Notable contributions came from…

Jay Pape of the Forest Service who groomed the trails mid race.

Eric Middelstadt of Toko who waxed an enormous number of skis for participants.

Dan Cantrell and WYSEF for event supplies and grooming assistance.

Heather at Rendezvous Rentals for the snowmobile to mark courses with.

Tom Owen at Gallatin Alpine Sports for generous donations

Kelli and Mellisa at Freeheel and Wheel for non stop support since 2007

Mimi Matsuda for the incredible artwork

And Katie Nicoll for being my teammate in organizing the Equinox and for life! For reals.

And also, Liz McGoff, the Patterson family, the bikers Ben, Judd, Kevin, Ken, and Jill, Ben at Summit Bike, Robin, Dana, Ryan, Patti Walton, Marc, Julie Geng, Roo Bombeck, Tom and Abbe Newbury, Shayla Swanson, Kaley Bjornsen, Pam Wright, Anne Harmann, Jenny Wolfe, Julia Pierson, Josh Blomquist, Doug McSpadden, Jay Petervary, Jack Hart, Anne Tyler, Rob at Bangtail, Terry Hollingsworth, Jim Simons, and everyone who has helped the Equinox become what it is.

122 participants came from New Mexico, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana for this year’s event.  We had 30 participants on 24 Hour Teams and 25 participants in the 24 Hour Solo division.  The kids race with 12 participants ranging from 4 to 9 years of age entered the 24 Minute race which is and continues to be a highlight of the event.

Participants donated 185 pounds of food for the West Yellowstone Food Bank and the event was able to donate $350 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Yellowstone and also $350 to the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation.

Sunshine and bear tracks greeted all on Saturday AM.  Fortunately the sunshine stayed and the bear was never seen.  The warm temperatures made for slightly slower skiing through the afternoon and a late transition to the shorter Rendezvous Loop.  Nighttime lows in the upper 20’s made for fast skiing and relief from the sub zero temperatures of previous years.  Sunday morning witnessed some spectacular finishes by teams and soloists.  Alex Lussier finished with the 2^nd farthest 24 Hour Solo distance ever recorded (319km) at an Equinox, travelling primarily by snowbike with about 50km on skis.  The 24 Hour team of 49 Nordic from Livingston came close to a team record as well with 396km, all on skis.

Complete results are posted on the Results page of the website.

Photos are available from Bob Allen (bob@boballenimages.com)  (Look for an article in Dirt Rag bike magazine next fall about the event with his photos.)

A big thanks to all the snowbike and foot participants as well for working with the stipulations of the Special Use permit from the Forest Service.  I really appreciate the cooperation.

If anyone can pass along a thanks to any of our sponsors when you get the opportunity, please do so. 

Save the date……March 23^rd and 24^th, 2013, the 7^th Equinox Challenge

Big thanks to Eric Mittelsteadt from Toko for providing wax recommendation and on site service for event participants.  Please note below, he is able to provide some wax, but not enough for everbody, so bring your and he can help put it on or suggest what will work best.

---Please bring klister if you plan to classic ski. Eric, Toko Wax Tech, has several tubes of TOKO but does not want to run out for the skiers who really need it (could based on the warm forecast). Eric also has some wax to use for skiers, but would be great if skiers could bring what they have just in case.---

A prerace meeting at 9:30 will fully explain the timing arrangement to all participants.

Volunteers are still welcomed.  Contact sam at 406-209-3533

thanks!

Tentative plans for the Equinox Snow Challenge to be featured in Dirt Rag magazine next fall/early winter with the help of Bob Allen and Ben Welnak.

Weather...20% chance of precip.  Not bad but bring a tent, umbrella or rain jkacket if you can.

Wax...Toko wax report coming soon

Food donations...earn extra raffle tix!

Potluck..We have burgers, you bring appetizers, dessert, or anything you like to share.

Reminders...bring food for the Food Bank! 

Costume contest at 9:45 am before race start.  Have fun, earn extra raffle tix.

Potluck...we have burgers, bring an appetizer/dessert/something to share Saturday PM.

Volunteers...we need'm!  Call or email if you can help at all.

Registration is continuing...steady number of folks signing up, lots of solos and a few combo soloist choosing to ski and bike. 

Remember, price bump happens March 1.  Register prior to March 1 and save some $$. 

We have participants registered from Idaho, Montana, Colorado and New Mexico!  As of Jan 30th, there are 3 solo 24 Hour snowbikers, 2 on a duo 24 Hour snowbike team, a 24 Hour team of 8 skiers, and several 24 Hour solo skiers along with some 12 Hour solo skiers.  Registration looks more full than previous years at this time when there were 85-90 folks on the start line.  We will see!