2021 Centennials Speed Record Attempt

[andreasansone]

Day 1: Not bad...

5 peaks (Culebra, Red, Phoenix, San Luis, Stewart)
On foot: 19.3 hrs, 28.7 miles, 13,717' gain, -12,762' loss; 1.49 mph avg pace
Ascending to summits: 14.0 hrs, 19.5 miles, 12,710' gain, -5,899' loss; 1.40 mph avg pace
Descending to THs: 5.3 hrs, 9.2 miles, 1,007' gain, -6,863' loss; 1.74 mph avg pace
Transitions: 4.7 hrs, 129 miles

It looks like he's getting some sleep at Nutras Creek TH. I'm hoping the weather improves today.

The times are based on Andrew's Garmin. To estimate foot distances and gain/loss, I'm using caltopo.com. For traverses between peaks, I'm counting them as ascents to summits for the stats above.

One crazy thing about this data is that Andrew apparently descends MUCH faster than he ascends. My experience as a mortal is that I don't descend a whole lot faster than I ascend. Part of that is I am not usually in a hurry once I summit, and part is that I am fatigued from the climb (again, being mortal). So I am usually faster descending but not a lot, maybe 1.5 times faster, not 3 times faster.

I wonder if that was true during his 14ers speed record as well?

Sean Nunn

Andrew was hurting last night and ascending SLOW. he was in a white out with a ton of weather, and just plain hurting - which is why there is such a gap in ascent/descent times

[glenmiz]

For me, 1.5x up speed is a normal down pace. If I'm on a familiar trail and run/jog down, I can get to 2x.

I don't have any data for me down in the dark or white-outs. I'll look back at my spreadsheet from 2015 when Andrew did the 14er record and see if I have the right splits.

[Eli Watson]

For me, 1.5x up speed is a normal down pace. If I'm on a familiar trail and run/jog down, I can get to 2x.

I don't have any data for me down in the dark or white-outs. I'll look back at my spreadsheet from 2015 when Andrew did the 14er record and see if I have the right splits.

I'd agree with those ratios on cruiser terrain. Without looking at any numbers I feel like ascending Class 3+ is faster than descending. Also remember that in 2015 Andrew was glissading all over the state to get that need for speed.

[glenmiz]

Day 1: Not bad...

5 peaks (Culebra, Red, Phoenix, San Luis, Stewart)
On foot: 19.3 hrs, 28.7 miles, 13,717' gain, -12,762' loss; 1.49 mph avg pace
Ascending to summits: 14.0 hrs, 19.5 miles, 12,710' gain, -5,899' loss; 1.40 mph avg pace
Descending to THs: 5.3 hrs, 9.2 miles, 1,007' gain, -6,863' loss; 1.74 mph avg pace
Transitions: 4.7 hrs, 129 miles

It looks like he's getting some sleep at Nutras Creek TH. I'm hoping the weather improves today.

The times are based on Andrew's Garmin. To estimate foot distances and gain/loss, I'm using caltopo.com. For traverses between peaks, I'm counting them as ascents to summits for the stats above.

One crazy thing about this data is that Andrew apparently descends MUCH faster than he ascends. My experience as a mortal is that I don't descend a whole lot faster than I ascend. Part of that is I am not usually in a hurry once I summit, and part is that I am fatigued from the climb (again, being mortal). So I am usually faster descending but not a lot, maybe 1.5 times faster, not 3 times faster.

I wonder if that was true during his 14ers speed record as well?

Sean Nunn

Here is a summary from my spreadsheet:

2015FKT.jpg

[greenonion]

Day 1: Not bad...

5 peaks (Culebra, Red, Phoenix, San Luis, Stewart)
On foot: 19.3 hrs, 28.7 miles, 13,717' gain, -12,762' loss; 1.49 mph avg pace
Ascending to summits: 14.0 hrs, 19.5 miles, 12,710' gain, -5,899' loss; 1.40 mph avg pace
Descending to THs: 5.3 hrs, 9.2 miles, 1,007' gain, -6,863' loss; 1.74 mph avg pace
Transitions: 4.7 hrs, 129 miles

It looks like he's getting some sleep at Nutras Creek TH. I'm hoping the weather improves today.

The times are based on Andrew's Garmin. To estimate foot distances and gain/loss, I'm using caltopo.com. For traverses between peaks, I'm counting them as ascents to summits for the stats above.

One crazy thing about this data is that Andrew apparently descends MUCH faster than he ascends. My experience as a mortal is that I don't descend a whole lot faster than I ascend. Part of that is I am not usually in a hurry once I summit, and part is that I am fatigued from the climb (again, being mortal). So I am usually faster descending but not a lot, maybe 1.5 times faster, not 3 times faster.

I wonder if that was true during his 14ers speed record as well?

Sean Nunn

Here is a summary from my spreadsheet:
2015FKT.jpg

Where are the 42 13ers? What am I missing??

[supranihilest]

One crazy thing about this data is that Andrew apparently descends MUCH faster than he ascends. My experience as a mortal is that I don't descend a whole lot faster than I ascend. Part of that is I am not usually in a hurry once I summit, and part is that I am fatigued from the climb (again, being mortal). So I am usually faster descending but not a lot, maybe 1.5 times faster, not 3 times faster.

I wonder if that was true during his 14ers speed record as well?

Sean Nunn

Here is a summary from my spreadsheet:
2015FKT.jpg

Where are the 42 13ers? What am I missing??

That's from Andrew's 14er FKT in 2015.

[glenmiz]

Yes, sorry, I didn't label that better.

The stats I posted early this morning are from the current Centennial FKT attempt and the table responding to Sean were from Andrew's 2015 successful 14er FKT.

[Phill the Thrill]

Andrew was hurting last night and ascending SLOW. he was in a white out with a ton of weather, and just plain hurting - which is why there is such a gap in ascent/descent times

Wow, sounds like a grueling night. I hope it's going better for Andrew today. Thanks for the updates! Go Andrew!

[Dave B]

AllezAndrewAllez.jpg

[andrewhamilton]

Hey guys if you ever need an efficient plan for climbing the centennials…don’t use mine!

I have to admit I’m getting crushed so far. That night in blizzard conditions from Phoenix to Stewart really demoralized me, the snow was deep and caused some foot tendons to get angry. Today my legs just weren’t working so I was moving really slow.

Despite the bad luck, my tendons are doing better, & we are going to keep going just trying to finish one day at a time.

More heavy rain and snow in forecast so the plan may seem erratic as we drive around picking off easier peaks that we would rather climb in bad conditions.

[susanjoypaul]

Thinking of you out there in this crappy weather, Andrew. Hope you get some warm food and drink inside and warmer clothes outside today. And a little sunshine! Good luck with the next peaks, whichever ones they are - lots of choices, I guess.

[MonGoose]

Best of luck, Andrew! Thanks to everyone in your crew for supporting this effort. I hope you have a safe journey and cooperative weather.