• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Run
    • Racing Gnome Snowshoe Race
    • Castle Peak 100k
    • Race Discounts
    • Group Runs
    • Snowshoe Loans
    • Code of Conduct
  • Join
    • Membership Cost & Benefits
    • Join Now
  • Volunteer
    • Aid Stations
    • Trail Stewardship
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Calendar
  • Store
  • Donate

Donner Party Mountain Runners

Inform Inspire Connect

  • Member Highlights
  • Race Reports
  • Newsletter
  • Webinar Videos

Chasing Adam on the TRT

July 27, 2020 by Helen Pelster Leave a Comment

My great admiration for mountain running phenom Kilian Jornet is no secret. After all, I’m married to a (slightly slower) Spanish trail runner. So, when our friend and local DPMR runner Adam Kimble said he was aiming to beat Kilian’s Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Tahoe Rim Trail last year, I quietly thought to myself, “Yeah, sure.”

Kilian Jornet chatting with our son Alex the day before Kilian’s (first) Hardrock win in 2014

I joined Adam for his first FKT attempt last Fall to capture his journey with photography and shared his story over on my Flow & Focus website. I was also able to contribute my intimate knowledge of the route, holding two previous FKTs on the Tahoe Rim Trail myself.

It was fun, challenging, and exhausting photographing Adam last Fall. I missed a lot of shots, too. Either because I didn’t get there in time or because my technical skills with the camera weren’t sharp enough (I’m a self-taught hobbyist.)

I’m not sure why I was so hesitant to commit this year. I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t think he could best Kilian. (And this is a worthless reason for not being fully invested in helping a friend.) 

I wasn’t sure how I could create different imagery from last year. And I didn’t know if I wanted to spend two full exhausting days on the endeavour, and then many more hours culling and digitally developing photos.

“I can’t commit to the whole deal again,” I finally texted Adam two weeks before. “I’ll pick a few spots to catch photos.”

But I kept thinking about the shots I missed last year, and how I wanted to get deeper on the trail to show Adam high in the mountains rather than being crewed at paved trailheads. 

I wanted to approach the kind of storytelling that my friend and professional photographer Scott Rokis shares with his images. I was also inspired by Luis Escobar’s real-time coverage of Kyle Curtin’s recent unsupported FKT on the trail.

Just the day before I decided that I was all in! I can’t believe that I almost missed this incredible opportunity to improve upon last year’s work and to have a crazy-fun time doing it as well!

My day got off to a rocky start, barely making it to Tahoe City in time for Adam’s 6am start. I went to several trail crossings on dirt roads, but arrived with so little time to spare that I didn’t even have my camera out by the time Adam cruised by!

There was finally some breathing room after Brockway Summit (about mile 20) and I got ready for my big hike up to Relay Peak. The crew and I had missed Adam in this area last year. With 20-25 pounds of gear on my back, the climb was slower than I expected, but I did get to the trail with just enough time to set up both video and still photography before he sailed by.

With a successful trail capture, I was finally in the flow and it just got more exciting from there! Adam continued to run strong the rest of the day, crucially getting through Spooner Summit, which had been his low point last Fall.

I drove home to Truckee to get to bed early for Day Two of the adventure. When I woke at 4am to check the satellite tracker, I was jolted into action once I saw how well he had moved up and over the demanding Freel Peak section.

Crossing Highway 50 (mile 120) Adam was looking worn and tired to me, but he still found a huge smile to share with me. He was about 90 minutes behind his goal pace at this time, but I wasn’t worried… I knew that his plan had a lot of padding added for the Desolation Wilderness section.

Meanwhile, Steve Buelna, Ray Liberatore, and I headed up the Bay View trail to intercept Adam and pacer Peter Fain deep in Desolation. Steve went ahead with a (not-so-cold) Coke while Ray helped me lug the camera gear up the big climb.

Once again, the climbing was brutally slow with the heavy pack. My husband shared real-time tracking info with us via satellite messages:

“At top of Dicks at 12:14pm”

“20-30 minutes from you. ETA 12:40pm”

Seriously? Was Peter packing a jet-pack for Adam?

