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Thread: Frozen Head

  1. #1
    Senior Member wisenber's Avatar
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    Frozen Head

    This one is not exactly a proposed outing, but it does sound interesting.

    The Barkley Marathon is a 100 mile race that has taken place every year since 1986, and fewer than 10 people have ever finished it in the 60 hours allowed.

    "The Barkley is considered one of the toughest 100 mile races in the world. It has 59,100 feet of climb (and 59,100 feet of descent), more than any other 100 mile race, more than the 33,000 ft. of climb at Hardrock, and more than the 45,000 ft. at Nolan's 14. "

    "The course was designed by Gary Cantrell. His idea for the race was inspired upon hearing about Martin Luther King, Jr's assassin James Earl Ray escaping from prison, and making it only 8 miles (13 km) after running 55 hours in the woods. Cantrell said to himself "I could do at least 100 miles." Thus, the Barkley Marathon was born."

    Wouldn't you know it. It is only about an hour from my house.

    I'm not sayin I'd want to try 5 of those loops, but it might be a challenge to try one some time.

    Anyone interested in a tough one? I'd say that hammock would be pretty darned comfortable if you can raise yourself enough to get in afterward.

  2. #2
    slowhike's Avatar
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    Sounds exciting! Please take pictures... so I can see it from here
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

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    Senior Member Frawg's Avatar
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    "Flyin' Brian" Robinson's post-run write-up, well down the page among the comments, was pretty good reading, too. Thanks for posting this.
    Last edited by Frawg; 06-19-2010 at 20:36. Reason: added link to Robinson
    - Frawg

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    slowhike's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frawg View Post
    "Flyin' Brian" Robinson's post-run write-up, well down the page among the comments, was pretty good reading, too. Thanks for posting this.
    I met Brian at Trail Days a few years back. He was there w/ Backpacking Lite.com. Seamed like a genuinely nice guy.
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

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    Senior Member wisenber's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frawg View Post
    "Flyin' Brian" Robinson's post-run write-up, well down the page among the comments, was pretty good reading, too. Thanks for posting this.
    Did you get a look at his feet? If anyone has a good grasp of what sorts of footwear to use it would be him, yet his feet looked like hamburger.

    I wonder how long it takes to recover from a race like that.

  6. #6
    Senior Member wisenber's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by slowhike View Post
    Sounds exciting! Please take pictures... so I can see it from here
    Looks like that trail might compete with Linville Gorge in terms of ruggedness. Still, that's not a fair comparison since most of the course is off trail by design.

    That organizer sounds like a sadist!
    Last edited by wisenber; 06-19-2010 at 22:50.

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    slowhike's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wisenber View Post
    Looks like that trail might compete with Linville Gorge in terms of ruggedness. Still, that's not a fair comparison since most of the course is off trail by design.

    That organizer sounds like a sadist!
    LG sounds like a walk in the park compared to that
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

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    Senior Member Frawg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wisenber View Post
    Did you get a look at his feet? If anyone has a good grasp of what sorts of footwear to use it would be him, yet his feet looked like hamburger.

    I wonder how long it takes to recover from a race like that.
    Yeah, I did -- scary looking; if he was a horse, I'd have shot him. Apart from the obvious physical challenge, it looks like a major part of it is navigating when your brain starts to flake out .

    I can't even begin to imagine what it would take to recover. My hat's off to people with that kind of intestinal fortitude!
    - Frawg

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  9. #9
    Senior Member wisenber's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by slowhike View Post
    LG sounds like a walk in the park compared to that
    I've hiked in both Frozen Head and Linville Gorge. Frozen Head really is not that bad when you're on marked trails. There is a good bit of vertical change, but it's not that rugged. Linville Gorge can be pretty rugged on the actual trails.
    If the same off trail approach was taken at Linville Gorge, it could be just as rough if not worse than the Barkley.

    Hmmm... Makes me wonder about having something similar in Linville Gorge. Maybe three 20 mile loops? I'm not saying I would compete, but I would hang a hammock and watch them go by.

  10. #10
    Senior Member wisenber's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frawg View Post
    Yeah, I did -- scary looking; if he was a horse, I'd have shot him. Apart from the obvious physical challenge, it looks like a major part of it is navigating when your brain starts to flake out .

    I can't even begin to imagine what it would take to recover. My hat's off to people with that kind of intestinal fortitude!
    I think that is what makes it so much tougher than a well marked 100 mile course. Now don't get me wrong, 100 miles of trail running is hard. However, these guys do have to throw in navigation and sleep deprivation.

    It sounds like everyone that has tried it wound up dazed and confused.

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