Two Videos - Dolomites Vertical Kilometer and Cavalls del Vent

Two Videos

Here are two videos that might provide some inspiration for your training.

The first was originally posted by GZ and is on the Dolomites Vertical Kilometer Skyrace. As the race title suggests, it is a 3,280 vertical gain race (over 1.3 miles) going straight up in the Dolomites of Italy. However, in case anyone thought Killian was invincible, he is not. In this race he placed 3rd with a time of :34.03. First place went to Nejc Kuhar of La Sportive with a time of :33.33 and second to Saul Rodriquez Padua with a time of :33.52.You can find the results to the race here.



The second video is a very nice complete race recap of the 2012 Cavalls del Vent. You can see that here Killian was in the lead the entire race, while Tony made an incredible comeback to pull off second. Full results are here.

Ultra Cavalls del Vent 2012 full race from Essentia Foto Disseny on Vimeo.

Both provide great inspiration to keep the hammer down during these snowy months. They also show the European style of racing versus the American style. I don't know which one I would prefer more, as I've never been to Europe, but you can see how crowds, cutting switchbacks, having crew members along the course, and FULLY stocked aid stations really changes things. 

Video Flyover of North Fork 50K

Video Flyover of North Fork 50K


I'm a big believer in getting as much beta as possible for races and long trail runs. This is especially true for a race or ultra that you have never run (either the entire course or just part of the trails). For me, knowing how the course "travels on the ground" really helps to break up the race into manageable sections so that when you start to get tired, your mind can stay strong. I made a video flyover for the Mt. Werner 50K classic that is coming up here on August 4, and it really gave me a better insight into the course. Simply looking at the elevation profile and the course via a topo map is important, but combined with the flyover I've got a much better idea of just what is in store for race day. So, on this note, I went back and made a flyover video of the North Fork 50K race. I think the flyovers give a good idea of the lay of the land, and since the course will be the same next year (I'm assuming), it will hopefully help people who might want to run the race but are not sure on the course.


North Fork 50K Flyover from Peter Jones on Vimeo.

Spring Backcountry Freeheel Video: How I Miss The Snow

Last week we hit some 90 degree days, and that really had me thinking (wishing?) for winter again. Sure, the climbing has been good, and the trail running up high has just started to peak (see running Neva Peak here), but when it gets hot I get grumpy. So I thought I would post this video from a spring day earlier this year. It is amazing to think that this was filmed just 8 weeks ago... ah how time flies and the snow melts.

Sure does get one thinking about those lovely spring days in the backcountry. Soon enough...

Mid-Winter Laps: Telemark Skiing Switch, Jumps, and Backcountry Video

Well, today we hit the high 80s mark on the thermometer. That means the spring snowpack is going to melt out really fast again this spring. Seems to be happening more and more: we get a good snow pack built up in March and April to only have it melt out by the end of May. Growing up I remember when it would last well into June and sometimes even into July. No worries, just means a longer season running peaks...

However, in honor (or remembrance) of this past winter, we put together another fun little telemark video of some highlights from the season. Nothing spectacular, but I think the film goes well with the sound. If nothing else, this video will keep the snow stoke going through those hot summer days to come.

It has all the usual antics: switch, 180 switch, backcountry telemarking, and some drops and jumps. Let's hope this summer is not a roaster like last year...

Colorado Backcountry Days: Telemark Video on Classic Colorado Backcountry

Well, it has been dumping again here in Colorado, so we have been up filming and getting in a few more powder days before the telemark season comes to a close (at the resorts that is; we should have a couple months still of some good spring corn skiing). In honor of all the skinning we have been doing, we put together this little video called Colorado Backcountry Days.

I think it is fairly typical in giving a flavor of the Colorado backcountry. It has it all: wind, skinning, sunny days, wind, high peaks, empty bowls, wind, and more. Utah may be known for its mid-winter backcountry, but Colorado has some of the best spring telemark skiing in the States. This is just to keep us psyched a little longer - don't put the skins away yet...

If you enjoyed the video, please leave a comment. Or, you can watch others from the list below.

Why We Love Upslopes: Colorado Telemark Video

Here is another little telemark video that I think the title says everything. Here along the Front Range we are blessed with the phenomenon known as "upslopes." This is when we get pounded by a good storm and the rest of the state seems to miss the goods. This is from a couple weeks ago, during a classic upslope snow storm.

Sometimes living along the Front Range of Colorado is ok....

Work Week Telemark Video Stoke: Switch and Steeps

After a week of really hot weather for Colorado (Denver hit 71 in January!), Ullr the snow god is back. And none too soon. Things were starting to seem a little weird. When you have a spell like last week (where I did more climbing then skiing), you have to really wonder just how close we are to experiencing some of the erratic weather associated with global climate change scientists (and avid outdoors people) have been talking about for years.

