Driven

Olympus West Slabs to South Summit and Loop

So Craig and I wanted to go run up a mountain today.First it was gonna be Mt Nebo, but not enough time. Then it was gonna be Broad's Fork Twins, but too rainy. So we decided on climbing the West Slabs and a run down from the summit back to the car in a 7 mile loop. I had climbed the West Slabs a coupla years ago. It is a 45 degree (maybe more?) incline of quartzite, with lots of great holds. If you pick the right line it is easy and safe. Pick the wrong one and...

We traversed over to the South summit of Olympus, then ran down the trail and connected with the new trail that traverses back to Olympus Cove and the car.

Thank goodness it did not rain.

At Bountiful HS track this morning, 7X800s (Yasso) to get me in shape for fast running. It was me and the old ladies until the cheerleading squad showed up. They formed a mob wearing red sweatshirts, and chanted loud pro-BHS slogans as they slowly jogged around the track. They never did catch me. Then they did some calisthenics, and the krinkly pom poms came out of a bag. Fortunate for me I was finished with my laps when the horrible music blasted over the P.A. system. I thought it would scare the old ladies away but they weren't running to their cars like I was.

I ran up Mt Timpanogos early this AM. I mean early. I began running up the trail about 3:45AM. Time to summit was 1h56m, including two potty breaks (number 2). Without those breaks I can easily go under 1:50. The great thing about Timp is that all of it is runnable.

Very chilly morning but I stayed warm enough, even wearing shorts and a long-sleeve shirt. As per usual, lots of hikers on the trail and lounging about the saddle. I would like to go back another time with a warm sleeping bag and a mat and just snooze at the saddle for a few hours before sunrise. That appeals to me. As I descended I saw Scott W coming up. I gave him the unopened  can of frat boy beer I found at the summit.