How do you feel about the "Son of Inferno" race?

[SherpaKroto]

I'm interested in hearing feedback regarding this year's resurrection(?) of the famed Inferno race as an Adventure race. I'm still on the fence - while I enjoy watching these things (but can't make this one), I'm concerned over the impact to the eco-system. From what I've read, it appears to be a necessary evil to preserve the Ravine(is it really, or is this all hype?). I am by no means an exclusionist. I believe the natural wonders that we have should be shared. I'm just concerned over overuse/ruin of what should be a very protected area. Any comments?

[twist]

I have news for you, this race's purpose is not to raise money to help protect the area but to add further ammenities to it - namely drilling a well for potable water. This means more drinking; cleaning; & sewage in the Hermit Lakes area.

The race is a laugh. The only thing it has in common with the original Infernos is the name. Is it going to attract good skiers? No, it's going to attract iron-man type teams & competitors who are hardly more proficient at skiing than the people standing on the sidelines.

Brought to you directly from the same guy who introduced helicopter skiing mayhem to Tuckermans. Yeah, Al baby, you are my hero!

[skicdave]

Son of Inferno takes place April 21/01. For more info visit http://www.friendsoftuckerman.org/pentathalon.html .

http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/inferno.jpg

[M@]

Oh boy. I can't wait for a big fat MOUNTAIN DEW logo splashed all other the otherwise pristine ravine.

I suppose we outta start having bonfires up there again too.

I, for one, am against this. Part of the expierence has always been the remoteness. Albeit no where near compelete, I like the fact that you have to treat your own water, and you have to hike up everything you need. It keeps the numbers down.

Next year: Son of Inferno 2! Funding the TUCKERMAN SKI LIFT AND EXPRESSO BAR.

M@

[Inferno Extinguisher]

This idea is super cheesy

[skicdave]

I'm on the fence on this one. I'd rather have been there back in 1930's to watch the like of Toni Matti and Dick Durrance fly over the headwall on those old wood skis and leather bindings. A modern day 'Son of Inferno' kind of trashes such a historic race. I'll save my judgement however to er... judgement day. I hope to be there on April 21 as an observer... I'll get back to you on this.

For those interested in learning more about the REAL Great Inferno I suggest you vist http://www.concordmonitor.com/stories/top100/matt1121.shtml .

Dave

http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/moose3a.gif

[SherpaKroto]

Looks like look, listen, wait, see, (and grieve...). I guess, when I want water, I'll carry/filter my own. I'll be following this with great apprehension. One way to look at it is - there goes one less prime time Saturday. - SherpaKroto

[M@]

Looks like it's gonna rain on their inferno.

M@

[SherpaKroto]

Poetic Justice?
-SherpaKroto

[skicdave]

I'll be up there the day of the race... I'll get back to you with a report (and the usual photos).

I did ask some locals last weekend how they felt about the race. The majority had positive or indifferent attitudes towards the race.

I'll be watching the race and looking forward to a great run down the little headwall and Sherburne.

Re: weather - I never go by the weather report... Mt Washington weather is hard to predict days in advance and changes constantly even during the day.

Dave

http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/moose3a.gif

[Jonathan Shefftz]

If you want a true backcountry skiing experience, with no drinking water or toilets, try Gulf of Slides (where I was this past Sunday).

But on April 21, I trooped along with the rest of the masses to Tucks, to compete in the Son of Inferno race. We had great weather, a great relay team, and a great time. And we also had some great skiers, myself included (a collegiate race coach and master's racer).

So for those of you who are potentially interested in the event, I would highly recommend it for next year.

[M@]

I was originally against this race, mainly becuase of the advertising. But after having a slight case of "Beaver's Revenge" I am all for a well being drilled and fresh water being made available year round at HoJo's.

AND: I'm thinking about doing the race! I think it might be a lot of fun to do the hiking or skiing part.

