Per many conversations with the legendary Marshall Ulrich who has completed the journey from Badwater to Whitney roughly on 30 times, and held the FKT from Badwater to Whitney since 1991, I left at the same time as Marshall (6pm) for a pm start. Originally, I had planned to leave a 10pm but it wasn't apples to apples so to speak. Marshall spoke with me the morning of and I was in agreement.
Given the challenge of the heat it was only fair to begin at the same time as Marshall. Additionally, it would have been easier potentially to summit Whitney if we left later in the night as we would have gained some light in the summit of Whitney.
The starting temperature at 6pm was 121 degrees Fahrenheit. It was a particularly warm summer with Death Valley hitting the highest temperature since 1913 with a day of 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The finishing temperature at the summit of Whitney was 29 degrees when we finished at 3:32am.
I had three crew members who joined me from the start to mile 135 portal of Whitney; Dave Oakley, Jeremy Scheffler and Randy Kreill. Michael Jimenez, Davey McCoy and Tracy Bahr accompanied me on the trail portion from mile 135 to the summit and finish at mile 146.
I used my friend Matt Garrod's Garmin InReach and was tracked throughout the event. I was unable to upload the data from my friend Matt's e-mail but I'll work to add it as well.
I benefited from my previous experience on the course. This was my tenth time running from Badwater to Whitney, although the previous 9 times I had run the Badwater 135. I had added the additional miles to the summit of Whitney on five previous occasions but generally after taking a days rest following the traditional race and then summiting.
Badwater Ben Jones who lives in Lone Pine came out and witnessed our progress. It was an unusual year with Covid. There were far fewer guests in the National Park.
There is a good relationship with the park and expectations are substantial. It's very important to review those risks before embarking on this route. Between the Badwater 135 and this solo journey, while the solo journey was special, I still enjoy the camaraderie of the Badwater 135 race and competitive nature of having 20 plus countries represented. Were it not a Covid year, I would have ran the traditional race and not likely set out for the solo journey.
It should be said that while i was tracking fairly well on pace, I really didn't think I would make the record once I got to Lone Pine. My fiance Kelly, my team and a phone call from Marshall, giving encouragement helped to give added wind in my sails. It's very admirable of Marshall to encourage another with such sincerity and it's a great model for us all to strive in sportsmanship.
I took my time on the way down from the summit of Whitney. I was elated and surprised to hit it but I felt stronger once the sun went down and I entered the switchbacks pass 131 miles.
Davey McCoy was the photographer whose 4 photos are uploaded here.