December 4, 2004 – Mountains Grand Traverse is a one-of-a-kind event in the United States. The backcountry ski race is a test of endurance and smarts, following the mail routes that connected the Colorado mining towns of Crested Butte and Aspen in the 1880s and requiring avalanche awareness, backcountry athleticism, winter camping knowledge and map reading skills all wrapped in one.

“The Grand Traverse is not a Nordic or downhill race, but instead tests
skiers overall skills and goes from town-to-town, covering 40 miles of
rugged trails in the Elk Mountains. When Grand Traverse began eight years
ago, it was fashioned after similar events in Europe that connect various
villages,” says Jan Runge, race organizer.

At the stroke of midnight on April 1, 2005, approximately 240 racers (120
teams of two racers each) will depart from the traditional starting line at the Crested Butte Community School in town, catch the old Upper Loop
Trail, skirt along Hunter Hill Road and drop into the T-bar hill at
Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Mt. Crested Butte. Cheering crowds,
torches and a firework display will greet the racers as they pass through
the base area just below the Silver Queen lift.

After the parade review, the teams will begin the climb up and over Crested Butte Mountain Resort terrain, exiting just below the East River lift, crossing the East River valley, turning down stream and rejoining the course on Brush Creek Road before climbing over two mountain passes.
Several hours later, on April 2, racers arrive in Aspen tired, sore,
bleary-eyed and exultant in their accomplishment.

In 2004, Pat O’Neill and Jim Faust of Crested Butte won the men’s
division with an impressive time of 7:55:50. Ellen Miller of Breckenridge
and William Mattison of Vail captured the co-ed division crown in 9:40:00.
The dynamic duo of Ingrid Butts and Carol Quinn of Gunnison finished at
10:26:20 to lead the women’s division.

In addition to providing a quality wilderness race experience for entrants, race organizers make safety of all participants and minimal impact on the environment top priorities. The unusual start time is scheduled so that entrants will reach the high point of Star Pass (12,303 feet) before the warmth of the day increases the likelihood of avalanches.
Because of the remote route through the Elk Mountains, each team is required to carry enough food and supplies to sustain themselves for 24 hours. Before the start of the race, the team’s packs will be checked for essential gear such as bivy sacks, stove, fuel, avalanche beacons, rescue gear, first aid and repair kits.

More than 40 support team members are present in the backcountry during the race to insure skier safety. Some crews are out in the backcountry for a week before the event, assessing avalanche conditions and moving supplies into remote camps. Local pilots also assist by airdropping supplies into alpine basins. The difficult communications between aid stations are performed with O’Gara Systems Satellite Telephones.

Continuing as the race’s primary sponsor, Mountain Hardwear is proud to
support an event that embodies the company’s philosophy and spirit.
“The race incorporates an extreme physical challenge. It requires the ability and knowledge to navigate and survive in backcountry winter conditions. Our technical gear is put to grueling use, and the race is set up to be environmentally sound. Also, teamwork is emphasized,” says Jennifer Slaboda, sponsorship manager for Mountain Hardwear. In addition to supporting the race, Mountain Hardwear sponsors a team entering the race and provides the winning team with a prize of Mountain Hardwear gear.

Teams may register for the Grand Traverse on
<http://www.active.com/>www.active.com beginning Dec. 1. Registration
costs $250 per team and closes once the maximum number of 120 teams is
reached. For more information, visit www.elkmountaintraverse.org or
contact Jan Runge at (970) 349-7133 or rogirunge@msn.com.