Started from the TH just before sunrise and set out for the summit with 1.5L water and food for 12hrs. The summit had some snow on it from last week that had quickly consolidated to ice. It wasn’t a problem getting to the rim and avoiding most of it, but the traverse to the summit was a little dicey in some spots. It was really strong winds, but the temps were relatively warm for this time of year. I brought an extra layer but managed to get up and down in a t-shirt with gloves before completely freezing. It was so pretty with the fresh snow!
The traverse on the ridge with some ice and coming down the boulders was tricky for me. I’m running with a torn rotator cuff in my shoulder right now, so I have to be extra careful to not fall or trip. Not being able to use both arms for climbing was tedious and slow. I had a really fun summit, and was back down to the Loowit in 3 hours.
I’m not sure why I thought the Loowit would be any easier than it ever is. All the elevation gain is slow and sloggy, and the downhills are all rocky and bouldery! Other than a couple good runnable sections, it makes you work for every mile! Filled up water at the Toutle and the Spring. Stopped for some blister care. I never get blisters! Ahh, but the sand/ash from the summit got stuck in my socks and between my toes. It was like sandpaper for the rest of the run. It was dumb of me not to bring gaiters for at least the summit.
When I’ve run the Loowit in the past, I’ve started at June Lake. I much prefer that start, you don’t have to deal with the boulders and that last bit of elevation at the very end. I felt pretty good all day and then had some stomach issues the last 3-4 miles that kept me from finishing as strong as I would have liked. I still had a fantastic day! The fall colors were beautiful, temps were perfect (minus some strong winds), and tons of mountain goats!
Extra thanks to the lady crushers that put up some strong FKT numbers on this route to push for!