The Logic of Long Distance: Interview: Andy Anderson on Breaking the Longs Peak Speed Record

Below is a link to a great interview from a different, but equally amazing Park Service extreme running type. Andy Anderson, climbing ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park, just set a new FKT for a roundtrip on Long's Peak.

Just goes to show there are some amazing rangers out there.

~~ Caitlin~~

Climbing Long's Last Month

The Logic of Long Distance: Interview: Andy Anderson on Breaking the Longs Peak Speed Record:

'via Blog this'

Get While the Gettin's Good (or even when its not)

I've been trying to keep my commuting costs to a minimum, but Caitlin was making her famous enchiladas Saturday. This obviously warrants an emergency trip back to Gatlinburg. For Sunday I had day-dreamed all week about tackling some epic mexican food fueled run through the mountains. Unfortunately when the time came, I was like a fridge full of nothing but condiments. No substance. I began running up the Greenbrier Road at what can only be described as an ambitious shuffle. Five minutes later I'm walking and muttering a variety of four letter words under my breath.

I used the view of the Pinnacle as an excuse to stop and play with my camera a bit, hoping that the pause would turn the day in my favor. Barely. A few more times I debated with myself if my ego can handle such a blow as canning the day and heading for the house. Finally, I begin to settle into the groove and time starts to fly by.

Great Blue Lobelia

Up to Porters Creek trailhead, around the Injun Creek Loop a time or two and and out and back through Emerts Cove. A good mix of singletrack and gravel road that any runner is lucky to have in their own backyard. Not to mention an exciting encounter with a bear, which after my hysteric screaming and flailing display is probably still running even now. 

Downy Lobelia

New York Ironweed

About three and a half hours later I made it back to the car with a smile on my face, feeling like gold-plated awesomeness. Long-distance running is a funny thing sometimes... long runs make you energized, slow runs make you fast. Maybe one of these weekends I'll feel like really putting in some big boy miles, but for now I'll take what I can get.

Welcome to Franklin

Eleven. That's the number I come up with when I try to think of all the addresses I've held over the last five years. Staying on the move is an exhausting process of damaged electronics, mail forwarding, temporary furniture and frequent oil changes. Many of these places I remember poorly, the exact physical addresses and landlord names have already been filed away somewhere in my memory where I can't find them.

Recently I've been able to stay put for almost a year in the same place. Unfortunately, my streak is now broken and I'll be living in Franklin,NC until the middle of December while pursuing a National Park Service law enforcement commission. Though I'd much rather be at home with my wife back in Gatlinburg this move has allowed me to re-discover one of the few things I do like about moving, getting to run in new places. Once again exploring new territory has brought it to my attention that while I might not remember some things about past places I've lived, I have some very vivid memories thanks to being a runner. I know where to find a few abandoned (but very productive) apple trees in Grove City, PA and even what time they spray for mosquitoes on Ocracoke Island, NC.

And with every place I've lived, looking back I always say something like, "You know, (random place) was a really good place to run." Franklin has been no different. I'm surrounded by the Nantathala National Forest and am only about 2.5miles from the AT, surprisingly, some of the best runs I've had here have been on the abundance of low-traffic backroads that snake through the mountains.

A few photos from this Saturday's early morning run:

Why two front doors?

For the past five years, much of my life has felt too fast paced to form memories. This is one of the many reasons I love to run as much as I do. It's a chance to connect with your neighborhood and get to know the place in a way that is near impossible otherwise. Though many of the details have slipped through the cracks,I still feel a connection to the places I've lived and can at least remember abstract things like what the seasons felt like.  As we leave Summer and progress into Fall I hope everyone gets a chance to head out the front door to explore a bit, and hopefully create a few good memories.

For the Win!

If you are a follower you perhaps have read that I have long been attempting to ascend Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave Trail in under 2 hours (As previously mentioned in Snails and Fails). This goal of mine started as a way to make my trip quick and fun while hiking up to stay with Dave after working all day at the visitor center.

I learned quickly that people are concerned for your well being when they see some chick huffing and puffing slowly up the side of a mountain as the sun is going down. It became my goal to not only get into better hiking shape, but also make myself look more competent while hiking into the evening alone.

This is the point in every journey up LeConte that I decide whether I will try to make my record attempt or not.



I have gone up Alum Cave Trail during all times of day, and even though early morning is nice, there is something really special about hiking into the twilight on the other end of the day. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the troubles from a busy week dissolve while climbing up that mountain alone.

Many of you likely know that Dave has moved to Franklin, NC to begin his training to become a law enforcement ranger. This means more time apart than usual, which is...admittedly...hard on us. He misses home all the time, and I miss having him around. I also have found myself really missing our little home on the mountain where Dave has spent so much time the past few years as LeConte Ranger.

One good thing about him being in school is that we finally have a day off together, so last week we took one of our first treks up LeConte together in a really long time. When we crossed the first foot bridge Dave said, "Well ... are you gonna go for it or what?". Although I was hesitant to commit to a speed attempt, it seemed like there was no time like the present so I replyed with something like, "I guess".

Made it! Mighty pleased with the effort apparently.

1 hour 52 minutes and 28 seconds  later I was standing atop the stairs to camp, goal achieved, and as you can see from the photo above...quite pleased with myself about it. This was the speediest trip I had ever made up Alum Cave Trail by at least 10 minutes. And actually the fastest round-trip I have ever done on the mountain, even including a stop to have lunch with the Crew. We made it up and back to the parking lot in about 5 hours with at least an hour spent on top hanging out with our LeConte Lodge Family.

Showing off my time...like a boss!

Grass of Paranasus near the top of Alum Cave Trail.

On the way down the mountain we took it easy. It is not that often that we get to hike together in the park. It seems like we often have to take a vacation to get a chance to go hiking together (pretty strange considering we both hike as a regular part of our jobs). Descending we took plenty of stops to enjoy the mountain and all of the things it has to offer. An amazing day!

~~ Caitlin~~