I was just thinking that of all the trails in this life there is one that matters most. It is the trail of a true human being. I think you are on this trail and it is good to see.

-Dances with Wolves

Today marks the end of my early winter travel period.   I began in West Yellowstone, traveled to Bozeman, and finally finished up in Silver Star.   I loved visiting all of these places and am grateful for all of the great snow and terrain.  Unfortunately, I did not have a good race in any of these locations.  Thus, it is time to go home for some, “Home Cookin” (A Rick Kapala Fundamental).  Over the next couple weeks I will get some rest and sharpen up for Anchorage.  I also might consider putting on 20-25 pounds of fat just in case it is -50 F up there again.  Let’s all hope for above zero temps!!

Racing in Bozeman

on the road to Silver Star.  (Erik on the Right)

Nicole DeYong out for a jog.

“Keep your nose in the wind and your eye along the skyline.”

-Del Gue

Just wrapping up a long SuperTour sprint day and thought I’d post a few pictures.  The Sun Valley ODT crew had a solid day posting 4 top tens, with Mikey getting on the podium.  It was a cold wintery day with some fun head to head racing out at Lindley Park in Bozeman.  Kuzzy took the men’s race and Brooks took the women’s.  Simi had a great morning, qualifying first for the heats and looked great in all the rounds till he ran out of gas in the finals.  I guess he left his breakfast at the finish line after the qualifier, which probably didn’t help.  Not much time to rest before a hard 10/15km tomorrow up at Bohart.  New course with some wild downhill corners and mean uphills.  The team is pretty psyched about it.  Hope the temperatures will be legal.  On Monday its off to SilverStar to continue the early season swing.

Mens A Final headed down the first hill

Mikey Sinnott 2nd, Simi Hamilton 4th, post A Final

Nicole DeYong (10th) finishing her B Final heat

Below: Reid Pletcher giving it up the final hill in the B Final

Sundays  race featured a grueling 10/15k classic race up at Bohart Ranch in 2 F weather and blowing snow.  Sun Valley girls had a solid day with Kate Whitcomb taking 5th, Nicole DeYong 6th, and Adele Espy (12th) continuing her comeback from compartment syndrom surgery in October.   On the mens side Mikey was 14th, Colin 20th, Reid 21st, Erik 31st, and Max 32nd.  Eirk and Max were the top juniors on the day.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.

-Edward Abbey

Hey y’all-

The Sun Valley ODT is hanging here in West Yellowstone until Thursday, when we will head to Bozeman for some Supertours.  Got 3 inches of new snow today!  Here are some photos.

A beautiful evening in West.

Cold on the ski this am!

Simi Hamilton and Noah Hoffman watch the Griz Wrestling Match.

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“Ain’t this somethin’? I told my pap and mam I was going to be a mountain man; acted like they was gut-shot. Make your life go here, son. Here’s where the people is. Them mountains is for Indians and wild men. Mother Gue, I says the Rocky Mountains is the marrow of the world, and by God, I was right. Keep your nose in the wind and your eye along the skyline.”

- Del Gue (Jeremiah Johnson)

The above quotes is one of my all time favorites.  It embodies a lot of what I love about West Yellowstone.  Skiing long hours in the trees, waking up at 7:30 and walking on cold crisp mornings, bumping into the occasional animal.   It is all part of the experience.  People often ask me if I like bike racing or ski racing better.  That question has no answer; both play a huge role in my life.   I can tell you that there is nothing like going down a Swiss alp in a pack of 190, on a road the width of a sidewalk, weaving through cars, getting yelled at in French, Belgian, and German all at once.  Having said that, there is nothing like skiing through a snowfall in West Yellowstone, in the trees, enjoying the stillness of the moment….Savor that stuff like a nice steak dinner, it’ll do you good.

-Max Durtschi     (pic below)

Rick leads the morning walk.

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