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| 12th Annual |
| Elk Mountains Grand
Traverse |
| Crested Butte to Aspen |
| |
 At
the stroke of midnight on April 4, 1998, nearly 100
racers gathered in Crested Butte, Colorado. A day later,
after racing through a crystal clear night and equally
spectacular day, they arrived in Aspen, tired, sore,
bleary eyed and exultant in their accomplishment. They
had skied through 40 miles of rugged Elk Mountains backcountry.
Each year since, 200 racers have done the same thing.
Based on the tradition of mail routes which connected
the Colorado mining towns of Crested Butte and Aspen
in the 1880s, the 40-mile course starts at 9,000 feet
in Crested Butte, takes skiers through Mt. Crested
Butte Ski Resort, over two mountain passes and finishes
in the City of Aspen at the base of the Aspen Skiing
Mountain. In addition to a quality wilderness race
experience for entrants, priorities of the race organizers
include the safety of all participants and minimal
impact on the environment.
 Depending
on weather conditions the race is scheduled to start
at midnight on Friday. This unusual start time is
scheduled so entrants will reach the high point of
Star pass at 12,303 feet before the warmth of the day
increases the likelihood of avalanches. Because of
the remote route through the Elk Mountains, each team
of two is required to carry enough food and supplies
to sustain themselves for 24 hours. Before the start
of the race the team's packs will be checked to be
sure all essential gear is present including bivy sacks,
stove, fuel, avalanche beacons and rescue gear, first
aid and repair kits etc. |
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