Colorado Trail Run Diary

September 8th- Well it is good to be back in Denver. I have taken over the website here for a few to let you all know the scoop of the last few days. I am sorry that communication was lacking, but considering the remoteness of the area, and all those huge mountains I'm sure you understood. Yes, I did have to go on without my friend, and let me tell you it was the toughest part of the experience. We had talked about the separation we would feel at the beginning of the run, you know from society and our daily lives, and how that would be difficult to get over, and how once we did we would be ready to go on......I really didn't expect to experience it a second time. We left Marshall Pass on day six, not knowing whether Ian's IT band was going to hold up, and coming up to Sargents Mesa we really questioned if it would be worth it for him to go on. I knew he was in a lot of pain, and didn't want him paying for this decision for the rest of his life.....it was at this point we decided I would go on without him. Little did I know that a half a mile down the trail, he would be right beside me once again, giving it his all, not wanting his injury to get the best of him. " Just keep going man, it's feeling better, and if I run faster helps the pain." Those were the best words I had heard the entire trip, I was ready to do whatever! We continued at a great pace, but decided to stop at highway 114 for the night(about 18 miles short of our plan) so as not to get too tired and exhausted and wear out how well his leg was feeling. Unfortunately, it didn't last. After walking/running for 12 miles the next day I can't tell you how much pain he was in, and the thought of having to go another 160 miles must have been pure agony. I really wanted him to keep going, but now I can only thank him for letting me go so as to see one of us finish our goal. I think we could have been on the streets of Los Angeles or New York and I could not have felt more alone. Saguache Park in the pouring rain is an empty place, but it paled in comparison to the place I was in having just left my good friend and partner for oh so many miles. Just after, I had this feeling that I needed to get done, and I began to just fly through sections. Out of Eddiesville I was feeling great and on my way to see Catherine at San Luis Pass. Things were going well until night fell and I found myself alone, atop the Continental Divide in a blanket of fog. The Cairns were impossible to see, and there was no trail to be found amongst the marshy tundra. I took a wrong turn off of a saddle and ended up following wooden posts 7 miles down the Cebolla Creek drainage. By the time I had made it back up to the saddle where I had gone wrong, I had lost 5 hours. Things were not over yet. Having gotten back on course I ended up on Snow Mesa without a good headlamp, and cairns that were spaces 50 to 100 yards apart with no trail. Needless to say, it was below freezing with a good northwestern wind and at 12,300 ft that I really began to doubt my chances for finishing the CT. Sitting in a ditch waiting for the sun to come up, I found, by a stroke of luck, the faint trail and was on my way to see Ian and Catherine. It had been 22 hours since I began my day, and one I wanted to forget forever. The next day we resumed at Spring Creek Pass and headed to Carson Saddle for the night, I needed some rest and 16 miles seemed to do the trick . Day 9 began there as I headed through Pole Creek, picking up Chris Martinez and continueing on to Molas Pass. We had a great time, and it was good to be back running with someone. Scott Hajicek was next in line as he took me on over to Bolam Pass for the night. We encountered our worst rain storm of the trip traversing the Rico to Silverton trail, as it lasted for well over an hour making our way over the arduous terrain all the more difficult. Coming into Bolam Pass at 11 pm, there was nothing more I wanted to do than finish the trail. Catherine, Scott, and I decided it would be best if we got up early and tried to finish this thing off. It was easy to tell I was motivated at I covered the hills from Bolam to Hotel Draw in just 2 hours. It was only 4 more hours and I would be arriving at Cumberland Basin amid hail and lightning storms. I wanted to be done by 4 and from the looks on everyone elses faces they were ready too. Coming down to Junction Creek the skies opened up once again, and I couldn't help but compare the rain to the all the feelings I was experiencing. As I rounded the river rock leaden trail in the rain I saw Ian standing there with a great big smile on his face saying, "Come On!" as I gave him a hug, I couldn't help but think of how undeserving I was of this. I knew I never would have made it without him, and would never have even thought about it without him. When he then told me of how happy he was for me to have done this, I realized what makes a true friend, and I can only hope I too have that effect on someone some day. So..........at 9 days, 10 hours, 19 minutes, and 8 seconds I completed the Colorado Trail. All 468 or so miles. I think I will remember that number till, say , someone comes along and breaks it! I thought I would give a brief synopsis here, with a lot more to come. I know a lot of you have been watching and waiting for updates so I thank you for your patience. Keep looking back, because we will have more conclusions from the rest of the crew. T August 28th- Departed Waterton Canyon at 5:40:18, arrived Southpark Canyon at 8:42, departed at 8:58, arrived Forest Service Road 560 at 2:27, departed at 3:04, arrived Long Gulch at 7:20. Total miles: 54.5

August 29th – Departed Long Gulch at 6:57, arrived Rock creek at 8:45, departed at 9:00, arrived Conosha Pass at 10:22, departed at 10:48, arrived Glacier Ridge (Georgia Pass) at 1:52, departed at 2:23, arrived Goldhill Trailhead at 6:46. Total miles: 46

August 30th - Departed Goldhill Trailhead, at 7:02, arrived at Wheeler Trailhead 10:20. Departed at 10:40. Arrived Tennessee Pass at 5:00 P.M. Departed at 5:29, and ended at May Queen at 9:04. Total miles: 50 Here is what Peter Bawkin wrote me, so thanks to him for this update!
I ran about 37 miles with Hal & Ian yesterday (Sat). They are doing great and moving very well. I picked them up at Copper Mtn and we went over Searle and Kokomo Passes in a cold rain with wind. We had rain on and off all day. It was definitely a long day for them. 4 major passes -- a ton of climbing. After Tennessee Pass, at 10,400 feet, the trail goes on up to 11,600 and its very rocky. We did the last hour of rocky downhill (mostly) in the dark, arriving at Mayqueen at 9pm -- 14 hours out for them. The boys elected to save the last 2 miles to the Hagarman road until this a.m., and vowed to get an earlier start. They stayed overnight at my home in Leadville, getting to bed around 10:30pm and up at 5. More long days to come, but they are in good spirits and looking forward to some better weather!

August 31st - Left Mayqueen at 6:22, arrived at Halfmoon Creek at 9:40. Out of Halfmoon Creek at 9:51, arrived at Twin Lakes Dam at 12:33. Departed Twin Lakes Dam at 12:45. Arrived at North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead at 8:43 p.m.

September 1st – Hal and Ian began fifth day, started at segment 12, at north Cottonwood Creek Trailhead 7:05. At 12:00, they arrived at the frontier ranch, Mt. Princeton Trailhead.

September 5th - I have no information for the missing dates, but right now, Hal is still going, however Ian has had to drop because of problems with his IT bands. The expected time of arrival is late tonight, but before 5:40 am tomorrow morning... When I know more, I will post it for you!

I will have the guys' report as soon as I get it, but bear with me here, until I can get information.

September 5 @ 6:50pm RMDT Hal was out of Molas Divide at approx 3:30pm. He is now running with Scott Hajicek. Very fitting since Scott paced him to the finish in his very first ultra. They plan to run until 7pm or so. I do not know the geographical point, but it is about 50 miles from the end of the Trail.

An update from Mandy