Much harder than expected. Started out great with the large climb up to Potrock Bald with 2 liters of water and a variety of snacks (mostly honey buns) in tow. I didn't want to haul that much water on the "hardest", portion of the track, but the unreliable water sources made me play it safe. I didn't check on any of the water sources other than the one at mile 11.2. It was running and clean. The latter portion of the track looks easier on paper but the trail degrades greatly after the the higher peaks and running on them is difficult. The downhills are slow, tentative, off camber etc.. and the uphills are often a slog through ankle deep leaves. Having trecking poles as well as a mapping watch were clutch as the trail was somewhat hard to follow in parts. I found myself unable to "run", on anything besides downhill and flat around mile 13, so it was much slower going that I was expecting on the "net downhill" portion. The last 3.5 miles were great however, I could not utilize them however due to fatigue. Great adventure route overall and certainly one of the hardest loops I've ever completed.
Athletes
Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Para athlete
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
5h
37m
29s
Verification
GPS track(s)
Report