Bigelow Range Traverse - FKT

* On Sept 27th, 2014 Adam Wilcox set a new FKT for this route in 4:34:11. Great job Adam!

The Bigelow Range Traverse viewed from the east end of Little Bigelow
(Photo From: www.summitpost.org)

On Monday, September 15th, 2014, I completed the Bigelow Range Traverse in 4:44:14, unsupported, and set a new fastest known time. I started at the Stratton trailhead off Rt 27 around 10:36am, followed the Cranberry Range Trail, intersected the AT, and followed the range, and trail, east over all the major peaks, include the spur trail out-and-back to North Horn, stopping my watch when I touched East Flagstaff Road. I lost the trail twice, including going out to the Old Mans Head Scenic View Point, and back. My mistakes added about 1/4 mile to the route. 

The weather and trail conditions were perfect. Clear, cool, and mostly dry. The trail has many roots, rocks, boulders, places to use your hands, and lots of opportunities to trip and fall. I felt tired before starting and struggled with energy the entire run. Had some stomach issues, and my quads felt trashed and cramped up quite a bit from Avery Peak to East Flagstaff Rd. I carried more water and food than I needed, but wanted to have extra supplies in case something went wrong. There is little water along the ridge. I had hiked from the Stratton trailhead to the Horns, but had never seen any other parts of this trail until this day. Not surprisingly, the places I lost the trail, were places I had not been before.

I used a Nathan Vapor Cloud vest, Hoka One One Rapa Nui shoes, Dirty Girl Gaiters, Drymax socks, Pearl Izumi shorts, Nike compression shorts, a Patagonia silk weight t-shirt, and used a Garmin 910xt GPS watch to track the route. I fueled with Tailwind and ate 1 1/2 packets of Justin's peanut butter. 

This run was officially unsupported as I accepted no aid from start to finish. However my friend Xar Adelberg  helped with driving, and was a major reason why I still ran that day, though I wasn't feeling great. Thanks for being a continual inspiration, close friend, and champion cheerleader. Check out Xar's blog at: www.trekforpeace.blogspot.com 

GPS DATA, SPLITS, ELEVATION, ETC
FASTEST KNOWN TIMES WEBSITE

From Cranberry Peak look east at North and South Horn. 

From North Horn looking east at West Peak. About 2 hours in.

From West Peak looking at Avery and Flagstaff lake.
(Photo by a hiker who, understandably, wasn't sure why I was in such a rush to leave)

Avery Peak summit looking back towards West Peak. 

From Avery Peak looking east down to Little Bigelow.

Road in sight.
(Photo: Xar - trekforpeace.blogspot.com) 

East Flagstaff Rd. Where the watch stopped.
(Photo: Xar - trekforpeace.blogspot.com)