Once again, I was barely in position by the time we saw Adam. At least I was prepared with the camera, but it was not smooth as I would have liked. Regardless, it’s hard not to make beautiful photos up there!

It was more than 30 hours into his mountain run, and Adam just kept gaining on the pace plan. No way we could make the next two trail crossings, so we took a short break to eat and drove to the finish in Tahoe City.

I was stunned to hear that he had already passed the Barker Pass trailhead a little after 4pm. With 16 miles to finish, I know the mental boost that you get when arriving at Barker. You will finish. Fuel, water, pace… all irrelevant. You have come this far and the finish is yours to lose. Moreover, Adam had 4½ hours to beat Kilian’s time. 

171 miles later, Adam returned to Tahoe City just 37 hours and 12 minutes later, besting Kilian’s supported Fastest Known Time by 1 hour and 20 minutes. Read more from Adam here on rabbit’s blog.

It was so fun to be (spread) out there with our DPMR family – a reminder of what we love about the races and events that we are missing this year. It is also a reminder that we are resilient and stronger together, however that looks right now.

Filed Under: General, Member News, Trip Reports

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Become a Member Today »
Watch: Tahoe Rim Trail FKT Chat with Adam & Helen

Connect in Person

Mar
9
Tue
9:30 am Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run S... @ Donner Lake Rim Trail from Trout Creek Bike Path Trailhead
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run S... @ Donner Lake Rim Trail from Trout Creek Bike Path Trailhead
Mar 9 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run Session 1 @ Donner Lake Rim Trail from Trout Creek Bike Path Trailhead | Lewisville | Texas | United States
This is a bi-weekly “no-host unofficial” snowshoe run Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am starting March 9th for four sessions (March 9th, March 23rd, April 6th, and April 20th). We will hold the first run along[...]
Mar
23
Tue
9:30 am Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run S... @ 06/Sawtooth Trail Area
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run S... @ 06/Sawtooth Trail Area
Mar 23 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run Session 2 @ 06/Sawtooth Trail Area | Lewisville | Texas | United States
This is a bi-weekly “no-host unofficial” snowshoe run Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am starting March 9th for four sessions (March 9th, March 23rd, April 6th, and April 20th). This second session will be held on[...]
Apr
6
Tue
9:30 am Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details
Apr 6 @ 9:30 am – Apr 21 @ 11:00 am
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details | Lewisville | Texas | United States
This is a bi-weekly “no-host unofficial” snowshoe run Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am starting March 9th for four sessions (March 9th, March 23rd, April 6th, and April 20th).  Locations TBD as conditions change (check the[...]
Apr
20
Tue
9:30 am Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details
Apr 20 @ 9:30 am – May 5 @ 11:00 am
Mid-Morning Group Snowshoe Run @ Varies, see details | Lewisville | Texas | United States
This is a bi-weekly “no-host unofficial” snowshoe run Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am starting March 9th for four sessions (March 9th, March 23rd, April 6th, and April 20th).  Locations TBD as conditions change (check the[...]
Apr
24
Sat
all-day DPMR Aid Station at Canyons Endu...
DPMR Aid Station at Canyons Endu...
Apr 24 all-day
Join the (Donner) Party on the storied Western States trail in support of all our friends running the Canyons Endurance Run at the Cal 2 aid station! (38.9739, -120.8602) We will need help with the[...]
May
31
Mon
8:30 am TBD DPMR 2021 Memorial Day Picnic @ Prosser Ranch Group Campground
TBD DPMR 2021 Memorial Day Picnic @ Prosser Ranch Group Campground
May 31 @ 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
TBD DPMR 2021 Memorial Day Picnic @ Prosser Ranch Group Campground
TBD! Mark your calendars for the DPMR 6th ANNUAL FREE ANNUAL PICNIC AND GROUP RUNS!! We are hopeful that we can come together this year. Details to follow… 
View Calendar
Add
  • Add to Timely Calendar
  • Add to Google
  • Add to Outlook
  • Add to Apple Calendar
  • Add to other calendar
  • Export to XML

