The “Triple go rooound ‘n’ up ‘n’ between” is the ultimate guardian peaks adventure. Start and finish are only suggestions.
The FKT rulers player gatekeepers once again and rejected this route submission because (1) no one would do it and (2) the east section around Mt. Adams does not have an established trail. Well…there are plenty of FKT routes that no one so far did and no one might ever do. And the east section around Mt. Adams is actually a well-established FKT route: Mt. Adams circumnavigation and Mt. Adams infinity loop. As far as I’m concerned, the point of having interesting and challenging routes is that someone might do them because they are inspiring, but alas, I don’t make decisions. Have you had FKT routes rejected? The FKT community continues to collect feedback here.
The route
The “Triple go rooound ‘n’ up ‘n’ between” is the ultimate guardian peaks trifeca adventure and a natural progression of previous routes and attempts involving Mt. St. Helens (lawilayt-lá), Mt. Adams (pátu), and Mt. Hood (nífti yáŋint):
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Mt. Adams to Mt. Hood: https://fastestknowntime.com/route/mt-adams-mt-hood-wa-or
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Mt. Adams to Mt. St. Helens: https://fastestknowntime.com/route/mt-adams-mt-st-helens-wa
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Guardian Peaks Trifecta: https://fastestknowntime.com/route/guardian-peaks-trifecta-or-wa
- Tamanawas 1-2-3-Hundred
- Gorge(eous)2Adams 100
To complete the “Triple go rooound ‘n’ up ‘n’ between,” one must
- circumnavigate each of the three volcanos,
- summit each of them, and
- link them up on foot or bike (multi-sport).
So, as opposed to just summiting the three guardian peaks, the “Triple go rooound ‘n’ up ‘n’ between” also requires a circumnavigation of each. And no, in true FKT spirit, no car is allowed to link up the peaks. It doesn’t get any purer and better!
The clock starts at a trailhead of the first peak and ends at a trailhead of the final peak. The peaks can be circumnavigated and climbed in any order. The route below illustrates one possible option of how to summit them and how to link them up. There is a variety of options, however. For example, one may opt for the south side Adams climb. Or connect to the boundary trail between Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams via Windy Ridge. Or do more roads instead of trails. Whatever works for you. What matters is that you circumnavigate all three peaks, summit all three, and connect the in-between on foot.
Red tape:
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Windy Ridge trail, Windy Ridge parking area, FR 99 extension road, and several trails, including the Truman Trail and Plains of Abraham are closed all M-F between May 15 and Oct 31 through the end of 2027. The trail will remain open on all weekends and federal holidays.
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Summiting Mt. St. Helens requires a permit: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675309
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Summiting Mt. Adams requires a permit: https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/4280e9ae-d010-11ea-8e82-82c0c22bed90
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The east side of Mt. Adams is on the Yakama Reservation. Recreation in Tract D is only open during selected weeks during the summer. A permit is required to enter Tract D: https://ynwildlife.org/tract-d
GPS
Below is a GPS track with a possible route. Consume at your own risk.
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.
- You must start at a trailhead and end at trailhead
- The clock starts when you leave the start trailheads and stops when you reach the finish trailhead.
- The clock does not stop if the individual or team sleeps, rests, etc.
- You must circumnavigate each of the three volcanos, summit each of them, and link them up on foot or bike (multi-sport).
- There is no prescribed route.
- The 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 challenge must be completed in a single push. Sleep, rest, etc. along the route are allowed. No leaving the route and returning.
- Each and every part of the route must be covered with human muscle power only. No motorized form of transport is allowed on any part of your chosen route.
- Crews and stashing of gear, food, and water are allowed. All stashes must be retrieved.
- 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 in order to be listed in the results.
- All wilderness regulations as well as Federal, State, and Local laws must be strictly followed.
- You must respect private land and property.
- Strict leave-no-trace backcountry ethics must be followed.
FAQs
- Why should or would I want to do this? I have no idea. You don’t have to.
- What’s in for me if I complete this route? Fame. Pure fame.
- How can I announce an attempt? Use your personal social media account, or post in some running-related group/forum/page.
- How can I submit my data to be listed on this page? Use this form.
- 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.
Submit your attempts and records
Click here to get to the form.
Attempts and records
| Athlete | Style | Elapsed time | Report |
| Christof Teuscher | Supported, solo | 198:58:11 | Report |
Stay in informed and connected
Disclaimer
The information provided on this website does not identify possible dangers. When you are attempting this route, you assume responsibility for your own actions and safety.