ANGELS LANDING SPEED ATTEMPT
4.3 miles | 53 minutes 48 seconds | +/- 2,976 elevation
Overview: If there was one obsession of mine in the early 00s it was Zion NP, and in particular, Angels Landing. By the time 2005 rolled around I had already made a dozen round trips to the summit, including 3-trips over a 24-hour period during a visit in 2004. Following my first few attempts, I began keeping track of my times and set out to see if I could break the fabled one hour mark for a round trip. This eventually led to a specialized training plan, followed by (4) successful sub-60-min attempts by the end of ‘04. Soon enough, I set my sights on the 55-minute mark and eventually found success during an early morning attempt back in May of 2005.
May 25, 2005 | Zion National Park, Utah
CHALLENGE MAP
CHALLENGE SPLITS
*I did not record splits on this challenge, only ascent and descent times.
CHALLENGE INSIGHT
Angels Landing: The first time I hiked Angels Landing I can remember arriving to Scout’s Lookout and thinking that it was impossible for anyone to safely hike this. It was nothing but a sliver of rock rising 1,500 ft into the air, with no margin for error. I finally worked up the courage to give it a go and immediately realized it was more of an optical illusion than reality. Just as a point of reference, most guide books recommend giving yourself 4-5 hours to make the round trip hike that includes 1,488 of elevation gain in about 2-miles.
Start & Finish: I use the bridge as my official start and finish location for every speed attempt. Since I always arrived by bus, I would exit at the Lodge and walk the Grotto Trail to the starting line. It allowed me to meditate for a few minutes about what I was about to do and get myself in the right frame of mind. I would also create a buffer between me and the other hikers on the bus, giving them at least a 10-minute head start on their climb. That way I had a few people to “chase down” on my way up the mountain as I’ve always loved being the hunter (not the hunted).
The Raceway Flats: I always made quick work of the bottom section of the trail both on the ascent and the descent. I needed to build momentum leading up to the grueling switchback session on the ascent and I was always hammering this section of trail on my descent to ensure I stayed below the sub-60 time. Since this part of the trail is paved, and I could find solid footing, I would throw absolute caution to the wind and run flat out back down the mountain, almost always startling the other hikers that I passed as I blew by them at my top speed.
Switchback City: I loved running this section when there were large groups of people on the trail. For some reason I took incredible joy in crushing people’s spirit as I would come running up from behind them, bounding up the switch backs, as they were huffing and puffing with each step. My goal was to never stop running and always keep at least a joggers pace as I ascended uphill. On the descent it was an all out assault of reckless insanity. I could destroy this section on a good day. My long, lanky body was built for these long switchbacks and I let it all out through the turns.
Walter’s Wiggles: If you’re looking for my Achilles heel on this run it’s Walter’s Wiggles. The tight turns and insane elevation gain always grinded me to a snails pace at best. I usually used this section to recollect my thoughts and catch my breathe before needing to be laser focused on what was to come. The way down wasn’t much better either. I eventually developed a spinning move technique to help tackle the turns faster, but I still never mastered this section.
Vertigo: I’d always slow and enter the chained section with a slightly more cautious approach to my stride as any mistakes out here and it would be certain death. Although, the biggest issue I faced really wasn’t the exposure, it was other people. That’s why I always scheduled my speed attempts first thing in the morning or just before sunset, when there would be fewer people in this section. Understandably, people were apt to get nervy through here and I never wanted my actions to cause too much stress for others and I certainly didn’t want anyone to get knocked off.
Holy Sh*t: the most common phrase I became accustom to hearing when I would run Angels Landing was without a doubt: “holy shit!” I can’t blame anyone as I’d probably say the same thing if a 6’3”, 220 lb dude was lumbering full speed in my direction as I am holding onto a chain, standing precariously close to the side of a 1,500 foot cliff. But more often then not I would also get a few cheers from people as they stood in awe of me bounding my way up/down before quickly disappearing out of view. Sometimes I’d catch someone I passed on the bus ride back to town…which was always an interesting conversation.
Not A World Record: In 2005 I had no idea that websites like Fastest Known Time existed and honestly I’m glad. Because for a few years, I truly thought my time of 0:53:48 was a world record (not because I was so good, but because I never thought anyone else would be stupid enough to try it). Years later I came to find out that I was actually 10-minutes off the world record pace. By the time I realized it, I already had multiple kids and wasn’t interested in exposing myself to that much risk any more. In all honesty, I’m not so sure I could ever come close to touching that time. To date, I have (6) sub-60-minute round trips and the world record set in 2010 still stands at 0:43:29. (This photo was taken at sunset on the day I set my personal record, which I followed-up with a 12-mile hike in the Narrows. Damn I was an animal back then.)
