Bridger Ridge in the summer (NSR)

**mtcham** · 07-02-2007, 05:12 PM

Some of you have probably skied the ridge at Bridger Bowl. In August we have this fun little 20 mile race down the knife edge ridge called the Ed Anacker Bridger Ridge Run. 6800 feet of ascent and 9500 feet of descent.
This is where I spend many days during the summer getting ready for this crazy run. I have procrastinated and now it's time to get after it.

The record winning time for this run is 3 hours 8 minutes.

For those that enjoy more grueling races here is the race link: This race filled up in 10 hours this year so plan ahead if you want to try this one.
http://www.winddrinkers.org/BRR/BridgerRidge.html

This is from the halfway point at the summit of Bridger Bowl looking north. We are at the 10 mile point where today we are just starting our hike for the day.

Me, I won't be laughing for long.

Heading south we see Saddle peak at mile 12. Good skiing and big avalanches here.

Bridger Peak and Mt. Baldy in the background at mile 15.

My friend Powderfin setting the pace for the day.

My son BB RidgeKid watching his footing. Kind of a bad place to get hurt.

And finally it gets flatter.

Foot placement is critical except for maybe a half mile of the total run.

Once we hit Baldy in the background it's only 5 more miles straight downhill.

Looking to the race start at the upper left hand peak just to the right of the patch of snow. Way back there.

Then down, down, down to the big M. The quads can really start to fire up on this stretch.

And the wildflowers were in full bloom.

**Yonder_River** · 07-03-2007, 10:36 AM

Nice pics. Hard to beat that ridgeline for a trail race.

Although, stepping it up a notch and racing from Hyalite trailhead and over the devils backbone to Yellowstone would be sweet. Not that I'd enter or anything..

**fez** · 07-03-2007, 10:54 AM

for you maniacs thinking of entering, here are some stats:

Originally Posted by ridge run website

Ed Anacker Bridger Ridge Run Course Statistics

Total Distance: 19.65 miles (direct way down from the “M”) or 20.55 miles (“Easy” way down from the “M”)
Distances to aid stations and checkpoints from the start:
Start to Top of Sacajawea: 2.2 miles
Sacajawea to Ross Pass: 5.2 miles (7.4 miles total)
Ross Pass to Bridger Station: 3.2 miles (10.6 miles total)
Bridger Station to Baldy: 5.0 miles (15.6 miles total)
Baldy to Finish: 4.1 or 5.0 miles (19.7 or 20.6 miles total)

Total Elevation Gain: 6800 feet
Total Elevation Loss: 9500 feet

and the course record is 3:07:36

**baseWeldr** · 07-03-2007, 11:53 AM

good luck with the run, my wife did it 5 or so yrs ago
Creel's the guy to beat on that one...
thanks for sharin the pics

love the saddle peak from slushman's view-

couple cellpics from almost the same spot...

looming over bridger its high-vis and tempting sidecountry

scary how many skiers venture over to it in sketch snow though...
a big field to funnels to rocky cliffy zones
don't slack-country

**Kartch** · 07-03-2007, 02:14 PM

Sweet pic looking down from Baldy. I've done the Baldy Blitz a few years in a row now and that pic really puts it in perspective. I'm planning on running it again soon.

Here's a pic I took just above the Great One looking down the ridgline. Pretty sweet!

**mtcham** · 07-03-2007, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by Yonder_River

Nice pics. Hard to beat that ridgeline for a trail race.

Although, stepping it up a notch and racing from Hyalite trailhead and over the devils backbone to Yellowstone would be sweet. Not that I'd enter or anything..

The Devil's Backbone just looks very grueling and is totally unsupported from what I've heard. Maybe next year.

baseWeldr
good luck with the run, my wife did it 5 or so yrs ago
Creel's the guy to beat on that one...
thanks for sharin the pics

It seems that most that run it either hate it or love it. I'm on my sixth one so either I'm really stupid or I do actually like it.
When Scott and Mike go head to head it gets pretty interesting. Both are clearly superhuman!
Nice winter shots!

Kartch
Sweet pic looking down from Baldy. I've done the Baldy Blitz a few years in a row now and that pic really puts it in perspective. I'm planning on running it again soon.

Here's a pic I took just above the Great One looking down the ridgline. Pretty sweet!

The Baldy Blitz looks like a fun one-do you run all the way up?
I always love that Ridge view from Sac, usually we see some goats hanging out up there.

**hick** · 07-03-2007, 07:28 PM

Any SW MT mags looking to do some long trail runs in preperation for the Ridge and some other trail races this summer and fall let me know. I'm always looking for some run partners. It can get a little lonely on those 4hr + runs. Cheers.

**Alpine Dreams** · 07-03-2007, 09:15 PM

Pretty pics..

**Jumper Bones** · 07-04-2007, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by hick

Any SW MT mags looking to do some long trail runs in preperation for the Ridge and some other trail races this summer and fall let me know. I'm always looking for some run partners. It can get a little lonely on those 4hr + runs. Cheers.

I'd be more than happy to be your backup for the beer drinking part of the training program...

**Jumper Bones** · 08-09-2007, 07:05 AM

Well, shit, can't find it anymore...was reading an article on the Comical's website, saying that the available slots for this race disappeared in a couple hours! To summarize, one of the consistent top-finishers is an MSU prof (ecology I think?) and he didn't call in time...and begged his way in - he hauled all the water, something like 90 gallons or so, up to the 3 ridgetop water stations himself on his back to get in! In years back they said they'd used logging/firefighting helicopters for the task...

homeboy's sick.