[Author’s Note: This is the 10th article in an 11-part series celebrating legendary aid stations. You can read about the series here.]
The Tahoe Rim Path 100 Mile is among the traditional North American mountain 100 milers. Held every July, the race takes place within the Spooner Lake space of the Carson Vary, deep throughout the Sierra Nevada east of Lake Tahoe in Nevada. Snow Valley Peak is the best level on the course, sitting at 9,214 ft, and is the house of this legendary assist station. Even within the useless of summer season, the climate could be difficult, with wind probably within the 20- to 40-mile-per-hour vary when the afternoon zephyrs choose up.
The Snow Valley Peak assist station is thought for its views, hospitality, and flamingos. All pictures courtesy of Danyel Soulier.
Runners move by the Snow Valley Peak assist station twice, as soon as at mile 9.5 after which once more at mile 52.5. To get to the help station web site, volunteers should navigate an especially steep and rugged four-wheel drive street whereas towing a 210-gallon water tank, porta-potties, and a big tent. Additionally they take all of the provides wanted for 3 days within the backcountry. Lengthy-time race director George Ruiz notes the spectacular location of the help station is what makes it so particular, saying, “Essentially the most outstanding and memorable a part of the help station is the panoramic view of Lake Tahoe!”
I requested assist station captain Danyel Soulier what makes her assist station so memorable for the racers. She says, “For one spectacular day, Snow Valley Peak is reworked right into a pop-up mini-city to gas a whole bunch of wonderful athletes, utterly decked out in pink!” She goes on to clarify the colour selection, saying, “The official theme right here is flamingos, a practice began manner again by Boy Scout Troop 341 and Scout Grasp Invoice Hartman.” She paints a vibrant picture of the scene: “Think about a meals unfold large enough for a military laid out on flamingo tablecloths, upbeat music blasting for nearly 24 hours, and — the element athletes rave about most — it’s the one assist station on the course that serves refreshing sorbet!” The help station has a historical past of being run on youth energy, and, presently, members of the Carson Metropolis Excessive College Biking Workforce greet and deal with every runner.
Boy Scout Troop 341 ran the Snow Valley Peak assist station for years.
Soulier goes on to clarify the challenges of working such a distant assist station, saying, “Although the Snow Valley Peak Support Station is a blast, working this flamingo-themed occasion is a large yearly enterprise! The brutal logistics of the placement itself imply the crew has to orchestrate a real off-road convoy, requiring at the least 4 four-wheel-drive vans simply to haul every little thing up an unkempt Forest Service street that chews up common trailers.” After which there’s the sorbet. Soulier says, “Holding that distinctive deal with completely frozen till race time, after which having to handle the fragile steadiness of thawing it out simply sufficient for runners to truly eat, is a continuing battle.” In fact, then there are the challenges of blazing warmth, freezing chilly temperatures, gnats, mosquitoes, biting flies, and fixed mud kicked up by the wind.
The views from the Snow Valley Peak assist station are unmatched.
Soulier says, “Snow Valley Peak is an absolute goldmine of unforgettable moments! This high-altitude haven has hosted every little thing from birthday celebrations to mid-summer sledding events.” Ruiz says one time, a helicopter delivered pizza to the help station in the course of the race. Most significantly, Soulier says, “The help station crew constantly presents such legendary hospitality that athletes from everywhere in the world return yr after yr, merely stating that Snow Valley is their absolute favourite cease on all the course.”
Soulier believes the Snow Valley Peak assist station is an unparalleled course favourite not solely attributable to its epic views and the spectacle of a flamingo theme, but in addition due to its highly effective legacy of youth participation, beginning with Troop 341. She says, “We hope to proceed this unbelievable custom for a few years to return!”
Invoice Hartman, former Snow Valley Peak assist station captain, surrounded by Boy Scout Troop 341.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Shoe Tree Brewing Firm in Carson Metropolis, Nevada. Ash Canyon Amber is Shoe Tree’s flagship ale. Barely malty and wealthy, Ash Canyon is a crisp amber ale brewed within the traditional custom of European ambers. Good after an extended day on Snow Valley Peak!
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