Leadville Trail 100 Training Camp Day 2 the “Double Crossing”
On top of Hope Pass looking south
Leadville Trail 100 Training Camp Day 2, the “Double Crossing”
Leadville Trail 100 Training Camp Day 2 is the “Double Crossing”! The Double Crossing consists of running from Twin Lakes (the lowest point in the Leadville Trail 100) to the top of Hope Pass at 12,600 feet (the highest point in the Leadville Trail 100), down the backside, then 3 miles on a dirt road to the town site of Winfield (the 50 mile turn-around point). Then the runners turn around and run back to Twin Lakes. The total distance is only about 20 miles, but it can take 7 hours at a conservative pace to run this section of the Leadville Trail 100. Last year during the race I was having a very hard time and it took me over 8-1/2 hours to complete the Double Crossing! Be prepared to push yourself farther than you may have ever done before in your life.
Again, the runners meet for breakfast at 6:30am and receive a briefing about the days run ahead of them. Then the runners are bused to the Twin Lakes area. The runners have a few options on for running the Double Crossing: 1) Run to the top of Hope Pass and return to Twin Lakes, 2) Run up to the top of Hope Pass and descend to the bottom of the back side, then run back up and over to Twin Lakes, and 3) Run all the way to the town site of Winfield and return to Twin Lakes. During the training camp there were runners that chose one of each of the three choices. Ken Chlouber made it very clear that if you are going to run over the top of Hope Pass you must be prepared to get yourself back up and over Hope Pass by yourself.
Later that evening there is a pasta dinner for all the runners followed by a Q&A presentation with the panel of experts. This gives the runners an opportunity to get all their questions answered about how to finish the Leadville Trail 100 in less than 30 hours. Some of the topics discussed were: what it takes mentally, course strategy, nutrition, hydration, crews, pacers, gear, and weather conditions.
Twin Lakes to Winfield (Outbound)
The way the Leadville Trail 100 course is described is “Outbound” and “Inbound”. When the term “outbound” is used it refers to running from the Start to Winfield. When the term “inbound” is used it refers to running from Winfield to the Finish.
During the actual running of the Leadville Trail 100, the runners leave Twin lakes Aid Station at mile 40, cross over highway 2, through the river and meadow to the Hope Pass Trail. However, during training camp the runoff in the river is too fast and dangerous for the runners to cross safely so the runners are bused up the highway to Parry Peak Campground. This actually adds a bit more distance to the actual race course, but it is the only safe alternative for getting the runners across the creek safely.
Dangerous water conditions of the river
From Parry Peak Campground the runners follow a trail that is perpendicular to the actual trail for the Leadville Trail 100 race. The runners come to a rusty sign that says something to the effect that “no motorized vehicles past this point” and make a sharp right to start the climb up to the top of Hope Pass. Now the runners are actually experiencing the true course. The “outbound” climb is longer than the “inbound” climb, but is not as steep. While climbing this section the runners break through tree line and get their first glimpse of Hope Pass. One nice thing about seeing Hope Pass is that there are no false summits. After that the only other nice thing about running Hope Pass is being done with it.
During the actual running of the Leadville Trail 100 race there is an aid station on Hope Pass called the Hopeless Aid Station, which all the aid station supplies are brought up on llamas. However, during Leadville Training Camp there is no aid station on the mountain so the runners must have everything they need to cross Hope Pass. This includes all the food, water, and clothing for any type of weather conditions. While I cross Hope Pass in training camp it was actually snowing very lightly.
Hawaiian "Pants" Ray at the top of Hope Pass
For those runners who decided to continue down the backside of Hope Pass, there is an aid station set up at the bottom close to the road leading to Winfield. It is important to note that this aid station is not there during the actual running of the Leadville Trail 100. Again, for those runners who decided to continue to the town site of Winfield, they turned right after the aid station and ran three miles uphill on a dirt road to the 50 mile turn-around point. During the race Winfield is a full aid station with a medical check, at training camp it is only a minimal aid station. My advice for first time runners of the Leadville Trail 100 is to run this section during training camp. I heard a few people say “I have run enough jeep roads that I don’t need to run 6 more miles” (out-and-back). However, this section can be mentally though if you are not familiar with it. And the point of training camp is to familiarize runners with the course, not just to be running to put in the miles. During the race this section can seem like an eternity to get to the Winfield Aid Station. Those camp participants that did not run this section will have it very tough on race day. Another thing that runners need to know about running the section on the road during race day is that the dust is awful. There is a lot of traffic going both directions during race day. It is advisable to have a bandana or dust mask to cover your nose.
Winfield to Twin Lake (Inbound)
Leaving Winfield during the race is a great feeling know that distance-wise (not time-wise) you are halfway done and now returning to Leadville. It feels like progress is being made. For the most part this section is downhill to the base of the Hope Pass Trailhead. Now the real fun starts because the climb inbound over Hope Pass is a grind all the way up to the tree line. During training camp there are a few “runable” sections, but during the actual race I have never been able to “run” them. So, during training camp I tried my best to simulate my race day pace and I walked the entire section of the inbound climb to the top of Hope Pass.
Once cresting over the top and running past where the Hopeless Aid Station will be, runners should be cautious though this section because it always seems to be wet and sloppy all year long. I suggest that runners take their time through this short section before running down Hope Pass. After that section it is runable all the way down to the bottom. However, during training camp the runners do not run all the way to the bottom, rather they return on the trail going back to the Parry Peak Campground. Again, the point at where the actual race course continues down is at the rusty sign. I say this again to let the runners at the training camp know that during race day it will be different and they will need to realize that they must keep running downhill and not turn as they did in training camp.
Talking with Fellow Leadville Training Camp Runners
I spoke with many first time trail ultra 100 runners and veterans of other 100 mile ultra trail runs and the general consensus of the Double Crossing was “that was a lot harder than I imagined it was going to be”. The training camp is a great opportunity to test where you are at in your training and what you areas that you will need to work on. One runner I spoke to is putting in about 90 miles per week and realized that he needs to change his training to include power hiking. Another runner mentioned that she realized that she need to incorporate a lot more downhill running into her training program otherwise her quads will be “blown-out” early into the race. Although I will not be running this weekend I will be taking Simon (my pup) into the high country around Leadville and climbing some 14,000 foot peaks (aka 14ers) just to get my power hiking muscles in shape and to get used to the altitude of Leadville.
Dinner and the Q&A with the Panel of Experts
For me the Q&A session during my first Leadville Trail 100 Training Camp three years ago was the most important part. Although getting familiar with the course was very important, I left the Q&A session with the feeling that “I CAN DO THIS!” It lifted the veil to so many unknowns on what to expect on race day.
Founder and President Ken Chlouber and Race Director Merilee Maupin
One of the best parts for me was when the panel discussed how to get from aid station to aid station outbound and inbound. They shared their experiences of their highs and lows, and what to expect during each section. They also mentally prepare you to dig deep. They give you the encouragement that when you are physically spent and mentally finished that you should go to the well one more time to see if there is anything left. Because, if you look deep inside yourself you will find that there is still something there. DO NOT QUIT! As Ken Chlouber says, “You are better than you think you are, and can do more than you think you can”.
photo by: Francisco Moreno
