Full Inferno for a first time Tuckerman Rider

[truepatriot09]

Hey there folks-
I'm doing the Tuckerman category at the Inferno this year, but I've never ridden (I'm a boarder) Tucks' before. I'm familiar with the bowl from hiking and think I've read all that I can browsing the internet, so I'm just looking for some first hand experience on maybe some tips and what to expect.

I'm planning a few pre-race runs to get my legs under me but the best weapon is education so I'll take whatever you can give me.

Thanks folks!

-ct

[chickwhorips]

I'm not sure if you're asking for info about just the ski leg, or the whole race, but you can read my report of last year's ski leg:

http://www.timefortuckerman.com/forums/showthread.php?p=76636#post76636

I've also done the bike leg (previous year) and the kayak leg (for fun after the race), so PM me if you want details about those.

[truepatriot09]

Really just about the ski leg. I've never snowboarded Tux before so it's the one leg that has me a bit nervous. I've been the cyclist for a team the past two years and I'm sponsored by an online training coach so I'm not too concerned about getting in shape for the first four legs; I'm most worried about riding one of the gnarliest runs in the east on legs that have just covered 30+ miles and over 4000' of elevation gain/loss. Jello legs on something unfamiliar is what freaks me out a bit.

So...any tips, anecdotes that may be appropriate?

[RR]

....So...any tips, anecdotes that may be appropriate?Yes...skip the lift served a few times and try to get some runs in Left Gully in the weeks before the race. The terrain is way different with snow in it. Really, just getting half way up because that's all you can find time for will give you more of a feel for the situation.

Even better, if Left has decent conditions run a few laps in the upper half, making sure to stop right below the Bottleneck to head back up. Going through there can be intimidating...a couple of trips through will help prepare...because, as you mentioned, at that point in the event you'll be running on fumes. Also, on that same practice day, if you are lucky, maybe the Lip will be decent and you can do a couple laps between just above the Lip and Lunch Rocks.

Try to make a couple runs in Hillmans; maybe getting a few upper half laps on another practice day as the race can be held there too. You will get a real good burn on both days...but give yourself a couple weeks to recover.

I know it's way cool to have some brews in the bowl on nice weather days....skip 'em and train! Plenty of brews after the race...

[Rider.Steve]

As a boarder you have to contend with an additional factor compared to your skiing competitors - the toes of your soft boots (if your ride soft boots) will not fit so easily into the established boot ladder depressions, and it will be harder to kick-step new depressions, particularly if conditions are hard-pack.

This could be an important factor, because far more time is expended during the ascent than the descent, and slips would be costly in terms of time lost or the hazards of a bad slide.

When you do practice runs it may be worth your while to observe whether your ascent seem sketchy or slow with your regular riding boots. If you feel that they are a liability, you might consider riding in stiff mountaineering boots (if you have them and normally ride with strap bindings) or with some form of hard boot with plate bindings. Crampons would be another option - they will give you the most positive traction, but most would advise against using them without an ice axe.

Steve

[truepatriot09]

I'm going to experiment with different boot combinations. Timberland's Cadion is the ultra lightweight hiking boot that was co-designed with Ed Viesturs that won Backpackers Editors Choice last year. I'm going to try riding in those and see how I do. Because if I can do it, than I can do the hike portion and the snowboard portion in the same boot and that will save me weight and time. Plus than my feet will fit into the steps on the ascent of the ski leg.

Thanks for the tips everyone...keep 'em coming if you have 'em!

[M@]

I think it's awesome you're here looking for advice. Please keep coming back - and let us know about your training. I'm very curious - I've wanted to do this race since I heard about it.

Skilas did a portion of the race last year too - so if he doesn't chime in eventually you can bash him over the head with a beer to get his attention - he might have a viking helmet on though so you might have to bash pretty hard.

They're not necessary for tux but have you considered crampons? If I was serious about getting an excellent time in the race I'd wear them. Last time up the left gully with crampons and a crew of 4 without I was doing laps compared to them. That'd also solve your boot ladder question.

Not sure about the rules though - I think you're gonna have to carry them up there yourself. You can rent them from various places as well.

One of these years we gotta get the Team T4T action going.

M@

[RR]

If you already have them so be it...those boots are not prime for kicking steps.

Hard edges underfoot and stout leathers or light plastics would do better at resisting toe bend, thereby making good penetration of weatherered out steps. Even the firm snow of mornings can be penetrated by skiboots and to a lesser extent nountaineering boots....

All is not lost if you go with those Cadions. A couple of mfgs make aluminum crampons...those would work very well with the Cadions and not weigh you down much. They are not great on water ice, but they eat up hard snow just fine. If it turns out that the Cadions work well for snowboarding...and it looks like they would be pretty good....get the Alu-crampons and make time on the ascent! A bunch of us use axes...if you can take a course on proper use (or make real sense of the literature on the subject) then by all means bring one...one of the consignment shops around North Conway will get you an axe for maybe 35 bucks or less.

[truepatriot09]

At this point I'm more mountaineer than I am backcountry snowboarder so I have plenty of gear to choose from in terms of crampons and ice axe. I'm just trying to be as light as possible and still have some speed. I have two different pairs of lightweight crampons I'm going to try and I'm going to give Yaktrax a spin as that's what I want to wear on the hike/run up to the bowl. But who knows, maybe this race is the excuse I need to buy those Kahtoola's I've been eyeing!

I do already have the Cadions...can't rave enough about them. They feel like a trail running shoe with the support of a boot, and super lightweight. That's why I want to try and ride with them. They'd be the perfect solution for the last two legs of this race.

[yuckster]

I would bring one ice tool or piolet and if snow conditions are good then you might want to leave the full 12-point crampons behind and just go with the yak trax.

[M@]

I used yak-trax to climb up the chute once - and I don't think they helped much at all. Once at the top they were pretty much destroyed too. They aren't meant for mountaineering IMHO.

They might work good on the trail up. There's also this option for the trail up:
http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm (basically sheet metal screws on your sneakers)

M@

[RR]

...I'm going to give Yaktrax a spin as that's what I want to wear on the hike/run up to the bowl...dude those things are for letter carriers on wintry sidewalks....you are going to be blasting up the hill, making pivots and generally going way past maximum specs on YakTrax...but when you blow those out it is still a long way to Margueritaville!

...and then you are gonna try 45 degree slopes with them???? don't even consider it untill they make those things out of more durable materials....like the cables used instead of tire chains!

Those Kahtoola's were meant for climbing Left Gully at speed...carry them on the TR trail and go ahead and destroy the YakTrax on the run to Hermit lake. If the route goes into the Bowl....switch to the Kahtoola's at HL. If it goes to Hillman's wait a little longer to switch but go w/Kahtoola's.

The energy savings of those Kahtoola's on the steep snow will be crucial.....slipping on the YT as they rollaround on your boot will wear you out! On the trail the YT's will prolly be a good choice....if a pair of stabilicers (http://www.32north.com/prod_sport.htm) is out of the question...Stabilicer Sports would be much, much better than YakTrax-Pro.

[TheHare]

There's also this option for the trail up:
http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm (basically sheet metal screws on your sneakers)

M@

Dang! :envy: I thought I invented this... People are so amazed when you run by... Actual first built MTB tires (reverse screw direction to shoes), then put screws in my work boots, for wheel barrowing the wood in in the winter, then transfered that invention to my runners. :cool: Guess I won't be getting to the patent office anytime soon.

I do plan to use screw-runners up to the bowl.