Cathy suggested taking quilts, rather than sleeping bags, up to the Lodge (I'm taking my sleeping bag!).
The biggest crew hassle Saturday morning will be getting on the road quickly after the race start. We should do as much packing and cleaning the night before to make the Saturday exit as quick as possible. Don't forget there will be a workparty the week after the July 4th, after which the front of the building will be torn off. It doesn't have to be perfect.
I'll check in at Foothills Motel on the way up, find our room numbers, and tell them you will be leaving a car there early Saturday. That way you can avoid dealing with the office. OK, room #'s are: 108, 111, and 112. They are expecting us to leave a car in the morning and to check in early Sunday morning. Check in Saturday if you need a key to leave something in a room.
To minimise the number of cars at Squaw, I will be driving Sophia and Brian to the Lodge on Wednesday evening. Brian will need a ride to Robinson where he will meet his Father who will be his driver from then on out.
I haven't checked, but I think that there won't be a moon for much of the night. (It was a small sliver right before sun-up on Thursday - probably almost a lunar eclipse on race day)
This year I have to pick up my number at the start of the race, again, so need to be there early. I'll leave the Lodge at around 4:30 to give me 25 minutes to hassle this. I suggest that you get up at 4:25 or whatever it takes to leave at the same time.
Last year the run started at the Patio in front of the old Gondola building. Meet at the corner where the Oyster Bar used to be. You will need to grab my sweats, the "aid" bottle, and car keys if I drive over.
You may be able to get some coffee and walk up the trail before the start. Start is at 5:00 am. A couple of years ago I saw Bob Lind fire off the shotgun - he would have made a great photo silliotted against the dawn light. After, grab some Danish and head back to the Lodge to pack up and exit.
You should try and leave Squaw as early as possible. The miles to Robinson are shorter this year, plus I may be running faster, so arrival time could be as early as 9:30. I would estimate 2hrs driving to Robinson, may be a bit more - the book says to allow 2.5hrs. So if you add another half hour for car drop and ice (Crazy Harry's, Flyer's), it could take 3 hours. Leaving the Lodge at six should be comfortable. The bottom line if you miss me - I'll be at Little Bald Mountain 50 minutes later. It's a half mile walk for you.
We checked the time to Auburn on the drive back last Sunday: 61 minutes with some 80 mph driving mixed in with some slow traffic.
The immediate problem when you arrive at Robinson will be to find out whether or not I am already through. I'll check into this during the crew briefing. Probably the best bet is too talk with (be nice to) the person doing runner check out - he'll be an old fart sitting in a deck chair with a clip board, right after the medical check or aid area.
Note from Cathy last year: left lodge at 6:45
From previous year's notes:
Stop by the Foothills Motel on the way from Squaw to drop off some of the cars. I will do an early check-in on the way up on Wednesday so you won't need to do this unless you want to unload some stuff into the rooms. Actually, would probably be a good idea to get keys, if they will let you have them, to avoid the chore later. You can get ice at Flyer's gas station (was Crazy Harry's), if you need it. When packing up the car don't forget that you will need warm stuff for the river if you don't want to drive back to Auburn before hiking down there. Foothills is located on the North side of 80 at its junction with the Auburn Ravine Road. If you need gas, Crazy Harry's has that too.
Make your way to Foresthill. Note Drivers Flat Road as you pass it, 6.6 miles from Hwy. 80. I think that "The marvelous pancake breakfast, served at Foresthill School from 6:00 am to 11:00 am" has been discontinued, as has the "Indian Taco" lunch/supper. Also of interest at Foresthill are the Peacocks. If you hear them they will be up the fir tree on the left one half block up Soap Street. Soap starts opposite the Forest House Hotel and Restaurant.
Earliest time estimate: 9:30
Note from Cathy last year: arrived here at 10:45 after dropping cars in Auburn and getting gas at crazy Harrys (Flyers). Left at 11:45
I'm not sure how much you will want to schlep here but some kind of chair, as I will want to change shoes, a towel, or something similar, to prevent a foot lubed with Bag Balm from hitting the dirt, and a wet face cloth/paper towels to wipe off anything needing it, will all help. Don't forget plenty of fluids for yourself. Cathy: Handi Wipes. Roger: Handi Wipes don't cut it. A small towel, wetted down, is more appropriate. I'll put one in the bag.
