2014 SkiMo or Rando-Racing

This winter, after a two-year hiatus, I decided instead of doing a lot of indoor lap swimming that I would return to doing rando skiing or skimo (ski mountaineering). I participated in the two local races in February and March. I entered the regular “recreation” division, as opposed to the “elite” division. They are both ISMF-sanctioned (International Ski Mountaineering Federation).

The CROWBAR is held east of Logan. This year it appeared more people entered the elite division than the rec. It is not age-bracketed and I placed 8th out of 13th with a time of 2:15. Due to the very warm weather, the course was modified and had just under 3,000 vertical of climbing. Here’s my Strava link.

The Wasatch Powderkeg is the biggest SkiMo race in North America and is held in and out of bounds at Brighton Ski Resort in Utah. I finished 30 out of 38 (ouch!), with a time of 2:57. Here’s my Strava link for that one.

I am currently using pre-historic gear that is heavy or not race worthy. By next season, I should have more upgrades (i.e. lighter gear).

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Author: Rando Richard

I’m an old guy (age 69 in 2023) who enjoys aerobic, endurance sports. I call myself a cardio-junkie. Perhaps the more appropriate term would be “ultra” endurance sports. Since I was a teenager I have always enjoyed “slow twitch” outdoor sports like backpacking, ice climbing, running, mountaineering, hiking, alpine skiing and randonnée skiing (alpine touring, backcountry skiing or skimo). In 2005 I starting running with more regularity — except this time it was not for the intent of getting ready for a mountaineering trip, but as an end to itself. From 2005 to 2007 I managed to eek out two seasons of ultramarathons — that is competitive trail runs up to 50 or 100 miles. Due to a nagging ankle injury from the 80s (an accident while ice climbing in the 1980s where my lower tib and fib were badly broken), I had to cease that grueling, but rewarding activity. I then migrated into ultra distance road cycling or randonneuring. The rides are called brevets (pronounced bruh-VAY, it’s French) and are minimally supported — they are similar to ultrarunning and backpacking where one must be self reliant. Although brevets are non-competitive, they do have have cut off times to qualify as a finisher. They are usually are done in groups, which can have a competitive slant to them. Today, I continue to participate in long distance cycling including some ultra-racing, randonnée skiing (a blend of cross country and downhill disciplines) and still get out on an occasional mountaineering trip. Since 1996 I have been designing, manufacturing and selling camera bags. That is Kinesis Photo Gear (kgear.com). In 2005 I started selling cycling bags under the Kinesis label and eventually expanded it to including other sports like SUP (stand-up paddle boarding and some skimo). Consequently, it become eoGEAR — the “eo” stands for endurance outdoor. My wife and I are empty-nesters now and we live and work out in the boondocks of central Utah, half way between Salt Lake City (great powder) and Moab (great red rocks). Well, I guess that is all for now. Safe travels mate! Perhaps I’ll see you on the road or trail. — Richard Stum

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