Alaska At Its Finest - Barefoot Flattop

I tested out the Five Fingers on Flattop today for the second time.  I ran up the backside on the "runner's trail" and posted a decent early season time.  The weather was stellar and the temperature was warm enough to run only in shorts.  The Five Fingers made the minimalist style complete.  Feeling the warm rock and soaking up the sun's energy like a sponge - this has got to be barefoot mountain running in Alaska at its finest. 

Without intending to sound like a Five Fingers apostle, I must say that if you're at all inclined to try out barefoot running or some sort of minimalist shoe style, I really like Five Fingers.  The backside of Flattop is no problem at all and although I haven't tried the Five Fingers on Peak 3 I'm sure it would be fine since I made it up and down that peak last summer completely barefoot.  Peak 3 has even less gravel and rock than Flattop. 

I hope you're out enjoying the weather. 

Packrafts

If you're adventuring in or near Fairbanks check out this website.  Northern Packrafts

Hot Springs 100

The Hot Springs 100, is a 100km++ overland wilderness event from Chena Hot Springs to Circle Hot Springs, Alaska.

 

In a straight line as the raven flies the distance on map is about 65 miles.

Afoot on terrain it may be 75 to 80 actual miles.

The terrain is primarily wilderness: unglaciated alpine domes and ridges.

 

Possible foot trails include animal(~73%), atv(~12%), gravel/tailing road(~15%),

Also a wilderness river float (as much as 40%).

 

This is a wilderness event.  The routes are mainly alpine with boreal forest approaches and a possible 30mi+ river section.  Bears, black and grizzly, are common all throughout the country.

 

Participants must be fit and equipped with wilderness experience; ready to cope with wilderness hardships.  It is essential a person feels comfortable orienteering from map to landscape and from landscape to map with a compass.

 

The event has occurred four times.

61 total participants. 55 finished.

The solo record time is 23hr. 50min.  (2009) The team record time is 23hr. 38min.  (2009) The solo all-overland record time is 24hr. 56min. (2007)

 

   Information 457-6376  or mdr65n@yahoo.com

 

be free,

-mdr 

1983 Race Summary

Race summary from the 1983 Hope to Homer race.