Copper Canyon with a Man Called Horse
On Tuesday, 2012 March 27, Micah True, "Caballo Blanco", left from the Gila Wilderness Lodge in New Mexico for a morning run, and never returned. Saturday evening, March 31, Micah's body was found by the side of a stream, about a mile south east of the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Please visit the Micah True Memorial website for a schedule of Events, including Memorial Runs around the world, and for words and pictures in Tribute to the memory of Micah. You may add your own words by scrolling to the bottom of the various pages, under "Leave a Reply", and then selecting "Post Comment".
And please consider contributing to the Caballo Blanco Memorial Fund. This Fund is dedicated to preserving the mission, vision, and values of Caballo Blanco - Micah True. We are committed to continuing the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon and supporting the Rarámuri people, as well as sponsoring annual memorial races. Please partner with us by giving a $100, $75, $50, or any tax deductible gift. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
MEXICO'S COPPER CANYON
The Men Who Live Forever
Want to know more about Caballo Blanco? 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
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.
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...
Aileen Torres Born To Run: Caballo Blanco Interview on Outside Online.
Here is an article about The Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon by Laura McNamara.
See these 2010 CCUM Photos by Laura McNamara, and then follow her link to view the first of several batches on Flickr.
Share this first-hand race experience and see pictures from Copper Canyon, by David Coblentz.
Ryan Heffernan has posted some images from the 2010 race.
2010 Copper Canyon Run and UltraMarathon: Results
Running with the Raramuri of Mexico By Laura McNamara
YouTube - Caballo Blanco (Micah True) at Westchester Road Runner
See "Caballo Blanco" by Sue Berliner
Caballo Blanco från Born To Run - Runner's World Sweden video interview with Caballo Blanco
Historic Notes
"Todos Son Ganadores" - Flintland Blog by Flint
2012 Start Copper Canyon Run - YouTube Video on the "hanfrenken" Channel
2012 CCUM Report
Run Like the Rarámuri: Grueling UltraMarathon Helps Tarahumara Indians Through Turmoil - Indian Country Today Media Network
March 4, 2012 Copper Canyon Run--Preliminary
March 4, 2012 Entry/Application -- *Important Information*
March 4, 2012 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon: Program Info
March 4, 2012 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon: Course Description
March 4, 2012 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon - Message From the RD
March 4, 2012 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon: WAIVER and Entry Form
2011 Copper Canyon UltraMarathon: Running for Peace in Mexico
2011 CCUM: Names and Times of all Finishers
Running with the Raramuri, DailyMile Community Blog, by Nick Coury
Adventure Story - Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon 2011 and Photos by Mark and Sherry
Bourbon Feet in the Copper Canyons by Patrick Sweeney
Photo Gallery from CCUM 2011 by Patrick Sweeney
Ultra training adventures and everything in between by Laurie Colon
Copper Canyon Adventure and Race Report by Ravi
2009 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon Pictures by Marcos Ferro Tarasiuk
2009 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon Report
Copper 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
*****
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Mission Satevo in Batopilas Canyon |
Adios y que le vaya muy bien!
Church in Plaza Batopilas
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The hike out of Batopilas Canyon
More information
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
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.
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Rancho del Oso Mountain Lodge |
Note: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.
Happy trails y Que le vaya muy bien!
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.
Bienvenidos a las Barrancas!
Welcome to the Big Canyons
Tu amigo,
Micah True -- El Caballo Blanco.
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References:
Judy Denham from Bristol, UK: December, 2011 - 12 days of traveling la Sierra Madre with daily long hikes and comfortable lodging at night. Christmas season.Irene Scheideggar: Long day hikes in Batopilas and Urique canyon...2004 and 2012. Great Shiatsu message. Raum fürShiatsu mailto:irene.scheidegger@gmail.com Morten Sroksnes, Norwegian journalist: April, 2011 - 10 day trip--Double canyon to canyon back-packer to witness Semana Santa [Easter week] in Raramuri land.
mailto:mortenas@me.com Claudia and Carl Huber-Krimmel from Switzerland: New Year's Day 2011 - 1 day from the Rancho del Oso and down into the Urique canyon, took a couple days at Entre Amigos, and then 2 days canyon to canyon backpack from Urique to Batopilas.
mailto:claudia.huber-krimmel@bluewin.ch Oakley Gardner: December, 2010 - 8 day trail running camp in the Urique canyon. Daily runs/hikes of 2 to 8 hours.
mailto:oakley@oakada.com Harry Duvall: November, 2010 - 2 day 50 mile fastpacker/runner from Rancho Del Oso to Urique in one day and Urique to Batopilas in 1 day.
mailto:anonraven@yahoo.com Tracy and Scott Corbin: September, 2010 - multi day hikers from Rancho Del Oso above the Urique canyon, down into Urique and over to Batopilas canyon--with daily runs when not hiking and Homestays at ranchos while traveling by foot.
mailto:tracy.corbin@gmail.com Maria L Walton: January, 2010--March, 2010, and September, 2010 - Multi-time Fast/pack--runner all over the Copper Canyon area, including running the 2010 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon.
mailto:marialwalton@yahoo.com 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
Doug "Diego" Rhodes
Hotel Paraiso Del Oso
Cerocahui, Chihuahua, Mexico
email: mailto:doug@mexicohorse.com
Web Site: Rancho Del Oso Mountain Lodge
Otsie Stowell: Equine Chiropractor and friend:
email: mailto:blueskies@mho.net
Phone 303-442-7900
Max Scoular (Canyon-to-Canyon Back-packer) mailto:max_scoular@yahoo.com
William Scoular (Canyon-to-Canyon Back-packer) mailto:william_scoular@yahoo.com Irene Scheidegger (lovely Swiss day-hiker) mailto:irene_scheidegger@hotmail.com Michael Sandrock - Daily Camera Reporter mailto:sandrock@boulderrunning.com Huw Davies: Double canyon to canyon and beyond runner/hiker: 1 day return runner: mailto:fitnessfarm@ntlworld.net Mark Alexander: 2 day Canyon to canyon hiker:
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.comLinks:
"
Hotel La Posada de Creel"
Nice and cheap hostel and guest house in Creel, run by good people, right
off the tracks near to the train station.
"
Los Mezquites"
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.
"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"