Utmb

[Alan Lucker]

I don't mind bovine. In fact it was the climb from the valley to the Lac which hurt, but then it's a steady plod and a steep walk up to the traverse and past all the cows. I think because I'd heard such horror stories when I eventually walked it a few days before the UTMB I was pleasantly surprised.

Fellmincer, even over 3 days it's a hell of a trip. Might be worth considering getting a bus around to miss out the start section, which to be honest is a bit mindnumbing. Worth checking out from St Gervais? on wards, because that's in the dark.

We also bussed from L Fouly to Champex Lac which is just a trail along a valley and a climb out to the Lac. It saves a good few hours.

Would be excellent training though. Good luck very jealous.

Bovine is o.k. on a nice day in daylight (2009). But if you are a bit slower (like I was in 2005) and it is dark and raining it is a horrible climb, and hard to spot the reflective tape. My advice is get there prior to darness if you can, and ease off after if necessary.

[MorganW]

Bovine is o.k. My advice is get there prior to darness if you can, and ease off after if necessary.

Could be tricky for me Alan, doing the CCC.

If I did get there before darkness, there would be some hideous form of payback...............

[Alan Lucker]

Sorry Morgan, I was meaning in the TMB. In the CCC I don't think it will feel as bad as you wont be as fatigued at this point. On my first ascent of Bovine in 2005 it was dark and drizzling, I had to hold my head torch to spot the tapes, which were fairly widely spread. Last year in daylight, and dry it was much easier.

[scott baistow 93]

Anyone know if Kilian Jornets running again ?

[Alan Lucker]

He is registered to defend his title.

[Agiofws]

Hello i am new to this forum.... i would like to ask some questions if anyone would be kind enough to answer would be appreciated....

1) If you wear compression socks up to the knee and a 3/4th capri does it COUNT as (Long tights or leggings) as the list of obligatory equipment describes ? or do HAVE to have an extra pair of leggings in your ruck sack ?

2) I will be using Poles in the race specifically Raid-lights but they don't seem sturdy or strong enough but i am not a heavy person X<60Kgr will these poles take the stress on the race or will they break ?

3) I have weighed my hydrobag 1,5L + all the obligatory equipment and it weighs about 3.4 to 3.5 Kilos is this too much for the utmb race ?

Thank you

[MorganW]

Hello i am new to this forum.... i would like to ask some questions if anyone would be kind enough to answer would be appreciated....

1) If you wear compression socks up to the knee and a 3/4th capri does it COUNT as (Long tights or leggings) as the list of obligatory equipment describes ? or do HAVE to have an extra pair of leggings in your ruck sack ?

2) I will be using Poles in the race specifically Raid-lights but they don't seem sturdy or strong enough but i am not a heavy person X<60Kgr will these poles take the stress on the race or will they break ?

3) I have weighed my hydrobag 1,5L + all the obligatory equipment and it weighs about 3.4 to 3.5 Kilos is this too much for the utmb race ?

Thank you

Can't help with 1.

2. I am using Raid Lights for the CCC. They are not hugely sturdy, agreed. I have had breakages, but these usually occur when a pole goes deeply into a hole between rocks or sink into very boggy ground, and in either case the body weight comes onto the pole. I think you'll be fine.

3. As regards water in the hydrobag, I am using a 750 ml Raid Light bottle in an OMM i-gammy (bottle holder). This will allow me to limit the bladder to another 750 mls, cutting down on the weight. I would be surprised if my sac came in much under 3.5 kiloswith all the compulsory gear.

[Alan Lucker]

Hello i am new to this forum.... i would like to ask some questions if anyone would be kind enough to answer would be appreciated....

1) If you wear compression socks up to the knee and a 3/4th capri does it COUNT as (Long tights or leggings) as the list of obligatory equipment describes ? or do HAVE to have an extra pair of leggings in your ruck sack ?

2) I will be using Poles in the race specifically Raid-lights but they don't seem sturdy or strong enough but i am not a heavy person X<60Kgr will these poles take the stress on the race or will they break ?

3) I have weighed my hydrobag 1,5L + all the obligatory equipment and it weighs about 3.4 to 3.5 Kilos is this too much for the utmb race ?

Thank you

1) As I understood it last year; if you intended to wear (set off in) anything that is below the knee in length you did not have to carry any leg cover in your sack.
2) BG sec seams clued up on these and I dont use poles, sorry.
3) My rucsack weighed 2.6 k with 1/2 litre of liquid. I managed most of the way only carrying 1/2 litre. There is some longer sections when you will need neared a litre, but I carried an empty Gatorade bottle in my sack for when necessary.

[Alexandra]

[QUOTE=Agiofws;350366]

2) I will be using Poles in the race specifically Raid-lights but they don't seem sturdy or strong enough but i am not a heavy person X<60Kgr will these poles take the stress on the race or will they break ? /QUOTE]

I am very enthusiastic about poles for walking, haven't tried them yet running, haven't tried the Raidlight ones, only the very light top of the range Leki ones. If you haven't used your poles much, I strongly reccomend you use them as much as possible before the UTMB. They do take some getting used to, and a time when you will have the stress of the race with lots of aspects which I presume will be new to you, plus great fatigue by the end, is not the moment to learn to use poles. Tripping over them is always possible, also getting them stuck between rocks, swiping other people. There is also deciding how to handle them when you want your hands free. There is collapsing and stowing them or opening them quickly. My poles have become almost part of me, but I still fumble with them from time to time. That said, I think they will be tremendously valuable. Good luck!

[Agiofws]

Ok thank you all for your insight

I still have another question and i guess many more will come up as we are getting towards the start of the race...

Are there Energy bars at the aid stations ?

Are we allowed to take/put some of them in our Back packs or do we have to CONSUME them ON spot ?

Thankyou

* as for the poles(Raidlights) i have been using them i believe they do take the strain off your legs in such a big race ... i just hope they wont snap but i have seen that the paths are quiet clean ...