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October 2021

Coast Mountain Sports – Services for MYAU athletes

Once again Cost Mountain Sports will be available for MYAU athletes to fill their fuel bottles. If you are signed up for our 2022 race just come to Coast Mountain Sports between January 27th and February 2nd, bring your empty fuel bottles (max. 2) and they will fill these up for you. Athletes who rented a stove will get 2 empty fuel bottles with their stove kit. After the race you can bring unused fuel back to Coast Mountain Sports again.

Coast Mountain Sports will also offer you the service to reserve any gear that you would like to purchase with them. One item that is always in high demand are Neos Overshoes. Apart from that, they have of course pretty much anything you would need for an extreme cold weather adventure. For enquiries and purchases/reservations, please email Corina Zumer at czumer@tsgyukon.com.

As you may know already, the outdoor industry, like many other industries, is facing problems with stock and logistics. In other words, some products may not be available or only available in lower numbers than normal. Therefore, if you know what you want to buy locally, please email Corina as soon as possible. Due to the shortages Coast Mountain Sports will also ask for pre-payment. Once you email Corina, she will let you know how payment is done.

From Coast High Country Inn to Gold Rush Inn

After almost 20 years of having the Coast High Country Inn (HCI) as a partner hotel, this era will end in 2022. I do not know any details on the current project of turning the HCI into a supportive housing development. However, it’s a fact that now all existing athlete and MYAU bookings have been transferred over to the Best Western Gold Rush Inn. The good news is that both hotels belong to the same company and thus the transition has been smooth.

The MYAU would like to thank Nicole Horlbeck, General Manager at the HCI, and her entire team for the many years of outstanding service. A big thank you also to Northern Vision Development LP (owner of Yukon Hotels) for the continued support.

Meet our official MYAU 2022 photographer

Copyright: MarkKellyPhotography.ca

It can be quite challenging to participate in an extreme race like the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra and take photos at same time. So, we are all lucky to have someone who is willing to suffer for us, getting his fingers cold and driving his snowmobile to very remote places on the trail to capture some magic moments. Someone who shows us, the athletes and everyone back home just how tough, wild and magnificent the MYAU is. After 2019 and 2020 I am very happy to announce that once again Mark Kelly will be our official race photographer. You can have a look at his bio on www.depthoffield.ca. There you will also find great examples of Mark’s work.

For some inspiration, here are a few of Mark’s favourite photos from our last two MYAU editions:

Preparing for the MYAU

Copyright: Swedish Lapland

I am already getting enquiries about the MYAU 2023 and beyond. One of the first questions that usually comes up is on how best to prepare and train for the world’s coldest and toughest ultra? There is no answer that is right for everyone. In general, I would say it makes sense to get as much cold weather training and experience as possible. If you do not already have cold weather experience, how about a training course? Or you could plan a winter tour to a region that does not get quite that cold. Maybe look for a company that offers a guided adventure to begin with? And there are of course other winter races out there that will help you build up your skills and confidence without taking you right to – 50 degrees Celsius and everything that comes with it. In the UK there is the Montane Spine Race and the Montane Cheviot Goat. You will find many other races and great input on the Terra Glacialis website. And most important of all, there is now also the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra! It features a 185 and 500 km to choose from, all  the typical winter landscapes, Northern Lights and plenty of elevation. Temperatures just don’t get as extreme.

So, there is a lot you can do to prepare for the MYAU. In any case, enjoy it! And if any of you ever have more questions about trainings and winter ultras, please feel free to ask any time.

This is a short video documentary Swedish Lapland filmed last winter while I was working on the development of the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra. Just for some inspiration. Enjoy watching!

