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.

Shalane writes:

Here’s another (much more imaginative) route I completed on Friday. There’s a river portion and an upland portion.

Greg Kahoe, a newbie SCUM had recently returned to the ski trails after some surgical interventions to contain his inner organs. Thus, he had just resumed SCUM practices when the COVID-19 virus hit. However, Greg skied 20 km with the virtual SCUM on Sunday, 22 March and 10 km on Friday, 27 March 2020 for an official virtual 30 km.

Although not technically part of the virtual Sonot, Greg skied an additional 24 km yesterday (but could not be lured down the ungroomed Tommy Knocker trail). So Greg did a “peaking too late” virtual 54 km Sonot on SCUM time.

It’s good to see your peak form returning, Greg!

Mark writes:

JJ writes:

The Birch Hill warm-up hut is now closed because of the COVID-19 statewide shelter in place policy.

Hopefully, skiers who wanted a 2020 Virtual Sonot Kkaazoot poster were able to pick up one before the warm-up building was closed. If we learn of other options for obtaining a poster, we’ll post that information.