Ear to the ground

“Holy shit! There was a major fire downtown?” -A local expecting father, who hasn’t gotten out of the house much this week, after passing the 700 block of Main on Tuesday

A successful sasquatch

Nearly 20 bigfeet took to the slopes of Hesperus last Sunday, as the first-ever Sasquatch Uphill/Downhill race took off. The race began with a mass start at 4 p.m. at the base of the ski area. Competitors then skinned 800 vertical feet to the top of the hill before descending to the finish area.

Modeled loosely on Crested Butte’s Al Johnson Uphill/Downhill, the race was the brainchild of Hesperus ski patroller Carol Morse. Having raced in the A.J., Morse conjured up the Sasquatch after a blackout at Hesperus earlier this winter.  

“There was a day earlier this winter when the power was out, and Hesperus couldn’t run its lift,” she said. “So, a bunch of us skinned/hiked/hoofed it up the mountain. I put the race together this year to remind people how to earn their turns when Peak Oil hits … and also just to get people together and have a little fun.”

Eighteen competitors, wearing costumes ranging from business suits to monkey suits, squared off on telemark skis, randonee gear, snowboards and split boards. When the smoke cleared, Rohan Roy took honors for first to the bottom, finishing the course in 16 minutes, 50 seconds. First to the top and second to the bottom was James Whitesides. Otto Krichman took third place only a minute ahead of Lisa Lieb. And Eddie Stern rounded out a stout podium in fifth place.

Prizes were also awarded to Dave Banga for best fall, and Pat Hickey for best costume. Post race libations and carbs were graciously furnished by Ska Brewing and Bread, and Morse is already looking to a bigger, badder second annual Sasquatch Uphill/Downhill.

John’s shelf

Durangoans can offer a little strength to the fight against cancer this week. Maria’s Bookshop is sponsoring a book drive from March 3-16 for John’s Shelf, which gives books to kids diagnosed with cancer at the new UNM Children’s Hospital.

The organization was founded by Katie Beatty, John’s mother, after her son survived a fight with cancer that began in 2002. During his treatment, John read the story of Beowulf and said Beowulf’s defeat of the monsters gave him strength and hope. 

John’s Shelf hopes to offer the same strength for other children fighting the monster. Books for all ages and genres (humor, adventure, fantasy, history, fiction and nonfiction in English, Spanish and Navajo) are welcome and needed in this fight.

Maria’s Bookshop and several local schools, including Children’s House, Durango Montessori and Columbine Christian School, are co-sponsoring the book drive. A collection box is available at Maria’s Bookshop, and new books are encouraged. Maria’s will also donate one book for each book purchased at the bookstore during the drive.