However, like I said, Ullr has graced the Rocky Mountains with another visit. Once again we are sitting pretty, the snow is falling cold and crisp, and things are looking up. Of course the avalanche danger is super high right now, so there will be no backcountry for a couple days or so (except perhaps some secret tree lines). Therefore, to help everyone get through the work week blues, Tara and I put together this little telemark video.

If you are feeling trapped at work, or just itching to get outside but can't because of that afternoon meeting, I hope this will cheer you up and get you ready to put your skins on. Keep the snow coming!

Telemark Video Trip Report: Wolf Creek Ski Area in Southern Colorado

Late one night while under the influence of Round Midnight vibes, the plans were hatched. Our friend had a condo reserved, and there was plenty of room on the floor for people to crash. The time was right. Wolf Creek it was.

Leaving early Monday morning, things were going smoothly. The roads were clear, Summit County was dry, and views of the San Luis Valley kept us driving. News was that the Pineapple Express had been pounding the Wolf once again - even though there was no snow in northern Colorado for the past couple days.

As we drove over Poncha Pass, I knew things were going to be different. There was a ton of snow in the Valley - a rare occurrence. Once we past South Fork, the sky clouded over and it started to snow. It was full on blizzard conditions at the top of the pass. We knew the next day was going to be good. Turns out, it was better then good, it was just what the doctor ordered.

The next day, we had a classic Colorado day - bluebird sky, no to little wind, epic powder conditions, and only a few Texans and Okies to avoid.

Hard to film on such a day. Over 40 inches had fallen in the last two days. Who wants to pull out a camera and wait around when it is waist deep and there are just lines calling your name? We didn't either. Most of the footage is from day two and three - sloppy seconds but all the same, well worth the trip.

For other telemark ski videos from this season, check out:

Backcountry Skinning and Teleing from Grizzly Peak

Another Long Telemark Run: Skiing Up and Down

November Telemark Skiing Footage: A Compilation

Switch Telemark Video: Early A-Basin Footage

Telemarking A-Basin Opening Day, 2009

Backcountry Telemark Skinning: Video and Trip Report

Last week Tara and I skinned up Grizzly Gulch to the southeast side of Grizzly Peak (here is a little trip report plus video from the backcountry outing). Well, we finally got around to putting the telemark footage to music and editing it. Below is a little video from that backcountry trip. As you will note, there was quite a bit of wind up high (classic Colorado conditions), and hopefully we captured it.

Today, as a way of ringing in the New Year and saying googbye to 2008, we skinned in to the base of the north side of James Peak (13,294). Again, there was some wind blowing - short gusts filled with wicked micro-snow crystals. However, just down below treeline the conditions were really pleasant, and the snow was deep and soft. Perfect for making some smooth, arching tele turns in deep powder. We got a little footage of the backcountry day, and hopefully I'll post it soon. Until then, enjoy the movie. If you want, you can also check out this other telemark video we recently did. I'd love to hear feedback...

Another Long Telemark Run: Ski Movie About Going Up and Down

Well, the snow has finally been falling here in Colorado, and the backcountry has begun to open up. On Wednesday Tara and I skinned up Grizzly Gulch all the way to the base of the southeast side of Grizzly Peak (13,427 feet). Grizzly is a spectacular 13er, and this little backcountry spot often gets overlooked for areas just a little further up I-70. Perhaps one of the reasons many telemarkers skip over the valley is because it is about 5 miles of skinning before you even begin to approach the fun stuff.

We skinned in and found the snow to be quite good. The road is covered all the way to where the trail starts and breaks away from the summer Grays and Torreys trailhead. Skinning around the north side of Torreys Peak (14,267 feet) is great, through meadows and forested slopes. You get a bunch of really good views of Torreys' North Face with the two large snow couloirs descending the entire face. The further in is an amazing telemark descent in the spring, but for now we passed it to hit some of the lesser known chutes coming off of Grizzly Peak's southeast face.

There is plenty of snow up high, most of the rocks are covered, and a descent base has formed. As always, one has to know what they are doing and watch the conditions for avalanches, but it looks like the Colorado backcountry has opened for telemark skiing. To hold you over until I get the footage sorted out from the trip, here is a new video called Another Long Telemark Run. Enjoy, and if you care, share your thoughts.

A-Basin Opening Day: Telemark Switch

A-Basin Opening Day

October 15, 2008

It was pretty crowded on opening day, but what would you expect? Only one run open (the infamous White Strip of Death), and lots of people out there getting their winter legs. Nonetheless, it was well worth it. The season has started... and it looks to be good.