You climb a bunch of mountains and nobody really cares, but you make one wrong turn and you'll never live it down. We still got the peak and still had a great trip despite my ineptitude adding about 4 miles and 1,000 feet of vert.
The original plan was an out-and-back route that had us staying at Mirror Lake for two nights and summiting Eagle Cap on day 2. The improvised plan called for a loop with one night at Minam Lake and one night at Mirror Lake. Minam Lake was awesome but busy and the bugs weren't bad. Mirror Lake was C-R-A-Z-Y busy, people everywhere and the bugs were awful (kind of expected). Camp sites were not great and offered little shade. Terminal Gravity Brewing was awesome for post hike nourishment .
I was planning for a long run in the Sawtooth's and decided to make an attempt on this peak after I noticed it was unclaimed on Lists of John. Yes, I understand that unclaimed does not necessarily mean unclimbed. The most efficient approach would be from the Redfish lake side via Alpine Lake. The whole point of mountain running is to go have an adventure and this day didn't disappoint.
Notes: Iron Creek Trailhead is one of the busiest in the Sawtooth Range. Choosing a weekend will not offer solitude, but don't let that stop you from visiting.
This maybe my finest performance in an ultra yet. Make no mistake, I'm a back of the packer and am in no way holding any illusions of being an elite ultra runner. Other than staying safe and taking care of myself, my first, second, third, forth and fifth priorities were only to finish the course before the cutoff. 6 months of training apparently paid off and I was able to finish strong at the RONR Endurance Run 108k. I'll get a video report up soon to detail the event, but here are the highlights.
Training: Ran a lot. Rocked several back-to-back long runs ranging from the 18-10's up to and including 24-12. Focused on logging a lot of vert and time on feet. Made a point to not do anything big (other than training runs) before the race. Err'd on the side of tapering too much, rather than not enough.
Nutrition: Mostly on point, never really got behind on calories. Ate real food in aid stations and used performance food (Gu, ect) only to supplement between. Drank lots of coke! Aid stations were very well stocked. Miso soup was a win, especially at Buster Lake (late, cold, dark, ect).
Gear: Used my handheld water bottle for the first 25k and refueled in the 2 aid stations along the way, rather than starting with my vest and blowing through them. Poles were helpful on the creek crossings, mud and snow but not needed otherwise. Switched back to the handheld at the last aid station for the last few miles.
High points: Topping out on Ramshorn mountain. Seeing crew at Bayhorse Townsite and especially Bayhorse Lake. Crossing the finish line and coming in under my projected finish.
Low points: Not drying my feet and changing socks at Bayhorse Lake. After climbing through/out of Juliette Creek (several creek crossings) the long downhill into Squaw Creek left me with blisters when I could have significantly prevented/reduced them. Snow and mud coming into Buster Lake, in the dark, over 50 miles into the course on tired legs.
Big thanks to Deez and Landen for crewing. Big thanks to each and every volunteer.
Pictures:
Course overview.
Just before the start.
If you know your numerology, this was a good sign.
Waiting for the horn to blow.
Lost River Mountains saying good morning.
Ramshorn Mountain behind me. Approx mile 7.
Views of a nearby peak on the way up to Ramshorn.
Ramshorn Mountain.
View from Ramshorn.
Summit view.
Summit view.
On the summit.
On the summit.
Descent to Juliette Creek.
White Cloud Peaks from the ridge above Juliette Creek. Aprrox mile 35.
Ridge above Juliette Creek. Approx mile 35.
"The Meadow"on the climb to Buster Lake. Approx mile 51.
Packing my jacket into the pocket of my handheld. Approx mile 65.
Notes: Good dirt road to Kelly Canyon, then a bit more rough but passable with a Forester to where we parked. Beyond that, HCV would be needed to drive further up and shorten the hike. A few good camp sites nearby.
