Sunrise from Ule Pass My buddy Nate Page and I have been talking about doing this traverse all summer. We were out for an easy run on Friday night and I brought it up again. The weather forecast was calling for colder weather starting Sunday, but Saturday was supposed to be a perfect bluebird day. Not sure of how many more chances we would get this year, we decided to capitalize on this perfect opportunity.
We made our plans to meet around 5:15 AM the next morning at Nate's house and cook up some breakfast. After that, we would drive out and park at the Paradise Divide.
With the forecast calling for near perfect weather, I decided to pack as light as possible. It would be sunny in the upper 60's, light winds, and night time lows above freezing. The only issue was that there would be haze from some Idaho forest fires, and our views might not be as spectacular as they should. No big deal, it will still be an awesome day!
I packed my Nathan race vest, enough Vi Fuel for up to 10 hrs, 50 ounces of water in my bladder, as well as another 20 ounces in a handheld. My apparel consisted of running shorts, my Vi tech shirt, Sigvaris compression socks, arm sleeves, a thin pair of gloves, my trusty 2007 NCAA XC winter hat (which was the largest item I had), Vi Endurance cap for when the sun gets hot, and my Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer Anorak jacket. Very light weigh, very minimal. I also brought my camera along, and had a styling pair of garage sale shades just for fun.
We made our plans to meet around 5:15 AM the next morning at Nate's house and cook up some breakfast. After that, we would drive out and park at the Paradise Divide.
With the forecast calling for near perfect weather, I decided to pack as light as possible. It would be sunny in the upper 60's, light winds, and night time lows above freezing. The only issue was that there would be haze from some Idaho forest fires, and our views might not be as spectacular as they should. No big deal, it will still be an awesome day!
I packed my Nathan race vest, enough Vi Fuel for up to 10 hrs, 50 ounces of water in my bladder, as well as another 20 ounces in a handheld. My apparel consisted of running shorts, my Vi tech shirt, Sigvaris compression socks, arm sleeves, a thin pair of gloves, my trusty 2007 NCAA XC winter hat (which was the largest item I had), Vi Endurance cap for when the sun gets hot, and my Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer Anorak jacket. Very light weigh, very minimal. I also brought my camera along, and had a styling pair of garage sale shades just for fun.
Purple Mountain - 12,958 ft We got to the Paradise Divide around 6:30, and at 6:38 AM we shut the doors of Nate's truck and were off. The first two miles up to Yule Pass were a gradual climb and easily run-able. We stopped for a couple minutes on top of Yule Pass, took some pictures of the sunrise, then continued onward. The first summit we came to was Purple Mountain (12,958 ft). My Garmin read 59:18 and 3.18 miles. It felt good to get that first big climb out of the way. Now we were up high, and could start traversing the ridge.
These first 3 peaks are the furthest apart. It took us over an hour to get the second summit of the day, Augusta Mountain (12,559). Garmin: 2:07, 4.88 miles. The ridge is fairly exposed and you definitely have to watch your footing. One slip could send you tumbling hundreds of feet down. It gets even more technical around Angel Pass between Augusta and our 3rd summit, Richmond Mountain (12,501 ft). Garmin: 4:00, 6.97 miles. We spent some time climbing around near Angel Pass, and found that the fastest way around is via the East facing side, and by dropping down to avoid some unnecessary technical climbing. We definitely lost some time on this section, but since we were not in a rush, it did not matter. We even spotted some mountain goats scaling a huge cliff to the southwest of us.
These first 3 peaks are the furthest apart. It took us over an hour to get the second summit of the day, Augusta Mountain (12,559). Garmin: 2:07, 4.88 miles. The ridge is fairly exposed and you definitely have to watch your footing. One slip could send you tumbling hundreds of feet down. It gets even more technical around Angel Pass between Augusta and our 3rd summit, Richmond Mountain (12,501 ft). Garmin: 4:00, 6.97 miles. We spent some time climbing around near Angel Pass, and found that the fastest way around is via the East facing side, and by dropping down to avoid some unnecessary technical climbing. We definitely lost some time on this section, but since we were not in a rush, it did not matter. We even spotted some mountain goats scaling a huge cliff to the southwest of us.
