The most comforting site in Skolai Pass

   is a shaving from the sled dragged across rocks by a competitor ahead of you. I think this is Chris Wrobel's sacrifice, in 2007. Skolai Pass is the spookiest, most-devoid-of-vegetation-snow-or-other-life-form place in the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic Ski Race course from Nabesna to McCarthy. Race starts this Sunday, when Dave Cramer says go near the tongue of Nabesna Glacier. I'm signed up, with Michael Gibson as partner . . .