Then yesterday we got out for a real Cascade-style training session. Beginning at 7:30am, Scott, Erik and I saddled up and rode the 12 miles and 2500 ft up Washington Pass to the hairpin under Spire Gully. Trading our bikes for running shoes and backpacks we then ski-strode up Spire Gully to the base of South Early Winters Spire. Erik and I roped up and Scott free-soloed next to us as I led the first few pitches of the climb, then we un-roped and all of us soloed up the remainder to the top, giving us a total vertical gain of 5660' for the day. We allowed ourselves a few short minutes to take in the view of the surrounding peaks before downclimbing to our rope and rappelling the last few pitches to the ground. Back in our running shoes we partook of the bitchin' foot-glissade down the Spire gully before re-mounting our bikes and blasting down the pass. Not bad for a six-hour workout.
Tomorrow I load up the van with juniors and head down to Trout Lake, WA to help coach the second PNSA junior camp of the summer. Scott will join myself, Husaby, Brenna and Janice Sibilia as coaches while Erik and Torin will join in as guest athlete-coaches. Should be a great training week and a great way to intermingle with the division's top athletes. Hopefully we'll have great weather on Sunday for our annual ascent of Mt. Adams and I'll get some good photos - more to come!
The whole crew during June's Methow PNSA camp, showing their gratitude for a generous donation of sport drink from MOD sponsor Hammer Nutrition
