journey here to there
XAIPETE NIKΩMEN
A Here to There, LLC event
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journey here to there XAIPETE NIKΩMEN
A Here to There, LLC event |
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Last night Matt reminded me about how I came up with 38.5 miles. The very first Ghost Town was set to run from the bar at Nutt to the campground at Kingston. The distance between the two points just happens to be 38.5 miles. The next year when I moved the route (at runners' suggestions) to start and end at my place and to run mostly in the Gila, we searched and searched for a reasonable yet challenging course. Somehow in my youth I optimistically believed that in such a vast forest was bound to have many options to provide what I sought. A good route was found and used for two years. Only minor tweaking was required...placement of an aid station or two shifted...but otherwise all was well with the Ghost Town 38.5. Then in '09 my GT world rec'd the sad news that Matt barely got home from his aid station. In '08 he'd been able to skirt downed trees - driving my beat-up ole pick-up in places where few would have dared to drive. In '09 the problem was erosion at the very sharp turn somewhat affectionately and somewhat respectively referred to as "the rapids" that caused the back tires of the truck to sink so deeply as the road gave way that the chassis scraped the road. The truck is no low-rider but a stout 4x4. I listened and believed when Matt told me it was no longer safe to drive to the end of the "road." In the intervening months I've scoured maps, hanging onto what's left of that youthful optimism, I coerced (though it didn't take too much begging on my part) my patient Matt to hike down canyons and up mountains while we searched for alternate miles. Between us and some stalwart others we have literally put in hundreds of hours of looking. I can honestly report that "trails on maps are not necessarily what you expect when you are actually in the Gila." Sat. Oct. 24 '09 we were out once again. In our company was one brave and patient Adrian Wagner. He drove down from Albuquerque in the early hours of the day to join us as we first bounced in the truck and then hiked north of the N. Percha Creek. These are the infamous "Cave Creek" miles. We reached a high point on foot that was also reachable by truck. It is 2.4 miles beyond the creek, but 2 miles short of the old turnaround spot for the GT route. After much discussion we agreed that high place had a view that is worth the effort of getting there and after building a small cairn on a tree stump declared this place the new "Vista Station." Then we returned to the truck and set out for Camp Bend and Carbonate Creek. On crossing the N. Percha we spotted a large flock of wild turkeys in the area now groomed by private owners of the old homestead there. We arrived at Camp Bend with the hope that this canyon and trail would provide great alternate miles to those missing between Vista Station and the old turnaround. It's a beautiful trail...more single track than not, definitely not accessible to road traffic. We made it to the old cabin, then beyond to the meadow. The day could not have been lovelier, but the meadow - so beautiful last spring was now thick with tall dead weeds and sticker-burrs that clung to our pants, shoelaces, and in poor Adrian's case - his legs! We pushed forward, now following ribbons placed tree to tree by John Harrington who had earlier taken up my quest for we now call my personal "Northwest PAssage." Sadly, the trail was really no longer a visible tread upon the ground, and as we moved from tree to tree we realized that we weren't really headed anywhere. We sat on some rocks deep in a ponderosa and tried to pick out the appropriate tree for the runners to run to, touch and then turn around and fight their way back through the meadow to the real trail and out again. I was not at peace with the idea of running people to a tree and back. After dinner I sat down despite my growing headache and did the math. Good grief! We were still a mile short of the desired 38.5. Matt suggested an extra half mile run out and back beyond the Vista Trail...but that would place runners mid-way down a hill only to have them turn-around and start back up the top half. I like my route to be challenging, but I am not into torturing runners. They should be happy with their accomplishment at the end of the day, and hopefully not cursing me. I couldn't do it. After much thought and discussion, Matt reminded me of how the Ghost Town started. We spoke of the miracle of having a pre-set distance and just uprooting it from one course to another and still having that distance. There are not limitless options for such miles in the Gila. In the end, I'm both amazed and grateful that we stumbled on the right route back in '07. And