John Fedak informed me of an event open to anybody who can hike 20-plus miles in a day with 4,000-plus feet of climb at above 9,000 feet. It’s called the Sierra Challenge, organized by a peak-bagging fiend named Bob Burd.
The first hike is happening right now: 27 miles (out and back) with 5,500 feet of cilmb to Mount Florence in the Yosemite Wilderness. Bob says most of the challengers maintain a 3 mph pace uphill, though some go faster.
I asked Fedak if he’d ever gone on previous challenges. His reply:
I’ve tried unsuccessfully to keep up with them a few times and for the most part they’re *way* beyond my fitness level.
They hold a 3-4mph pace at altitude, almost never stop for rests, and scramble over talus like it’s not there.
Not sure I could have done that itinerary when I was 18, let alone now.
And here I thought Fedak was hard-core because he hiked 27 miles in one day at Henry Coe State Park.
(it took me two days to cover the same mileage, and that was in mild weather).
Typical of any event in which guys are involved, the planner says the Challenge is mostly informal because, well, he can’t keep up with the fastest hikers on earth.
I like the challenge of an endurance event, but I’m not so good with the sleep deprivation that goes with some of the other challenges out there such as the California 14er record (set by Jack McBroom in four and a half days) and the Colorado 14er record (set by Ted Keizer in just over 10 days).
I figure there is no chance in hell I’m going to come close to either of these guys. I simply must bow down to their superior skills and stamina. I don’t have the will to climb for days on end with little sleep, hiking way before sunup and way past sundown. I will leave it to others to chase those dreams…
The Sierra Challenge opens to a wider audience some of the same experiences of these marathon climbing events. I conceived it as a personal challenge that was at the edge of my own abilities, and wanted to share the experience with others who might similarly enjoy a good workout. Besides, suffering is more fun if you have someone to share it with. 🙂
Goes to show ya, there’s always somebody faster.
Updates on the Challenge will be posted here.
I have been following the exploits of the prodigious mountaineer Bob Burd and his fellow Sierra scramblers via the internet for a couple of years now. Their feats of endurance and persistence are remarkable to say the least. I liken their accomplishments to those of elite ultra marathoners or perhaps the top competitors in the Tour De France.
I would like to join them, however, at age 60 with all its associated infirmities, it would be like a tattered Sopwith Camel biplane trying to soar with F14 Tomcats on afterburners. Like John Wayne said, “Not likley”.
Nevertheless, I enjoy tracking their adventures and admire their spirit.