It's odd the places one's runner's feet take them.This past summer, I participated in Colorado's Wild West Relay, a 195-mile running relay from Fort Collins, Wyoming to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The last of the three legs (Leg 34)I ran for my team of twelve runners, was a severe descent, with an elevation loss of 1829 feet, along the Colorado portion of U.S. 40 (see pic to right). This is the same interstate route which this weekend, experienced what representatives of the Colorado state transportation department called "the largest (avalanche) they have ever seen."
This terribly beautiful, and sadly, deadly, weather event occurred this past Saturday on U.S. 40 near 11,307-foot Berthoud Pass, about 50 miles west of Denver (see image to left).As I was running through a portion of this same Colorado landscape last summer, I could not help but be awestruck by the incredible nature on display in this part of our United States. The events of this past weekend though, are another reminder of how dangerous, and quickly, nature can exert its force in a dangerous manner on our humanity.
It's odd the places one's runner's feet take them, and worth noting how significantly nature can exert its influence on we, as partners of this planet.
Embrassez votre été invincible!
2 comments:
Hi - you have your Colorado passes mixed up. You were correct that the avalanche was on Berthoud Pass, but the Wild West Relay - and Leg 34 - goes over Rabbit Ears Pass which is just east of Steamboat Springs. Berthoud Pass is a ways south of Rabbit Ears Pass. Avalanches have always been a problem on Berthoud Pass due to the much steaper terain.
Hope you enjoyed the WWR!
Paul
WWR Race Director
Thanks for stopping by and clarifying... fortunately for the youth of America, I am not a gegraphy teacher!
Post a Comment