Waldo 100K Ultra-marathon

This Saturday was the "Where's Waldo 100K Ultra-marathon". In one day, 120 insane runners, from all over the world, start at 5,000' altitude and run up and down 5 peaks over a 100K wilderness trail course. The Willamette Pass Ski Patrol puts on the race. My station for the event is at a trail junction, 2.5 miles in. The runners pass me after running 22 miles and again after 48 miles. This year Cedar and Trask carried in water and emergency supplies. They then were the official trail junction greeters giving much appreciated kisses to foot sore runners and multiple Pacific Crest Trail Thru-hikers.  (Tule was at the finish line with happy wags and kisses for all).

Friday, after spending the day helping to prepare a dinner for the volunteers, runners and their families/support teams, we "camped" in the motorhome at the trailhead. We had to be on the trail at 0600 Saturday morning.

Each dog carried 3 quarts of water, a food bowl and their breakfast. The weight did not slow them a bit - only the occasional "Squirrel!"

The skijor-belt tethered duo pulled me up the mountain trail at a very brisk pace. I was carrying a pack, chair and trail signs (and without having my breakfast or coffee). We made the 2.5 miles in less than 45 minutes, including setting out trail direction signs along the way.  After arriving, the dogs ate breakfast while I set up our trail junction station and settled in (without coffee) for a long day.

Trask and Cedar dressed in their Ski Patrol scarves.

The dogs quickly caught on that runners, day hikers, backpackers and Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers on their way from Mexico to Canada were prime for "Nookies".

Being located at a three-way junction meant people could come from multiple directions. The dogs did not want to miss anyone.

This little tree did not stand a chance when Trask got excited. Note: he is also lying in mountain huckleberry bushes.

We were released to head out after the race "sweepers" came by at 6:15 pm. I gave the remaining food and water to a thru-hiker; pack-up; hooked up the dogs; and we headed down the trail. Even with lighter packs, our trip back to the trailhead was much slower than the way in. "Fruitaholic" Trask was now aware of the tasty trailside bounty. (All of the non-tree green in these pictures are huckleberry bushes full of ripe berries.)

Back to the trailhead after a wonderful day in the Cascade mountains.