Leaving TA 7, teams had a decision. Make a left and return over Smugglers’ Notch as a short course team or turn right and remain on the full course. Half the field turned right. The battle of attrition was on.

Of those 35 teams, only 15 went into the Sterling Forest Trails as part of the Stowe Trails Partnership. The area is described as “unique among Stowe’s trail pods due to its location and remote, backcountry feel. The trails are challenging, and the setting offers a sense of isolation that can be hard to find these days.” Only of a quarter of the teams in the field touching the dirt in this section can feel a bit isolated.

Many of the teams took the roads through the town of Stowe, rejoining the trail system at CP 38 before heading to the Ultraverse Supplements TA.

From there, the teams left on the final trek back to the Smuggler’s Notch Resort with the finish line and cans of Lubanzi wine. For this section, none of it would be on a trail. 8 hours of straight bushwahacking.

“I wish more teams could have seen that section of the course,” said Race Director Chris Yager. “The view from the ridge is spectacular.”

“We were there at sunrise,” added Emily Caseria of the National Championship winning team Bend Racing/SkinDoctor. “It was beautiful.”

Once they were up and over, a few CPs lay in wait on the descent before hitting the ski trails for the final run to the finish.