GR131 Lazarote Island

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be attempting to complete the 348- mile GR131 trail across the seven Canary Islands. I’ve always wanted to travel abroad, and I found out I’d have an extra free week of vacation last month, so I threw this dream together in short time. My plan is to use ultralight backpacking gear to go farther faster by wild camping on trail most nights, and to recover every so often in airbnbs and hostels. The trail runs east to west and covers the islands of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenarife, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro.

On Friday, my friend Aly and I flew to Madrid and then to Gran Canaria where we rented a car and dropped off a pre-packed food supply that I hid in a bush near the trailhead. On the way there we realized we had arrived during the end of tropical storm Emilia. The waves in Gran Canaria were 30+ feet with strong gusts and sideways rain. We knew the conditions didn’t bode well for our later flight to Lanzarote and we were right. We sat through several delays lasting at least 6 hours. Finally - after over 24-hours of traveling- we arrived to Lanzarote and checked into our hotel. 

The next morning, we took a taxi to the trailhead and began our trek. We started in Orzola and went through Haría and Teguise. Some highlights include sunset at the high cliffs overlooking the water at Mirador de la Ermita de las Nieves, and all the small towns.

After 17 miles, we stopped at El Recoveco in Tequise and had tapas. We tried the local wrinkled potato’s, stuffed mushrooms, and fried pork. After paying, they brought out cake and dessert rum for free probably because they knew how far we had hiked. It was all so tasty and the staff were incredibly kind and welcoming. After dinner, we traveled another mile where we found a campsite in an agricultural plot surrounded by stone walls.

The next day, we started at 8am and went 29 miles to finish Lanzarote. We went through Tindaya, Valle de Santa Ines, Betancuria, Tías, Uga, Yaiza, Las Brenas, and finally Playa Blanca where we caught our ferry to Fuenteventura. I was really impressed with how Aly pushed through so much pain. We just missed the mixed gender Fastest Known Time by 20 minutes! It was the furthest she had ever hiked.

In total, the trail section on Lazarote Aly and I completed over 30 hours was 47 miles and 5,000 ft in vertical gain. 

Lanzarote is the sandiest island for how close it is to the Saharan desert in Africa, and the frequent dust storms. The terrain, views, and ecology are so diverse here. There are volcanos and agriculture all around, and the crushed black lava rock craters are meant to protect the grapes from winds and retain moisture. The weather is just right, with a constant sea breeze. I had pre-packed enough meals and gels just in case to get me through, but the trail meanders through several towns with restaurants filled with cured meats, cheeses and tapas to keep me full.

Already lots of new birds for me, here are some highlights: Great gray shrike, Ruddy shelduck, Eurasian hoppoe, Sardinia warbler, Spanish sparrow, Barbary partridge, Island Canary. A good start to the trip! Next stop is Fuenteventura which is 100 miles and 11,000 ft elevation gain. I’ll do this one alone as Aly flies out today.

Arizona Ecology

For the week for my birthday, I explored Saguaro National Park and Mt Lemmon byway before taking a 256-mile trail run from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff, AZ traversing 40,000 ft of elevation gain as part of the Cocodona 250 endurance race. I encountered a myriad of ecosystems, flora and fauna along the way.

In Saguaro National Park, I encountered dozens of cacti species, petroglyphs and several life birds: White-winged dove, Lark sparrow, Gila woodpecker, and Curve-billed thrasher.

The next day, I made my way south to Tucson where I drove along the Mt. Lemmon byway up to Mt. Lemmon, which is one of the “islands in the sky” - a biodiversity hotspot. Up there, I came across Palmer’s oak, Silverleaf oak, Ponderosa pine, Pinyon pine, and Alligator juniper. Life birds included Olive warbler, Stellar’s jay, Yellow-eyed junco, Pygmy nuthatch, Grace’s warbler, Northern house wren, Mountain chickadee, and Broad-tailed hummingbird

For the race, I would spend the next 80-miles in the rugged Bradshaw Mountains from Black Canyon City to Prescott. I came across Gray vireo, Townsends warbler, Orange-crowned warbler, Black-throated gray warbler, Hepatic tanager, Hutton’s vireo, Plumbeous vireo, Rufous-crowned sparrow, Black chinned sparrow, Phainopepla, Scott’s oriole, Bushtit, Bridled titmous, Bewicks wren, Hammond’s flycatcher and Spotted towhee, Painted redstart.

From Prescott through Sedona, the landscape changed dramatically from cow pastures to red rocks and canyons. Along the way, I encountered Anna’s hummingbird, Black-headed grosbeak, Horned lark, Chihuahuan meadowlark, Say’s phoebe, Bullock’s oriole, Gamble’s quail, Rock wren, Canyon wren, Woodhouse’s scrub jay, Cassie’s kingbird, Ash-throated flycatcher, Virginia’s warbler, Lesser goldfinch, Violet-green swallow, White throated swift, Juniper titmouse, Green-tailed towhee.

A beautiful trip filled with exercise, new friends, natural treasures and a healthy dose of vitamin D. Arizona is a gem.

   

   

   

   

Cocodona 250

No pacers or crew, no problem (sort of). By all accounts, May is bone dry in Arizona - but not this year. All that time heat training, sitting in hot saunas adapting to desert conditions, and ordering sun protection gear would be all for not. Instead, we were greated with hail, snow, cold torrential downpours, thunderstorms and lots of heavy mud. The conditions were so tough that nearly half the field would not complete the race unfortunately.

Cocodona is a 250-mile race from Crown King to Flagstaff, traversing several ecosystems and towns up and over nearly 40,000-feet of elevation gain.

