The Orcas Island 100 is challenging in every way possible, but it is worth it. The first hurdle is mustering the courage to sign up for yet another hundred and signing up timely enough to avoid registration closure. Following the signup the next item on the agenda is completing trail work. This is a great idea from the race directors because it motivates runners to complete trail maintenance and see first hand the work that goes into maintaining the trails that we use. However, it generally requires another sign up and coordination with the work party. I completed my trail work on East Tiger Mountain and assisted in digging out trail wells to improve water flow. 

Because Orcas Island is an island, and I do not have my own boat, ferry transportation is required. Since ferries have a finite amount of space, another signup is required to reserve a place on the ferry. The ferry has signups at a few different times, but can fill up quickly so it is logistically difficult. Finally, I needed to find a place to sleep prior to the race, fortunately there was a bunkhouse available through Moran State Park. So after the trail work, the drive, the ferry ride, the lodging coordination, and the training, I was ready to race.

We left Camp Moran (520’) at 0800 on Friday February 28th under cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid 40s. The route began with a climb up the paved Mount Constitution Road to Little Summit. The climb is smooth with 6 switchbacks to (just below) Little Summit (2011’). The climb ascends 1420 vertical feet over 2.1 miles with an average gradient of 12.8%. There were foggy views of the Salish Sea to the southwest. Upon reaching the summit we (Jeremy and I) quickly dropped down the steep Little Summit trail to Mountain Lake aid station in 44:54 (mile 4.5 at 1054’). From this aid station, the course parallels the western shores of Mountain lake via the Mountain Lake Loop trail. 

After reaching the north shore, the course transitions to the Twin Lakes trail, eventually leading to Twin Lakes. The course gradually ascends after the Twin Lakes junction and continues until reaching Mount Pickett at 1748’ (8.2 miles into the loop). