Hike Profile: bell pass trail

     The Bell Pass trail is another wonderful hike in the McDowell Mountains.  The trail starts at the Gateway trailhead, along with many other great hikes, and heads toward the Gateway loop.  After turning right onto the loop, the Bell Pass trails intersects the Gateway loop after about a mile and a half.  From that point, Bell Pass is about two miles, and close to 1000 feet of elevation gain, ahead.  The total mileage on this trail is around 7 miles round-trip, with just over 1000 feet of elevation gain.  It was a cloudy, rainy day when we went, which gave me a perfect opportunity to test out some of the rain-gear I had purchased for the McKinley climb.  After the hike, I can tell you with extreme confidence, that the First Ascent Rainier Storm Shell Jacket and Pant combo is worth every penny......bone dry through the entire hike.  Happy trails.

All work and no play...... there's always time to play.

     I just wanted to do a quick update about our weekend.  We went to Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, and it was fantastic.  I am a huge roller-coaster fanatic, and they had some great ones.  All in all we were able to ride:
X-2: my new all-time favorite ride, unlike any other coaster
Tatsu: a great flying coaster, and my first
Terminator Salvation:  modern wooden coaster
Viper:  standard, multi inversion metal coaster
Riddler's Revenge:  tall, fast, standing coaster
Batman:  great inverted coaster
Scream:  multi-looping floorless coaster
Goliath:  very tall, very fun, very fast steel coaster
Revolution:  world's first looping coaster
Gold Rusher:  chill, old-timey coaster
Superman:  blast coaster that was the world's first to hit 100mph
Colossus:  old wooden coaster

     It was nice to be able to get away with my wife for Valentine's day.  We had a great time.

McKinley Update

          Today is an important day:  not only is it 4 MONTHS from my McKinley departure date, but it's also the date I'll be putting a check in the mail for the remaining balance of my climb.  It was a hard road, and an expensive one, but the trip is paid for.  I've also purchased my plane ticket, so I guess there's no turning back at this point.  I have a few pieces of equipment to gather still, but all the really expensive shit is out of the way.  I want to take a moment to thank my loving, and very generous, wife Lacie for all the support.  Without her, none of this would be possible.  So, Thank You baby.
          I created this blog as a place to share this adventure with friends and family.  In a few months things are really going to pick up, and my training will increase for the 4 challenges ahead.  I'm going to need a lot of love and support from my people, so be ready.  The ball is in motion, and soon we'll be rolling full force.  Keep checking back for more details and news.  The Endurathon is getting close.

SOMA Triathlon, October 2010

The Endurathon is becoming more and more official each day!  Today I registered for the Half-Iron distance triathlon in October.  The event will be October 24th of 2010, in Tempe, Arizona.  The distances for a half-iron triathlon are:  1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run (half-marathon).  I'm not too worried about the bike or the run, but the swim is a concern.  As soon as I get back from Alaska I'm going to join a gym with a pool, and get my ass in the water.  I'll keep you posted!