I was in the North Cascades trying to scratch the surface, which landed me at an overlook on Ross Lake reading a touristy sign. Desolation Peak, which from that view point looked like a mirage. It has a fire tower that has been staffed since 1932 and was staffed by Jack Kerouac, Gary Snyder, and Philip Whalen - poets and writers of "the beat era." The combination of being far out in the wilderness and history sparked my interest as something I need to go see. After a quick google search and seeing there was a Fastest Known Time for the route I vision quested on the side of highway 20. Seeing the current FKT of 11:43:19 for the 43 miles, I thought I could possibly better that but what I knew is that I wouldn't if I didn't try. So the following day I made sure to sleep in which is more my style and one of the things I love about FKTs. I mixed 6 scoops of tailwind with 32 oz of gatorade. (sounds crazy but I'm heavy sweater and I'll sip creek water to dilute as I go. It works for me on these longer unsupported hauls.) I took assortment of 7 gels all of which I ate. I took extra tailwind that I never ended up mixing. Got going just before 2pm and put my foot firmly on the gas pedal. Legs were a bit tight from all the running over the past two weeks but eventually loosened up and found a pretty good flow and also found the trail to have been just cleared of blow downs and it was clear how many hurdles there would have been if I was even like week earlier. Uneventful until I came around a turn hot up on a bear playing chicken with it. This one didn't run off right away like the rest of my encounters and I stupidly go to grab my phone for a photo and as I fumble that I realize this is potentially a really dangerous situation so I proceeded to yell. I had one more bear encounter but that one was gone no time in typical fashion. Crossing the lightning creek bridge there was a group of teenagers out there jumping off it and the cliffs around it. Checked out for from running for a minute to grab a picture because it reminded me of my childhood. Made me glad to see things haven't changed so much that there's kids still out living life to the fullest. Like how did you guys even all the way out here? your like 17 miles from the parking lot. My split to base of desolation was 3:36:xx. The climb was dry and I began to worry I didn't have enough fluids on me to maintain this effort but there was a water source about halfway up the climb in almost perfect position. Climb split was 1:46:41. Time to desolation peak was 5:23:xx. Took a few minutes to sign the log, take in the view and some pictures. Was bummed the caretaker wasn't in but view was worth it non the less. Tried to keep it smooth on the decent and not blow my legs up and was down in 47:05. I think I made it to mile 35 before turning my head light on. The amount of cougar scat and my bear encounters earlier gave me quite the reason not to slow down once it was dark. Tagged the trailhead sign in 9:46:35 and felt good run well wire to wire. I think there is room for me to go faster knowing the route and I could maybe taper next time but I'm pretty happy with this on the day. Someone fitter than me could smash it and it's epic route, so go for it!