Copper Canyon with a Man Called Horse
MEXICO'S COPPER CANYON
CUSTOM TRIPS FOR ADVENTURE TRAVELERS
Pack animals optional
Walk in the land of the Tarahumara
With a man called Horse.
Read about "Caballo Blanco" - your Race Director and Guide - in this article by Christopher McDougall
The Men Who Live Forever
Want to know more about your guide? See this Boulder Weekly article
And this article by Huw Davies - Crazy for the Copper Canyon
and this, by Christopher McDougall - Kick Off Your Shoes and Run Awhile
Now running winter trips from November thru April. You and your group of one to six adventurous travelers can arrange a trip with me at your times, your dates, your pace, and your distance. Trips consist of a large loop of the Sierra Madre and magnificent canyon country traveling by bus, train, and foot. Explore the real, OLD Mexico, stay in inexpensive, yet comfortable and clean hotels, camp while in the back country, and interact with the local people and families along the way. Meals will be taken at the houses of favorite Grandmas!
Korima: Tarahumara word meaning "a gift", "the circle of sharing". Support the running traditions of the Raramuri. Become a Norawa [friend] of the running People. Norawas de Raramuri.
Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon
Copper Canyon Ultramarathon training camps: Explore the deep canyons and mountain trails, covering much more distance in a day than any other standard trips! Your group... Your dates... Running/hiking in the Batopilas and Urique canyons, visiting the homes of our Raramuri friends, running parts of the CCUM course and beyond! ... Eat at favorite grandma's kitchens... Comfortable, beautiful, and inexpensive lodging options.
CCUM Mission Statement: La Paloma de Paz
We come together in las Barrancas del Cobre to create peace and harmony,
sharing with/of all that is provided to us by our Mother Earth.
Caballo Blanco de la Paz--RD
Enjoy this short film which expresses that mission statement: SUPER ATHLETES OF THE SIERRA MADRE by Sterling Noren.
I was at the race in Urique last year and had the opportunity to film the event for a motorcycle travel documentary that I was working on. It was a fantastic experience and something that I will always remember. I was honored to be invited to participate as a filmmaker and promised Caballo Blanco that I would make a video about the race that could be shared with everyone. I wanted to do this in the true spirit of korima, as a way of giving something back to Caballo and the community of Urique.
For more information on the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon, runners blogs, reports and articles, videos, Google: Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon.
Map and Satellite Images of the CCUM race course.
See pictures by Luis Escobar from the Spring 2006 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon -
Photos and runner`s reports
and Spring 2006 Directory.
There is a FAQ - Welcome to Cabro Colorado's Guide to the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon.
Articles about the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon, in Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine -
The World's Greatest Runners, By Will Harlan, March 14, 2009
and this also, The Running People, By Will Harlan, November 13, 2009.
Another article on blog by a spectator who photo/filmed, that is pretty good -
Vagabonding by Motorcycle: Caballo Blanco - 2009 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon (scroll down) or just the pictures.
Learn more about the Raramuri, Caballo Blanco, and the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon in the Christopher McDougall book "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen." The book is available from Random House, Inc., and their Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, where you can see a short YouTube video with Chris. The book is sold in hardcover, as an unabridged audio CD, as an eBook, and as an Unabridged Audiobook Download.
Read this review of "Born to Run" by Michael Sandrock Sandrock: In search of the true identity of Caballo Blanco.
Listen to these KGNU "TRIBUTARIES" radio interviews by Robin Claire with Christopher McDougall and Caballo Blanco. Look in the Archived Programs page for the dates 09/27/09 and 09/20/09.
Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon Race Donations may be made through PayPal, using this link: PayPal Donations.
New Stuff
A talk by Caballo Blanco at "Zombie Runner" in Palo Alto - Article and 58 minute Video.
Go there...
You can now connect with the Copper Canyon Ultramarathon on FaceBook!
Go there...
2010 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon Info
The 2010 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra-Marathon will be held the first Sunday
of March.
Thank You!