M@

[SherpaKroto]

M@ - looks like we'll disagree on this one. I think the race is a great thing to watch, but I worry about the fragile area where it is held. I can see the potential of this becoming a huge event. Can Tuck's handle it?I spent lots of time at Tuck's in the 70's (Berlin native), and I'm sure I unknowingly contributed to the mess it was becoming. Adding a well will only make things worse if it makes water readily available to any yahoo in a pair of flip flops who decides it would be a cool place to be. Part of Tuck's appeal is a very small sense of being in the wild (relatively speaking). What's next, 24 ice cream varieties? A Sam Adams booth? Golden Arches? Maybe I'm being cynical, but Tuck's is a place that I've enjoyed over many years (taking a long break as the children grew up). I'd hate to see it ruined by a small group who "mean well". Stepping off the soapbox - SherpaKroto

[Jonathan Shefftz]

I think we're actually in more agreement than might appear at first. I love real backcountry skiing, but I think the Tucks scene ceased being that a long time ago. Check out this excerpt:

* * * * *
http://www.skimag.com/article/feature.cfm?alias_id=4737
"The Seventies"
"The second "HoJo's" shelter burns in 1972, and an Appalachian Mountain Club that is increasingly disenchanted with the irresponsibility of some Tuckerman visitors opts to replace it with a structure that provides only nominal shelter for skiers. No longer can visitors check their skis in the basement of the lodge or buy a cheeseburger at the grill."

* * * * *

Anyway, although the race presence in the Ravine was sizable (21 climbers/skiers, 21 hikers, 9 nutcases doing all five legs, maybe several dozen volunteers and sherpas, ~22 race gates, a zillion course marker flags), we were almost negligible compared to the hundreds - thousands?!? - of recreational skiers.

Enhancing the amenities at HoJo's might even be a good way to preserve the real backcountry skiing on Mt Washington (Gulf of Slides, Great Gulf, etc.), because then most people will be even more encouraged to limit themselves to Tucks.

[SherpaKroto]

Jonathan - I don't buy it. I was at Tuck's the week after (granted, a cooler weekend). There were far fewer crowds. (I wasn't at the race, but heard from many who were - estimates were 2000+). The crowd was sizable, and this was only the first year. How many folks are planning for next year? Or the one after that? And let's not fool ourselves - this IS a spectator sport. Here's a novel idea - why not have the hike/climb/ski portion of the race at Wildcat? This still preserves the spirit of hte Inferno race, doesn't it? And since it is located in the White Mt National Forest, donate the proceeds to the Friends of Tuckerman's for trail maintenance, rescue equipment, food for the volunteer ski patrol, whatever. Wildcat is a much less fragile venue, much better capable of absorbing this sort of event, don't you think? I'm not trying to flame, or come off as a prima donna (I'm sure that some who read this will think so). I'm just trying to hold on to something great for a little while longer. - SherpaKroto

[Jonathan Shefftz]

I'll believe that ~2000 people were in the Ravine that day, and I'll estimate that ~100 were directly involved in the race (competitors, volunteers, team assistants), but I won't try to hazard a guess as to how many on those other ~1900 were there b/c of the race. I wonder what the Forest Service's guess would be?

Holding it at Wildcat? Loses much of its appeal. (Though I wish someone would sponsor skin- up/ski-down races somewhere.) Hold it at Gulf of Slides? (When the ski trail is still skinnable.) Hey, now, we're talking.

Donate the proceeds to the Friends of Tuckerman for trail maintenance, rescue equipment, food for the volunteer ski patrol, etc.? Hey, that *is* a much better idea than the potable water!!!

[The Turk]

For what it's worth: Didn't see the race. Read about it a week after it happened. If another one is held, it should be only a ski race, just like the original ones in the thirites, from the summit to the AMC camp, run only in years when the snow conditions are right. Solo acts only, no teams. Eliminations to reduce the field to about a dozen skiers should be held at Wildcat.
Screw the potable water, bring a filtration pump.
The Turk.

[twist]

yeah, what Turk said!

And what Jonathan said about where the donations should really go to -- agreed.

my first post turned out to be a little harsh on the actual 'ski' racers - but the best skier in the world wouldn't have made a bit of difference in the results. The Inferno has always been a great SKI race, not a triathalon with an insignificant ski event in order to steal the name.

[skicdave]

For those who didn't see the race, check out the photos at http://timefortuckerman.com/photos2001-04-21.html?50 . The race course can be seen at http://timefortuckerman.com/apr21-2001/Panoramic_-_Son_of_Inferno_Course.jpg .

PS. Didn't see the likes of Toni Matti in the race.

Dave
http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/infernoflagicon.jpg