[outdoors]
MOUNTAIN HIGH
I
If you aren’t sure how candid a professional endurance runner’s blog might be, check out Missoula athlete Jason Schlarb’s writing. Take this, from a post about last year’s Grindstone100-mile ultramarathon in Virginia, which he finished in 18:35: “On the way home while pushing up a hill I took in too much water and before I could even think about it, I puked like a cartoon character. Three huge fountain blasts later I was done.” It relates a humility that I, personally, would not have if I were physically capable of running 100 miles. He’s also a fan of beer, which is endearing. You can likely expect that down-to-earth vibe when Schlarb and his fellow runner, Jeremy Wolf, give a presentation on Aug. 1 about their recent five-day point-to-point run through the Italian Dolomites mountain range. The write-up on irunfar.com contains as-
tonishing tidbits, like the fact they arrived at the trip’s starting point without even a trail map. The run took them through the rugged, compact range and along rifugios, a network of B&B-type support stops intended for hikers. I’m not sure that I’m brave enough to attempt such a thing; but Schlarb’s enthusiasm makes me think I ought to start somewhere. –Kate Whittle Pro trail runners Jason Schlarb and Jeremy Wolf give a multimedia presentation on their epic five-day run through the Italian Dolomites mountain range. Runner's Edge, 304 N. Higgins Ave. Thu., Aug. 1, at 7 PM. Includes gear giveaway from sponsors.
OUR SPECIAL NONPROFIT GUESTS: August 1 vs Helena Brewers Opportunity Resources
August 6 vs Billings Mustangs Missoula County Relay for Life
August 2 vs Helena Brewers Sharehouse
August 13 vs Grand Junction Rockies NCBI
August 3 vs Billings Mustangs Available August 5 vs Billings Mustangs Biomimicry 3.8
August 14 vs Grand Junction Rockies PEO
Sponsored by
To get your organization signed up, for next year’s Community Corner, send a written request on your organization's letterhead to: Missoula Osprey c/o Community Corner MSO Hub 140 N. Higgins, Missoula 59802 or call 543-3300
photo by Cathrine L. Walters
THURSDAY AUGUST 1 The Thursday Night Mountain Bike Group meets on Tuesdays to play polo. Kidding, kidding, they meet on Thursdays at 6 PM to ride trails in the Missoula area. Check thursdaynightmtbr.org to find out locations.
FRIDAY AUGUST 2 Active outdoor lovers are invited to the Mountain Sports Club’s weekly meeting to talk about past glories and upcoming activities at Bigfork’s Swan River Inn. 6–8 PM. Free. Make sure your first time is special by attending First Timer Friday at the Freestone Climbing Center, 935 Toole Ave. in Missoula, at 7 PM. Free if it’s your first visit. No need for bear spray at the “Getting To Know Grizzlies” talk from FWP biologist James Jonkel, who discusses bear research and management in western Montana as part of the “Montana’s Multitude of Myths, Misconceptions and Little Known Facts” series. Beavertail Hill State Park amphitheater near Clinton. 8-9 PM. Folks are welcome to just come up for the talk or to camp for the evening. See stateparks.mt.gov.
SATURDAY AUGUST 3 Leave it to the organizers of the HURL Elkhorn Endurance Runs to describe their event: “Run ‘til you hurl, then run some more.” Sound like fun? Sign up for the 50-mile, 50K or 23K race—each along trails and primitive Forest Service roads near Montana City, outside Helena—at vigilanterunning.org. No need to dress like a Disney princess, but you can certainly enjoy a lot of darling woodland creatures during the Heart and
Pearl Lakes hike, guided by Lolo National Forest botanist Craig Odegarde. The eight-mile hike includes elevation gain of 1,600 feet. Meet up to carpool at Starbucks, 5620 Grant Creek Road at 7 AM. Call Claire at 728-0189 for more info. You’ll be bright eyed and bushy tailed after Run Wild Missoula’s Saturday Breakfast Club Runs, which start at 8 AM every Saturday at Runner’s Edge, 325 N. Higgins Ave. Grab breakfast with other participants afterward. Free to run. Visit runwildmissoula.org. Ride the gorgeous Route of the Hiawatha at Lookout Pass Ski Area, exit 0 on I-90, and zip through train tunnels and trestles, as part of a Special Olympics Montana benefit. 10 AM-5 PM. Register at fvar.somt.org/hiawatha-cycle-forchampions. Cozy up by Salmon Lake and enjoy “Favorite Montana Stories, Myths, and Tall Tales” with Hal Stearns. Stop by for the talk or camp out for the night. Salmon Lake State Park, five miles south of Seeley Lake on Highway 83. 8-9 PM.
TUESDAY AUGUST 6 Meet other free-wheeling gals when Montana Dirt Girls meet every Tuesday around 6 PM on Tuesdays for hiking or mountain biking in the Missoula area. For locations and more information, visit mtdirtgirls.tripod.com. Free.
THURSDAY AUGUST 8 The Thursday Night Mountain Bike Group meets on Tuesdays to play polo. Kidding, kidding, they meet on Thursdays at 6 PM to ride trails in the Missoula area. Check thursdaynightmtbr.org to find out locations. calendar@missoulanews.com
missoulanews.com • August 1–August 8, 2013 [37]