Below are some of the spectacular views that we enjoyed along the way!
The next section was over a mile again to the 4th summit, but this part was much less technical. We dropped down to Oh Be Joyful Pass, then quickly climbed up to Hancock Peak (12,420 ft). Garmin: 4:40, 8.29 miles. Since I have already been on this peak earlier this summer, I knew this would be a fast section. My legs were also starting to feel pretty good. Nothing like a good 4+ hour warm up and 4 peaks to get the legs feeling like normal again. (This was my first big day since the Cascade Crest 100, exactly 4 weeks ago. I took 3 weeks completely off to let my Achilles tendinitis heal up.)
Nate on Afley Peak (12,646 ft) Not long after leaving the summit of Hancock Peak, we were on top of the 5th summit of the day, Oh Be Joyful Peak (12,420 ft). Garmin: 4:58, 8.67 miles. I actually got into a groove and blew right up and over the summit. When I looked back and saw Nate waiving the summit canister I realized what I did.
Other than some lose scree, the section between OBJ and our 6th summit, Afley Peak (12,646 ft) was fairly routine. Garmin: 5:28, 9.48 miles.This next section looked as if it would take us a while. We had to drop down quite a ways and looking up at the next two summits, one of which is above 13,000 ft, seemed like it would take a while. It also looked as if we could get into some more technical sections. I predicted it would take us about 90 minutes to reach the top of Owen which would be peak #8. We actually made it there faster than that.
Other than some lose scree, the section between OBJ and our 6th summit, Afley Peak (12,646 ft) was fairly routine. Garmin: 5:28, 9.48 miles.This next section looked as if it would take us a while. We had to drop down quite a ways and looking up at the next two summits, one of which is above 13,000 ft, seemed like it would take a while. It also looked as if we could get into some more technical sections. I predicted it would take us about 90 minutes to reach the top of Owen which would be peak #8. We actually made it there faster than that.
Views from the final 3 summits. Such a great day to be out there!
Surprisingly, the climb up to our 7th summit, Purple Peak (12,612 ft), was much easier than we thought it would be. It was steep, but not very technical. It was almost like climbing very steep stairs the way the rocks were laid out. On top of Purple, my Garmin read: 6:11, 10.21 miles. The only issue I had on this section was some tightness in the tendons that attach near the medial portion of my knee. I attribute that to going from barely no running or hiking for 3+ weeks, right into this big adventure. Luckily it never got any worse, and actually went away before we were done.
Nate Page - Flying down the final descent! The next section between Purple Peak and summit #8, Mt Owen (13,058), again, was much easier than expected. We made quick time between the two and reached the top of Owen in just 19 minutes. Garmin: 6:30, 10.64 miles. We were greeted by a couple of hikers who were resting there on the summit before heading back down. One of them mentioned his son, who had done the traverse in 6 hrs 20 min a couple years ago.
After chatting with them for about 5 minutes, we were off again. The rest of the traverse we have done before, so we knew it would be quick. We were able to run the entire way down off of Owen, and once on the saddle, stopped again to empty our shoes. There was a lot of loose gravel on the steep descent. Nate stashed his pack, and we quickly climbed up to the final summit, number 9 on the day. Ruby Peak (12,644 ft) was a great final ascent. I don't have the exact data for this section, since my Garmin died just past Owen. We used Nate's phone to get the final stats though, and as I recall, we were somewhere around 6:59 on top of Ruby. Sub 7! Not bad. We high five'd, took a few more pictures, then were off again. This time it was all down hill, the climbing was done for the day. On the way down, we passed some friends of ours, chatted briefly, and continued on our way.
