Adventure Running: 2013 in Photos

2013 was a very memorable year for me. I had some epic moments on the trail. Particularly, running the Grand Canyon 'Rim to Rim to Rim'...a 55 mile 23,000 ft vertical trek.  It was one of the most memorable for me. I left the canyon with vivid memories of running across one of the Seven "Wonders of the World". I also ran the Tahoe Rim 100 and a few other ultras. I volunterred at the Hardrock 100 and enjoyed helping some of the salty all-stars of our sport load their bottles before climbing Handies Peak.  I also started officially working to summit all the 14,000 ft mountains in Colorado. At each summit, I do a headstand and grab a quick picture for the log. With seven summits so far, I have a long way to go. All of this has been an incredible adventure, always giving me something to look forward to each day. Ultrarunning is about adventure and self-improvement. This is what bonds each of us on the long run...An honest passion for life.

The challenge of ultrarunning increases with longer treks over more dangerous terrain. As my technical and physical skill improves, I find myself pushed more mentally and spiritually. I am no longer satisfied with just running miles. I feel a need these days to go higher, farther, and deeper into the outdoors.  I want to find places inaccessible to others. I'm inspired by seeing something rarely seen by others. This often means dangerous routes or advance planning. None of which bothers me.  More and more, I need the support of my trusted training partners and a humble attitude before setting out for the long haul. In the end, this is living. While mountain ultrarunning may be extreme to most people, it is where I feel the most alive.

Looking back, I fondly remember most of the great times in 2013 because I carried a camera more regularly. My interest in photographing our adventures has grown in that time as well. I've started carrying higher quality cameras to include a Canon DSLR T3i and GoPro3.  Mainly through Instagram, I've found a great way to share the adventure of mountain ultrarunning. Here are a few of my favorite moments from 2013...

Run long and prosper,

Jerry

During the Tahoe Rim 100, I stopped at about mile 60. I asked the runner behind me
to take this photo. It was a difficult race for me when temperatures
 reached record levels. The sun seems to be my enemy in really long runs. Regardless, I finished the following
morning and celebrated with my family at the finish.

I took a detour during a trail run in Estes Park, CO. I eventually found "Bridal Veil Falls" and it did not disappoint.

Walter (left) and David (right) were there for me when I had a panic attack during a climb of Grays/Torreys.

Ryan and I running together in the opening miles of the Elephant Mountain 50k. It was a last minute decision to drive down to Arizona for the race but we needed the sunshine and were hungry to race! Sometimes, you just gotta run in the sun.

Descending the North Rim of the Grand Canyon shortly after sunrise. I have to go back just to make sure this wasn't
 a dream. And I need more cameras. Unbelievable place.

Another photo from the Grand Canyon. This was during the initial 6,000 ft descent.

Grand Canyon..the return trek from the south rim.

A little trip in Bear Canyon saw me face first into a sharp rock. I sliced my arm to the bone and had to drive to my wife's
hospital ER. They tried to clean the cut but despite much irrigation and antibiotics, I still had problems for weeks with
infection. I eventually healed and only have a gnarly scar now.

Standing in the "Key Hole" on Longs Peak at about 13,000 ft. I remember contemplating my increasing comfort at high
altitude. It was near perfect day with blue skies and steady temperatures.

A headstand at 14,000 ft on Red Cloud Peak. A mountain summit has a way of making you feel like a superhero and
completely insignificant at the same time.

Here's to 2014.