From the National Weather Service Fairbanks, Fairbanks should be warming up by the weekend with our first 40 deg F day of 2020:
If you venture out in the mornings, expect rocket fast tracks on the downhills! Free speed!
Ken writes:
What is bad a** honey badger, who has finished up the virtual Sonot Kkaazoot grand slam (20 km, 40 km, and 50 km events–each done in a single day as a single workout), supposed to do when he must shelter in place and social distance from fellow SCUMs?
Merely skate skiing icy trails at Birch Hill wasn’t enough from Bill on Wednesday, no way! If you’re Poles Husby, whose orthopedic surgeon told him “no moguls” with his bionic knees, you decide to be one tough a**,–hot dog–honey badger.
Thanks to Joanna Fox for this video clip.
She writes:
I’ve been rather slow to reply…but, I skied the typical 30 km at Birch on March 21. I had planned to do all 50 km that day, but the river had other plans. Life didn’t allow time again until Thursday, March 26. I ski low tech, so I’ve got nothing but my word (3 hr for 30 km (which I did with Johnna Underwood)) and about 1:50 for the random 20 km at Birch—cut off some of White Bear and some of the blacks).
I am not looking to have a big write up—or any at all ️—on the website. Just listed on the standings…for no reason other than just because.
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Last year I entered and had to leave town for emergency eye surgery for my then 2 year-old. I was very much looking forward to a normal spring…well, I need to say no more. Skiing makes life feel a little bit normal…I’m sure that’s true for many of us.
Thank you to all of you that have taken the time to make this happen. It has been a fun way to be connected in some way and to see people encourage each other and to be encouraged…thanks to Bad Bob and the MANY others that help—sorry I can’t thank you all by name!!! Enjoy the sun, snow…and whatever is ahead. Be well!!!
Groomer Tom Helmers was correct in thinking March is usually a low snow month in Fairbanks.
As this National Weather Service Fairbanks graphic shows, March 2020 was snowy:
Thus, the Virtual Sonot skiers, who bemoaned the shoveling and scooping toll, were not being whiners. We did exert considerable effort removing this snow from driveways and paths.
The clouds that gave us all that snow kept the temperatures within normal lows but without the daytime sunshine, our highs were cooler than normal:
So enjoy skiing on that ample snow pack in April as the average temperatures rise dramatically. Remember to keep social distancing on the trails and ski within your abilities. Now is not the time for injuries that will increase the health care burden needlessly.
He writes:
I was able to get out on Saturday and ski about 30 K in 2 hours and 51 minutes. I was able to ski white bear and the meadows in the time I normally ski just white bear. I then dropped into warm up, then the blacks, back around the stadium for a snack and drink. I got my second wind up east ramp into blue, then outhouse and made the turn into sunny side, finished relay and made my way back to my snack stash, climbed tower and med evac’ed out.
Trail highlights:
With all the terrible news, it was great to have amazing trails and the Virtual Sonot to look forward to. Thank you everyone for keeping the Sonot Kkaazoot alive this season.
Although the virtual Sonot Kkaazoot officially ended on Saturday, we are living through an unprecedented spring. Not only are skiers abiding by a “shelter-in-place” COVID-19 policy, we have been dealing with Fairbanks’ unpredictable weather. March isn’t supposed to be a snowy month, but in 2020, it has been.
As one of the two skiers who has skied every Sonot Kkaazoot, I understand how important is is for some skiers to complete our annual goal. Also, Robert Toth and I were two of several skiers who needed to take an extended detour in 2016 when the Chena River broke during our 50 km Sonot Kkaazoot. Thus, I want to share his story. Not all of us, can consider ourselves “racers”, but we do love the Sonot Kkaazoot and skiers celebrating the return of the sun.
Bob emailed at 11:42 p.m. yesterday:
I know the virtual Sonot ended Saturday but I finished today. No, it wasn’t the dog’s fault but rather the 700 ft of driveway in front of that big girl. We got 9 or 10 more inches up here Wednesday morning, by the time I cleared that and our ancillary 800 ft of trails it was Thursday and I had no legs left. Lucky to slog through that 20 k Friday. Sadly old and decrepit as I have become, every third day ski is really about my max. Managed a full Tour de Birch this evening. Skied the exact same route as last years 30 k Sonot except for the Sunnyside, which I skipped, and the Medivac up/down to the coaster, which I added.
Finished Monday, March 30, 2020 at 8:38 pm in a fairly normal time (for me) for the conditions of 3 hour and 23 minutes.
Just wanted to keep my 50 k or equivalent streak, no matter it didn’t count, and it took two days to do with a whole lot of rest in between. It was gorgeous with our great star glowing red (through my brown glasses) lower and lower the whole trip. Every time I climbed to a high spot coming back on the White Bear, there it was higher than I expected. Gave me a boost. Finally on the Warm Up Loop, it kissed the hills just as I dropped into the first downhill loop—the last bright speck disappeared as headed into the final corner climb back to the stadium. Perfect once again.
Trails were great, thanks to all for all the hard work. So glad the parking lot is open. Don’t expect this to be added to the results but it was fun to write about.
