donor3

 

himg_default_03.jpg

'M' Mountain Run Official Winners Announced

SOCORRO, N.M. November 4, 2010 -- The official results from the 'M' Mountain Run have been released.
Paint The M Results

The Top 20 Students
(Groups and Individuals)
These results include only those who carried a a full 50-pound bag of marble
Individuals   Times
1. Garrett McKee*    1:03
2. Phillip Martinez*    1:16
3. Marcus Chavez*    1:20
4. Sean Martinez    1:21
5. Zachary Speer    1:21
6. Will Reiser    1:22
7. Jacob Douglass    1:22
8. Fred Hanson    1:22
9. Ben Bean    1:25
10. Daniel Nava    1:27
11. Will Ross    1:28
12. Eric Angelos    1:30
13. William Roger Frankland    1:30
* Earned cash bonus, above the $50 award.

The top finishing teams:
1. The Nerdys*       
    Rob Aumer    0:56
    Gunter Leguy    1:08
2. Unnamed Team*       
    William Kessler    1:02
    Garth Rohr    1:02
3. Breen Bros*       
    David Breen    1:09
    Daniel Breen    1:09
4. Sofa Kings       
    Lane Pablo    1:13
    Zach Taylor    1:13
5. Team Ω       
    Allen Erickson    1:19
    Adrian Blair    1:19
    Kent Carson    1:20
6. The 'A' Team       
    Travis Cannady    1:22
    Brian Stanley    1:22
7. 1א       
    Drew Uhlmann    1:29
    David Hunter    1:29
    Darrel Beckmann    1:29
    William Laub    1:29
* Earned cash bonus, above the $50 award.

Overall Top Finishes
1. Rick Aster    43 minutes
2. Robert Gonzales    51 min
3. Erik County    55 min
4. Rob Aumer*    56 min
5. Lewis Gillard    56 min
6. Andy Heid    57 min
7. Peter Mozley    58 min
8. William Kessler    1:02
9. Garth Rohr    1:02
10. Garrett McKee*    1:03
* Carried marble

SOCORRO, N.M. October 24, 2010 -- A record number of Techies made the arduous hike up 'M' Mountain on Sunday morning to give the 'M' its annual facelift. More than 280 students, faculty, alumni and community members gathered at EMRTC at 8 a.m. to join the traditional closing event for 49ers weekend.

Dr. Van Romero, a Tech graduate and current vice president of research, welcomed the hikers and thanked them for the record turnout.  Romero caused a stir earlier this year by suggesting the 'M' be changed to a 'T'. That publicity apparently worked in energizing the Tech community to help maintain the 'M' and participate in the annual event.

Most students showed up in appropriate hiking apparel, but a few showed up in Mardi Gras costumes or kilts. Many of the hikers were first-time participants, but others are regulars. Alumnus Lewis Gillard made the hike for the 11th time. He said he remembered makign the trek in the late 1990s when only 20 people braved snowy weather to climb the mountain.

More than 50 people lugged 50-pound bags of crushed marble to the 'M' just beneath the summit of Socorro Peak. Once at the university's iconic letter, the hikers spread the marble on the rocks, giving the 'M' a shiny new finish. Dr. Jeff Johnson, geophysics professor, carried 100 pounds of ballast. His colleague Dr. Rick Aster, chair of the Earth and Environmental Science department, was the first to reach the 'M', clocking in at 43 minutes. The hike is roughly two miles, with an elevation change of about 2,000 feet.

The fastest 20 individuals and teams (full-time students only) earn $50, with the top three in each category getting additional cash prizes. Complete results are being verified this week and will be released Friday. All participants received a commemorative T-shirt, an ample lunch and the satisfaction of having completed Tech's most arduous extracurricular activity.
 

49ersmountain2010DSC_0472 Untitled-1 49ersmountain2010DSC_0488
A throng of mostly students in line to register at 8 a.m.
 The Search and Rescue Club ready for action
49ersmountain2010DSC_0505 49ersmountain2010DSC_0513
Hikers gather for a pre-climb briefing The 'M'
49ersmountain2010DSC_0517 49ersmountain2010DSC_0525
Dr. Van Romero (left) prepares for the countdown Students grab their bags of marble dust.
49ersmountain2010DSC_0530 49ersmountain2010DSC_0539
The bags don't look big, but they weigh 50 pounds. The faithful students prepare for the trek.
49ersmountain2010DSC_0541 49ersmountain2010DSC_0558
50 pounds is heavy when you hike two miles straight up The final touch -- strapping on your weight
49ersmountain2010DSC_0568 49ersmountain2010DSC_0577
A record turnout for the 'M' Mountain Run. ... and they're off
49ersmountain2010DSC_0584 49ersmountain2010DSC_0585
Hiking through cactus Dr. Rick Aster, this year's first finisher
49ersmountain2010DSC_0590 49ersmountain2010DSC_0592
Only two miles left to go It's called a "run", but it's really a hike
49ersmountain2010DSC_0597 49ersmountain2010DSC_0604
Watch out for rattle snakes We're going up there?
49ersmountain2010DSC_0605 49ersmountain2010DSC_0617
Party time! Hikers fan out across the first incline
49ersmountain2010DSC_0625 49ersmountain2010DSC_0635
Techies reaching for the summit. Aster approaching welcome center
49ersmountain2010DSC_0642 49ersmountain2010DSC_0655
Lewis Gillard makes his 11th 'M' Mountain Run Almost there
49ersmountain2010DSC_0658 49ersmountain2010DSC_0662
The penultimate climb The line of climbers spread out near the top
49ersmountain2010DSC_0673 49ersmountain2010DSC_0680
















































































































































































































Hot, tired and exhausted ... with one final climb
 The masses reach the 'M'
49ersmountain2010DSC_0666 Untitled-1 49ersmountain2010DSC_0678
The first few climbers relax and enjoy the view The final climb is the steepest and most brutal
49ersmountain2010DSC_0681 49ersmountain2010DSC_0686
Welcome to the 'M', folks Celebrating its 99th birthday ... 'M' Mountain



Photos by Thomas Guengerich/New Mexico Tech




















49ersmountain2010DSC_0678