I started at the trailhead around 5:30am, hiking up to the base of North timp in the dark -- a little spooky as there were bear reports in the area from the previous day! I worked my way up North Timp during the golden hour of sunrise, which was so beautiful but also quite grueling. I had many moments on that initial climb wondering what I had just gotten myself into.
Once I reached the summit of North Timp, I was feeling much better. I was able to cruise most of the ridgeline, passed a nice family of mountain goats. I got to the saddle before the Glass House and it was absolutely swamped with people because of Labor Day. I decided to book it to the top and surprised myself with my pace! Once I was up there it just felt too crowded to enjoy myself, so I pushed onwards to the peak of South Timp -- much more isolated. Here I was able to take a break to refuel and tape my ankle for support from an old injury.
From there began the descent, down what remains of the glacier, over to Emerald Lake. I got a little turned around on the trails at this point, but was able to circle back and get on the right one for my descent. Once I hit the trail it was home free; I was running the whole way back. A lot of running, knee pain, and one large moose encounter later, I finally made it to the parking lot.
This was my biggest solo endeavor ever and I was so proud to finish it! I reached out to the current women's FKT holder, Allie Gibbons, to ask her about her initial attempt, and she offered some great beta and confidence for me to go out and give it a try. It was a stellar route and I am super stoked that I was able to complete it, and much more quickly than I thought I could.