Extreme Measures

Was it gonna be a slippery Tradition Run? It sure was when I started.

Visit #1514, Sunday 19 January 25, 7:05-9:50AM, 5.8 miles, 9.3 lbs. of litter.

Temps flirting with freezing to start, partly sunny but clouding up in advance of 4-8" of snow predicted overnight.

I learned on Saturday the Tradition Run would be held the following day. I adjusted my trail plans so I could make sure the route up to Castle Craig would be clean for the runners.

At that early hour, a sheen of black ice made walking up the road a dicey proposition and I wondered whether temps would rise enough by the 10:30 start for there to be traction.

What I didn't wonder about was how I would handle conditions.

I had packed my Stabilicers for many weeks without needing them. Time to break out the big guns.

Here is where I'd launch into my annual recommendation of such icy conditions gear but after my hike I got on line to order a bag of the replacement studs you see on the soles (they tend to get lost) and discovered the studs, as well as this model ice cleat, have been discontinued.

In anticipation of needing these in the future, I ordered a replacement model and spare studs, which are of a different design.

Nevertheless, these would do the job just fine today.

First, I was asked by a park visitor to check out what may be an extension cord forgotten after the removal of the Christmas lights.

The cord plugs in to the top of the light pole and traverses left...

...to the tree to the right of my truck, with the end coiled around the base of the tree.

I'll plant a word just in case the cord was forgotten.

I barely passed the start line for the Tradition Run when I came upon Season of the Missing Glove #5, Pair Edition, found where you see 'em.

That wasn't the only entry into the Missing Glove collection. Numbers 6 and 7 joined the club today as well.

It was early in my hike and my trash bag was filling with bulky items so I left it at the water treatment plant and opened another bag.

The padlock I placed on the gate across the Maloney Canal continues to do its job. I still don't know what the combination is.

I found one spectator of the event while I was heading up the hill.

'Tis a good thing I chose to follow the Tradition Run route up to Castle Craig. I found a couple leaning branches encroaching on the road. Nothing major to impede participants but removing them keeps a clean line hugging the left side of the road where I imagine most runners will travel.

I reached Castle Craig at 8:35; where's the finish line banner? How will the runners know when to stop? What if they keep running, right over the cliff?!

I followed the trails back to the park with one more task assigned.

Last week, I noticed some graffiti on the iron bridge over the brook east of the pool. I brought all the tools at my disposal to remove it, and quickly.

The beauty of this is, the iron will revert to its original patina and you'll never know I was there.

I started this morning arriving to an empty parking lot. From the look of things when I left, the Tradition Run was going to be a big hit. And temperature had risen by now that the black ice would not be a concern.

The coming snow is supposed to hit us big, too. Stay warm.