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Posted by Grant on 17. April 2009 07:30
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It was a very challenging stage today. The fog and wind, complete with blowing snow, at the summit of Pilatus was tough. The foul weather came during several hours of relentless uphill trekking and snowshoeing, really putting the participants to the test. Everyone dug down and gutted it out, especially for the final approach to the top (CP 3 was located at the
summit of the towering Mt. Pilatus).
I tried this morning to explain how tough the climb is, and the photos I'm uploading shed some more light on the experience; as I write this, the pics are loading on a painfully slow internet connection at the hotel, so who knows when they'll be posted . . . but you can view them from the Race Photos page at www.UntamedAdventure.com/Switzerland if they ever finish uploading. Here is the one pic that has made it to the server, so I can link you over to it:
This shows the "SlugSalt / Richmond ASR" team making their way up the final approach. They finished 3rd in the stage and are nearly an hour ahead of 4th place at the moment; in fact, the SlugSalt/Richmond ASR duo are leading the non-Swiss teams.
I traveled to the summit while shadowing a few teams, and I saw first-hand several racers claw to the top on their hands and knees. Yes, it is that steep. Without snowshoes, I don't know that you could make it up the final 3 hundred meters. Sean, racing on the Untamed Adventure Virginia team, arrived at the top with a glazed look in his eye and said "That was one of the toughest things I've ever done." Sean later clarified that gunfire in the military was tougher than Pilatus, but otherwise he still stands by his initial quote. I should add, this was also Sean's first time wearing snowshoes. Quite a way to break in to the sport!
After finally reaching the frigid summit, racers were treated to a cable car ride down to a more hospitable region of the mountain. From there, they navigated the
twisty trails at the base of the peak en route to the Stage finish along the lake.
We had some rough weather today, but nothing we couldn't handle. Rain, fog, and wind; and there was evidence of fresh snow high up on the mountain. The skies began to clear as the day continued and, by the time everyone was finished and enjoying a well-earned beer, the sun came out.
Tomorrow is more of a rogaine style day, with time bonuses for a few CPs. It could certainly shake up the standings. Weather forecast is more favorable for tomorrow, too, so we hope to reward racers with more exceptional scenery.