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Post by Dan Rosenthal on May 16, 2016 6:32:53 GMT -5
Every year the Taconic Crest Trail Hiking Club hosts an end to end challenge from Berry Pond to NY route 346. It is an enjoyable event complete with a hot breakfast and send off with bagpipe music. Many participants camp at Berry Pond the night before. While it is technically not a complete end to end as the trail starts over 7 miles to the south on route 20 there is significance to this starting point as it was the original start to the trail. On Saturday May 14, 2016 I participated in the event with my dad. This was their 30th anniversary of the event. The start is 5:30 AM every year and I checked my watch and it was 5:33 when we began. I walked the first mile or so with my dad and then began running as I am training for my first 100 mile ultra. After we departed I never saw another participant but I met volunteers at all the aid stations. I finished the challenge at 11:39 AM, 6hrs and 6 minutes after I began. The fastest time prior to this that they had on record was 8 hours. I think it is a soft fkt and it can be broken when someone faster attempts this segment. In fact, I probably could have been under 6hrs because I walked the first mile and I stopped for about 7 minutes at the aid station in Petersburg pass to rehydrate, talk to TCT club members and my mom (I didn't want to be rude), and apply sunscreen. Aside from this stop I didn't stop at all other than to relieve myself. I gained time by refilling my handheld at aid stations so I never had to filter water. After I finished I ate great food and talked for a couple hours and then I hiked back up to meet my dad a short distance and jogged to the finish with him. He did a great job finishing in about 8hrs and 45 minutes - not too shabby for 73.
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Post by Dan Rosenthal on May 16, 2016 7:42:17 GMT -5
I forgot to mention the trail runs along the Taconic ridge near Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, MA, Petersburg Pass, NY, and Pownal, VT. The trail is approximately 29.45 miles long with an ascent of over 7800ft and descent of over 9000ft. Much of the trail is runnable but can be wet with occasional mud holes from ATV traffic.
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Post by Dan Rosenthal on May 16, 2016 8:09:05 GMT -5
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Post by Ethan Green on May 18, 2016 7:37:24 GMT -5
Dan,
Congratulations on the finish time. Really impressive, considering the rains from the previous day. Frankly, I am more impressed with your dad's time! I'm in my mid-40s, in solid shape, started close to 6am, and still finished around dusk, almost six hours slower than him! THC runs a fantastic event.
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Post by Dan Rosenthal on May 18, 2016 11:10:17 GMT -5
Yes! My dad did awesome at 73 yrs. old!
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Post by SVT on May 16, 2017 20:55:35 GMT -5
Hi All,
Scott Patnode & Stanislav Trufanov will attempt the current length of the TCT on May 17, 2017 southbound.
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Post by SVT on May 18, 2017 22:14:59 GMT -5
Hi All, Scott Patnode & Stanislav Trufanov will attempt the current length of the TCT on May 17, 2017 southbound. The run took ridiculously long at 10:21, self-supported, sobo. The temps were in the high seventies with a breeze, but we had a tough time starting the run with SP taking a few breathers in between the climbs & running out of water a few times. The run can take 7:41 on a cool day with good training. Jeff List & I ran a similar traverse Nobo in 9:36 a few seasons ago, but the first .4+ mi were off the TST footpath. |
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Post by stringer on Jul 14, 2017 17:08:46 GMT -5
I'm going to give the full length southbound route a go tomorrow from RT 346 in Vermont to RT 20 in Pittsfield. I will have support at the road crossings and Berry Pond. Not sure if its an official FKT attempt since I don't have a SPOT or DeLorme, but I'll post up how it goes.
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Post by stringer on Jul 16, 2017 21:50:05 GMT -5
Hi all, My name is Andrew Stringer, and I'm reporting after my successful supported southbound end-to-end run of the TCT. I'm not sure if this counts as an official FKT, but this run was a long term goal of mine after my grandfather, William Carrigan passed away in February. A long time resident of Pittsfield, he spent a lot of time in the Taconic Mountains, and this was my way of honoring his memory. Saturday was about as comfortable as July gets for running, temps mostly in the mid 60s. It was a little soggy and humid, but the trail wasn't any more muddy than usual. Ended up finishing the southbound route from RT 346 to Route 20 in 7:29:57. I was shooting to average 12:00/mile pace, and I was on track through RT 43, but found my way into the pain cave on the climb up to Berry Pond. Luckily I had some friends running with me on the final push to keep me going. I made it to Berry Pond in about 5 hours 43 minutes, and then slowed down significantly on the final leg. The route from my GPS watch can be found here: connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1857406642 |
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Post by KehrDavis on Sept 4, 2017 5:49:05 GMT -5
Kehr Davis is planning to run Taconic Crest SOBO from RT 346 in Vermont to RT 20 in Pittsfield today, Sept 4.Unsupported. We'll see...
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Post by KehrDavis on Sept 5, 2017 8:02:40 GMT -5
Reporting that I finished my first attempt at the Taconic Crest trail in 8:40:01. While the trail is very well marked, I managed to veer off on three occasions onto some ATV trails. It was a beautiful 60-70 degree day. I had a great first half but ended up with poorly planned nutrition and nearly bonked 5 miles to the finish. I carried 2.5L water. I started to get worried about not having enough so I drank it down and filled up in a stream on my way up Berlin Mtn. Here's my track. connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1958821705 |
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Post by greenmts on Sept 13, 2017 17:52:00 GMT -5
Dan Rosenthal is planning to run the TCT from RT 20 to RT 346 on Friday Sep 15.
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Post by greenmts on Sept 15, 2017 19:28:16 GMT -5
Well, I faced pretty tough conditions today. 70s and super humid. My singlet and shorts were soaked. I set out 2 food and water caches at Madden Rd & Petersburgh Pass. It was a long stretch between the 2 and my bottles were bone dry by aptly named Misery Mtn. Northing to do but keep moving. In the final miles it poured bringing some welcome relief but the trail was transformed into puddles, mud, and slick rocks. So I'm happy with my time of 8:02:01. A word of caution to anyone attempting this route: It is a dry ridge so be sure to plan your hydration carefully. www.strava.com/activities/1185691598 |
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Post by greenmts on Sept 15, 2017 19:49:46 GMT -5
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Post by tahkoniktirrell on Oct 11, 2017 21:50:32 GMT -5
awesome job Nolan! Just for clarity, Nolan Graham's run was an FKT for the South to North TCT, while Andrew Stringer's FKT run was North to South. the latter (N to S) adds another ~1500ft elevation gain. IMO these are 2 different FKT runs.
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