REPORT: Unsupported 45mi Anza-Borrego Traverse FKT

Christof Teuscher

Summary

On Dec 13, 2022, I managed to set a new unsupported FKT on the 45mi Anza-Borrego Traverse in 9:43:54. That’s 3min faster than the current self-supported FKT (9h 46m 34s) and 13min slower than the supported FKT (9h 30m 18s). The route has no water, so I carried all my fluids and supplies.

Winter storm delay

The recent heavy winter storm that hit southern California (and many other parts of the state) on Dec 11 and 12, 2022, required me to change plans. Because of the ongoing storm, it was not possible to drive to the start at the Sunrise Trailhead (at 5,000ft) on Mon, Dec 12, 2022, so I delayed my start by a day.

Julian, CA, in the morning of Dec 12, 2022. It continued to snow for most of the day. Julien (4,300ft) is a couple of miles from the start (5,000ft). Webcam.

A report of some sorts

It was still quite sketchy to drive there the next day at 4am in a non-4WD rental car. The roads were snow- and ice-covered and there were about 2 inches of snow on the ground. Nothing too crazy, however. The temperature was 29F with strong winds. I made a couple of last-minute layer, glove, and hat decisions. As always, I overpacked.

At 4:48am I hit the snow-covered trail. I had calories and water for up to 12h in my pack. It’s better better to be safe than sorry in the desert. And, because of the snow and cold, I had lots of extra layers that I’m sure I would shed in a few miles as I descended to lower elevations.

At the start, 29F, windy, about 2″ of snow on the ground.

A crunchy 2″ of snow.

Finally a hint of daylight.

It’s going great. Just keep moving.

The storm left everything soaking wet.

But first it continued to snow lightly for several miles, then the snow gradually disappeared and left a rather treacherous layer of blank ice for a few miles. As I hit the bottom of the valley, the ice was gone, but then it started to rain lightly. This was going to be a great day. I figured at least I wouldn’t run out of water.

Looking back into the hills. The ice was finally gone. But soon the light rain started.

Beware of the cholla.

The lingering winter storm.

Making my way through a sandy wash along a brief stretch of County Road S2.

Historical marker near “Foot and Walker Pass” by Blair Valley.

As I crossed into the next mountain range, the clouds disappeared and gave way to blue skies. By then I had shed all layers and was running in a T-shirt. That’s also when the sand started. And it never ended until the end. Many parts were soft and deep, some parts were more hard-packed.  Needless to say that running in sand is hard and of limited fun. Especially when it seems to never end. I continued…because that was basically the only option.

This is where the sand started, and never really ended.

Grinding up into the Pinyon mountains.

Heart Attack Hill. It’s a lot steeper than what it looks like. See how the 4-wheelers handle this at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VNv48CfWCs. And here is how not to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyIDNn73H4U

Buffalo gourd. The seeds are edible.

Looking back into the Hapaha flats. Yes, still sandy.

Heading into a seemingly never-ending canyon. Yes, with sand.

From 29F and snow into hot and sunny desert weather.

Heading into the last narrow canyon.

And suddenly I was done!

The day got hotter and hotter, the sand continued, and the canyons felt like they would never end. Yet, at some point they did. After making my way through one last wash, I reached the Split Mountain Road in 9:43:54.

Overall it was good day with a wide variety of conditions, amazing scenery, and lots of sand. Can this be done faster? Of course! With less extra layers, no snow, no ice, and a younger and fitter body…

Data

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