My Top 5 Memories from Summer 2021
Katelyn Kommer
Since I’ve moved to Utah, no season has unfolded as I had expected. I thought last winter was going to be full of snowy summits and microspike hiking, but I found myself downhill and backcountry skiing every chance I got. Similarly, though I have gone into the backcountry for at least 10 nights so far, I thought I would be backpacking every weekend this summer. Both the expected and the unexpected from the last few months have been absolutely amazing, though I am more than ready for the temperatures to drop back down.
#1. Cirque Series mountain running race at Snowbird Resort.
You never know what you’re capable of until you put yourself in a situation where the only way out is through. The Cirque Series races take place across the Western US at various ski resorts, where you run the “cirque” of the mountain range. This means climbing up to the highest peaks, and running along the ridges before heading back down. These events are grueling, sketchy, and absolutely amazing. The race at Snowbird Resort is an 8.7 mile loop with roughly 3,600 feet of elevation gain.
On the morning of the race, the forecast seemed to be ideal. We would start running in the low 50s, with a chance of light showers an hour or so into the race. As such, most runners started in shorts, tank tops, and maybe carried a windbreaker. About an hour in, as most runners were nearing the first ridge or running along the ridgeline, torrential downpour fell from the sky. Rain and hail colliding with 30 mph winds, pushing the temperatures down to ~35 degrees Fahrenheit. I was wearing shorts, a tank top, and a 4 ounce Patagonia Houdini jacket. A lot of incredible runners opted to take the tram down from the top of the first peak, in order to warm up and escape the horrendous conditions. As I power hiked up the ridge, I shivered and told myself I could take the tram down as well - at this point I couldn’t feel my hands and my teeth were chattering uncontrollably.
However, as I got to the top of the first peak, the rain stopped and there was a surprise up there for me. Carl, my best friend’s boyfriend, took the tram up to cheer us on from the top. Seeing a friendly face encouraged me to keep going and finish what I had started. I ended the race with a smile on my face, and another memory to bank when times get tough.
#2. Riding the “9s” in downtown Salt Lake City.
Every Thursday night, a group of Utahns gather for the “9 ride”. Our streets here are numbered, so the only instruction is to meet at 9th and 9th at 9 pm. From there, a group of 300-500 bikers takes off and rides around the city, to wherever the group leader decides we’re going. Though the bottleneck at the beginning is a bit sketchy, everyone is incredibly respectful and simply stoked to be out together. It makes for a late night and a sleep-deprived Friday, but I’ve never regretted joining in on the 9 ride.
#3. Becoming electric on top of White Baldy mountain.
Apparently, alpine thunderstorms don’t only happen in the afternoon. One July morning, two of my friends and I headed up White Baldy, an 11,000 ft+ mountain with class 3/4 scrambling and a decent amount of exposure. The skies were clear and storms weren’t forecasted. As we approached the top, we heard a bit of thunder in the distance but saw no lightning. We figured it was best to get to the summit and descend the quicker route, in order to get out as quickly as possible. As soon as we got to the top, we all heard static in our ears and Alex’s hair was standing straight up on her head. The top of a mountain, next to a metal mailbox, was quite possibly the worst place to be. We descended as quickly as possible, and ran down under blue skies once again.
#4. Hitting two 14ers in one on a Colorado trip.
My boyfriend lives in Denver, so I’ve traveled out there a few times this summer. On one Colorado trip, the two of us met up with Legend (Jeff Garmire) and he took us up the Kelso Ridge on our way to Grays and Torreys peaks. It was a super fun scramble with a good mix of technical steep climbing, steep and loose scree, and exposed ridgelines. Plus, turning internet friends into in-person friends is always the best, and the three of us had a blast together.
#5. Solo hiking a section of the CDT.
When I was in Steamboat Springs one weekend, I looked at a map and realized the CDT passes right alongside the city. I packed my bag and headed to the closest trailhead for a quick solo overnight. As a pretend thru-hiker for the day, I was stoked to find that it was a relatively flat section of trail, where I could put myself in 3.5 mph cruise control and completely zone into the experience. The trail rolled along through meadows, high alpine lakes, gentle mountains, and woodsy sections with soft pine needles on the trail. Just 24 hours on the CDT was enough to inspire some intrusive thoughts about when I’ll be able to complete an entire thru-hike.