After chatting with them for about 5 minutes, we were off again. The rest of the traverse we have done before, so we knew it would be quick. We were able to run the entire way down off of Owen, and once on the saddle, stopped again to empty our shoes. There was a lot of loose gravel on the steep descent. Nate stashed his pack, and we quickly climbed up to the final summit, number 9 on the day. Ruby Peak (12,644 ft) was a great final ascent. I don't have the exact data for this section, since my Garmin died just past Owen. We used Nate's phone to get the final stats though, and as I recall, we were somewhere around 6:59 on top of Ruby. Sub 7! Not bad. We high five'd, took a few more pictures, then were off again. This time it was all down hill, the climbing was done for the day. On the way down, we passed some friends of ours, chatted briefly, and continued on our way.
Recovery food! The final section was a quick mining road turned trail that passed by Green Lake, and ended at a vehicle accessible road. Since we did not set up a shuttle, we hoped to bump into someone around that point to hitch a ride back to town with. Lucky for us, there were two guys just getting into their vehicle, and were nice enough to give us a lift. Vehicle to Vehicle it took us 7 hrs 22 min.
One of the guys was a photographer and since Nate has been looking for a new digital camera, had lots of advice. He even had the exact model that Nate has been looking at, go figure. So with the day behind us, and a ride to town secured, we were able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the drive home. We could not have asked for a better day. The weather was perfect, and the only issue was the haze, which in a way made the views more unique.
Once we got back we kicked back at Nate's house, re-fueled with some tomatoes, cinnamon raisin bread with Nutella, and a Black Butte Porter. Once we consumed the food, we took the beers to the creek and enjoyed them while taking an ice bath.
One of the guys was a photographer and since Nate has been looking for a new digital camera, had lots of advice. He even had the exact model that Nate has been looking at, go figure. So with the day behind us, and a ride to town secured, we were able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the drive home. We could not have asked for a better day. The weather was perfect, and the only issue was the haze, which in a way made the views more unique.
Once we got back we kicked back at Nate's house, re-fueled with some tomatoes, cinnamon raisin bread with Nutella, and a Black Butte Porter. Once we consumed the food, we took the beers to the creek and enjoyed them while taking an ice bath.
Nate, completely satisfied! Other than the technical section around Angel Pass, we didn't have to do too much technical climbing. There was one section that we down climbed, which if we go back, can easily get around next time. Nate took a more technical route one other time, and I was able to find an easy walk around that saved a lot of time. If we were trying to go fast, I feel we could have easily done it in around 6 hours. Possibly even less had we known what to go around, and where stay on the ridge. Regardless, we had a blast and are glad we got out there and did it when we did.
The legs might be a bit sore tomorrow, since I have not taxed them like that in nearly a month. Its a good feeling though, and my Achilles felt fine the entire time. Hopefully within a week or two, I will be able to get back to my normal training schedule. If all goes well, possibly even look for a fall race somewhere. Time will tell, for now, I am just enjoying being out there in the mountain again. This is a great time of year, and the fall colors are near peak. You can't ask for any more than that.
A great day, and a great time! The entire trip, 9 mountain summits in all, took 7 hrs 22 min, vehicle to vehicle. The total distance was 12.79 miles with a total elevation gain of over 6,000 ft. I consumed 12 Vi Fuel Gels and two S-Caps, slightly less than my planned 2 gels / hr, but still felt great and full of energy.
Until next time,
Run Pure
The legs might be a bit sore tomorrow, since I have not taxed them like that in nearly a month. Its a good feeling though, and my Achilles felt fine the entire time. Hopefully within a week or two, I will be able to get back to my normal training schedule. If all goes well, possibly even look for a fall race somewhere. Time will tell, for now, I am just enjoying being out there in the mountain again. This is a great time of year, and the fall colors are near peak. You can't ask for any more than that.
A great day, and a great time! The entire trip, 9 mountain summits in all, took 7 hrs 22 min, vehicle to vehicle. The total distance was 12.79 miles with a total elevation gain of over 6,000 ft. I consumed 12 Vi Fuel Gels and two S-Caps, slightly less than my planned 2 gels / hr, but still felt great and full of energy.
Until next time,
Run Pure
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