G & T 46, Congressional Circuit, June Stats

G & T 46, Congressional Circuit, June Stats

Ran up Grays and Torreys this morning via Kelso Mountain. This is quickly turning into one of my favorite mountain jaunts, as you miss most of the people until reaching the top of Torreys. There was a thick inversion this morning, providing some great atmosphere for the climb up Kelso's northeast ridge. I don't think there is a closer run that you can get 6,500' of gain and 14.5 miles in before 10:00am - anything similar seems to be in the Sawatch or beyond.

Monday was another go at the Congressional Circuit. I elected to do this loop again because it has the most vertical gain (4,800') with the most "running". I'm doing the US Skyrunning Sky races, which are much faster then I have been training for, so I wanted to get in a run instead of a run/power hike. I also tried out the La Sportiva Bushido's for this run - I've been enjoying the Bushido's, and think they are the perfect Vertical K or similar type of race shoe, but wanted to try them on a longer run. I still could not break my fast time from a few weeks back, but did come close at 3:02:12. I stopped to take a photo of the shoes against a field of Old Man of the Mountain flowers, since they seemed to be the perfect color. I don't know how I will do at Kendall Mountain (probably get whipped by the runners who actually run...), but am hoping that some of this mountain training will pay off for the La Maratona Verticale. The Bushido's worked great, and I'm working on a review of them, but for now my thoughts are still that these are great short mountain shoes, but for anything longer then say 10-15 miles I would want a different shoe (like my Cascadia 9 or something).

 Another super windy morning up high.

June turned out to be a solid month for training. Despite working two jobs, I was able to get out and put in some solid vert and miles.

322.5 miles
92,800' gain (same descent)
37 peaks 12,000' or higher
Only 10 climbing sessions for the month

I'm hoping to put up similar numbers of July and the beginning of August. Then it will be time for a couple mountain projects. I had planned on a big traverse at the end of June, but with the snow (both from the winter, and the stuff that fell on the 28th) that was put on hold until late July, early August. It was probably smart, because it would have most likely pushed me over the edge. I feel pretty good overall, although I am worried about my speed, especially for Kendall and any other race that I might randomly jump into. I've tried to do one speed session per week, as well as one rest day, and although I've had some indications that my speed is OK (for me, I've never been fast), I'm sure it has dropped some. I guess you can't really do both - as they say, it is all about specificity.

G & T 43, Congressional Circuit, Training, New Races

G & T 43, Congressional Circuit, Training, New Races


Ran up G & T again yesterday. Now that the winter is over, it is time to hit up alternative routes to make it a bit more fun and to add to the challenge (but not take away). I've climbed Grays and Torreys from every direction and by every route, but one of my favorites I call "The Full Kelso." The route involves parking down at Bakersville (as part of my G & T challenge, all attempts have to start there or from another distant trailhead - the summer trailhead would make it too easy) and running up the road past the Stevens/Grizzly split. Continue up the Grays' road past the old mining cabin, and then immediately after taking the old closed mining road on the right across the creek and ascending the northeast ridge of Kelso Mountain (13,164'). The northeast ridge of Kelso is such a pleasure, providing spectacular views of Kelso's north face and Grizzly gulch, as well as Torrey's northeast face. There is a goat trail going up it, and with a few sections of class 2/3 it provides a fun way to hit up the peaks without encountering any people. From the top of Kelso, run down the west ridge of Kelso to the Kelso ridge saddle between Kelso and Torreys. From here, run up the Kelso Ridge of Torreys straight to the top. The run via this route is 6,500' of gain in 7 miles. Then tag Grays and head back down. With the snow melting, times are getting faster, and I ran this route in 4:08 rt with plenty of time for photos and a quick emptying of the shoes. I never really pushed, and despite the crazy wind, the run felt really solid - I got back to the car feeling very fresh. I guess the winter slogs might have paid off.

 Kelso's Northeast Ridge - you get on it via the far left of the photo.

 No hope for dry shoes - just pick a line and go - no reason to waste time looking for a bridge up or down stream.

Most of the line from I-70 to the top of Torreys.

Earlier I had re-run the Congressional Circuit from the previous week. I wanted to see if my time was any good, or if it was soft. I was able to do the 5 peaks in 3:05 and change at a fairly solid effort, so I think my time is OK, but I'm sure it can be beaten. I was planning on going all the way to Bard, but had to get back for work.

Speaking of the Congressional Circuit, there is a new 50K ultra that will go right near it. The Devil on the Divide looks to be a great run. I know the course really well, having run all of it (but never as it will be in the race). It will be one of the harder and more spectacular races in the state. It is on September 6, the same date as another new race, which also sounds cool. The Hermit Pass Marathon, out of Westcliffe. I'm running the Kite Lake Triple-Triple the following weekend, so I don't know how smart it will be to do either of these this year, plus I'm planning on a project attempt in late August, but it's nice to see some more mountain races being created.

This morning I did a nice shake out run at Bear Creek. I forgot how much this system of trails rolls, and I wandered around for 15 miles and 2,000'. I was happy to not really feel yesterday's G&T+, and really had a good time enjoying all of the wildflowers, shady and overgrown nooks and seasonal creeks. I found a bunch of unmarked trails that seem like they can be interlinked in various ways for some really solid miles.

 Nice view of Bergen Peak and Elk Meadow

New FKT For Congressional Circuit And New FKT For Rainier

New FKT For Congressional Circuit and New FKT For Rainier

Got up early this morning with the hopes of putting up a good time on the "Congressional Circuit," which is a lollipop loop run over four 12,000' peaks and one 11,000' peak. I call it the "Congressional Circuit" because two of the peaks are Democrat Mountain (11,700') and Republican Mountain (12,386'), and another of the peaks is Silver Plume Mountain (12,477'). Sherman Mountain (12,287') is the odd one out, otherwise, a republican, a democrat, and some silver and gold - the Congressional Circuit. The route starts and ends in Empire and the ballfields, and runs up Bard Creek road until hitting FS road 778.1. Turn onto FS 778.1 and begin the grunt of a climb up to the top of Democrat Mountain. From there, continue off trail across the tundra to Republican Mountain, then down the backside and over to Sherman Mountain and then finally Silver Plume Mountain. From there, you can cut off re-ascending Sherman, but you do have to go over Republican again until angling down and reconnecting with FS 778.1. Then it is back down to your car in Empire. The total run is 17.82 miles, 4,779' of ascent with equal descent. I came in at 2:57:14 for the roundtrip. I'm calling it a baseline FKT because I don't know of anyone else doing this loop, and I know it can go faster once the final bits of snow clear. I hope some others get after it.

 Alpine flowers starting to show up in spots.

 Looking west towards Sherman and Silver Plume from Republican.

 You can spot Empire way down center left of the photo, where the start/finish is.

Along with the recent skimo FKT on Mt. Hood, it looks like there is a new one for Mount Rainier in 3:51.40 rt. These times are getting so fast, some real chances are going to be taken by those looking to break them. Really amazing achievement!

And finally, the new Barkley 100 documentary. I'm on the fence with this race - I love it and the idea, but don't know about the orienteering part. I guess one day I may get lucky and get into it (however you do that?) and find out for myself.