Camping, running, Experiment KILT

JJJessee · Feb 10, 2008

Med Long Run- Kilt experiment & 12th Annual Winter Campout Feb, 8 and 9 2008 A few guys and myself like a snack-sized portion of winter camping about this time of year. Nothing serious, just an overnight along the AT on Elk Garden Ridge between Mt Roger’s and Whitetop. This year we had 4, Ed our perennial coordinator, Mark, Joe, (all professors at Emory and Henry College) and myself. I rode with Ed from Emory and we were to scoop up Joe on his bike somewhere along the 20 mile or so route to the mountain. We missed him somehow. But Ed dropped me off at the Elk Garden parking to hike almost a mile north on the AT to start a fire at our standard campsite, while he backtracked to find Joe. Joe was near the top of the first mountain. On these campouts, I generally cook a pot of something curried on the fire, but due to a spectacular curry hurling incident last year, that will be talked about for years to come, it was -Verboten!...yes Verboten! -Or rather politely asked to change up the menu just a bit this year…..decade….. ok century. Personally, I think it was the magnum of Shiraz, but I’m not a quibbler. So we had a cow ‘n bean chili politely spiced as to bore your English grandmother throughly. Weather has been an issue in the past, from -4*F with 30mph+ winds to 30* pea soup fog with 30mph+ winds. The 30mph+ wind is fairly standard. I think it has something to do with being on a bald saddle at 4300’ between two 5500’+ mountains, but I’m not a weatherman or geographer. I just enjoy hearing the coyotes tune up with the breeze. This year, temps were stable, just below freezing and 30mph+ winds. Nothing a fire and a few sips of Kentucky’s finest can’t remedy. An enjoyable, and thankfully uneventful, time was had by all. Matt, one of our alumni who could not stay the entire evening, hiked in and brought us cookies and baklava (but forgot the milk L) after dark. Eventually, we ran out of firewood and shootin’ that 30 something breeze is less attractive than say a double-thickness of sleeping bag. We struck camp well after sunrise. Usually we drive off the north face and have a bit of breakfast at one of two general store venues in Konnarock along the way home. Alas both are closed now. Since I was bound and determine to do a point-to-point of medium length back to Damascus on the AT and Va Creeper Trail, we thought we might try the general store in the Whitetop community on the south face while spiraling westward. It was an excellent score – not too far out of the way. And not necessarily on account of the food, but our cook/waitress was a seasoned conversationalist and obliged our questions graciously. My sausage, eggs, hash browns and biscuit, may have been overfill, but well received. This place is great. We’ve been going off the wrong side of the mountain for years. OK, a little trail running already. Ed dropped me off at the AT crossing US 58 near Summit Cut. He waited around as I loaded my UtiliKilt pockets and hydration pack with running flotsam for a 14+ mile jaunt through some of my favorite eye candy. Ed’s car claims the temp is 41*, but there’s some wind exploring the folds of the mountains and I’m not keen to relinquish too many layers from this morning’s short return hike across the bald. Ed drives off and I head AT south into the laurel hell of Lost Mt. Lost Mountain is barely a bump elevation-wise and the single track is easy as pie: good leave bed, good chamfer, almost rockless and rootless, easy grades, pretty forest and streams. (God, if you’re reading this and I’m worth it. Pearly gates, gold streets, and that kinda stuff – are not really necessary -don’t go to the trouble. Just drop me off here, barefoot even.) Of course Garmin gets lost in the laurel (who wouldn’t) but with a map I deduce its 3 miles as I pop out on the VCT at the long and tall Creek Junction trestle. I take a stretch break and shed a top layer. Just on internal warming only. The sun is bright with an angelic array of white, wispy yachts sailing carelessly through the cobalt deep above. The kilt is doing great. It’s cotton and could get too heavy if wet. But it’s slightly warmer than shorts and seems to give at least as free a stride as tights. (Use your imagination for an undergarment, or lack of). It’s called the Survival model, but strides with class. Good job Utilikilt folks! You guys are magicians with needle and thread. Back on the rail-trail, it’s an easy downgrade run for 11.25 miles to the Damascus caboose. My near term goal run, Holiday Lake 50k is next Saturday. I’m nursing some sore but improving adductors and abs, so I’m not pushing it. I do manage a few M pace miles sprinkled in toward the end. And while not totally wiped out, I’m glad to see the caboose, and immediately strip off the kilt for a thigh deep wade and ice bath rejuvo-meditation in Beaver Dam Creek. (OK so as not to scandalize your imagination or the locals, a MUG was involved). 14.25 miles in about 2:40. I called Ed and he graciously ferried me back to his house for my ride. How about a few pictures? White and a tiny sliver of a moon <img alt="" src="http://i29.tinypic.com/2cptb81.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> Mark and Joe, half the motley crew <img alt="" src="http://i26.tinypic.com/2zea2o8.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> OK, wake him or take away the knife <img alt="" src="http://i28.tinypic.com/1z4dcld.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> Ed totin' out chili remains in kettle <img alt="" src="http://i26.tinypic.com/1zmnvjl.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> A brisk highland marn <img alt="" src="http://i26.tinypic.com/u7bc2.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> Starting up Lost Mt. <img alt="" src="http://i25.tinypic.com/2l6q7q.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> The Slot – kayak anyone? <img alt="" src="http://i28.tinypic.com/2nlvfjm.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> JJJ