Micah, Caballo Blanco
March 7, 2010 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon - Message From the RD
March 7, 2010 Copper Canyon Run--Preliminary
March 7, 2010 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon: Program Info
March 7, 2010 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon: Course Description
Entry/Application -- *Important Information*
WAIVER and Entry Form: March 7, 2010 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon
Historic Notes
2009 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon ReportCopper Canyon Ultramarathon Poster for the March 1, 2009 Race
March 1, 2009 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon - Update
2008 CCUM - A Celebration of Life
Photos from the 2008 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon
2008 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon--Results!
March 4, 2007 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon: Photos!
March 4, 2007 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon: Results
Urique canyon report: November 19--2007
Update: November 22, 2007
March 5, 2006 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon: Photos and runner`s reports
Canyon of dreams--March 5, 2006 Copper Canyon Run: Results
Mas Locos and aspiring locos--News from the Canyons
Corn! A note from the Race Director
December 4 Copper Canyon Run: Results
2005 Spring Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon: Report and Results
2004 Spring Copper Canyon to Canyon run: Report and results
2003 Fall Tarahumara Marathon "Running The Marathon!"
Report on the Nov. 23, 2003, Copper Canyon to Canyon Trail Marathon+ Batopilas to Urique
Report: March 23, 2003 - First Copper Canyon-to-Canyon Trail Marathon
Articles by Micah True
Geronimo: Nuclear Test Site
Los Alisos
Meeting the Tarahumara at the Leadville 100
Humbled by La Sierra Madre
Mas Korima
Running Copper Canyon
Tarahumara Racers
*****
Sample Itinerary: Seven Day Trip, Creel - to - Creel.
This is a basic one-week itinerary that can be modified to suit your individual wishes. A longer "double canyon" trip can be arranged (more challenging), or shorter day hikes out of Batopilas (easier). Long-distance trail runs are also available. See Guide Rates.
Day One: We will meet in railroad tourist town of Creel (altitude: 7600 feet).
Day Two: Take local bus from Creel over the mountains, then down, down, down, to the old mining town of Batopilas (altitude: 1600 feet).
Day Three: Breakfast at Clarita's. Day hike in and around
Batopilas while preparing for canyon - to - canyon hike. There are nice
swimming holes which we can enjoy in this sub-tropical climate.
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Mission Satevo in Batopilas Canyon |
Day Four: Fuel up at Clarita's, then leave on canyon - to - canyon hike. We will make camp just before the big climb out of Batopilas canyon. (Easy day).
Day Five: Hike 4000 feet out of Batoplias canyon, crossing five miles of pine-covered mountains. There is an amazing diversity of flora on this hike, with pines and yucca growing together at high altitudes, changing to oak trees at lower altitudes. Today's hike climaxes with an overlook of the great Urique Canyon. Say a prayer and begin the descent. Camp that evening on a family's property in a lush, bird-filled arroyo called "Los Alisos" (The Alders). (Challenging day)
Day Six: Down-hill walk to the Urique River, following the river upstream to the town of Urique. Take a meal at Grandma Tita's. Drink cerveza and relax.
Day Seven: Take the local bus up to western rim to meet the famous Copper Canyon train back to the town of Creel with the feeling that you've done something very special.
Adios y que le vaya muy bien!
Church in Plaza Batopilas
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Variations in canyon-to-canyon hike:
The standard hike described in the sample itinerary is from Batopilas to Urique. These are the variations that I offer:
1] Reverse- Urique to Batopilas[about 30 miles]
2] Batopilas to Urique then out above the west rim of Urique canyon to the charming ranch hotel "Rancho del oso"[about 50 miles]
3] Reverse of #2- Rancho del Oso down to Urique then over the mountains down to Batopilas.[50 miles] - Horseback trips optional with horse support for runners.
4] Batopilas to Urique then loop return on another route [about 100km.]
5] Double canyon return. This would be combining all of the above trips. (100 miles)
--Any of these trips can be done in reverse.
--The standard three day trip can be done easily enough in two days by better hikers -or even one long day by those who are "loco" enough and athletic hikers/runners. I would recommend taking at least two days.
--Running and fast hike trips are also
offered for any variation of the canyon to canyon format.
