When the High 5 was announced it looked like a fantasy.
And then I saw Matt "Shep" Shephard do it by foot and thought...."hhmmm, maybe I could try it but bike in between the peaks."
Once that thought entered my head it kept growing. Eventually, I started dropping to the idea to friends like Kyle Ross, Jamie Lowe-Wylde and, and others. They were all excited and encouraging. As summer 2026 approached, the planning commenced.
I have very little mountain experience. I love trail running and biking (all kinds). It was a natural idea to make this a multisport adventure that would challenge my comfort, skills, and fitness. I began inviting friends that had more experience at the various peaks to help me navigate and get through the "scary" sections.
I chose to start at Spry (the hub for fitness in Crowsnest Pass) because the location is perfect for doing the Standard Route. Additionally, Jamie and Ian from Spry were integral in pushing me to make this happen. Jamie provided critical beta about the peaks and route selection.
The peaks can be done in any order, but I wanted to make sure I did Turtle, Crowsnest, and Tecumseh in the daylight because I thought they would be the most difficult for me...mentally.
I used Shep's standard running route as inspiration for where I rode my bike.
My wife was fully onboard for all the crewing and as the guide for the final peak.
Now, it's time to get it done.
August 15 was set and friends were recruited.
Marielle De Bellefeuille said yes to Turtle.
Kyle Ross and Sebastian Mayer said yes to Crowsnest.
Shep, Skylar Roth, and Laura Wismer said yes to Tecumseh
Shep, Kirsti Dolson, and Adam Lee said yes to Coulthard
Marielle came back for Bluff along with my wife, Lisette Caissie.
Bill Wingerak biked with me from Turtle Trailhead to Crowsnest Trailhead
Steven Snell biked with me from Tecumseh to Coulthard
My wife met me in between Peaks 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 with a chair, food, clothes, a toothbrush, and anything else I needed.
I started biking from Spry at 4:55 AM.
A short 10 minute ride to the Turtle Trailhead. I stashed my bike in the woods and started the trail up.
Marielle started about 20+ minutes before me with the intention of meeting up at the false summit. She beat me there by about 5.
She then led the way across to the true summit and the first card punch.
We had incredible views with an inversion in the valley providing the best photos of the day.
I slow jogged down where Bill was waiting.
A quick transition at the car and we started the longest bike of the day up to Crowsnest Trailhead.
I had to make a pitstop at Flumerfelt Park for a little unloading if you know what I mean.
We arrived to Crowsnest just a few minutes after Kyle and Sebastian. A quick photo and the three of us started up Crowsnest mountain. Bill took off and provided an update to the next crew about our status.
We made our way up Crowsnest (only my 2nd time up and Kyle's 1st) for punch #2 at the summit.
Crowsnest provided the most fun downhill of they with a scree section that is just a blast to slide down.
We finished up the trail and I took off on my bike to meet up with my wife for a transition - food, shoe/sock change, shed some layers, and rest a bit.
Then I was off along the powerline trail to meet up with Shep, Laura, and Skylar at the Tecumseh road intersection.
Shep led us along the east side of Tecumseh to the main trailhead. Even the "main trail" was not really much of a trail to me.
This might have been the hardest section mentally. I was getting tired, the sun was now out, and it was a hard climb.
Once we reached the ridge, Skylar talked me through walking the ridge (my first time) and we got to the summit for punch #3.
I wasn't interested in hanging out here. I just wanted to get off the mountain at this point. Grumpy, hot, and tired, I needed a bit of a break.
We finally arrived to their cars (and my bike) where I chugged an iced tea and took off to meet my wife for transition.
Here is where I really took my time. I took my shoes off, rested and ate a lot. A good tooth brushing was refreshing.
Steven rolled in on his bike, so I geared up and we headed out for a hard ride to the Coulthard trail.
Some recent rain meant lots and lots of mud towards the end of this trail. We arrived to Kirsti, Shep, and Adam with bikes covered in mud but smiles on our faces.
We turned on our headlights and made our way up Coulthard.
By now I wasn't too chatty. I had officially surpassed the time and distance PR's and had the mentality of just wanting to finish.
We made our way to the summit for punch #4. I was pretty tired, but now had the end in sight.
There were still some laughs along the way! From Shep being excited about everything to Kirsti practicing French near the summit.
Arriving back to the mud cloaked bike I left the crew and made my way to my wife parked at York Creek Staging Area for my final transition.
Some food and more clothing and I was on my way for a chilly ride back to Blairmore and the Bluff trailhead.
Marielle and Lisette parked at the cemetary.
Lisette led us up the trail that Jamie had used when he did his High 5 (peaks only) a month prior.
My body was not feeling the effects of almost 24 hours of motion, heavy breathing, and sucking on water bladders.
Steps were slow but efficient.
We summitted for the final punch and then made our way down.
At the trailhead I quickly jumped on my bike and pedaled to the finish back at Spry to complete the loop.
115 KM
24:37:47
That was an amazing adventure that would not have been possible without the support of all the people mentioned as well as several more that provided encouragement prior and during!
Thank you to all of you for helping me get through the day!