Donner Party Mountain Runners

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Mellow to Mellow, a mellow season-finale group run (50k)

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Saturday, October 22 at 9 AM

You’re probably going to run in the rain and drink beer this weekend anyway – you might as well do it with us. Donner Party Mountain Runners presents our INAUGURAL season-finale pub run. We’ll be running from Mellow Fellow Kings Beach to Mellow Fellow of Truckee and socializing there to finish the day. EVERYONE is invited, and you should come. Please RSVP (if you haven’t already on the FB group) by emailing chrisdcloyd@gmail.com

The run itself is just about 50k in length with over 11,000 feet of climbing, and is about 95% singletrack. A few short sections of fire road/doubletrack and paved road (from Cottonwood to Mellow Fellow Truckee, at the very end) are included. THIS IS A (99%) SELF-SUPPORTED RUN. There will be no aid stations. A water drop and an assortment of random fuel (gels, fig bars, etc.) will be at Brockway Summit (intersection of the TRT and Highway 267 – about 10 miles from the start) for all runners. That being said, all runners are encouraged to bring enough food for their day, at least 2 liters of water, and a water filter (water can be filtered at Watson Lake, with a slight detour). Course map below. 

mellow-map

mellow-fellow-to-mellow-fellow (pdf of the map)

You can view the route in its entirety here:

There is no entry fee to this group run, but as a toast to the 6 members of the Donner family who perished in their struggle in the Sierra all runners will be asked to drink 6 oz of beer at the starting line in their honor (provided by Mellow Fellow!).

Donner Party dress is encouraged
Donner Party dress is encouraged. We also encourage you to wish Naomi a Happy Birthday during the pub run (pictured left, above).

38 people died that winter in the Sierra from the Donner Party (all families included), so you’re encouraged to tip your hat to the other 32 by drinking 32 oz of beer at Mellow Fellow Truckee – the finishing line. DPMR members receive a discount at Mellow Fellow, so let them know you’re a member!

The 1st Annual Mellow to Mellow Run will start at 9 AM sharp from the Mellow Fellow Kings Beach parking lot. You’re encouraged to carpool/shuttle and not leave cars in their parking area for the duration of the day.

Teams of 2 are able to relay at Brockway Summit (intersection of the TRT and Highway 267) or Watson Lake (access by car is possible). Runners will have about 20 miles to Mellow Fellow Truckee from Brockway Summit, and about 14 from Watson lake, should you choose to relay. Should you choose to relay, be proud that you’re participating in the 1st Annual “Fellow to Fellow” Run.

I’d recommend downloading the .PDF map and the Avenza app (found here: http://www.avenza.com/pdf-maps) before the run and getting them both on your phone. Even in airplane mode, Avenza utilizes GPS to show you in real time to about 2 feet where you are on the geospatial .PDF map. Using this software and the aforementioned map, you’ll always have reference of where you are on the course in real time (and can find out where you are off course should you lose the route). **IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT ALL RUNNERS UTILIZE THIS FREE SOFTWARE AND .PDF MAP DURING THE RUN FOR SAFETY**
The .GPX route of the route is available for download here:
If you use a Suunto or Garmin or similar GPS-equipped watch, you can download and sync the .GPX route to your watch and use the navigation features to aid you during the run as well. I’ve traced every foot of this run with my Suunto and can confirm the accuracy of the route – you won’t get lost if you utilize this route for navigation.
See you on the trail!
Sawtooth trail in the Fall
Sawtooth trail in the Fall

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