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CHEF SCOTT DAZZLES THE CROWD WITH HIS EPICUREAN SKILLS

The 2008 Rose Valley 33 Mile Endurance Run aka The Santa Barbara 9 Trails 35 Mile fire replacement run was a great success. We had about 100 starters and nearly 90 finishers. Reasonably accurate results are here. It was a day of pure ultra kookiness, the trails were gnarly but hospitable, dark blue skies, clean brisk California air, big views, long ass climbs, perfect single track, great aid stations (Coyote style of course....meow), helpful, friendly and knowledgeable volunteers - (Deb Clem ice rubs for a lucky few) - generous sponsors - see logos below - the finish line was ultra perfection - remote and funky location (abandoned county work station) - lots of happy people, cheese burgers prepared by chef Jurek (real cheese burgers, not those wimpy garden burgers) cold beer and shots of Jack. What could be better? We all had a great time. I will post a complete report later - after I finish unpacking my trailer. Thanks again to everyone. We did it!

Luis

click here to view the Rose Valley Results and photos

Monday, November 24, 2008

Friends, As you might imagine, the last few days have been a hectic rush. Insurance, permitting, volunteer coordination, supply drop off, shopping, course mapping, emails and phone calls! It has all been very difficult and time consuming, but it is now complete and the Rose Valley 33 Mile Endurance Run is happening. Special thanks to Chris Scott, Mark Wieneke, Howard Cohen, Stu Sherman, Bill Kee and my wife Beverly.

carefully read the following information - It is important.

This Rose Valley 33 Mile Endurance Run has been created as an alternative event to the 2008 Santa Barbara 9 Trails. We have been forced to move 9 Trails this year because of the recent Tea Fire which has effected some of the trails and surrounding roads. We are currently working with the Forest Service and preparing to return 9 Trails to Santa Barbara in 2009.

After two days on the Rose Valley course this is what I have to report. This course is beautiful. However, it is very different from the Santa Barbara 9 Trails course. It is part of the Coyote 2 Moons 100 Miler. It is a challenging course, with over 9700 feet of vertical gain packed into approximately 33 miles. The highest peak is just under 5000 feet. There is a total of two miles of paved road, about 10 miles of dirt road (Nordhoff Ridge Road) and over 20 miles of single track trail. The climbs are long and steep. The views of the Ojai Valley, Lake Casitas, Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands are breath taking. In terms of difficultly, I would say it is similar to the Santa Barbara 9 Trails course. Your finish time will be similar. Here is a link to some good trail descriptions http://venturacountytrails.org/TrailMaps/OjaiGridley/AreaTrails.htm

Directions - Simple directions are listed below. The drive is long and slow. Budget one hour from Ventura and a little more from Santa Barbara.

Car Pooling - For those wanting to save some gas and the cost of the $5.00 Adventure Pass (which is required to park at Rose Valley) I would suggest car pooling from the Cozy Dell Trail Head which is located on Hwy 33 on the way to Rose Valley about 10 miles east of Ojai. Meet there at 5:00AM and look for a fellow runner. You may also post a request to meet on the 9 Trails Guest Book.

Parking - There is plenty of safe parking at the start / finish area. A $5.00 adventure pass is required for all vehicles. You can purchase a pass at the Shell Station in Oak View on Hwy 33 on your way up. Plan accordingly.

Toilets - There will be two portable toilets at the start / finish area

Camping - The Rose Valley Campground is safe, beautiful and ½ mile from the start / finish area. My family and I will be camping there on Friday night. The BBQ will be going. Bring a tent, something to cook and join us!

Trail Marking - The trails will be marked with bright pink Montrail ribbon.

Aid - As you can see on the course map above. There will be five aid stations. Two with full aid and three with hydration only. There will be SUCCEED! ULTRA and SCAPS! at all aid stations.

Crew Access - There is crew access at the Howard Creek turn around (mile 26). Crew members are welcome to hike to the Gridley Top Aid. No vehicles will be allowed on the Nordhoff Ridge Road. There will be absolutely no crew access at the Gridley Bottom Aid. Our permit with the forest service prohibits it.

Drop Bags - May not be necessary. However, we will provide drop bag transportation to all three aid locations if you absolutely need it. (Weather permitting) Clearly mark your bags with your name and drop location. Bring them to the start / finish area on Saturday morning prior to 6:30AM. Do not place anything of value in your bags. Drop bags MAY be returned to the start / finish area when it is convenient for the aid station volunteers to do so. Best to assume that you will not get that bag back. Please plan accordingly.

Lost, found and unclaimed stuff - I will NOT mail unclaimed equipment to you after the run. Please do not ask. All lost and found items and unclaimed drop bag items will be at the start / finish area on Saturday evening until we depart. After that time, I will donate unclaimed items to the local high school cross country team.

Weather - Very unpredictable. This past weekend it was beautiful - but - it could be very harsh on the Nordhoff Ridge, come prepared for anything. Click here for current conditions.

Cut Offs - We have no official cut off times - However, Gridley Top Aid Caption and Co - Race Director Mark Wieneke will make cut off decisions as needed. His decisions will be final. Please be respectful of Mark and all of our generous volunteers. Our permit with the US Forest Service discourages running after dark.

Lights - Sunset on Saturday is 4:50 PM. Our permit with the US Forest Service discourages running after dark. Please plan accordingly.

DNF or drops - If you are unable to continue with the run, you must turn in your bib number at an aid station. Gridley Top - Mark Wieneke, Gridley Bottom - Chris Scott, Howard Creek - Bill Kee. Check with us before you depart the course. Do not just walk off. At the end of the day, every runner must be accounted for.

First Aid - There will be a first aid kit at the start / finish area and the Gridley Top Aid Station. There may be a nurse at both locations as well.

Awards - There will be handcrafted glossy black akabill amulets for all finishers. There will be random finishers gifts for all participants (finish or not) from our friends at Dirty Girl Gaiters, Montrail, Black Diamond and Green Foods. Special unique colored akabill amulets for first over all male and female. Grand Master’s unique colored akabill amulets for first male and female over 50.

Finish Line Aid - There will be cold drinks and hot food available for all runners at the finish area. Vegetarian soup and cheeseburgers. Please plan to hang out a socialize. Bring a musical instrument if you have one to share.

Results - Time and place results will be recorded for 33 mile finishers only. There will not be splits or results for partial finishes. A results board will be at the finish. Written results for 33 mile finishers will be available at www.allwedoisrun.com within one week from race day. Results will also be forward to Ultra Running Magazine.

Refunds and transfers - As you know from your run application, we do not offer refunds or transfers. I realize that the Santa Barbara fires have created a unique situation. And this new event is not what you originally signed up for. Please understand that our choices were very limited. Cancel or move. We chose to move. With this change happening just a few days prior to the event, most of your entry fees have been spent. And the move has increased some of the expenses. This makes it inconvenient for all of us and impossible for me to refund money that is gone. Please try to understand the situation. Contact me if you have any further questions about this.

This will be the final web update prior to the run. I will look forward to seeing all of you this Saturday. Please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions. Luis Escobar

luis@reflectionsphotographystudio.com