The Challenge
How many times can you traverse the Whittier Ridge within a 48 hour period?
Whitter Ridge traverse overview map.
“The scariest hike in Southwest Washington”
- Start/finish location: North or south end of the Whittier ridge.
- Ridge ends:
- North: Intersection of Whittier Ridge Trail #214 with Lakes Trail #211, 46.33355, -122.14529
- South: Intersection of Whittier Ridge Trail #214 with Boundary Trail #1, 46.31707, -122.12982
- Route: You must follow the Whittier ridge.
- What counts as one traverse? From the start location (north or south end of ridge), follow the ridge, and finish at the other end (north or south end of ridge). That means it does not matter in which direction you complete a traverse.
- Types of records:
- Do as many traverses as possible within 48h.
- Do a certain number of traverses within 48h faster than anybody else.
- Important:
- The Whitter ridge trail is not a maintained trail anymore.
- There is lots of scrambling involved.
- The ridge is exposed.
- Falls can be fatal.
- I do not encourage this challenge. If you go anyway, assume responsibility for your own safety.
The Rules
- This is not a race. You do not need to register or qualify or anything. There are no fees. Anyone can do it anytime of the year.
- The challenge must start at the official Dog Mountain trailhead and end there as well.
- The clock starts at the Dog Mountain trailhead and ends when the individual or entire team reaches it again.
- You must finish all hill traverses within 48 hours. Unfinished traverses do not count.
- You must follow the Whittier ridge.
- The challenge can be done individually or in teams. If completed in a team, all team members must do all parts of the route and all traverses. Relays do not count.
- The clock does not stop if the individual or team sleeps, rests, etc.
- The challenge must be completed in a single push. Sleep, rest, etc. along the route are allowed. No leaving the route and returning unless by using human muscle power only.
- Crews and stashing of gear, food, and water are allowed. All stashes must be retrieved.
- Each and every part of the route must be covered on foot. Biking, skiing, snow-shoeing, paragliding, etc. is not allowed. The use of poles, crampons, and ice axes are allowed. No motorized form of transport is allowed on any part of the route.
- The challenge can be completed in an unsupported, self-supported, or supported way.
- Announcing your intentions is encouraged, but not mandatory.
- The challenge must be tracked and documented.
- All wilderness regulations as well as Federal, State, and Local laws must be strictly followed.
- Strict leave-no-trace backcountry ethics must be followed.
The Records
The list below may not be accurate and complete. Please submit your traverses/times in the form at the end of this page if you think you should be listed here.
| Number of hill reps | Individual or Team | Elapsed time | Date | Notes |
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
| 6 |
FAQ
- How can I announce an FKT attempt? Contact me and I’ll post here or use your personal Facebook, on Twitter, or in some running-related group/forum/page.
- How can I submit a record? Use the form at the end of this page.
Stay Informed and Connected
Disclaimers
- Records are not verified. The burden of proof is solely on the individual or team. Thus, the more documentation you can provide, the better. See http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/thread/19/read-first for more info.
- The information provided on this website does not identify possible dangers. When you are attempting one of these challenges, you assume responsibility for your own actions and safety.
- By visiting and reading this page, you agree to assume all known and unknown risks associated with spending your day(s) in the outdoors. You agree to not sue me if your day(s) go(es) sideways.