The hike out of Batopilas
Canyon Pack animals: If you are travelling with more gear than you can comfortably
carry over the course of a tough multi day hike with 4,000 foot climbs and
descents, then I would advise either stashing some extra items in Creel or
hiring pack animals. I always advise traveling light while hiking and would be
happy to arrange for pack animals to carry your gear. If you would like pack
animals then I will negotiate on your behalf a fee that is modest yet fair to
you and the animals' handler. It is always good to include local people on our
trips and the work is very much appreciated by them. Along the river in Urique
Canyon Communications from the deep canyons are
rather primitive at best! While in the canyons I have limited access to a
telephone and virtually[ha!] none to the internet. It is best to call my
Colorado voice mail [303 584-3076] to leave a message that you would like to
join me on a trip. The message should include: your name and phone number--The
number of people in your group--the dates that you would like to join
me--whether or not you would like pack animals--what trip or variation you
would like to take. Then E-mail truecaballoblanco@yahoo.com I check my messages when I am around a phone
or have internet access, and I will return your messages. Please, only serious
inquiries should call as communications from the canyons are very expensive I hope to answer most of your questions on
this web site and will be happy to answer all other questions at our
orientation meeting in Creel [more on this to come] Please check the web for
general information on Copper Canyon land such as geographical location etc. A $500 deposit will reserve my guide
services for this 7 day trip. Longer or shorter trips can be accommodated
[according to your needs]. For longer trips my fee will be $100/day for one
person, and an additional $50/day for every other person that you bring
along. [Example: You and your group of 3 additional people, 4 total, will be
$250 a day plus expenses such as your meals, ground transportation, and
lodging]. Checks should be made out to Micah True
and be sent to my bank at the following address: Mutual of Omaha On the back side of the check where I would
endorse, you should write: To Micah True For deposit only.
You may also pay for services through PayPal, using this link:
PayPal Payments.
Meeting: In the railroad tourist town of Creel, we will meet at
either "Casa Margaritas" or "Casa Perez". Both of these
establishments offer really good values and are completely different from each
other. "Margaritas" is world famous and a gathering spot for
international backpackers and travelers "Casa Perez" has a real,
local family run flavor with few tourists and inexpensive rooms. The evening of
the day that you arrive in Creel we will have an orientation meeting at one of
these establishments. We will discuss our agenda and what our itinerary will be
during the course of your visit. At this meeting the balance of payment will be
made in the form of money order, travelers check or cash. No personal checks
will be accepted while I am in Mexico. To make full payment by check, please
send your check to my bank at least three weeks in advance of your visit. Rancho del Oso Mountain Lodge Note: My trips are for more adventurous self-contained hikers.
I am not an outfitter. You will need to bring your own packs, sleeping bags,
light tents etc. If you would like a full service guide that supplies all of
the above as well as food, lodging, and transportation then I would be happy to
refer you to a few good ones: Arturo "expeditionsumarike"--Diego
Rhodes "ranchodeloso" or "mexicohorse"--Les Mahoney
"coppercanyonadventures". All of these of course are dot coms. You
can check the web for other full service outfitters. While I am giving
referrals to good people, the most experienced guide that I know of, who has
the most knowledge of all of the Sierra Madre and canyon country, would have to
be James "Santiago" Barnaby "coppercanyonguide". The most
diverse guide would be Arturo of Umarike Expedicions. This intelligent young
man has years of experience offering many options with the outdoor sport
format. He offers climbing trips, mountain bike trips, hiking trips and just
about any kind of trip you would like to make. He speaks perfect English as
well as Spanish and he really knows the country and its people. Also, deep within the mighty Urique canyon,
very near to the town of Urique, exists a wonderful campground that offers
inexpensive camp sites with a hot shower as well as very nice guest house. This
special place is called "Casa de Keith" When travelling the copper canyon country
with "El Caballo Blanco", you can expect adventure. This is no club
