#cbmr

4/4: From the sweet details, their romantic first dance, the love that poured through the toasts, to a packed dance floor under a starry night, Mackenize + Dave’s reception was both elegant and way too much fun! Congratulations again you two! We were SO happy to be a part of your day!!

CBMR Result 2016 – Research Associate (Organic Chemistry) Interview List

CBMR Result 2016 – Research Associate (Organic Chemistry) Interview List: Centre of Biomedical Research (CBMR), Lucknow has announced the interview list for the post Research Associate (Organic Chemistry) on its official website http://www.cbmr.res.in. Those candidates have attended the written exam or interview on previous dates they need to check the interview list to know whether they are…

Ski mountaineering's 2015 March Madness has finally come to a close this past weekend.  This past month has included the following events: The Powderkeg triple crown, the inaugural Griggs Orthopedics Hour of Power at Cranor Ski Hill, Ski Mountaineering National Championships at Crested Butte and the Grand Traverse backcountry ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen.  

After breaking my ski and boot at the Power of 4 event in Aspen at the end of February, I was unsure of even participating in the March events.  Luckily the boot fix was an easy cuff swap out in teammate Jon Brown's garage.  Jon even loaned me a ski to use for nationals and the GT.  Thanks Jon for keeping me at the races in March.  

I wasn't able to make the trip to the Powder Keg but opted for the Hour of Power at Cranor.  Although we had a small turn out we were not short on talent.  Star mountain biker Dave Weins and his wife/olympic medalist Susan Demattei joined in the fun.  Teammate Bryan Wickenhauser and myself led the charge with Rhett Griggs, Dave Weins and Western graduate Jeff Sabatka chasing hard.  I ended up winning with 8 laps, Wick was 2nd with 7 laps and Rhett, Jeff and Dave were 3rd 4th and 5th with 7 laps as well.  It was fun racing mid day on a small hill close to town.  I managed to set the course, race and make it to work by 1:30!

The Crested Butte nationals was another true test of physical fitness and technical skills.  The national course included the famed "Guides Ridge" with 1200 feet of fixed rope requiring all participants to show proficiency use climbing equipment.  In addition to the guides ridge athletes doing the race course had to ascend Rambo, one of the steepest named runs in North America averaging 50% in grade!  Participants used an ascender to climb a rope attached to the back of a snowcat.  I was racing well, pushing the pace during the first half of the course.  Aspen stars Jon Gaston and Max Tamm were hanging tight and got a gap on me at the bottom of Rambo.  After struggling with my poles in my pack I made the ascent and was 15-20 seconds behind Jon and Max.  Unfortunately I had only one pole at the top of Rambo and had to descend to retrieve it.  I dropped to about 10th place but after doing 2 Rambos my charge back through the field was slow at first.  I made it up to 5th by the finish and felt positive again.  I partnered up with 7th place finisher Stig Somme from Norway for Sunday's team event. We had a fun tight race for 2-4th place the entire event.  Stig and I managed to squeak into 3rd on the last descent to take 3rd by less than 10 seconds.  

CB Nationals Team 

The following weekend Wick and I along with 3 other keen folk made a pre-race trip to Aspen for a GT recon.  We left at 3am from the Brush Creek trailhead and were in Aspen just after noon.  The course was firm and fast making a fun quick ski over and excitement for the follow week's race.  A huge thanks to Esther Bloom Geiser for helping bring us back to the Gunnison Valley on a Sunday afternoon!  We even talked a first-timer into doing the GT less than a week out!

Taylor Pass Recon Grand Traverse Trip

Taylor Pass Recon Grand Traverse Trip

My teammate Bryan Wickenhauser and I were partnering in the Grand Traverse for our 5th time.  I predicted we would be 15-20 minutes faster than our fastest time.  As it turned out we were 30 minutes faster but only quick enough for 4th place!  I knew it was going to take luck and an exceptional race to pull off a win.  Heading up West Brush Creek there were 3 teams battling for the front.  Scott Simmons and his partner from Durango pushed the temp hard as we started skinning and got a gap.  Marshall Thomson and his partner were just in front and helped to keep our pace high.  After passing the Friend's Hut at 3am we were 15-20 seconds behind Marshall, same position as 2014 but about 45 minutes faster!  Instead of moving up as last year we were forced to hold our 3rd position. After Star Pass we pulled out the tow strap to keep our team pace up.  About 10 minutes after Taylor Pass we saw headlamps approaching from behind.  It was our teammate Jon Brown and his partner Billy Laird.  Jon and Billy were only 3 minutes up leaving the mandatory stop at Barnard Hut.  Unfortunately as they were speeding up we were slowing down. Wick threw up just before leaving the checkpoint and was giving everything he had left to hold our position.  We ended up with our fastest time of 7 hours 12 minutes and 4th place.  It was a finish of pure mental toughness and determination.  I am now looking forward to summer activities and more time with my daughter Jade who is nearly 2 years old.  Thanks for ready and have a wonderful summer!

Mandatory Gear Check for The Grand Traverse

Friday Morning Course check for the Grand Traverse