I climbed the Kain Route on Louis car-to-car in 4:27:49 on Oct 4 2021. I believe the previous FKT was Gadd & Holeczi at 5hrs.
It was a perfect fall day, crisp and clear. I wasn't planning to go fast, in fact I forgot to lace up my shoes and had to stop after crossing the creek to lace them up. As I started up the trail to Edith Pass my legs felt good and I decided to push the pace a bit. The hiking trails were busy but I left the crowds behind when I turned off the main trail and headed over to the start of the route. What a treat to be alone Mount Louis on a perfect fall day. I didn't rush the climbing much but once at the summit I tried to push the pace again on the descent. Skipped the first rap opting to downclimb instead. Then did the remaining 9 raps using a 65m pur'line. You could likely downclimb a few more of the raps but the gully is super loose and would be a bit tricky. After the raps, I ate my last granola bar and booked it down the steep trail back to the base of the mountain. Then I pushed the running pace as hard as I could on the trail back to the car.
Being so late in the season and knowing I'd most likely be alone on the mountain, I carried a bit of extra gear including emergency bivy, inreach, light puffy jacket, hat, gloves, full length rope. I also brought a Beal Escaper and knife as a backup in case the rope got stuck on the descent, a very real possibility. I wore rock shoes for the whole route and trail runners for the approach and descent.
Approx elapsed times...
0:00 Trailhead
1:15 Start of route
2:45 Summit
3:30 Finished raps
4:27:49 Trailhead