Well, since 2 weeks ago I was looking for exactly what I am about to write in here, I figure I simply had to put it down, right?
Some friends called for a trek to Mt Adams, 1760 meters, just 154m less than Mt Washington.
I climbed mountains 10 years ago... highest was the Katahdin (1600m). Then maybe 8 years ago, Mt Albert (1154m). So the least I can say is I am not a climber
I run in my VFF since Xmas. 8 months. I failed with the VFF in the beginning, 13 months ago. Bought some new shoes last X-Mas and well... I used them ONCE since then. ( I have to sell them to a poor soul!! yeah I fell bad about this
I now run 4 times a week since 2,5 month. Before that it was 2-3 times/week. I am training for a half marathon (which, part of the training, I just ran las sunday!! - real race is sept 23rd)
So, all that so people that are about to try climbing a mountain in VFF can have a better understanding... where they stand, etc...
For the occasion I bought some pretty nice mountain shoes (Salewa Firetail GTX) which, well... glad to say, are still almost brand new (I wore them 2 days before so they would not be completely new for the climb or going down...)
Another pair of shoes for sale
For the record, my backback was weighting about 25 pounds with the water, wine (yes!), clothing, lunch for two, shoes and poles...
The climb went super great! I never even though about using the plan B shoes...!
For the occasion I bought two climbing poles. I haven't used them to go up. (I should have!!!) BUT I used them on my way down. It really made a difference, worked for me, I recommend!! So much relief for the knees!
Last thing I want would have been to destroy my precious knees a week before the half marathon, right? (Some said I was crazy to go mountaineering barefoot 7 days before my half, which I agree. But hey... I did it, that's what count... Don't be so reckless, might not work out for everyone though!)
The way down was wayyyyy harder. On the way up I was on par with the fastest climbers. Coming back, my knees and ankle were getting tired. I was literally talking to myself sometimes, telling me to stay alert. No support for the ankles means extra caution in an all terrain environment. Again I was thinking about my upcoming race and all the training I would be wasting if I was stupid
So the 4 pounders boot wearers were way faster. They got down a good half hour before me. Thing is, they don't really care or look 100% time where they put their shielded foot. The more I was getting tired, the more I cared. Oh and the day was pretty hot and I ran out of water 1 hour before the end. Not good. I had a 2L camel.
Total time was 7.5 hours up and down, 14km, 3000 calories, that is... 6 Big Macs worth. (Which I don't eat at all...)
My calves were destroyed. For a good 4 days straight! But then I went for a run and everything was back to normal. Hey I ran 21.1K exactly 7 days after!
In short (!) I am proud, happy and looking forward for more!!! Perfectly doable.
As always and in that particular setting, the face of the hardcore climbers checking the VFF out was priceless. I enjoyed talking about them at least three time on my way down, showing my plan B shoes getting a tourist ride in the backpack side pockets
Hope it can inform and inspire some others!
Patrick
Some friends called for a trek to Mt Adams, 1760 meters, just 154m less than Mt Washington.
I climbed mountains 10 years ago... highest was the Katahdin (1600m). Then maybe 8 years ago, Mt Albert (1154m). So the least I can say is I am not a climber
I run in my VFF since Xmas. 8 months. I failed with the VFF in the beginning, 13 months ago. Bought some new shoes last X-Mas and well... I used them ONCE since then. ( I have to sell them to a poor soul!! yeah I fell bad about this
I now run 4 times a week since 2,5 month. Before that it was 2-3 times/week. I am training for a half marathon (which, part of the training, I just ran las sunday!! - real race is sept 23rd)
So, all that so people that are about to try climbing a mountain in VFF can have a better understanding... where they stand, etc...
For the occasion I bought some pretty nice mountain shoes (Salewa Firetail GTX) which, well... glad to say, are still almost brand new (I wore them 2 days before so they would not be completely new for the climb or going down...)
Another pair of shoes for sale
For the record, my backback was weighting about 25 pounds with the water, wine (yes!), clothing, lunch for two, shoes and poles...
The climb went super great! I never even though about using the plan B shoes...!
For the occasion I bought two climbing poles. I haven't used them to go up. (I should have!!!) BUT I used them on my way down. It really made a difference, worked for me, I recommend!! So much relief for the knees!
Last thing I want would have been to destroy my precious knees a week before the half marathon, right? (Some said I was crazy to go mountaineering barefoot 7 days before my half, which I agree. But hey... I did it, that's what count... Don't be so reckless, might not work out for everyone though!)
The way down was wayyyyy harder. On the way up I was on par with the fastest climbers. Coming back, my knees and ankle were getting tired. I was literally talking to myself sometimes, telling me to stay alert. No support for the ankles means extra caution in an all terrain environment. Again I was thinking about my upcoming race and all the training I would be wasting if I was stupid
So the 4 pounders boot wearers were way faster. They got down a good half hour before me. Thing is, they don't really care or look 100% time where they put their shielded foot. The more I was getting tired, the more I cared. Oh and the day was pretty hot and I ran out of water 1 hour before the end. Not good. I had a 2L camel.
Total time was 7.5 hours up and down, 14km, 3000 calories, that is... 6 Big Macs worth. (Which I don't eat at all...)
My calves were destroyed. For a good 4 days straight! But then I went for a run and everything was back to normal. Hey I ran 21.1K exactly 7 days after!
In short (!) I am proud, happy and looking forward for more!!! Perfectly doable.
As always and in that particular setting, the face of the hardcore climbers checking the VFF out was priceless. I enjoyed talking about them at least three time on my way down, showing my plan B shoes getting a tourist ride in the backpack side pockets
Hope it can inform and inspire some others!
Patrick
