Date: Wed, 25 Jan 1995 13:59:05 -0500
From: DV600@aol.com
To: ultra@DARTCMS1.DARTMOUTH.EDU
Subject: The 1994 Death Valley Crossing

On July 4th of 1994  at 6 a.m. Marshall Ulrich of Fort Morgan, Colorado
stepped up to a line drawn in the sand at the southern most point of the
Death Valley National Monument.  In front of him lay 133 miles of road that
would lead him to the northern boundary of the monument.  His goal was to be
the first person to ever run the length of the Death Valley-perhaps in less
than 24 hours.

Beginning the run at 6 a.m. meant that this would be a no holds barred
encounter with the full heat of Death Valley.  With Marshall's speed, it was
conceiveable that he would run close to 100 miles before the sun would set.
 Unlike the Badwater 146 there would be no respitefrom the heat by climbing
high out of the valley.  The opening 100 miles would be at or below sea
level.

With Marshall was his wife, Willette and Scott Weber,  the  organizer of the
run.  Both had accompanied Marshall in previous excursions across Death
Valley during the Badwater race.  Neither knew if the unrelenting heat of the
Death Valley Crossing would be too much, even for one as experienced in the
desert as Marshall.

Marshall began his run in his white desert gear-Nike shoes with custom
insoles, white bike shorts, his HIND t-shirt, Oakleys, and his custom made
hat.  This hat had a special pocket sewn in the top to allow crushed ice to
be inserted in order to cool his brain.   The hat had a flap in the back to
protect him from the sun and also to allow the melted ice to drip down to
cool him.  Wilette and Scott met Marshall every mile during to refill his
bottles and offer him food.  His pace was quick, yet contolled, at precisely
8 minutes per mile.

The first 25 miles are on the Harry Wade dirt road with a washboard surface.
 The valley spreads ominously ahead; it seems as if one can see the curve of
the Earth as the scenery drops off the horizon.  During these first 25 miles
to the left are the Confidence Hills and to the right are the Ibex Hills.
 The temperature is already over 100 degrees.

Marshall exits the Harry Wade road at mile 25 in a time of 3 hours and 30
minutes.  At this point the dirt gives way to the pavement that leads toward
Badwater.  The pavement adds additional heat as the sun radiates off its
surface.  The air temperature climbs steadily to 120 degrees.  The road
surface temperature is much higher.  Once on the pavement, Marshall is
accompanied by Scott Weber on a bicycle.  Scott's job is to spray Marshall
done every few seconds using a spray bottle filled with ice water.
Additionally, it is his job to transfer the water bottles and the new "ice
hats" from Wilette and the crew vehicle to Marshall without him missing a
stride.

Marshall passed 40 miles in 6 hours 10 minutes; 50 miles in 7 hours and 52
min; finally, arriving at Badwater elevation -282 feet in early afternoon.
 This was the plan: to meet the heat head on.  There would be no controversy
as had been the case at previous Badwater races that the heat had been
avoided by crossing the Valley in the evening hours.  Marshall was beginning
to look a bit ragged at this point.  He had forced the pace relentlessly, and
now faced the hottest hours of the day.  After Badwater the Black Mountains
sit just off the runner's right shoulder; behind these mountains lay the
appropriately named Funeral Range.  To the runner's left lay the salt flats
wherin lie the lowest elevations of the Western Hemisphere.  Towering beyond
the salt flats are the Pananmint Range of mountains with majestic Telescope
Peak, 11049 feet tall.

Marshall reached the resort of Furnace Creek, mile 72 in exactly 12 hours.
 Sitting in the shade of the palm trees he seemed refreshed and ready to
assault the final hours of sun and then to begin the long uphill leading to
the "cooler" climes of the northern end of Death Valley.  The 24 hour
objective seemed reasonable as Marshall returned to the road.

It was at precisely this point that Marshall began a plummet into the depths
of dehydration and salt depletion.  Near Devil's Cornfield at mile 90
Marshall became near comatose.  His condition was such that walking had
become a struggle.  Concern mounted from his wife, Willette as she felt that
perhaps Marshall had finally met the limit of even his extraordinary ability.
 Marshall took secveral long rests to  ingest salt to relieve the imbalance
in his system.

Marshall arrived at the 100 mile point near Red Wall Canyon in 20 hours and
26 minutes.  He knew now that the 24 hour crossing would not be achieved, but
he still focused on the goal of being the first to complete the running
course.   Beyond mile 100 the road steadily climbs towards 3000 feet of
elevation.

The night time hours were spectacular.  Immense quiet;  innumerable shooting
stars;  all-encompassing blackness.  To experience the night in Death Valley
is awe inspiring.

Dawn ultimately arrived and soon Marshall passed the 120 mile mark near
Mesquite Springs in 25 hours and 13 minutes.   Not far beyond this point he
turned off onto unpaved Big Pine Road that led to the the Northern Boundary
of the Monument.  He reached that boundary in 28 hours  1 minute and 7
seconds.  A record setting performance for the 133 mile journey from south to
north across Death Valley.

For those who wish to challenge this mark: the rules are the same as
Badwater.  The run must be completed during the summer months of July and
August. The course begins at the sign that marks the southern boundary on the
Harry Wade Road and ends at the sign that marks the northern boundary on the
Big Pine Road. I will be happy to provide maps and details of the course to
anyone interested.

Scott Weber
E-mail:  DV600@AOL.COM