I did an early morning run up Mount Timpanogos this morning. It was my second summit of the year and my 58th career summit. I was on the trail at about 2:15 a.m. A couple other groups started about that time but I ran ahead. It would be interesting to hear them talk about the strange runner in shorts only carrying a water bottle and a strange green flashlight. I did only take with me one water bottle with water, no food. I meant to buy some treats at a convenience store, but they were all closed during the early morning, perhaps for the pioneer holiday. So I made the run with zero calories. I didn't even eat anything when I woke up. No problem, it would be a fat-burning run.
I didn't push the pace too hard. I've never attempted a Timp summit so close after a 100-mile run. It has been only 5 days since I finished Tahoe Rim 100. But I felt really good, just a right quad a little sore still.
So I ran and powerhiked up the trail, passing a couple other groups above Scout Falls. When I arrived at the basin, I could see the lights of a large group over on the Aspen Grove trail. The Timpooneke trail is almost clear of snow, except for the slope below the saddle. There is a good traverse trail stamped out in the snow. I reached the saddle at 2:05 (elapsed time) and the summit at 2:33. So the pace wasn't terribly fast, but still about twice typical hiking speed. I signed the register and then started running down.
Coming down is always good for the ego because all those hikers I passed track my green light ahead of them. I reached a group (the group from Aspen Grove side) at the chimney section and a girl went on and on about how fast I was going. It was fun to just blast down this steep rugged section near them. I took some short cuts down the snow slope so avoided a couple other groups, but I met one that started the same time as me. They were down in the basin, at the trail junction to Emerald Lake. They cheered me and a girl asked, "How old are you?" I proudly replied, "50" as I ran fast past them. I heard some "wows" behind me. Like I say....great for the ego.
I took my sweet time getting down. Wild flowers were really blooming on the slope near the big rock slide. An explosion of yellow that really reflected the dawn light. It was fantastic!!! I should have had my camera.
There is always a huge gap between the hikers that start out in the dark and those who start with the dawn light. I suppose lots of groups wait for the light. But there is a huge difference in these groups that start with the light. They aren't experienced hikers. Many haven't seen a trail in years. It is frustrating because when I come running down the trail they don't know what to do. Some get it, as I yell out, "Hi there!!! Coming through!!!" They quickly step off the trail and let me go. But others for some reason look at me and then speed up their hike, like somehow it will help them get out of the way. Two guys did this and sure enough, I plowed into them and almost got knocked off the trail. I think I conked one guy with my flashlight. I regained my balance and just kept on going, shaking my head, wondering. Oh well. Everytime I pass by someone who steps kindly off the trail, I say, "Thank you!"
I finished my run in 4:26, a nice pace, but not blazing fast. The groups that started with me were probably reaching the summit around that time.
I reached home just as my wife was getting up. "What time do you leave??!!" is the typical question when I return. I took a cat nap and then was good to go for the day. | 