Tonight, Fri, Sep 19, 2014, I will make an attempt at the Alpine Lakes Grand Tour, which is part of the UltraPedestrian’s Wilderness Challenge (UPWC). The route starts at Snoqualmie Pass (Snow Lake trailhead) end ends near Leavenworth (Snow Lakes trailhead on Icicle Creek road). The total distance is about 75mi (120km) with up to 25,000ft (7,620m) of elevation gain (EG). The route was proposed by Eric Sach. The original description can be downloaded here (Word file).
I will be carrying a SPOT satellite transponder. You can follow me here: http://bit.ly/AlpineLakesGrandTour.
I plan to start from Snoqualmie Pass at around 7pm tonight (Fri, Sep 19, 2014). After finishing Pine to Palm 100 last weekend, I expect all but being fast. If successful, completion of the Grand Tour route could take me anywhere from 20 to 25 hours.
“Life is one long process of getting tired.” — Samuel Butler
The weather forecast is good and my adventure spirit is even better. We shall see whether my aging body holds up.
This will be a solo and unsupported attempt, i.e., I’m carrying everything necessary to survive and relentlessly move forward (hopefully!) for 75mi in rugged and remote alpine terrain.
To the best of my knowledge, no one has so far managed to complete the Alpine Lakes Grand Tour. Several have tried, but failed. Will I be next? We shall know soon, stay tuned…
“The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible.” — Arthur C. Clarke