Margaret Brophy skated and Debbie Carter classical skied a “modified” 10 km virtual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot in 1:40:40.

Margaret writes: “This morning Debbie Carter and I started out on the 10K course with the firm plan to ‘see how it goes’.  Deb was on classic skis and I made the dubious decision to skate, my longest skate this season being less than 10K, I’m pretty sure. In any case, with South Tower behind us, we were feeling pretty cocky. So upon arrival at the Coronary Bypass we decided to extend our ski by completing all of White Bear. It appeared we were the first skiers to descend the hill, although some unrecognized spandex clad racer did pass us before we reached the bottom (21F there, yes, we took the time to look). As mentioned by numerous skiers, the grooming was impeccable and it was a perfect Sonot day.  My final distance was 13+K, some of which represents skiing back to my classic buddy on occasion.”

Margaret and Deb are overachievers who probably should have been skiing the 30 km course. 

Carl Hemming managed to classic ski the 30 km virtual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot today in 3:06.28 in spite of ski gear incompatiblity.

He writes: “I skied the 30 km sonot on freshly groomed trails that were a joy to ski. When I was getting my skis on I realized my skis were not compatible with the boots I put in my bag. Luckily Jerome Jackson lent me some skis that I used. They performed wonderfully and I finished in 3:06.28.”

Although Eric Buetow mentioned that he and Mike Schmoker provided Carl and Jerome some supervison on the trails, it sounds like Jerome was in charge of outfitting Carl.

Eric Buetow and Mike Schmoker skate skied their virtual 30 km Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot in 2:53.

Eric writes: “Eric Buetow and Mike Schmoker skated their 30K March 27, enjoying the fabulous trail conditions and perfect temperatures. Their time was 2:53, which included a brief visit with a young bull coming out of Black Hole, doing East Ramp (not following directions very well), appropriate stops to reflect on the beautiful day, and occasionally providing supervision to 30K classic skiers Jackson and Hemming.”

I’m glad to see that some SCUM are overachievers by not following directions. Congratulations to Eric and Mike. I’m sure JJ and Carl appreciated your supervision.

Saturday morning, Dan Johnson skate skied his 30 km virtual Denal State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot in an official time of 2:43:38.

Dan writes:

“What a beautiful day to ski the “30 km” Sonot Kkaazoot! Perfect weather and beautiful grooming.  

My Strava said my moving time was 2:40:42, and only 28.54 km I’m almost certain I didn’t take any shortcuts, but I’ll trust the Race Director to decide if this is an official time. 

I’m not sure exactly how and when it stops timing when I stop, but I stopped a couple of times to take a drink and catch my breath. I also used the stop watch on my phone – It gives 2:43:38, so that’s what I’ll call it.

Not to brag, but in addition to several 2nd and 3rd bests, Strava says I set PRs on:
North 40 A Climb, Blue Loop, Tower Loop, Medevac, White Bear from Suicide Cutoff, White Bear Hilltop B Climb, “Saddle”, Terminator.

I have no idea which segments some of these are. I also wasn’t aware that Strava knew so much about me and the details of the Birch Hill loops!  I’m afraid of what else my phone knows about me.

Thanks to to groomers for making this such a great ski.”

I agree that trail conditions today (Saturday) were awesome. We’ll let your phone brag for you since your son-in-law will still make you work to keep up with him and Mara on the trails.

The amazing Dr. Owen Q. Hanley, who decades ago told me that he was unable to skate ski, crushed the 30 km virtual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot in 2:43 on his skate skis through several inches of new snow.

He writes: “Several inches of new snow meant double poling downhill to the WB turn-around and granny-skiing up the hills. I need a pair of e-skis!”

Sorry, Owen. You can skate, and if you can skate the hilly 30 km Sonot Kkaazoot course in 2:43, you do not need a pair of e-skis. So far, only 3 skiers have attempted to skate the 30 km course, and they are all a lot younger than you.