King's Peak I am conflicted. I did not run 30 miles to King's Peak. I skied, I climbed, but I did not run. I did go 30+ miles. I count it as training. Here's some perspective: About 4 years ago I was a fatso. A fatso with a habit of going for the biggest mountains around. I was a pretty good hiker. Every last weekend in March there is a Wasatch Mountain Club ski trip to King's Peak. It is the highest mountain in Utah, at 13,528 feet. It is remote. The approach requires a 13 mile hike, or run. In Winter, it is even further because the road is left unplowed 3.5 miles from the trailhead. So Winter is the most challenging season to climb King's Peak. Four years ago I camped at the trailhead, set out at 5AM the next day, and followed several old-timers to the top of Utah. It took me over 19 hours to complete. I felt a great sense of accomplishment. The next year I went back and my RT time from car to summit to car was 16 hours, 50 minutes. Two years ago I attempted a third time but did not reach the summit.
This morning, instead of car camping, I slept at home, and slept in. The skiers take off around 5 AM, but I set my clock for 3AM. It is a 2.5 hour drive to the trailhead from home. I knew I would get there after 6, but actually I planned on it. I knew I could go faster this time, so an early start wasn't necessary. At the Winter trailhead, I started skiing at 6:40 AM. It was several minutes before I could find a good ski rhythm. I reached the trailhead sign and wood fence in about 1 hour. Skiing through the trees, my energy level kicked up a notch and I began to really go quick. I caught up with the back group of skiers just before Gunsight Pass. I knew there was another, faster group somewhere up higher. I passed the first group and when I got up onto Anderson plateau I could see a few people hiking up the face of King's Peak. I made a quick crossing of the plateau, then began the hike up. I felt terrific. Never did I feel the altitude. I caught up with Judy Z and some others near the summit. We stayed 10 minutes. It was mostly a nice day but there was cold wind blowing snow. Both times I have climbed King's in March I had to ski out in the dark. Not today. I arrived at my car with plenty of daylight overhead. My total RT time, including summit stop was 12 hours, 33 minutes. I reached the summit in 7 hours and 20 minutes. Yes, that is a negative split for the return. Lots of free rides on the skis!
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