FKT: Peter Livingstone - Monumental Loop (NM) - 2021-10-29

This was a run/hike I did as part of the Dangerbird 2021 https://theradavist.com/2021/10/wind-chile-chonk-and-the-monumental-loo…, an annual bike-packing and running event starting in downtown Las Cruces, New Mexico, and finishing in downtown Mesilla, New Mexico. There were approximately 120 bike-packers and three runners starting. There were various versions of the route to choose from this year, but the pedestrian route I chose remains close to the original at about 305 miles. My Sunnto Ambit 2 was set on low resolution for power conservation, so it probably underreported distance. I did have several missed turns to backtrack, and I estimate my distance traveled was somewhat greater than 305 miles.

I started with two other runners, Ella Raff, a previous Monumental Loop FKT holder, and Troy Allen, another accomplished ultrarunner and thruhiker. Troy could only participate for the first day. Ella participated in entirety but unfortunately did not cover the entire course due to circumstances beyond her control. It was great sharing miles with both of them.

The route is roughly a figure-8 centered in Las Cruces/Mesilla, going as far north as Hatch, NM and as far south as Vinton, TX. I had stashed a few gallon jugs of water for all three of us in the days before we started. I also grabbed water from cattle tanks along the way. Typically I would leave a water drop or cattle tank carrying about 3 liters. There were a few restaurants and food resupply points in towns along the route. Additionally, a few friends met us along the way and provided some support.