Connect Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

See us on Instagram

dpmrunners

Thank you First Responders and Medical Professiona Thank you First Responders and Medical Professionals for keeping us safe in the midst of the #coronavirus pandemic. ❤️ 🙏😷 You may recognize some of these amazing faces from the trails, or from volunteering or running races... but for now they are at work, making sacrifices every day so that we can stay safe and healthy at home. Let’s do our part to show them we care, and help keep THEM safe at work while we  #flattenthecurve 🏠#healthcareheroes #firstresponders #donnerpartymountainrunners #unsungheroes #covid19 #frontline
March Newsletter is live! Click on the link in our March Newsletter is live! Click on the link in our Bio. Featuring: Racing Gnome Recap, DPMR’s 2020 Vision, a Highlight on @krenkimble , @lukegartenwastaken Squaw to Donner- winter run, Intermittent Fasting by @tiffanysageswan , TDLT Trail Ops Report and more!
The snow is perfect for running and the February n The snow is perfect for running and the February newsletter is live! Link in bio and here:
 http://bit.ly/dpmrfeb #donnerpartymountainrunners
Happy Friday! Scene from the Truckee River bike pa Happy Friday! Scene from the Truckee River bike path between Tahoe City and Alpine Meadows this morning. There are so many winter-friendly trails to choose from in our area. Where are you running this weekend? 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🏃🏻 #basecampforabiglife #visittruckee #donnerpartymountainrunners
Season's greetings from Donner Party Mountain Runn Season's greetings from Donner Party Mountain Runners! #basecampforabiglife #truckeemoments #donnerpartymountainrunners
Registration for the 2020 Castle Peak 100k opens a Registration for the 2020 Castle Peak 100k opens at midnight! All current DPMR members can email runondirt@gmail.com for their 15% discount. Not a member? Join tonight- membership starts at $20/year. #donnerpartymountainrunners #allaltitudenoattitude #castlepeak100k @castlepeak100k
We are thankful for all of you and all of this fin We are thankful for all of you and all of this fine and fluffy white powder! #donnerpartymountainrunners #snowshoeseason #getoutside #basecampforabiglife #visittruckee
Swinging into the weekend like... 👌 #friYAY #tr Swinging into the weekend like... 👌 #friYAY #truckeeswingersclub 👉 Best of luck to all our friends running the North Face Endurance Runs tomorrow! #getsome 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️💃🕺🏽🎉
Great way to celebrate another season of friendshi Great way to celebrate another season of friendship and fun on the trails 🎉🍻❤️ Special thanks to Tahoe Mountain Sports and On Running for sponsoring our season-ending party again!
Good luck to our own @danbrounstein at the @nycmar Good luck to our own @danbrounstein at the @nycmarathon tomorrow! #tscnycmarathon #donnerpartymountainrunners
Sunset run tonight on Judah... who’s coming to o Sunset run tonight on Judah... who’s coming to our member appreciation party on Sunday? 🎉 group runs begin at 3:30- arrive a little early to demo some @on_running shoes from @tahoemountainsports  party at 5 at the @donnerskiranch #donnerpartymountainrunners #truckee #basecampforabiglife #sunsetrun
A few members of the class of 2019 Lake to Lake P A few  members of the class of 2019 Lake to Lake Pub Run #unafraid #frozen
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Footer

Run with Us

  • Group Runs
  • Code of Conduct

Race with Us

  • Racing Gnome Snowshoe Race
  • Castle Peak 100k
  • Discount Codes

Join Us

  • Membership Cost & Benefits
  • Join Now
  • DPMR Gear
  • Donate

About Us

  • About Us
  • Volunteer
  • Board
  • Contact Us

Login

Contributors, please click here to login.

© 2021 · Donner Party Mountain Runners · Truckee, California · Website by Tahoe Web Works