Malvik Bags Ill-Eagle Sheep in Chugach Back Country Smack Down

Mike Malvik, trailing his competitors, and on the verge of overtime disqualification pulled out all the stops on the final leg and scored a home run from high on the Ball Field.

As the rest of the 30+ field limped to sore footed finishes at Glen Alps in another installment of Steve and Bill’s most excellent Mountain SOre adventure, Mike was chilling in the setting sun high on the ridges above Campbell Creek. Just as he headed for home the afore-mentioned sheep appeared over the ridge line with menace in its eyes. Mike was forced, against his better judgement to “take the shot” exposed here. Fish and Game enforcement has been notified, and it appears that Mike will have to forfeit his compass to avoid prosecution.

Okay, maybe ewe had to be there…

In other action on the day Springer Moore, attempting a grand slam of controls had to pull up short due to unforeseen injuries (blisters) but still managed to collect most of the bases on his way to an easy (don’t use that word) victory in the 5-hour mini Rogaine. Perennial mountain master Dorn Van Dommelen secured second in a close race with Julia Ditto after retracing his path to find a dropped punch card. Julia came third and topped the women’s field in another standout performance. For other notable finishes in the 5, 3 and 1 hour events (which were numerous) see the posted results. Some pretty remarkable back country scrambling by young and old.

Two cruel and sadistic old guys (Steve and Bill) managed to leave a trail of control-ed carnage over the ridges and valleys of the front range. Along with: “boy that was beautiful”, “the berries were awesome”, “loved that one by the lake”, were heard mutterings of: “by the 4th hour my brain went into limp mode”, “that hemlock hell was demoralizing”, “all that vertical was not a good choice”, “I tried for the easy one next to the stream but after circling in the swamp for 30 minutes I gave up and went on”, “I tried a new route off the Ball Field that ended up in the worst bushwack of my life”, “boulder, what boulder? There are 30 of them in the control circle”… etc., etc

Luckily it was a nice day, with cool breeze and no rain to slicken the steep terrain and moisten the head high brush.

For all involved, the best news of the day was that, after 3 years hosting, Steve and Bill have agreed to let someone else have a crack at setting the Mountain O next year, we wish them an avalanche of success.

Thanks to Bjorn for getting refreshments (mostly consumed by Bill and Steve over the 6 hours waiting for finishers) and a special thanks to all those who accompanied us on multiple trips over several weeks to set controls and pick them up. Nowelle Spencer, Pat Schmit, Stan Moll, Peter Johnson, Lexi Hill, Brian Kirchner, Mike Malvik, and Lynn Spencer as well as all those who haven’t yet volunteered to help take down controls. (We know where you live)

For all involved, the best news of the day was that after 3 years hosting, Steve and Bill have agreed to let someone else have a crack at setting the Mountain O next year, we wish them an avalanche of success.

Thanks to Bjorn for getting refreshments (mostly consumed by Bill and Steve over the 6 hours waiting for finishers) and a special thanks to all those who accompanied us on multiple trips over several weeks to set controls and pick them up. Stan Moll, Peter Johnson, Lexi, Brian and Lynn as well as all those who haven’t yet volunteered to help take down controls. (We know where you live!)

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1 Hour Course