I was worried my attempt to set a new FKT for Mt Defiance could be a real mud fest because the day before we got the first rain of the fall. Instead, conditions were absolutely ideal! Logs had been cleared out a few weeks previously, the rain softened the ground a bit but not so much that it was slick, temps were pleasantly cool, and just a dusting of snow decorating the trees for the last ½ mile to the summit. Would have loved to get some photos to share with you all, but I was in a hurry.
This was my 3rd attempt at this FKT this fall, I’d been tantalizingly close to the times for the Strava segment but hadn’t quite beaten them. There isn’t much in the way of runnable on the ascent, but I tried to really push my power hike and run everything possible. Got to the top in a PR time for me, but not fast enough to have much cushion. I was going to have to push the descent real hard. I tagged up on the propane tank and didn’t even stop to see if Hood was visible. I’d warned the last couple hikers I’d passed on the way up that I was going to be coming down in a hurry. Super helpful because when I came up behind them they hopped off the trail and even cheered me on. Nice little excuse to whoop back to them and remind myself to have fun! It mostly was, though Defiance is no easy cruise-y descent. I checked my watch near the junction with Starvation Trail cut off and could see it was still possible, but close. Only one thing to do: push hard all the way to the finish on that damn flat asphalt path. So I did. And nabbed myself an FKT by 2 minutes.
I carried all my water and food. No outside help except a bit of cheering from the rando hikers.