After a grueling 6.5 hour epic 51 kilometer cross-country ski marathon through Gatineau Park in the Outaouais Region of Québec I was glad just to finish. I have no desire to see what place I came in. I know I was not last, but I was far from first or even middle of the pack. It does not matter because everyone gets a medal here.
Gatineau Loppet photos
Read my narrative of my experience in the race here – Gatineau Loppet winter frostbite adventure
GoPro Gatineau Loppet photos
I feel fairly certain I did win one category in the Gatineau Loppet. Thanks to my GoPro camera, digital camera, and iPhone, I took almost 300 photos of the race and two videos. I did not see another contestant taking pictures. Although I do not win anything for such a distinction, I do have the honor of sharing the beautiful Gatineau Park as well as interesting action shots from the race in this photo essay.
About three to five inches of snow fell the night before and the morning of Saturday[s 51 kilometer classic race on top of an accumulation between two to three feet. This made the course slow but the woods beautiful. Since I was going at a slow pace anyway, what is a few more minutes to take pictures of the amazing wintry forest.
Unfortunately, my GoPro camera fogged up during the middle of the race. I bought anti fogger tablets, but when I read the directions the morning of the race I was dejected to find I needed to place it in an oven in order to activate. I usually do not have an oven around when I am on an adventure. By the time I finished the temperature soared to about 5 degrees Fahrenheit, which enabled me to start using the camera again as the casing on the camera was now clear.
The start
The Loppet begins in an open section in Wakefield, which is at the northern end of Gatineau Park. This open area is short lived as after a couple of kilometers the course ducks into the deep woods.
Double poling at the start
Gatineau Loppet photos – Snow coming down hard at the beginning of the race
After a couple of kilometers it was time to head into the woods
The beautiful woods of Gatineau Park
Once we hit the woods I was really glad I had the GoPro on the one minute time lapse because I would have wanted to stop every two minutes to take pictures. The scenery was gorgeous with huge pine trees covered with snow. I definitely would love to come back and explore this beautiful park in either winter or summer.
Heading into the snowy woods
The race through the point of view of two ski poles
Through the woods at Gatineau Park during the Loppet
Feeling at home among the fanny packs
A shot of my new Madshus skis, poles, and boots
My skis and the competition ahead
Another skier another fanny pack
Skiing Gatineau Park during the Loppet
Good form going on my left
GoPro shots in the Gatineau woods
Suddenly I am almost by myself
Gatineau Loppet 2015
Gatineau Loppet 2015
Where did everyone go?
White tunnel an Gatineau Park
Gatineau Loppet 51 Kilometer classic
Gatineau Park skiing
Have him in my sights
Making ground
Passed – Note, this skier probably passed me back later
Sun trying to break out and warm up the sub zero temperatures
Then the GoPro fogged up and turned everything surreal
The Gatineau Park road and finish
Around the late 20 kilometer mark, the course came out of the woods and on to the Gatineau Park roads. They do not plow the roads inside the park, so they are suitable for skiing and snowshoeing. Although it was still beautiful, the scenery and the trail character waned in my opinion. I kept waiting for the course to go back into the woods, but it did not happen until the very end.
On to the roads in Gatineau Park
From the Gatineau Road
Making a push for the finish line
One last uphill climb
Take me home Madshus skis
Coming out of the forest to the clearing and the finish line
After over 50 kilometers, it boils down to this straightaway to the finish line
A few brave and kind souls staying out in the cold to cheer on the late arriving ski racers
And the end
Congratulations to all who participated and thank you to the Gatineau Loppet for putting on such a great race
It was an incredible adventure through the beautiful Gatineau Park. Despite the bitter cold, it was still a great race. My trip was in part sponsored by Tourism Quebec and Tourism Outaouais. The thoughts, opinions, photos, and video are my own.
Adventure on!
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What a race … though I am happy to bask in the heat down south, I am happy for your monumental achievement … congrats!
Penelope recently posted..The Dark Heart of the Brazilian Rainforest: Top Tourist Attractions In Amazonas
Thank you Penelope!
Seriously, who has an oven for a camera? Those crowds remind me of running cross-country. This is one adventure I will live through reading your stories.
Lance | Trips By Lance recently posted..Baseball Spring Training Travel in Phoenix
Yea, no kidding. I could see it if it was a regular camera, but these are specialized for people who do hardcore adventure.
I love your adventurous spirit Ted. Congrats!! You look great with that medal around your neck 🙂
Lola recently posted..The Buzz about Iceland
Thanks Lola, It was quite a relief to finish since it took me 6.5 hours.
I love my GoPro, though I’ve only really used it under water. Now, did I tell you about the time I tried cross country skiing in Switzerland? No way I’d want to film it with my Go Pro. No evidence needs to exist of that disaster. Kudos to you, my friend.
Leah recently posted..Custom Travel Map Giveaway
Thanks Leah,
You will have to duplicate your effort in France. France actually has a cross-country ski marathon of its own. I look forward to your GoPro pictures when you compete 🙂 Here is the link to sign up http://www.transjurassienne.com/presentation/accueil-1-5.htm
I can’t imagine how long it would have taken me. I’m in Edmonton this weekend at the Crashed Ice race event (downhill skating) and told them I’d like to do the Birkie here next February – the biggest in North America. I also suggested they invite you! Now I too need a pair of Madhaus skis.
Leigh recently posted..A Rocky Mountain House Weekend of Luxury & Adventure
PS A HUGE CONGRATS for finishing!!!
Leigh recently posted..A Rocky Mountain House Weekend of Luxury & Adventure
Thanks Leigh,
In the end, that was my main goal. Take photos and finish. I could have done without the frostbite part, but it made for a good story.
Great photos, Ted! Seriously, GoPro is the best for events like this, and I really think I need to invest in one. I won’t be participating in something this amazing…I’ll leave that to you, the expert, but I still think it captures moments like this perfectly.
Erin Marie recently posted..15 Hours in Dublin, Ireland.
I am glad I invested in a new one. I got one of the first ones, and I was less than impressed, but the new ones are way better and video and pictures have greatly improved.
Good to hear that the newer versions of GoPro have improved! I bought an Olympus TG-3, which is great for underwater video and photos. But, I question it’s “durability” at the beach as I had to replace mine when sand easily got into it. I will have to look into the latest GoPro for my next travel adventure. Great shots and video footage of this race, Ted!
Since I wrote this post, I have worked with GoPro and they provided me with a Hero4 black. It does not have the LCD screen like the silver does, but the picture and video quality is better and they have a time lapse video option, which is awesome.