I was in the mountains 5 days before the Bear 100 would start. I had some assignments there and most of the race was between9-and 10,500 ft. so I needed acclimation time.

The mountains were in full color: yellow maple, red bushes, white aspen it was just like it had been billed a “sight to behold”. The first night there at 9000 ft it was 20 degrees and snow still on ground from storm week before…it quickly warmed up that week.

This was my 4 race of the year and I felt good so I was hiking 6 to 7 hrs per day in mt. trying to get my lungs working-I felt I could get my legs rested before Friday –race day….I almost overdid it.

Pre-race meeting was at trout farm owned by Leland Barker[3rd place Hardrock100]—we got instructions do not get lost, don’t mess with the bears and mountain lions, and do not above all litter even if the first 2 things happen. He is so laid back that 2 years ago he was marking the course while running it and still was able to run it under 24 hrs.[he runs like a mountain goat even though 45 yrs old].

We knew it would be tough terrain, but I didn’t know they had no switchbacks—just up and over everything—I think the area was settled by pioneers cutting trails with mules instead of horses.17000 ft.elevation gain and decent—weather turned hot during day and night was mild. We had good support through out race even in very remote areas—we did have some trouble following the trail and maps were handy.

I had stomach trouble at mile 30 and was ok by mile 40 and other minor problems but run was going good till dark , but then couldn’t stay awake so did napping and walking which is dangerous: but had a good group that help each other from wondering off a mountain. The night was indeed longer than any race this year due to time of year—I thought it would never end—but when it did the pace picked up –and our group of 5 was trying to make up lost time from walking steady all night—the trail was to steep to run in the dark.

The aid stations were serving potato pancakes and scones off the campfires and they were delicious—I ate till I almost thought I was home but I was still at mile 80 when terrain really got tough—large bolder fields that had to be jumped and our legs was mush already, but no one fell. Too far.

Last ten miles we were dreading because years before someone from Colorado complained about the last few miles being on pavement and no real mountain run should have pavement: so Leland took off from work and got on the side of a mountain and carved out a trail through under brush creeks-boulders and least of all cliffs that had to be hugged to keep from going into canyons—no one has said a word since the inception of “Leland’s ledge” lest he make another one harder if possible.

Hans and I finished the last 10 miles together and even ran fairly fast for last couple of miles-he broke his last years record for age group and we finished in 30hours 20 min?—beautiful and wild would do it again in a heart beat- the best mountain run I have been a part of: coming off good runs in Cascade Crest and Vermont thought I would beat 30 hrs, but was thankful to get out under the 35 hr cut off.

JOB 28:7
There is a path which no fowl knows, and which the vulture’s eye has not seen.
[I believe this is Leland’s last 10 miles]

Elroy

The Bear 100: Wasatch and Bear Range: mountain trail: Preston, Idaho-all trail and jeep trail-hard terrain.