hally · Feb 10, 2008

Nice country Jjj 
Colorful report as always 
nice legs too <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

sistergoldenhair · Feb 10, 2008

That is some sweet, tasty eye candy indeed. 
Thanks for sharing a great weekend with us. 
I like the black hoodie - black kilt combo. It's a good look for you. Good luck in your 50K next week.

FlyingFinn · Feb 10, 2008

Beautiful countryl! Love the kilt. The Slot does look goot for a yak.

evanflein · Feb 10, 2008

Cool trip, JJJ... beautiful pictures. I love the moon... and the terrain. So, how do you like that kilt? DH loved your "four beers" reference. I think he wants one.

IEatHills4Meals · Feb 11, 2008

love it<img alt="notworthy.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/notworthy.gif"> 
can't wait to hear from you next weekend.

Johnny · Feb 11, 2008

Fine narrative and fine pictures, you sure tell an interesting story. Thanks for sharing, and good to hear the kilt worked out well for you. Good luck on your 50K next weekend.

millbot · Feb 11, 2008

That's a sharp looking kilt, JJJ. 
Curry hurling in 30mph winds could make for a nice competition. 
Good luck in your ultra!

runinbehind · Feb 11, 2008

That sounds like a fine weekend, Triple J. You have a way with words...it's always a joy to read about your escapades!

choovie · Feb 11, 2008

spectacular curry hurling incident? Oh, the horror... 
Your pictures are lovely as always and I particularly like the colors of the sunset in the moon sliver photo. You do seem to enjoy life and I love reading about your epic adventures. I hope you can shake the ab/add problems quickly. 
Glad to hear the utilikilt is living up to expectations <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

merigayle · Feb 11, 2008

nice! thanks for sharing. i love the pictures.

JJJessee · Feb 11, 2008

Thanks guys, 
I only had one fault with the kilt and I think it can be remedied. I failed to tuck in a tech protective layer at the waist and discovered a "ring of fire" in the shower. Damp cotton = 120 grit sandpaper. I'll figure it out though. The kilt is great on or off the trail. 
Finn, The Slot, is pretty popular with yakkers, but loses flow by May. I'm (DW is) not into whitewater. 
TMI alert! 
Our raining champion curry hurler was unable to attend this year. I think he still gets a bit queasy when we mention camping and cooking in the same sentence. Besides, this year there was no snow cover to preserve his Jackson Pollockesque talent for review the next morning. Even the sound track would have won some kind of grammy I'll bet. We'll work on him for next year. 
jjj

sistergoldenhair · Feb 11, 2008

Jackson Pollock ... thanks for the visual. Ewwww. <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">

RichardC · Feb 11, 2008

Very nice read and sounds like a great time and place

hup · Feb 11, 2008

As long as the "ring of fire" was limited to your waistband ..... 
Give it another couple of years and maybe that curry episode will fade from memory. 
Great adventure, JJJ. 
Hope you are 100% next weekend. 
hup

Tamster · Feb 11, 2008

What a fun adventure!! You are such a great story teller JJJ and I always enjoy your accompanying photos - especially when a little leg is showing!

Econo · Feb 12, 2008

No milk with the cookies...boo! 
No curry*, and insipid spicing...boo! 
But everything else...yay!!! Fun inaugural event for the Kilted One. 
*It was the shiraz, for sure

JohnnyB · Feb 12, 2008

Dude you have a gift for story telling. Nice pics too.

Voodoojunkie · Feb 13, 2008

Man, that was excellent! I dig your writing flare! Very well done!

RunsTheBitterroot · Feb 18, 2008

Hi Jessie! First time I have looked into the run and race report forum, finally getting around to checking out the different forums. Glad I checked this one out. 
Great report and pictures. Must have been alot of fun. 
Larry

Camping, running, Experiment KILT

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