Med! This is the real, old Mexico with very real people. P.S. In closing on a personal
note: The deep canyons and La Sierra
Madre between Batopilas and Urique is where I graze. I feel very connected to
the people that live here and to the land herself. I would encourage any
adventure traveler to experience this unique and beautiful place with or
without me. By coming here you will be treating yourself to something very
special as well as helping the local economy. Come here and let these
wonderfully interesting people share with you their life experience. From the
oldest of the elders to the youngest "towi"[baby] This place
is full of life and character. There are several experienced local animal
handler-guides living in ranches near to Batopilas. To name and recommend a few:
Navor--Librado--Trini--Polo--Manuelito--Canuto. These men really know the ropes
[ha!] and are very reasonable in price. They supply and handle burros
[donkeys]-mules-and horses and carry with them a lifetime of experience in la
sierra. If you would like to just "show up" and travel on your own
with or without my guide service, then just ask anybody in Batopilas where
lives the man named "Caballo Blanco" and I would be happy to run down
one of these animal handler-guides for you. I would help make arrangements for
them and their animals on your behalf. I would negotiate with them a price that
is fair for both you and the animal guide. My fee for this should you take a
trip with me is gratis. It is included. Otherwise my fee for this service will
be $50. Then do not be surprised to see my goofy face running over the
mountains to say hello and check on you sometime during the course of your
journey! So......you can call me and make a reservation for a trip or just show
up in Batopilas and see what's available at that time. Either way,
"
Hotel La Posada de Creel"
"
Los Mezquites"
"Running volcanos in Nicaragua:
Corre como loco, Cambia tu mundo [Run like crazy, change your world]
"
"Josue Stephens [Trail Runner/Mas Loco]
"
"RunFlux - your daily dose of
running - Latest News"
"The RunFlux blog is a
companion to RunFlux.com."
"Nice hostel by the train station
in Chihuahua"
"Very nice hostel, camping and
guest house on beautiful land in Urique"
"Trekking with Cathy and Mike"
"The3Amigos Canyon Expeditions"
"Mondo Monkey - Time Traveler"
"
Photo essay by James Rexroad"
"Apoyo Tarahumara (Support the Tarahumara)" Carl Franz "peoples guide" Ultra Running Magazine "ultra running" Arturo "umarike expediciones" Diego Rhodes "mexicohorse" Les Mahoney "coppercanyonadventures" James "Santiago" Barnaby "coppercanyonguide" Ray Molina "Remolino Adventure Works" Amy and Gary "Adventure Specialists Inc" Best Western in Creel "The Lodge" KOA Campground "Creel/Copper Canyon" AATRA - All American Trail Running
Association
"trailrunner.com" Sierra Madre Alliance
"sierramadrealliance.org"
More information
Communications[or lack of!]
Payment:
26 South Highway 119
Nederland, Colorado 80466
Happy trails y Que le vaya muy bien!
Bienvenidos a las Barrancas!
Welcome to the Big Canyons
Tu amigo,
Micah True -- El Caballo Blanco.
Contacts:
Micah True, "El
Caballo Blanco," your experienced trail companion.
Phone: 303-584-3076 e-mail:
truecaballoblanco@yahoo.com References:
Frank Becker--from Germany: December, 2009 -
2 long day canyon to canyon backpacker--Urique to Batopilas.
mailto:frank.b@T-online.de
Todd Holloway and his wife Claudia and 6 year old son Asher: November, 2009 -
day hikes and guest house/hotel stays in the Urique canyon.
mailto:Tholloway@gmail.com
Jim Donnelly: March, 2009 -
7 day program, 6 day 100 mile hiker from Rancho Del Oso to
Urique in 1 day, then Urique to Batopilas in 2 days, loop returned on
another route from Batopilas to Urique, and back up to Rancho del Oso.
mailto:fjamesdonnelly@comcast.net
Becky Chastain and Ellen: Jan. 2009, 7 day program, 5 day back-packers from
Rancho Del Oso down to Urique and over from canyon to canyon to Batopilas
[50+ miles]
mailto:bchastain@moscow.com
Stephanie Miller: Jan. 2009, 2 day back-packer from Rancho del Oso to
Urique.
mailto:stmiller@uidaho.edu
John Keller December, 2008--3 day double canyon to canyon fast-packer
Google Picture Album - Registration Required
mailto:kellerjo@gmail.com
Brett Dufur: End of year 2008. 3 day Canyon to canyon hike with group of
15 University of Missouri students and instructors.
mailto:pebblepublishing@gmail.com
Andrew Yim--November, 2008: 5 day program, Including daily runs and 2 1/2
day back-packer from Rancho Del Oso to Urique to Batopilas, then beyond,
running/hiking to Satevo mission and Puerto Blanco
mailto:Yimerrr@yahoo.com
Alison Gannett: Independent explorer and Green activist
http://www.alisongannett.com
http://www.chasingglaciers.com
Liz Harvey--Jan. 2007: Batopilas canyon backpacker and camper in Tarahumara country.
