Wasatch Powderkeg 2012

The Wasatch Powderkeg is the best ski mountaineering race in the country.  Over 150 people came out this last Saturday and we were all treated with sun, icy skinning, supportable crust, breakable crust, powder and an overall good time.  Thanks Chad and Emily for all the work.  I think they placed and picked up several thousand flags.  Without their help this race would have died a long time ago.

Emily and Chad? marking the course (photo from http://wasatchpowderkeg.com/?page_id=242)

I had a good race and can think of many contributing factors but three stick out in my mind. The first was course recon.  Jared and I went up the afternoon before and skinned/skied through the slushy moguls that were going to freeze ovrnight and turn into technical skinning the next day.  Knowing this, I chose to use wall to wall skins and Jared used ski crampons.  When everyone else was struggling, we both cruised and happended to top this part of the climb in 1st and 2nd.  The right gear choice makes a difference.  The second, real race boots. This was my first race in my Dynafit Evo's and I couldn't be more pleased.  They're a pound and a half (per pair) lighter than my previous race boots (TLT 5's) and the lack of weight was noticable.  Again, the right gear makes a difference.  Third, work.  Not working out, job work.  This month my schedule has been pretty hectic so I haven't had a ton of time to get out.  Although I'd rather do something big everyday, a forced rest was probably good for the race. More of Chad's photos and links to others can be found here, enjoy!

Happy to be close to the top of the last climb (photo from Aaron Smith's facebook album)

Also, congrats to the rest of the Wasatch.  I'm no Powderkeg historian but this has to be the strongest Wasatch based contingent ever.  Hopefully we can keep things rolling through the spring and summer!