I am using one large bottle (32 oz), rather than two smaller ones, this year. I'll also attempt to stick with GU2O, supplemented with GU, for fuel and hydration. This went down nicely during a Saturday test run to Cougar Rock from Squaw the Saturday before race day. I will want to have some alternatives available, though, as I haven't tried this during a very long run. We can have two smaller "aid" bottles available for me to drink in the aid station, one with GU2O, the other, Clip. Also tea in my stainless insulated cup and a bottle of milk, should be available. Fill the aid bottles if I drink much from them - estimate how much powder to add. The milk should last the whole trip. GU2O is mixed at one scoop per 8 oz - four scoops for the 32oz bottle; Clip, one and a half packets for 32 oz bottle. I've been adding lemon juice to the clip to give it some tang. There are fresh lemons and a bottle of juice. I haven't figured out how much to use yet but a table spoon would be a good place to start. For solid food I'll hard-boil and peel some eggs and put them in a ziplock bag. I will try to avoid solid food, though.
Everything I need plus medical kit is in the purple pack. Add water to drinks, screw lid on tight, depress valve. Even then bottles may leak - keep upright. Remind me to use Bag Balm and to grab a fresh lot of salt tablets and vitamins.
This will, hopefully, be the only aid station where I sit down, but I want to spend as little time as possible. Shoes and socks need to come off, feet cleaned, dried, lubed with Bag Balm (loosen lid before I need it), shirt change, new shoes and socks, grab hat insert and neckerchief, replenish bag of vitamins, salt, and GU, drink something, and leave. We need to get the wheels off and do a tire change as quickly as possible.
Pack contains:
Food that is in the ice chest (milk, eggs, ensure?, ice, etc.) needs to be added to the pack. Also, thermos with tea.
Stove, pan, matches and tea bags (in pan), wind shield for stove, extra first aid, and space blanket are in red stuff sack.
This is a four mile run for me and a half mile walk for you, from Robinson. It'll probably take me about 50 minutes. I'll take some salt and GU, and swap my drink bottle.
Back at the car swap shoes for 03#3. I probably won't change again but want them around just in case. Refill water bottles, including partly used ones. Shoes and clothes are in yellow stuff sack
Time 1999 (97,96) 4:44pm (5:01, 5:18), earliest this year - 3:33 pm
From Cathy's Notes last year: Arrived here at 1pm - need blanket to crash on. Fill Roger's bottles at car. Bring lots of water. Towel
At this point, if all has gone well, I could be ahead by a few minutes. It will likely be hot and you will have to wait for awhile. Take plenty of drink for yourselves and don't forget the ice chest with the Häagen-Dazs
Everything I need is still in the pack except:
I want to walk through Michigan Bluff. Meet me at the aid station with the styrofoam cup (I probably won't use it) and backpack. I will be weighed first so you will have a minute to get to me. Wear the pack facing to the front. I'll replace supplies as we walk through. Make sure I grab a fresh supply of GU, salt, and vitamins. We then swap bottles, grab a Häagen-Dazs and I'm off.
Remember the race hasn't started yet. The first three quarters is about staying in shape for the last 25%
Time, Foresthill 1999 (97, 96) 6:18 pm (6:46, 6:52)
Elapsed time from leaving Michigan Bluff to arriving at Foresthill School 1:24 (1:16, 1:26)
It would be great if I arrive here at 5:00
Last year was a little unusal - probably take 1:15 this year but could be up on a 24 Hr pace by as much as two hours. This would get me in at the School at 5:00 pm and, if I'm still in good shape, would give me a shot at the age group course record.
This is the beginning of the change over to the evening/night part of the race. Pick up first set of lights. Is it getting cold by the river? Do I need to carry a jacket? Probably not, but any information would be helpful. Laura will be a great source of information, here. If the car is parked on the road after the school we could stop by on the way out.
Keep the red Garrity flashlights for Laura/Judy and me. You can use the rest. Make sure you keep any that I hand back separate so I know I will be given fresh ones. Last year I dumped my pack at Hwy. 49 and picked up the 4 cell larger yellow one. Lights are in the brown bag.
If anyone comes down Bath Road (Sean, Evan?), bring the "aid" bottles so I can drink it on the way up. It is a mile uphill from the aid at Bath Road to Foresthill Road - I will walk this section. 0.6 Miles on the flat from here to the School - I may run this.
