This route has been a multi year vision for me, something I’ve studied, dreamed about, and slowly prepared for over time. It's a line that captures everything I love about the Sierra: JMT miles, endless talus, knife edge ridges, and exposed granite summit blocks. But more than that, it was about immersing myself in terrain that I deeply connect with. This wasn’t about chasing a time, it was about opening myself to the full experience of the range. I hope this inspires more people (especially hybrid climb/run athletes) to attempt it in whatever style speaks to them. If this route has been calling to you: just go for it. It’s complex, beautiful, and worth your energy.
I completed the route in the southbound (SoBo) direction, starting at South Lake and finishing at Cottonwood Lakes. This direction felt intuitive - progressing from the alpine north to the more remote, expansive southern peaks. In the weeks leading up, I tracked air quality, wind direction, and weather patterns closely knowing how tight the margin could be. In the final days before, I caught what felt like a small but doable window with splitter skies, no smoke, and just two variables: sustained winds and unseasonably cold temps. A major smoke plume hovered just north of the route, and it easily could’ve shut things down. But the prevailing winds held, and the line stayed clear. It was a narrow thread to pass through, and somehow it opened up just enough to move forward with complete confidence. The alignment between patience, planning, and the mountains showing a little grace was really meaningful to me.
This was a supported effort with a few checkpoints to get help in pacing and resupply/gear swaps. I carried my own food, water, layers, and emergency kit for the entire duration of the effort. I used a short tagline for select sections in the Palisades zone. Other than that, no other technical gear was used!