so, to remain true to the 38.5 miles you've been promised, we're returning to that route once again. A few aid stations have moved. One has moved for Matt's and crew's safety. Others have moved because the domino effect is quite applicable to course definition...move one thing and others are either now too close or too far away to best serve the runners. The changes are minor. To resolve the issue of the missing miles...a generous group of hearty boy scouts has offered to come from Roswell to serve as volunteers. The plan now: to have them follow Matt and crew to a particular point north of the N. Percha where the scouts will park and then head out on foot. They can either go just ahead of Matt who will be driving to the Vista. From the Vista, the scouts will continue on to the Cave Creek turnaround where they will wait for the runners and then do the "sweep" when the time has come. Matt and crew will drive out those wishing to drop and those who have not made the time cut-offs at both the Vista (on the first pass in) and at the turnaround. Below is a map. It's not drawn to scale. Mileages are approximate as some are measured by vehicle odometer and some by handheld or wrist GPS. DO NOT PANIC that the finish shows 38.8. Variations in measurement can account for the .3 extra. They may not even exist. One thing, though...I would rather have you run an extra .3 than come up short on miles and thus deprive you of the full course. It's important to me to give you what you want! As to the route itself, a few important notes: 1. Family and friends who want to be on the route to cheer you on or offer support of any kind are allowed to go as far as the official Support Parking area. It is a large campground with plenty of parking. They are not allowed to drive in further as road traffic creates a very real threat to the safety of the runners. Anyone here for a runner who drives in beyond that point will cause their runner immediate disqualification and complete irreversible banishment from all future Ghost Town runs or any other run I may dream up in the future. 2. Family and friends should not be running, walking, cycling, or moving along the route by any other means of transportation or you can refer back to #1 for the consequences. They need to stay in the immediate vicinity of the parking area. There are numerous places where they can see you along Hwy. 152 - both in your first 6.3 miles and in your last 6.3. 3. If they are wanting to be at the Support parking, they need to get there before the first runner reaches Junction Station. It is absolutely unsafe for runners to be on the Forest Road with support vehicles driving through them. Volunteers head out before the start whistle ever blows...some as early as 4:30 a.m. If you have family and friends with you, it is your responsibility to acquaint them to event rules. They are welcome. They should have a good time. They need to respect that the event is first and foremost for the runners and safety of ALL runners trumps spectators' wishes. 4. Gear drops - Hilltop and Vista Stations can take your larger gear-drop bags. Please remember that there are now 100 runners. Bags the size of gallon ziplocs are ideal, small gym bags and shoe bags, school backpacks are acceptable. Small steamer trunks are not. There will be plenty of discussion on gear drops later. Junction STation will be able to handle sandwich sized ziplocs only. Think minimalist - gels, clif bars, contact lens fluid, chapstick. This station is just 6.3 miles in and 6.3 miles from the finish. You do not need a complete change of clothing at this station. It is for the tiniest of essentials. 5. Time cutoffs are determined by the minimum pace of 3.2 mph required to finish the course within the 12 hours allotted. There is no early start. Cutoffs are non-negotiable. Again, they are for the safety of the runners and the volunteers, and the medical well-being of the race director. After all, we all know that stress is not good for a person. Vista Station on the first pass: 11:45 a.m. Cave Creek Turnaround: 12:25 p.m. The scouts will close the station at this time and begin the sweep back to Vista Station. If you have not reached them by the cutoff, you will be asked to return with them to Vista and given a ride back to the finish from there. Junction Station: 4:10 p.m. If you have not made the Junction Station by this time, the volunteers will wait for you to reach them and then you will be given a ride back to the finish line. There is no longer Station 7 on Hwy. 152. It will be safer for everyone involved to have the cutoff in effect before any runners are on the highway.
This event is brought to you by Here to There, LLC, which organizes and promotes walks, treks and runs of varying lengths in beautiful places. XAIPETE NIKΩMEN (c)2005 Here to There, LLC
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