Ski to Sea (Sunday, May 25)
This was supposed to be Hans' moment in the sun. As the only one of his team willing to perform cross country ski duties, he dutifully fills that niche year after year. This year he finally talked his way into the canoe ~ and as luck would have it, the race coincided with Adrian's visit. Perfect! Or so it seemed. But in a freak turn of events, Mother Nature conspired against them. Masses of late-season snow blanketing Mt. Baker + a sudden spike in temps = massive snow melt = dangerously high water levels and no take-out points. For the first time in the history of the race, the canoe leg was canceled ~ literally at the last minute. Major disappointment! Nonetheless, in the week leading up to the race, they got some time in the canoe. And on race day, they went ahead and paddled the river behind our house. 
Road biking is the fourth leg of the relay. The race starts out early up at Baker, with the cross-country and downhill ski legs. The runner then heads down the mountain and hands off to the road biker.
An 18 mile journey down stream (normally!) follows the road biking.
Canoeists hand off to mountain bikers and kayakers finish the race.
The end of an epic journey from Baker to the Bay, Ski to Sea.
Hans, Adrian, and a few other guys from this year's team.
This was supposed to be Hans' moment in the sun. As the only one of his team willing to perform cross country ski duties, he dutifully fills that niche year after year. This year he finally talked his way into the canoe ~ and as luck would have it, the race coincided with Adrian's visit. Perfect! Or so it seemed. But in a freak turn of events, Mother Nature conspired against them. Masses of late-season snow blanketing Mt. Baker + a sudden spike in temps = massive snow melt = dangerously high water levels and no take-out points. For the first time in the history of the race, the canoe leg was canceled ~ literally at the last minute. Major disappointment! Nonetheless, in the week leading up to the race, they got some time in the canoe. And on race day, they went ahead and paddled the river behind our house. 
Road biking is the fourth leg of the relay. The race starts out early up at Baker, with the cross-country and downhill ski legs. The runner then heads down the mountain and hands off to the road biker.
An 18 mile journey down stream (normally!) follows the road biking.
Canoeists hand off to mountain bikers and kayakers finish the race.
The end of an epic journey from Baker to the Bay, Ski to Sea.
Hans, Adrian, and a few other guys from this year's team.
4 comments:
Great pictures, congrads to all.
It truly is beautiful up at the top of the world! Good to see you guys are getting some sunny days.
Cheers!
This are great pictures, Colleen! I love them. Boy, Hans sure doesn't look like his brother, does he. LOL
:+) Kate
Great pictures! What a bummer that the guys couldn't canoe. Maybe next year?
I'd love to get together soon!
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