New Montane kit

Copyright: MarkKellyPhotography.ca

Temperatures are getting colder and snow has arrived in the Yukon. Time to look at our kit and see what may be missing or what’s new and exciting. All of Montane’s new winter 2021/2022 clothing is now in stores. As always their range is amazing and they feature many items that work perfect for the Montane Arctic Ultra and any other cold weather adventures. Here are just some of the highlights:

The Montane Axis Alpha Jacket is the ultimate piece of protective clothing for fast-paced activity in cold and changeable conditions. Based on cold chamber lab research and extensively athlete-tested, this jacket has been engineered with body-mapped fabric and insulation technologies from GORE-TEX INFINIUM™, PERTEX AIR and POLARTEC® ALPHA® DIRECT to balance protection from the elements with efficient heat and moisture management, keeping you comfortable when working hard in the elements.

While the MYAU is not necessarily fast-paced, it does require a lot of physical effort and changing terrain and temperatures cause the body to react. You may get cold or too hot. So, any piece of clothing that featues a hybrid construction to deal with what happens when you are working hard, is a great thing. Another issue is the strain of wearing a harness and/or backpack on clothing with insulation. Especially if it’s down. The Axis Alpha Jacket takes this into consideration and offers great solutions.

Construction

  • 30 Denier GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ nylon in the core body and over arms
  • 30 Denier PERTEX QUANTUM AIR nylon across the back and under the arms
  • 120g/m2 POLARTEC® ALPHA® hi-loft insulation across the back, under the arms and in the hood
  • 90g (M) of 90/10 water resistant fluorocarbon-free HyperDRY™ goose down at 800+ fill

Features

  • Micro chamber construction in the core body
  • Fully adjustable roll-away insulated climbing helmet compatible hood with stiffened peak
  • Full-length two-way YKK VISLON front zip with internal storm flap
  • Two zipped hand pockets
  • Concealed zipped chest pocket
  • Pre-elasticated cuffs
  • Adjustable hem with cinchable drawcord

Designed for all types of expedition, the Featherlite Down Pants are a luxuriously warm PERTEX® QUANTUM ECO pant filled with high quality 800+ fill power goose down. Light and packable, they are the ideal way to boost lower body warmth whether as part of a layering system, in a bivi situation or for hut to hut use.

For the MYAU down pants are not a must. There are other options, like having good layers and for the really cold temperatures something with a synthetic fill, like the Montane Prism Pants. But obviously when temperatures reach the absolute extrem and you are not on the move, a down pant will give you extra warmth and comfort. If that’s what you are looking for, look no further!

Construction

  • PERTEX® QUANTUM ECO 100% recycled outer with DWR
  • 140g (M) of 90/10 water resistant fluorocarbon-free HyperDRY™ goose down at 800+ fill
  • PEAQ Down lining
  • Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and Track my Down™

Features

  • Midi baffle construction throughout
  • Pre-elasticated waist with adjustable waistcord
  • Zipped fly opening
  • 3/4 length two-way side zips
  • Two insulated hand front hand warmer pockets
  • Low profile hem cuffs
  • Montane stuff sac

The Icarus Vest is a classic mid-weight insulated micro baffle vest filled with PrimaLoft® Thermoplume®; a 100% recycled synthetic insulation which mimics the heat-trapping properties of natural down whilst being extremely fast drying. Combined with the PERTEX® Quantum Eco outer fabric which has a DWR for shedding light rain, this is the ideal core body insulation choice for mountain walking in mixed conditions.

Vest are perfect for cold weather activities. They give you warmth where it is most needed, at your core. Thus you can work hard, reduce your sweat and still get enough warmth to the rest of your body.

Construction

  • PERTEX® QUANTUM ECO 50% recycled outer with DWR
  • 105g (M) of PrimaLoft® Black Thermoplume® 100% recycled insulation
  • 100% recycled PEAQ synthetic ECO lining
  • Micro baffle construction

Features

  • Close fit collar
  • Full length YKK front zip with internal storm flap
  • Lightly elasticated armholes
  • Two zipped hand pockets
  • Adjustable hem with cinchable drawcord

Montane has got many more great products for this upcoming winter! To check it all out, please have a look at their website montane.com.