[Author’s Note: This is the 10th article in an 11-part series celebrating legendary aid stations. You can read about the series here.]
The Tahoe Rim Path 100 Mile is among the basic North American mountain 100 milers. Held every July, the race takes place within the Spooner Lake space of the Carson Vary, deep throughout the Sierra Nevada east of Lake Tahoe in Nevada. Snow Valley Peak is the very best level on the course, sitting at 9,214 toes, and is the house of this legendary help station. Even within the lifeless of summer time, the climate will be difficult, with wind probably within the 20- to 40-mile-per-hour vary when the afternoon zephyrs decide up.
The Snow Valley Peak help station is understood for its views, hospitality, and flamingos. All photographs courtesy of Danyel Soulier.
Runners go by means of the Snow Valley Peak help station twice, as soon as at mile 9.5 after which once more at mile 52.5. To get to the help station website, volunteers should navigate a particularly steep and rugged four-wheel drive highway whereas towing a 210-gallon water tank, porta-potties, and a big tent. Additionally they take all of the provides wanted for 3 days within the backcountry. Lengthy-time race director George Ruiz notes the spectacular location of the help station is what makes it so particular, saying, “Probably the most outstanding and memorable a part of the help station is the panoramic view of Lake Tahoe!”
I requested help station captain Danyel Soulier what makes her help station so memorable for the racers. She says, “For one spectacular day, Snow Valley Peak is reworked right into a pop-up mini-city to gasoline a whole lot of wonderful athletes, fully decked out in pink!” She goes on to elucidate the colour selection, saying, “The official theme right here is flamingos, a convention began means again by Boy Scout Troop 341 and Scout Grasp Invoice Hartman.” She paints a vibrant picture of the scene: “Think about a meals unfold sufficiently big for a military laid out on flamingo tablecloths, upbeat music blasting for nearly 24 hours, and — the element athletes rave about most — it’s the one help station on the course that serves refreshing sorbet!” The help station has a historical past of being run on youth energy, and, at present, members of the Carson Metropolis Excessive Faculty Biking Crew greet and deal with every runner.
Boy Scout Troop 341 ran the Snow Valley Peak help station for years.
Soulier goes on to elucidate the challenges of operating such a distant help station, saying, “Though the Snow Valley Peak Assist Station is a blast, operating this flamingo-themed social gathering is a large yearly enterprise! The brutal logistics of the placement itself imply the crew has to orchestrate a real off-road convoy, requiring no less than 4 four-wheel-drive vehicles simply to haul every little thing up an unkempt Forest Service highway that chews up common trailers.” After which there’s the sorbet. Soulier says, “Retaining that distinctive deal with completely frozen till race time, after which having to handle the fragile stability of thawing it out simply sufficient for runners to really eat, is a continuing battle.” After all, then there are the challenges of blazing warmth, freezing chilly temperatures, gnats, mosquitoes, biting flies, and fixed mud kicked up by the wind.
The views from the Snow Valley Peak help station are unmatched.
Soulier says, “Snow Valley Peak is an absolute goldmine of unforgettable moments! This high-altitude haven has hosted every little thing from birthday celebrations to mid-summer sledding events.” Ruiz says one time, a helicopter delivered pizza to the help station in the midst of the race. Most significantly, Soulier says, “The help station crew constantly provides such legendary hospitality that athletes from all around the world return yr after yr, merely stating that Snow Valley is their absolute favourite cease on your complete course.”
Soulier believes the Snow Valley Peak help station is an unparalleled course favourite not solely as a consequence of its epic views and the spectacle of a flamingo theme, but additionally due to its highly effective legacy of youth participation, beginning with Troop 341. She says, “We hope to proceed this unimaginable custom for a few years to return!”
Invoice Hartman, former Snow Valley Peak help station captain, surrounded by Boy Scout Troop 341.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Shoe Tree Brewing Firm in Carson Metropolis, Nevada. Ash Canyon Amber is Shoe Tree’s flagship ale. Barely malty and wealthy, Ash Canyon is a crisp amber ale brewed within the basic custom of European ambers. Excellent after a protracted day on Snow Valley Peak!
Name for Feedback
- Do you might have any enjoyable tales from the Snow Valley help station you’ll be able to share?
- What’s your favourite help station to go to?
