I first learned about the ALTAR by reading Matt Kirk's blog. I have been reading Matt Kirk's blog for a long time and always admired his incredible running career and yearly go at the ALTAR. I first learned of Matt Kirk in 2015 after hearing about his unsupported Appalachain Trail FKT, I was in the midst of completing my NOBO Appalachain Trail thru hike and I was amazed someone could do something so fast and unsupported. Since then I made it a point to follow along his journeys and perhaps one day try something like that myself.
The Art Loeb trail has long been my proving and training grounds. A trail that has so much meaning for me. My first backpacking trip with my dog Luna 2012, my first attempt at an ultra effort (November 2014 bailed at parkway), and my first completion of an ultra effort SOBO in 2017 . I have been backpacking and running in this forest since I found a love for the outdoors. The Art Loeb being the center piece of this pristine area.
This was actually my first time completing a NOBO ALTAR in a single push and my fifth time going SOBO. The YOYO has always been a scary dream of mine. Unsupported solo and in the off season when the parkway is closed creates a truly rugged backcountry experience, just the way I like it.
I had been planning this effort since October 2024 with original plans to go for it on the winter solstice. The first planned attempt was going to be in late November but was foiled by cold rainy days, then I planned for the winter solstice again foiled by snowy weather. A few days after the planned solstice attempt I hurt my back stress biking to pick up my car after it cracked its radiator, thus forcing me to step back and heal before I could try again. Stay persistent. I got back on the training as soon as I healed up and set my sights once again for another attempt. March 2nd lined up the week before, looking like good weather and the right time in my training plan and personal life.
March 2nd 2:53am I set out Nobo on the Art Loeb trail. It was a cold morning but truly just right and delightful to be moving in the dark savoring the solidarity and peace of the wee morning hours. I started with 3 bottles, filling 2 below Cedar. Sun started rising as I made my way to the parkway and the orange glow had me elated to be right here, right now. I blasted over the balsam balds stopping for a quick pic on Tennent from a group of backpackers. A quick water fill below Grassy and another dropping into Daniel Boone. At Daniel Boone I made a brief stop to sit and scatter some of Luna's ashes and spoke some words for her. I made the turnaround at 6:41 feeling good knowing I was about 15 minutes ahead of Morgan's time. Back up with Lu to carry me back home. I filled water again on the climb to deep gap and kept charging trying my best to put down 2 bottles before filling at grassy again. Stomach gurgles and a bubbly gut gave me some trouble from mile 32 to 40 and slowed my calorie consumption but those Maurten gels slide down easily! The drop down Silvermine rattled me and forced me to peel off for a quick trail poo. That was however just what my stomach needed. Emptied out I felt a lot better and the calorie slamming begun again! After summiting Pilot I knew it was time to pick it up, but that descent is ruthless and kept me moving a bit slower on tired legs. Once at Gloucester the runnable terrain picked back up and I pushed it back to Davidson stopping for a quick fill below Cedar again. At Davidson I ran into Devon just before finishing and my good friend Daniel was waiting for me at the finish, which was delightful way to finish a solo day. Completing the double ALTAR in 13:40:21
At the finish I scattered the rest of Luna's ashes I had carried that day.
This project was in memory of my best friend, my baby girl, my greatest inspiration, my dog Luna Welker. Luna lost her life to Lymphoma Cancer in August 2024. Since then I have had my greatest mental health struggles but running has been there for me to help get me through. A gift Luna taught me back in 2012 when she came into my life. She was a fireball of energy and she needed to run to get that energy out. That's when she got me into running and spending time outside. Eventually that led to us camping and backpacking, trail running, and spending all of our time outside. A trajectory that shaped who I am today.
Thank you Luna for changing my life. Ill carry you in my heart forever.
I love you always sweet Lu,
Marcus "KaleidoScope" Welker