Wednesday February 20, 2008

FOR THE LOVE OF THE ROUTE Patch season kicks off with season’s first winter attempt

On Sunday, February 17, Patch Sprint veterans, Jason Fiegl, Jim Kobak and Matt Moscato took on the winter sprint in what can best be described as challenging conditions.  The trio started their day out under sunny skies and with the temperature below zero. They slogged through deep unbroken snow all day long.  By the time they were standing triumphantly atop Pok-O-Moonshine, the skies had become ominous with a ferocious wind whipping through the North Country: the leading edge of an impending winter storm.      "It's not gonna Sprint itself..." was their mantra as the group kept pushing through in spite of the difficult travel.  Choosing the traditional Patch Sprint course (preferred, though not required in winter rules), the group encountered their barriers right from the start.  "Back in our day, breaking out Bare Mt. was an Outdoor Ed work project," cried out the disgruntled Moscato and Fiegl.  The first peak was reached in 31 minutes.      Rattlesnake was successfully climbed over an hour later, as they survived a broken snowshoe along the way. They encountered deep snow on the back side of Sugarloaf. "Back in our day, breaking out Sugarloaf was an Outdoor Ed work project," In fact, most of the trail was unbroken and the group used effective team tactics, constantly switching the lead to keep a steady pace.

The eventual two hour trek and climb to Pok-O-Moonshine was slow going through Fiegalley (“It's nice having a namesake":  Jay Fiegl) and the Northway tunnels were almost impassible due to drifting snow.  "I hope I don’t wake up hibernating spiders in the tunnel,” said Kobak.      Suprisingly, the trip up Pok-O may not have been the hardest part of the race.  A well packed trail to the summit made things easier, even though it was so steep.  "This is some serious wind!  This is some serious wind! This is some serious wind," Moscato kept lamenting, as they ascended the final peak.      Their finish time came in at five hours, 19 minutes, over two hours off of the winter course record.    “Now, the Patch Sprint trail is nicely broken out, said Kobak.  “So, it won't be long until some eager young buck, like renowned winter peak-bagger, Matt Elliot, goes after Fiegl's winter record.”

GIVE IT A TRY    Racers, hikers and winter trekkers have until March 21 to attempt the Winter Sprint.  Competitors are on their own (no registration is necessary and no support is made available) and must abide by the same rules in place for the summer sprint, although course order is discretionary and snowshoes and cross-country skis are allowed.  Competitors must be accompanied by at least one other person on each mountain.

For any competitor, only the first successful completion each winter season will be recorded.  The fastest time of the season will earn the distinction of 2008 Winter Champion, but all finishers will be recognized for a successful completion of the course.                                         Division Record: 3:15:18* - Jason Fiegl  (2006)

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