The Frostbite 50 (31) and Me

On March 28, some 85 people took part in the Frostbite 50, sponsored by the Yellowknife Multisport Club with the able assistance of the Yellowknife Ski Club, Yellowknife Search and Rescue and other generous volunteers. About half the field participated in teams, splitting the course among two to five competitors, the rest took part as soloists. Racers also had the choice of tackling the course on cross country skis or snowshoes, with the majority opting for the former. Only a few chose, as I did, to attempt the course as a solo competitor on snowshoes.

The Good Wife

No doubt the most astonishing fact of my upcoming trip to Yellowknife for the Frostbite 50 is the decision by my wife, Lindi Rosner (a virtually-born-and-bred, flip-on-the-heat-when-it-dips-below-68-degrees, Southern California girl) to tag along. Lindi has her heart set on witnessing the aurora borealis and Yellowknife purports to be the best spot on earth to accomplish that goal.

Obviously, such an expedition requires careful planning, and I, having spent a total of 8 days out of my 60-plus years in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic, have been appointed Lindi’s expert guide. In making my wardrobe recommendations, I adopted a classic layered strategy that favored practicality over fashion. 

You judge the results!

For the base layer, I chose merino wool tops and bottoms. Lightweight and breathable. They’ll keep her warm in the face of the most severe Arctic blasts, but still comfortable when snuggled on a polar bear rug back at the hotel.

My Frostbite Adventure

In two weeks, I will run the Los Angeles Marathon and on the 20^th of April, I will have the privilege of participating in the granddaddy running event of them all, the Boston Marathon. Yet the date that’s circled on my calendar in bright red is March 28^th. That’s when I’ll be in Yellowknife, NWT, Canada for the Frostbite 50.