I set out at 8:19am on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from the South Coldwater trailhead. I had run the route back in 2020 on a cooler day, so this time I brought an extra 500ml of water (3 bottles total). Because I was running solo, I packed my usual supplies of a SOL bivy, rain jacket, puffy, hat, gloves, InReach, and water filter. Carrying the extra water made the pack a bit heavy, but I quickly drank the first bottle just to reduce the weight. I pushed hard up the opening climb but I knew from the start the day was getting warmer than I prefer. After pushing over the first pass, you get an amazing view of Mt. St. Helens. After going through the second opening pass, I tripped hard and slammed my left knee on a rock. Stunned, I walked for a few minutes until I realized I was all in one piece and could start running again.
I then made quick work of the Coldwater Peak out and back and ran by the The Dome (the highlight of this route). The Mt. Margaret out and back came next, and soon enough I was on to Mt. Telegram. I took a better approach on Telegram this time and made quick work of the climb and descent. This is the only off trail section. I was finishing my water as I descended. Last time I stopped at a spring before heading to Whittier Ridge, but when I got to the spring this time, it was dry. I knew I would pass by Snow Lake on the other side of Whittier Ridge, so seeing no other options, I proceeded down to Whittier Ridge to begin the only technical section of the loop.
It was now getting warm, and I was out of water. The trudge across Whittier took my complete focus, as the footing was loose in several spots with quite a bit of exposure. If I fell, I knew I could die, so I slowed down and moved with efficient purpose. When I finally made it off the ridge, I was dragging badly, but I knew I only had 20 minutes to the lake, so I just ran down best I could. I finally arrived at the lake and refilled both my chest bottles and left with a full 1 liter filter bottle. I slowly drank that entire filter bottle over the next mile as I walked what was some of the most runnable trail on the loop. When I finally finished the filter bottle, I started running again. I was making OK time, but the temperatures increased as I descended. Soon enough I was throwing water on my head to cool off at every creek as I approached Coldwater Lake.
The trail along Coldwater Lake seemed to take forever. I was not running well by this point. I suspect most of my issues were just dehydration, but I was probably also a bit low on calories by this point. I had set a goal of breaking 5:30, but when I finally arrived at the boat ramp, I was already slower than that with another mile or so to go. I walk/jogged the remaining pavement back to the trailhead in a bit of a pity party, stopping my watch at the trailhead sign.
All in all, it was a tough day. The loop can certainly be run under 5 hours by a strong runner on a good day. Extreme caution needs to be taken on Whitter Ridge as a mistake along this section could be deadly. I am certain I can go faster much myself.
Stats: 3.25 liters of water; 4 gels, 1/2 snickers bar; bite of peperoni stick, a few S-caps.