Kyle Smaine
/
California USA
FOLLOW ME
www.cumbretours.com
Date of birth:
1981.03.16
Hometown:
Quito, Rebublic of Ecuador
Sponsors:
Mammut,
Explorer,
Compressport,
Hobbies:
Mountainbike, Mountainclimbing, all sport outdoor related
Favourite athletes:
Roger Federer
BIO
Since April 2014 I started to get focused on speed ascents, starting my project “7 summits in speed” with Kilimanjaro where I could make a new world record in ascending, descending and in the total time of 6hrs42min versus Kilian’s Record (2010) of 7hr14min. But why Kilimanjaro? I had to organize expeditions to guide so I talked to the company if I could have the chance to make the speed ascent. I was very surprised of the result so as soon as I came back to Ecuador I already had my flight booked for Aconcagua, where I had also a group to lead in February 2015.
Later on I heard that Kilian was going, too. I started to race in trail running events, I felt very good, could win the events in Ecuador and Chile and focus the entire month of December in altitude training, climbing peaks of 5 and 6 thousand meters very often and sleeping a couple of nights over 4 thousand meters as well as doing long distance trainings in the altitude. On January I raced again to be prepared for the rhythm. We flew 2 and half weeks in advance to Mendoza, Argentina to get very well acclimatized as the weather is completely different than in Ecuador, much dryer.
Me and my team made 1 speed ascent from the base camp Plaza Argentina to the summit in approx. 5hrs pushing (distance ascent approx. 10km, up and down approx. 20km 4300-6962-4300). 3 Days later we summited with our group of clients and left the National Park for recovering after 100km and many days at altitude and 10 nights in a tent. After 2 days of recovery we went for the record, I’m so happy everything went perfect without any health complication.
The weather was ok, very cold and windy but sunny. On the way back to Horcones it started to rain and snow, the temperature dropped down. After 11hrs and 57min I arrived to the gate, happy for my team, tired but in very good conditions, without any health problems. The guards were waiting for us to make the record official. We got the letter and went back to the hotel to celebrate the record. Now I’m back home in Quito. Tomorrow I will race in a vertical km race as it is a charity race.
We want to continue with our project “7 summits in speed” and we think the next mountain would be 2016 Mt. Kinley.
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
I would like to complete the 7 summits in speed records if the health, the economy and the destiny will allow me to do it.
What would be your greatest achievement?
Everest in Speed Record.
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
It is an expensive sport, I would like to travel with my entire team. Other difficulties would be health, if you are training constantly in the altitude.
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
When you can come back home with a new story to tell and without any complications. I feel free on the mountain, much more than guiding when I’m going to my limit.
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
Yes, my descent skills I use to train every week during my training.
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
Vertical training, altitude camps and trainings, biking, living at the altitude, a mix of all but the most important thing, not to follow training, doing what I want when I wake up.
What are you most nervous about when competing?
Not to be successful with beating myself, I train for me and compete for me. I always take care about the others during competitions, on the records is just me against the nature.
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
My family, my future wife.
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
You race against you, even leading, never stop to give your best (Galo Tamayo, a Mountain bike Legend in Ecuador who is a great friend of mine).
What are your future plans?
7 summits, Antarctic, Vertical km World Championships, and so on but never stop working in my tourist agency www.cumbretours.com
What are your tips for those who begin now?
If you have a dream, go for it, nothing is impossible if you start training tomorrow.
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