at all.

I went to the gym tonight and lifted with my friends for an hour. Worked arms, delts, lats and chest. I spent a good deal of time on the pull up bar and it really worked me. I was a sweaty mess at the end.

Crazy day! I managed 4 on the TM after the kids were in bed. I felt great and would have done more miles, but I wanted to save my legs for some peaks and the BST in the am.

I met MattV at the U this morning at 5:00 am to drop my car off at the trailhead for Mt. Van Cott and then we drove in his car to the trailhead for the Avenues Twin Peaks, which is part of the BST. It was cold at the start, but we heated up fast. We ran to the summit of the first twin in 30 minutes where we stopped to take in the incredible views take a quick break. I bombed it fast down the face to the saddle and I was up on the West twin in just a few minutes and Matt wasn't far behind. After another stop to take in the views we headed down a faint trail that goes down the face of the mountain. The trail didn't last long and we just worked our way down to the BST below.

Once back on the BST we ran to Dry Canyon where we really picked up the pace and ran fast on the downhill, but eventually the small creek that runs next to the trail was totally covering the trail and the next half mile we were trying to avoid the water as it rushed down right on top of the trail. We had to jump back and forth several times and at one point on a long jump Matt twisted his ankle on a wet rock, so we stopped again for a few minutes. Then we passed two ladies that were walking their dogs and one of them nipped at my leg as I ran by. Ha.

Eventually the trail starts heading south again and we ran at the base of  Van Cott to the ridge where we would be climbing up. We were running short on time, but decided to go up anyway. We really pushed it hard and ran at least half of the way up the steep ridge topping out in 25 minutes. I made it up first and waited a few minutes for Matt and then we had a nice run back to my car. Total time was 2:08 including all breaks.

Climbing Van Cott this morning reminded me of taking my kids up there a few years ago. Here is a trip report from my daughter Amelia 

Solo up Mt. Wire and BST run

Woke up at 4:50 am and could hear the wind howling outside and the thought of bailing on my plan came into my head, so I quickly checked the weather online. The wind was only 6 mph in SLC, so I figured I would just go for it and at the very least get in a good run on the BST.

When I got to the trailhead there wasn't much wind at all and the weather was almost perfect. I started off feeling really good, so I had a nice run/hike mix working my way up the ridge. When I got to the saddle I realized I could get a PR if I really pushed hard, so I would run hard until my heart rate and breathing became too much and then I would power hike for about 30 seconds and then push again. I hit the towers and ran the rest of the way to the top hitting the summit in 46:32 which is a PR, although that is very soft. I know I will do it quicker when I really push it the whole way.

I didn't stay long on top. Most of the snow is gone and the conditions are perfect. I had a sweet run back down to the BST and then I wanted to get a few more miles, so I ran to Red Butte Canyon where I stopped and had a break and then back to the car. Total time including all breaks 1:38.