I want to leave Foresthill with:
Tea is always a good idea.
From Cathy's notes last year: Orange bag has extra flash lights and assortment of warmer clothes - have handy.
Judy should have pacer #139 at this point. If she doesn't pick it up at Squaw she can get it from "Pacer Central" at Foresthill School - I think Mo Livermore runs it.
Time 1999 (97, 96) 9:19 (10:14, 10:50)
Elapsed time from leaving Foresthill to arriving the nearside of the river 3:01 (3:17, 3:40)
Elapsed time of 3:00 or less is the goal here. (four hours is normal for a 24 hr pace).
This year the crew will be hiking down from Green Gate on the Far Side of the River. From Foresthill drive back to Auburn and turn left on Lincoln Way (it parallels the freeway). At intersection with 49 turn left. Proceed 2 miles down steep winding road before right turn at bridge (you will see No Hands Bridge on the right). Cross the American River and continue by climbing up Highway 49. You will pass 49 Crossing (rock quarry on left) after 2.3 miles. Proceed another 1.1 miles to Highway 193 - it's the only light in the town of Cool. Turn left and continue on 193 for 6.1 miles to Sliger Mine Road, a 'T' junction on left. Lance's Place is on right. Continue on Sliger Mine Road for a maximum of 3.8 miles untill you see parked cars. Do not drive past the last parking slot!
I'm not sure what you do for food here. Depending on time you may want to have a snack and eat in Cool on the way back after the River.
Take down to the river:
This may be a good place for a picture. I will be facing you coming across. The deepest holes are on the side farthest away from you. Watch any runners before me. Use maximum zoom and we can crop if images are still small. You might try and get several shots.
The plan is to get ready for the next section as we hike up. Have advice about temperatures into the night if you can learn anything. I'll change shirt, get flash light set up, eat, etc. on the way back up to Green Gate. You should attempt to find Judy at the river. She will probably be behind you but close. If so Cathy can give her an update. I would encourage Meme to go down to the River - she does not need to keep up on the way back. You will have a ton of time before Hwy. 49.
Cathy, have a large bottle filled with Coke - de-fizzed some is fine - ready at Green Gate. I may want to switch here.
Look after Judy. She also needs to drink and stay warm. Have an extra flash light - I will need a spare.
Time 1999 (97, 96) 1:13 (2:30, 3:32)
Elapsed time from leaving the nearside of the river to arriving at Hwy. 49 3:54 (4:06, 4:35)
A 24 hr pace through this section is 4 hrs., and I seem to have been close to this each time I have run it.
You may have a long wait here and will be tired and, maybe, cold. Get sleeping bags out of car if you have them - it's possible to swing by the school on the way from Driver's Flat. Also space blankets, fleece jackets, etc. If you have some soup or something in a thermos for yourselves (or have Lori fire up the stove and make some!)
Things may well be different here this year. Here is the e-mail that Greg sent on the subject:
The Hwy. 49 Crossing Aid Station will not be open to crew vehicles this year. New federal mining laws have required us to construct and set up the aid station on the west side of Hwy. 49, across the street from the old aid station site. Crews will continue to be allowed at this important aid station, but they must take a shuttle bus from the town of Cool to a drop-off point near the aid station, a distance of approximately one mile. Cool is south of the aid station on Hwy. 49. A small business district is in the middle of town. Mainstreet Cafe and Grill will be open all night and crews are welcome. The shuttle will leave from this establishment. The highway is narrow and vehicular traffic travels very fast in the area of the aid station. Please use extreme caution when exiting or boarding the shuttle bus. Absolutely no parking will be allowed on the shoulder of Hwy. 49 at the aid station. Any crew parking on the shoulder of Hwy. 49 will have her or his runner disqualified.
Let's get me through as quickly as possible. No posing for Photos - you'll have to get candid ones if you want them. Coke or coffee to drink and coke in one water bottle. Bring a can - the aid station may be uptight about me filling a whole bottle. Coke cans hold 12oz, my bottles hold 24oz - need two cans plus extra for Judy.
I'll need warm clothes here. Sweats, fleece jacket, birkenstocks, etc. (Green Bag) Also take bottle of Isopropyl alcohol and paper towels.
This page last updated on Thursday June 17th 2001.