5.13.2008

Next Sunday: A hurried pace for Jay

I have an interest in doing some longer distances at a hurried pace. I think this coming Sunday (5/18) I will probably be heading out to Crawford Notch to do the following loop:

  • Park at Crawford Depot (little bldg south of AMC Highland Lodge)
  • Avalon Trail over Mt. Avalon
  • Willey Range Trail to AT
  • AT to Zealand Hut
  • A-Z Trail back to car.
By 'hurried pace' I mean actually running where possible, trotting where I can't run, hurrying where I can't trot and walking while gasping for air where I can't hurry. I plan on bringing only 2L of water and food, which may make the Willey Range section Crush, Kill, Destroy!
sketchy if it's cold/rainy - so maybe a second top/shell. Footwear: trail runners ... or maybe mid-weight leathers... not sure now.
  • Approx Distance: 16.3 mi.
  • Max allowable time: 6:00 (otherwise be stomped to death by the PuppetMaster - see illustration at right)
  • Estimated time: 5:30
  • Goal time: sub-5h
Realistic? No idea. The time does include stopping for more water at Zealand Hut (if need be) and stopping for a snack or two, although in general the plan would be to not really come to a stop at all.

5 comments:

  1. Perhaps... depends on the wheel. What's the total mileage?

    ReplyDelete
  2. About 16.3 miles. There's the big, slow ascent right off the bat up Avalon, a really steep descent off Willey down to the AT (treacherous when wet) and then really flat to Zealand for almost 7 miles (much of which can be jogged, trotted or in some cases, actually run.

    Current forecast is for rain.

    ReplyDelete
  3. i'll have to miss this pain parade. it is looking like memorial day i'll be free for some weighty wackiness.

    -md

    ReplyDelete
  4. Humane Society Search

    Where are they when you need them? I traveled with the MZ minstrel today. Really my first rock hop outing, where I could hop vs hobble since pre-Hut2hut. Well, I paid for it.

    We had a great start, chatting, exchanging ideas and general chit chat at a comfy/hurried pace. I was panting early. Then like a switch had been pulled, as soon as we hit elevation, MZ bolts aways and runs the hills. It was then that I knew this was a going to be a long day for this puppy.

    The routes were coated with "monorails", footing for very large sections was really bad, lots of slips, falls, banging trees, weird looks from other hikers, postholing hip deep like there was no tomorrow. Adding to that crap, during one of 14 or so, crashes, I managed to smash THE other knee & get the legs bruised, pierced and scratched like I was mauled by a catamount. Then, sprinkle in some dehydration, tanking 3/4 way out, leg cramping and pounding headaches from sucking wind all day. Ah yes, overall, some good ol' fashioned fun on the MZ pain train. I'm done, it's bed time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Humane Society Search

    Where are they when you need them? I traveled with the MZ minstrel today. Really my first rock hop outing, where I could hop vs hobble since pre-Hut2hut. Well, I paid for it.

    We had a great start, chatting, exchanging ideas and general chit chat at a comfy/hurried pace. I was panting early. Then like a switch had been pulled, as soon as we hit elevation, MZ bolts aways and runs the hills. It was then that I knew this was a going to be a long day for this puppy.

    The routes were coated with "monorails", footing for very large sections was really bad, lots of slips, falls, banging trees, weird looks from other hikers, postholing hip deep like there was no tomorrow. Adding to that crap, during one of 14 or so, crashes, I managed to smash THE other knee & get the legs bruised, pierced and scratched like I was mauled by a catamount. Then, sprinkle in some dehydration, tanking 3/4 way out, leg cramping and pounding headaches from sucking wind all day. Ah yes, overall, some good ol' fashioned fun on the MZ pain train. I'm done, it's bed time.

    ReplyDelete