This morning I headed up to Carlton Ridge as the penultimate test spin before the Devil’s Backbone 50 this weekend. The four miles and 2400′ of vertical took 51 minutes at a strong but not maximal pace, a good sign. In many ways this is the first race of the year for me. I weenied out of the first two for various reasons, some good, some less so. I’m content with things as they are, and have a bit of anxiety over the fact that it’s been 13 months since I’ve “raced.” Do I still have it? Only one way to find out.

It was nice and chilly up above 8000′. Always a nice setting.

Which brings up the issue of what to wear this weekend. The vast majority of the course is between 9 and 10k, and there will be quite a bit of snow. The forecast is looking up, but still variable.

Normally I’d wear Capilene boxer briefs (very useful for chaffage) and shorts, a Capilene or wool t-shirt, and carry a long sleeve Capilene, rain jacket, light powerstretch gloves, and a Capilene hat. Still probably what I’ll bring, in the Talon 11, along with GPS, camera, emergency kit, headlamp, dromedary, some mini-Clif Bars, twizzlers, and some sandwiches. The out and back course has a single aid station at the turn around, where I’ll re-up water and eat some PBJ. No need for a drop bag, as when you hike rather than run, a larger pack is no big deal. On the feet will be mid-weight Smartwools, LaSportiva Fireblades, and spandura scree gaiters. Shades and a visor round out the kit, along with my crucial Suunto watch.

If it’s really cool and windy I might wear pants, but that’s unlikely. One big change is the rain jacket; I almost never carried it in Arizona, but during any Montana season but deep winter it’s a necessity. Which brings me to the traditions I’ve established for half year reviews here: the weekend list, and top five bits of gear.

I’m not going to do either. I’m not inclined to do the weekend thing, in no small part because it would be really hard to do. I haven’t been living for the weekend any more, haven’t been traveling as much, and so forth. All of which means two things: I immersed myself in school in exactly the way I wished, and I’ve been engaging with my goal of doing more exploring right out the back door. I still think traveling is a crucial ritual to engender creativity and happiness, and still think the Colorado Plateau is the best, but I’m also looking forward to more Yellowstone rain storms, and am psyched to ski again this winter.

So I’m pleased with 2009 thus far, though I do want to get better at using my time. I run out of mental energy, between studying hard and training hard, faster than I run out of physical energy. I could have brought much better form to both the Rim Ride and KMC if I had been more deliberative, even though the first function of playing outside for the first third of this year was stress relief. I hope to better balance all that this fall, through what will without question be the hardest semester of my life.

I do have a few pieces of gear that deserve special mention, though it’s been the old standbys that have really distinguished themselves. Both bikes have been great to revisit, the Black Diamond Firstlight is still, after five years of existence, close to the ideal tent for me, and so forth.

The real revelation this year has been making my own stuff. My pack performed great this past week, and the frame bags I’ve made for both bikes are lovely. Add to that the empowerment I’ve felt to keep tweaking factory stuff to better suit my needs, and the whole deal has been a great experience. The next project, which is quite intimidating in it’s complexity: designing and making a seatbag.

The other thing worth mentioning is my trekking poles. Superlight, simple, one piece poles are a revelation, a huge step forward, and already an absolute necessity for hard hiking. Poles generally are like being attached to your pedals, they make a crucial difference when you need it most. Light poles (mine are 6 oz each) to heavy poles are like clipless to power straps. Huge difference. The Gossamer Gear cork grips are the perfect shape, and the cork doesn’t get slick or sticky when you sweat. The poles even float. They’re the #1 new think thus far this year.

Another thing worth mentioning is the simple sternum buckle whistle. As first I though it was a gimmick on Osprey’s part, but based on evidence this past week, it’s value as a bear deterrent and warning device is huge. So much so I spent 70 cents at REI today to put a new buckle on the Cold Cold World, so all the packs I use regularly have one. #2 for the year.

The Spraymaster jacket might have to be next. The cut is fantastic, and when that’s combined with the stretch it’s ideal for biking and hiking with a purpose. I’d rather the hood was like Patagonia’s more mountaineering-oriented jackets, big enough for a helmet but cinches down to a bare head, but I can understand the choice to make it smaller. It takes the 3 spot nonetheless.

I’m not going to give out any more just yet. Too many things (Fireblades, my Lake MX 165s, down sweater) that have yet to prove themselves. They’ll have the chance soon enough.

Off to keep enjoying summer: grilling Honey-mustard pork chops and playing on the newly installed slackline (more on that soon). Embrace the heat while it lasts.