Lost.... but found

Larry Rode could not make the planned overnight excursion, so Steve Quick and I drove with the veteran driver Shelley to the Superior Hiking Trail at 5:30 PM on Friday. We thought our driver was doing a great job making the trip short when Helen Lavin cruised by our speeding vehicle just before Two Harbors. I guess even in the car, she is FAST….

Now that the fun and lighthearted portion of the trip was nearing an end, Steve and I started to get serious about our overnight run. I took off one of my shoes to lube up the feet, and WOW, the smell was atrocious. I was as shocked as the rest of the vehicle, but it was good as there was no way we would get tired. I would compare it to having smelling salt in the car. Were they so happy when I put the shoes back on?

We drove to Crosby and Finland, where we dropped off supplies. Our expert support crew was going to sleep in the car and meet us at Sugarloaf, where we would refuel before continuing to County Road 1. This would accomplish two goals: 35 miles and attacking what I consider to be the Section from hell, Crosby Manitou to Sugarloaf.

We started our cruise around the hills at 42 miles (City Road 6) at about 10:00 PM. I had told Steve the story about the guy getting DQ due to the error made in that segment, and he missed the aid station. I told him I remembered we had a left turn to get to the Finland Recreation Center, so he trusted me, and we watched the left side of the trail with great interest to ensure we would take that turn.

Well, with about 1 mile left in the 7.5-mile run first stage, we were running on what I think was the snowmobile trail, and all of a sudden, the grass was getting taller, light rain had moistened the ground, and our feet were getting wet. We both discussed how we must have missed the turn, but I was so sure it was on the left that we continued on. Walked into the backyard of a home and flashed out lights all over the place. We were unsure, but I convinced the cautious Steve to keep going.

We found the trail was thoroughly washed out, and we had to make a four-foot leap in the night to continue onward. After we were registered 10 miles on the Garmin, I admitted I was wrong. Steve was great about it. We came to a road and decided to run on the road. Steve noticed the sign we had seen 6 miles previously: Finland Aid Station, which was 3.2 miles away. What the hell! We had just run in a 6-mile circle. We were very cautious this time and found the right path, only 13.5 miles later… Great start on my part.

Fortunately, we were able to leave that issue behind and proceeded on our journey. I have no clue when or where Steve went down, but he can share that story… This was now 2:00 AM; well over 90 minutes passed as we thought. Bummer… The rest of the run until daybreak was filled with noises, and we questioned each other about where we should be going. We somehow totally blew by the Sonju Lake Road Aid station and ended up at Crosby at sunrise.


Steve had heard from so many that this was the Section that made all others look simple. The downhill’s were challenging, but Steve was like a maniac on the uphill. We had him so scared and prepared that he made it look simple. He just cruised while I was on fours at some locations. I bitched, he attacked, I bitched some more, and he just attacked more. The rest of the run was me trying to remotely keep him in sight on the uphill, and he looked back on the downhills to see if the freight train would run him over.

We both experienced horse flies, like hornets, circling our heads. As we ran, we reached up and swatted them dead. I think I killed 20 or so. Steve killed many more. We reached Sugarloaf just over 12 hours from our start, but instead of continuing to County Road #1, we stopped. It was 35 miles due to the Londell gets lost experience.

All in all, it was a very solid run. It was an asset to prepare me for the race, and if Steve had not accepted my offer, I would not have gone. It was a hoot… Well, all the owls, wolves, and other creatures we encountered and navigation challenges made the night a challenge, but I would do it again in an instant. Familiarity with this trail will enhance the opportunities for success.

Until next time, Carry On!