Shehan claims Whitefish Whiteout skimo title

Whitefish resident Joel Shehan ascended more than 5,600 vertical feet in just over two hours to claim the Whitefish Whiteout ski mountaineering title Saturday at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

The annual race challenges endurance skiers to climb up and descend various technical routes on Big Mountain. The 2021 long course covered 8.1 miles and 5,650 vertical feet, taking competitors up the Benny Up route, into Hellroaring Basin, over to the Haskill Slide area and finally to East Rim. A winter storm dumped about 6 inches of powder snow on the course Saturday, adding to the challenge.

Shehan, 43, finished the grueling course in 2:04:41 to edge out runner-up Alan Adams, 41, who crossed the finish at 2:06:37. Claiming third on the podium was Sammy Boo-Ray, 37, with a time of 2:07:12.

On the women’s side, Chelsee Pummel, 36, clocked an impressive 2:23:38 to take first place and 10th overall. Cassidy Daley was second among women with a 2:47:37, and Danielle Crawford was third at 3:16:42.

Christopher Jones was the first long-course competitor to ascend the Benny Up portion of the route, with a time of 27:22. He placed sixth overall.

Matt Seeley, 51, won the mens masters division with a time of 2:16:24. Chance Cooke, 55, was second at 2:24:0, followed by Keith Meehan, 47, 2:42:55.

Whitefish Whiteout, Feb. 6, 2021

Overall top-10

1 Joel Shehan 2:04:41.4

2 Alan Adams 2:06:37.1

3 Sammy Boo-Ray 2:07:12.3

4 Caleb Ambrose 2:08:45.7

5 Jonas David 2:11:01.5

6 Christopher Jones 2:12:07.1

7 Craig Hertz 2:13:14.9

8 Tucker Hoefler 2:15:20.1

9 Matt Seeley 2:16:24.8

10 Chelsee Pummel 2:23:38.2