Ape Spirit Challenge Series: Marathon, 50k, 50mi, 100k, 100mi

Looking for a Hatfield Challenge Series alternative for this year? Do not despair. Here comes the new Ape Spirit Challenge Series (ASCS)! Same idea, different spirit.

The Ape Spirit Challenge Series (ASCS) offers a total of five single-track trail distances in the unique, incredible, and Bigfoot-prone Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Margaret backcountry: Marathon, 50 km, 50 miles, 100 km, and 100 miles. So there should be a bit of something for every fitness, taste, style, and madness. Go bananas and let out your inner ape.

Figure 1. Overview of the five Ape Spirit Challenge Series routes. Click to make it bigger. Or use the interactive Google map.

Start/Finish

All routes start at the Lava Canyon Trailhead. It’s a 1h40min-ish drive from Portland. Coordinates of the trailhead: 46.16569,-122.08804. Alternatively, you can park at the smaller Ape Canyon Trailhead, which is just 0.2mi from the Lava Canyon Trailhead. You will need a Northwest Forest Pass to park at either trailhead.

Routes

Guidelines

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 clock starts when you leave the Lava Canyon Trailhead and stops when you are back at the trailhead again.
You must follow one of the five routes (see above).
You pick your direction, although the suggestion is to start with the Ape Canyon trail. That will also allow you to “downgrade” to a shorter route if you realize you cannot complete the longer one.
A challenge can be done individually or in teams. If completed in a team, all team members must do all parts of the route. Relays do not count.
The clock does not stop if the individual or team sleeps, rests, etc.
A challenge must be completed in a single push. Sleep, rest, etc. along the route are allowed. No leaving the route and returning.
Crews and stashing of gear, food, and water are allowed. All stashes must be retrieved.
A challenge can be completed in a unsupported, self-supported, or supported way.
Announcing your intentions is encouraged, but not mandatory.
The challenge must be tracked and documented in order to be listed in the results. More info also on the new FKT board.
All wilderness regulations as well as Federal, State, and Local laws must be strictly followed.
Strict leave-no-trace backcountry ethics must be followed.

Results

All reported and documented attempts, completions, Only Known Times (OKT), and Fastest Known Times (FKT) that followed the above guidelines shall be listed in the following Google spreadsheet:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11yU9u2Mj7Y13FvRb0zPPI2KrTJX9FsIlzM-pbJj7PMk/edit?usp=sharing

You are of course encouraged to submit your time(s) to the FKT board as well.

https://www.facebook.com/https://www.facebook.com/Run-Outside-the-Box-Christofs-Challenges-and-Routes-1824005747667176

FAQs

How can I announce an attempt? Use your personal Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or contact me and I’ll post your announcement, time, and report here.
How can I submit my data? Use the form at the end of this page to submit your attempts and completions. And as said above, you are of course encouraged to submit your time(s) to the FKT board as well.
What map do you recommend? National Geographic Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams.
Should I carry a map? Definitely!
Can I do a shorter route even though I initially announced a longer one? Sure, what matters is what you complete.
Do I need to write up a trip report? No, it’s not mandatory. Yet, reports allow to share knowledge and to inspire others, so they are encouraged.
Do I need to carry a satellite tracker? No, but you need to submit solid evidence that you completed the challenge. A GPS track (e.g., recorded with GaiaGPS) provides reasonable evidence. So do links to Strava or other activity websites. And of course photos and movies will provide additional evidence.
How close do I have to follow a route? Think of it as a race. While the course is not marked, you still have to complete every part of if to qualify for a finish. If you take a wrong turn or get lost, you must go back to where you got off course and continue from there.
What’s in for me if I complete any of these routes? Fame. Pure fame.
What’s the Ape Canyon story? Here it is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ape_Canyon

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.