The Aspen Times

Wearing a demo pair of Kahtoolas, neoprene galoshes with metal studs on the bottom, I stuck to the hill well...

March 18, 2007 - America's Uphill: An existentialist-eye view

ASPEN - If you want to get in touch with your inner existentialist, just race 3,267 vertical feet up a 2.5-mile track on Aspen Mountain at dawn with 283 people. Or, at least that's what I found out Saturday at the annual America's Uphill race.

This year's race, sponsored by Ute Mountaineer and Aspen Parks and Recreation, was dedicated to the memory of Fritz Stammberger, a larger-than-life mountaineer who disappeared on a solo expedition in Pakistan in the late 1970's, and Scott Edmondson, an Aspen Middle School teacher and outdoor education pioneer who died last year at age 59.

Racers from the Beaver Creek Resort in Avon dominated the 2007 event. The top time was 43 minutes, 26 seconds posted by Mike Kloser of Beaver Creek, and his teammate, Josiah Middaugh came in at 44:11. Aspen's best, Jonathan Severy from the Ute Mountaineer shop, crossed the line in a respectable third place at 44:39. The top female finisher, Anita Ortiz of the Beaver Creek, came in at 47:58, followed by Robin Pfautz of Carbondale (57:19) and Lisa Gonzalez of Aspen (57:56).

Winners collected medals in seven age groups (under 18 to over-70) and four classes: Track skis (cross-countries), heavy-metal (alpine touring gear), Telemark skis or the "open" category, which included running shoes, snowshoes, stabilicers, YakTrax or any other traction system people could think of.

But my time - nearly one hour and 20 minutes - couldn't possibly express Saturday's existential odyssey.

Inner demons

"God, help me!" I said at the top of The Little Nell run, the sun just lighting up the clear morning sky. Only a fraction of the way up the gradual pitch and I didn't think I could make it.

Wearing a demo pair of Kahtoolas, neoprene galoshes with metal studs on the bottom, I stuck to the hill well, but my heart was racing, my chest hurt and I was looking for a way to sneak away from the pack and retreat with my dignity...

—Charles Agar

According to company owner and founder, Danny Giovale, "there is so much uphill activity in Aspen, this event was the perfect place to introduce" their new product.

December 9, 2006 - Mountain Mayhem

Storming the Stars

In the midst of last Saturday evening's snowfall, 229 racers strapped on headlamps, pinned race bibs to their winter clothes and charged to the top of Aspen Mountain on skis, snowshoes, and FLIGHTboots.

The third annual Storm the Stars uphill drew more participants than anticipated - especially good news for an event associated with a good cause. Though 2006 marked the third annual event, this was the first time it was also a fundraiser. Proceeds from the race this year, and going forward, will benefit the American Transplant Foundation and the Chris Klug Foundation.

An incredibly touching and well-supported event, Storm the Stars truly served as a crescendo of community spirit. While mostly local athletes participated in the race, businesses from the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond stepped up as event sponsors, assisting racers' fundraising efforts with cash donations, providing gift bag items, donating raffle prizes and more.

It was a serene scene as snowflakes fell throughout the duration of the race. The course was lit by the full moon, racers' headlamps and the occasional glow sticks staked along the slopes.

Many racers opted to demo the new FLIGHTboot from Kahtoola Snow Travel Systems. According to company owner and founder, Danny Giovale, "there is so much uphill activity in Aspen, this event was the perfect place to introduce" their new product. Bill Perkins of Redfeather Snowshoes designed the boot to be worn over one's shoe of choice - be it a hiking boot or running shoe. You slip your shoe into the neoprene FLIGHTboot, zip up the back and cinch the straps in the front. It's completely waterproof with metal teeth below the ball of the foot for traction and can be worn independently or affixed to a snowshoe...

(Photo caption: The crew from Kahtoola at the Sundeck. Kahtoola Snow Travel Systems recently introduced their new FLIGHTboot to the winter sports scene, offering free demos for participants in the uphill event.)

—May Selby

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