Tuesday, February 25, 2014

They're just trying to scare me...

Ah, they're just trying to scare me-

"Peak Races Snowshoe Race (3/1) course description: Climbs steeply up Camino de los Muertos before mellowing along a stretch called Valhalla which is always awash in sunlight (when its present). Crosses upper Stonewall to Tweed Cabin then climbing Green Trail, into the Labyrinth. Hooks around Shrek’s Cabin at the summit to Devil’s Throat and some very narrow and technical singletrack. Drops down the double chutes of Upper Bubba before trekking across Bubba. A very steep bushwhack to Middle Ravine which in turn drops down Fuster's Skid Road. Briefly traverses the banks of Tweed River before climbing Stairs and Escalator Trails. Cuts through Noodles Revenge then follows Crazy Mazie to the start/finish. Epic." 
So I rewrote it-

Peak Races Snowshoe Race (3/1) course description: Climbs a large angle to the plane of the horizon up Camino de los Muertos before mellowing along a stretch called Valhalla which is always awash in sunlight. Crosses upper Stonewall to Tweed Cabin then climbing Green Trail, into the Magical MazeCurves around Donkey's Cabin at the summit to Pussy Cat's Tail and some narrow and lumpy built for one person trailLowers down the double channels of Upper Bubba before trekking across Bubba. A very angled frolic to Middle Ravine which in turn descends down Fuster's Slide Road. Briefly proceeds along the banks of Tweed River before climbing Stairs and Escalator Trails. Passes through Noodles Pardon then follows Lazy Mazie to the start/finish. Good Fun.  

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

The Eye of the Storm


 

I whirl around in a long slow cyclonic spiral, a prisoner bound by the nature of a phenomenon I cannot escape and I submit to the powerful energy which now engulfs my very being. I am pulled and pummeled by the vortex of a storm that has just begun to pick up speed. I am afraid, enthralled and curious all at once. I am on a ride and terrified yet I cannot, will not or do not know how to get off. My body is battered, my soul is ravaged, and my resolve wanes yet I am compelled to anticipate whatever is to become of me. A grip of hurricane force rotates me faster, tighter and harder until I am about to break apart from my insides out and as I approach the limits of my humanity I am spit out into the quiet warm calm of the eye of the storm. I have survived, I've made it through the tumultuous wall and now my weary body slumps while my thankful heart rejoices and I am re-energized under the rejuvenating rays of the taper sun. 
-Eliza Murphy