Monday morning at 7 am, the Arrowhead 135 started in International Falls. It is now 11:30 am on Wednesday, and competitors (hike, bike, ski) are still out on the 135 mile course to Lake Vermilion. Since the start of the race it has never been above zero. Right now it is -28F, which does not include windchill. This is one of the hardest races in the world. Nature is unforgiving, and the wilderness trail only brings the racers out to a logging road a few times. Specialized equipment is required to start the race, including an extreme weather sleeping bag and gear. If a participant does not finish with all this winter gear, they are disqualified. I spent the last few days watching and photographing the race. My race photographs will appear early next winter in the Lake Country Journal.

Here are a few images which define the race … and oh yes … back to birding. I found a Snowy Owl hunting this morning. When the bird flew down to this perch, I knew the morning hunt was over. The perch was in the sun and protected from the wind (-28F and 20 mph wind made for a -59F windchill). I did not spend much time out of the car!

Arrowhead 135 Start

Checkpoint #1 (17 miles into the race)

Checkpoint #2 (70 miles into the race … arriving during a snow squall)

The Finish (snow / frost encrusted head … breathing device sticking out)

This morning’s Snowy Owl!