Sunny Valley

Greetings from Sun Valley! We are approaching the one week mark of our camp, and it sure is going fast. We have spent the week adjusting to the altitude with a lot of long, low-intensity work outs, and exploring some of the great trails and paths that seem to be everywhere out here. 

Jenna and I running through a field surrounded by aspens at Lake Creek park (Home of SVSEF xc) on the first afternoon.

One of the greatest things about SV is the extensive network of bike paths. Cars can be a serious threat to rollerskiers, bikers and runners, so it is really nice to not have to worry about motor traffic. Here I am following Jenna during a 90 minute easy distance ski.

We have also been doing some hiking! Unlike hiking in the east, where you generally have to hike quite a bit to get a view from through the trees, anytime you turn around, there is a magnificent view! We hiked Mt. Proctor (7915') on Thursday.

The boys at the top

Girls hiking along the ridge

Happy to be here!

Girls team with the Sawtooth Mountains in the background

Pete, Oskar, Pete's longtime friend Robert, and his dog Willy

BMA!

Hiking down

Inside the control building of the first chairlift ever

We also hike Mt. Baldy yesterday and were at the top to cheer on finishers of the hill climb. It looked HARD!

Looking out over Ketchum on the way up

We got sick of traversing up the switchbacks so we decided to go straight up the ski trail near the end of the hike

Finishers (Sawtooths in the background)

9010', a personal elevation record! (Pioneer mountains in the background). We picked the right day to hike because the chairlift was running so we got a smooth ride down the mountain. Easy on the knees :)

We've also been playing some volleyball in the sand pit below our house. That jump-serve attempt did not work out for me very well

Home cooking is the name of the game! We are divided into cooking and cleaning teams based on roommates. Here are Jane and I halfway through preparing out chicken and roasted vegetable dinner. Last night, Pete's friend Robert came over for dinner bearing antelope and pheasant caught at his ranch in Oregon, so we had antelope burgers and lightly breaded and fried pheasant for dinner- it was delicious! Afterwards, we checked out the reggae concert that was happening at the pavilion right across the street from our house. Yeah man.

This morning we combined forces with the SVSEF crew for an OD classic ski with some drills. It was fun to mix in with some fresh faces and coaching.

Thanks to Pete, Kate, Kaitlin, Jenna and Sam for all of the pictures! Be sure to check out the BMA Nordic facebook page for more pictures and more frequent updates!

Emilie