At mile 100, I thought seriously about dropping out given the conditions and state of my gear. I was lucky to get my friend Dane on the phone to talk some sense into me. A guy from TN gave me some extra socks, and a volunteer let me warm up in her truck. After a long break and rest, I ran up to Mingus Mountain fast as possible to stay warm.

From then on, I shared many miles with fellow runners. I’ll never forget the positive attitudes, kindness, depth and humor of these folks. It was a pleasure.

Looking back at my data, I was surprised to see that my moving time across 256 miles was 75 hrs - well ahead of my goal of 90 hours! Unfortunately, I took a lot of time warming up, drying off and resting between movements, totaling 115 hrs elapsed. Turns out crew and pacers are important especially in tough conditions. But that’s ok, I wasn’t trying to win the race! I set out to experience the wild, unbroken natural and cultural essence of Arizona (and to identify as many new birds as possible). So to those ends, mission accomplished! What a beautiful experience. Arizona is a shiny gem.

          

Presidential Traverse with Dane and Reece

The last time I saw Dane and Reece on the same day was on Long Island when they paced me through several miles of my Paumanok Path effort earlier this year, though, they never got the chance to meet. Since then, I've been thinking of a worthwhile event to get them together. With Dane having been busy being a new dad, husband, homeowner and grad student - and Reece being busy traveling the world documenting endurance athletes - I knew I would have to get creative. It turns out, a Presidential Traverse in early October would be the perfect setting. Regardless of the forecast, you never quite know what weather you'll get on the presidential range (especially Mount Washington where the worst weather in the world can whip up at anytime). Fortunately this day would be calm with bluebird skies and mild temperatures from start to finish. We started on trail by headlamp at 3:30 AM and caught the early signs of sunrise from Madison. We made it to Washington in time to meet Reece's girlfriend, Jen, who took the Cog up. We finished the 21 mile day in about 11 hours. A great day with two of the best guys I know.

      

         

          

Moats with Summer & Bluey

Took a trip up to my beloved White Mountains to catch up with two of my favorite hiking companions, Summer and Bluey. Summer just finished her PhD from Harvard University (So Exciting!), so her and Bluey were quite ready to stretch their legs and continue their quest to complete the 52 with a view. We chose to hike South, Middle and North Moat mountains totaling 10 miles and 4,000 feet elevation gain. This route took us through northern hardwoods, spruce-fir and pockets of exposed sub-alpine tundra on granite bedrock. We heard northern parula down below, black-throated green warblers on our way up, and Bicknells thrush above. Billberries, mountain holly, crowberry, pincushion plant and three-leaved cinquefoil kept our curiosity high. A nice day in the highlands with such great company.

Minnewaska Grand Tour

A May day is as good as any day for a mountain marathon on the Minnewaska Grand Tour route in the Shawngunk Mountains (Gunks) just west of New Paltz, NY. What a gem! Minnewaska means “good water” in Algonquin, and Shawngunk means “smoky air.” The sweltering heat sure gave meaning to both today - it was quite hazy, and I had to use natural springs to rehydrate.

The Shawangunk Ridge geology is what remains of 450 million year old outwash from the Appalachian mountains to the east, and overtops an ancient ocean. 

I came across groves of old growth hemlock and spruce in gorges - a relict from the past. Blueberries, billberries, laurels and azalea were all in bloom. I even found populations of Carolina pincushion plant - a rarity in NY. Not to mention the scores of warblers I heard. 

A nice way to start a mini vacation before the busy season starts. Cheers!

Pemigewasset Loop FKT

Right before Christmas, I set out to attempt my first full winter Pemigewasset Loop (Pemi) and left with the unsupported @fastestknowntime, shaving off over 5 hours from the record!

I’ve long had a tremendous amount of respect & appreciation for the danger, spirit and beauty of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Being a 36-year old relatively new runner, I’m excited to sneak onto the board for a premier trail I care so much about during a time when records are getting thinner by the day in the White Mountains. I approached this effort at a moderate and safe pace with the intent to push myself, stay healthy, take the record and leave the door open for others.

I hope my effort inspires someone to break my record ASAP and to have a similar experience. A big shoutout to all the folks who sent me supportive messages over the course of the day. You kept me going!

Paumanok Trail Ultra

This weekend, I set out to run the 125-mile Paumanok Path site unseen. The day before the race, I dropped 12 bags of nutrition. I had a friend follow me 1.5 hours to Montauk to park my van, and bring me to the beginning. Once I set out that morning, I would be completely on my own.

The effort was a little over 35 hours. I missed my time goal by just a bit despite an all-out sprint at the end because around mile 28 I was forced to take an emergency 2-hour break as animals had eaten the food in my first drop bag 20 miles back, causing me to bonk. Fortunately, my body recovered with rest and I was able to continue and finish strong.

Another memorable weekend adventure in the books. I feel as though I’ve gotten to know my new home a lil better.

Ghost Train Ultra Trail Race (1st Place)

A great time at the Ghost Train Trail Race with good people pushing our limits & supporting each other. Dane earned his first 100-mile belt buckle; Kayla ran 45 miles - 14 more than her PR; Summer battled injury to complete her first trail race - 15 miles! Dane put together an amazing crew that helped take care of me, and a visit from my uncle Paul & cousin Max lifted my spirits. Was great to see us all train so hard for our goals this year and stick to it. 

I ran 115 miles in preparation for the Cocodona 250 miler in Arizona on my birthday (May). The race director told me that only 5 people had ever run 115 miles on the 30-hour course, which is pretty cool. As a result, I was surprised to find out the next morning that I had earned first place by way of endurance out of 374 runners. A cool bonus to a great weekend, but those are just meaningless numbers. I always enjoy the opportunity to go inward & hangout deep in the well, and to share such memorable experiences with my people. #staytrue