mailto:meharvey03@yahoo.com
Patrick, Meg and Mauricio--Feb. 2007: two day canyon to canyon
back-packers.
mailto:981patrick_mcelwee@hotmail.com
mailto:Mauriciodelvillar@hotmail.com
Kisten Hofso: 3 day canyon to canyon Back-packer and 5 day hiker. [New year, 2007]
mailto:khofso@hotmail.com
Maura and Todd: 5 day Urique canyon trail-running training camp. [Jan. 2007]
mailto:ande5204@msn.com
mailto:mgonsior@tnc.org
William Scoular (Canyon-to-Canyon Back-packer)
mailto:william_scoular@yahoo.com
mailto:senoralexander@yahoo.com
Mel Downs: 2 day hiker, then 1 day return Canyon to canyon runner:
mailto:megamel@megamel.com
Rodney and Tanya: 2 day Canyon to canyon Hikers:
mailto:rodneyanyan@hotmail.com
Renee Despres: Ultra trail runner:
mailto:RTDespres@aol.com
Dean, Jane, and the infamous Bruemmer boys!: canyon to canyon backpackers [2005]
mailto:wildernesslodge@gila.net
Shawn Callahan: canyon to canyon and beyond fast-pack/runner [Dec. 2004]
mailto:shawncal71@yahoo.com
Atina Diffley: double canyon to canyon and well beyond 18 day backpacker [2005]
mailto:atinagoe@frontiernet.net
Esther Ouray: double canyon to canyon and well beyond 18 day backpacker [2005]
mailto:Runningwoman5457@yahoo.com
David Ryan: 3 day canyon to canyon backpacker [2005]
mailto:Davidryan@msn.com
David Boyle: 5 day Urique rim to rim and canyon to canyon backpacker--about 47
miles [Dec. 2004]
mailto:Davidboyle@clinic.net
Christine Mitchell and Ron Bartell: 3 day Uriquecanyon rim to rim backpackers [Dec. 20004]
mailto:christinemitchell@yahoo.com
Jay Keith: Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon runner [March 6--005]
mailto:jay@redback.com
Jennifer Burtner: Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon runner [March 6--005]
mailto:jjburtner@hawaii.rr.com
Ivan and Cindy: canyon to canyon hikers--November, 2005
See Ivan's photos from the Copper Canyon trip!
mailto:ivan.levac@lafarge-na.com
Tim and Doone: 7 day hikers/runners, including 5 day canyon to
canyon--Batopilas to Urique-- and up out of Urique canyon. November,
2005
mailto:doonew@hotmail.com
Fred and Deb Maas--7 day program, 3 day canyon to canyon hikers
[March,2006]
mailto:
kt5x@cybermesa.com
2006 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon Dream Team
Christopher McDougall
(Contact Micah for contact info)
Eric Orton
mailto:
eric@trainwitheric.com
Jenn Shelton
mailto:
jennjennjennjennjenn@gmail.com
Billy Barnett
mailto:
barnettwa@vcu.edu
Scott Jurek
mailto:
scott@scottjurek.com
Ted Mcdonald
mailto:
Ted@barefooted.com
Luis Escobar
mailto:
luis@reflectionsphotographystudio.com
Links:
Nice and cheap hostel and guest house in Creel, run by good people, right
off the tracks near to the train station.
Hello my name is Alejandro Ramirez Urias. I am from Urique and currently
living in Albany, Oregon. My parents (Chiro and Lola) live in Urique and
they have a very nice place (very close to "Entre Amigos") (They are very
good friends with Keith and Violeta) Anyway, Chiro and Lola have started a
project at their place where they are offering camping sites and two nice
cabins. They are very nice people and I am sure you would enjoy meeting
them. I have created this web site for them to make their place more
accessible.