I have been curious about running longer ultra distances and the double Pemi seemed like the perfect setup to give it a try without too much investment. I really love this as a self-supported 100k-category run. A vehicle at Lincoln Woods and Galehead Hut are perfectly spaced to provide minimal, but adequate support.
I started out from Lincoln Woods at 3:46 AM Friday morning with enough fuel in my pack for one whole loop and just enough fluids to get me to Galehead Hut. This turned out perfect with my last sip of water about 2 miles out from the Hut. Lap one was absolutely stunning with the early start getting me up on the ridge in time for the full sunrise experience starting with the early pre-dawn glow. I was able to pace well off Bondcliff and finish lap 1 in 8:52, which was somewhat above my goal of 8:00.
I took about 35 minutes recuperating at my van, mulling over the idea of a second lap. The shower, new clothes, shoes, and a bowl of leftover lamb stew had me feeling good enough to go for it!
Lap 2 was of course, much harder. I had taken the same amount of fluids and a bit more fuel for the second lap, but on the climb up Flume I realized that was a mistake. The mid-day warmth had me sweating so much more, so I had to ration my fluids out to Galehead. After surviving the chunky & miserable Garfield ridge, I wanted to just call it and crash at Galehead hut. The staff were doing the evening skit when I got there and their food smelled amazing. I asked for some, but leftovers would not be ready for at least 30 mins. I filled my water and headed out into the evening glow. The South Twin climb was mentally daunting--knowing I still had 14 miles ahead. After I descended off South Twin into darkness, moonrise is late so it was quite dark. Wary of the legendary Pemi bear, I tried to make loud human noises any time I heard things in the woods. One of those times a large rabbit emerged! I also stupidly forgot extra batteries for my headlamp, so I ran it on lower power to be sure of getting to the finish. By Bondcliff everything was coming together. I had pain in a lot of places, but not so much that I couldn't get the pace back to a reasonable place for the smooth run down from there and out. Back at Lincoln woods at 11:23 PM.
A faster runner and / or shorter break could easily trim this down from my time - Get after it guys!