Lucy and I set out to run the Kinsman Ridge from the North at just after 7am today. Clear skies, cool temps, and Lucy's dogged persistence over some seriously technical terrain helped us to shave a bit of time off of the existing mixed-gender FKT, lowering it from 4h 55m 6s to 4h 18m 42s. Same strategy as usual: no stops, don't fall, drink water. We stayed steady on the climb up Cannon but arrived at the summit just behind the existing FKT. Unperturbed, we dove down Cannon's formidable backside, picking up seconds here and there as we did. We consistently made up time from Cannon onward, especially with some strong miles over the deceptively "easy" terrain after Wolf Peak to the finish. This route is largely runnable -- if you accept a broad definition that includes serious power hiking, delicate rock hopping, and clambering down many of the ladder-like grades on the backside of Cannon and S. Kinsman. Grateful for a wonderful day in the mountains and such a strong partner! Lucy's sadistic bike shuttle route (35 miles with another 3400') really made for a good day -- tuckered.
Splits:
Cannon Summit: 42:52
N. Kinsman: 1:46:10
S. Kinsman: 1:58:25
Wolf: 3:20:58
Rte 112: 4:18:42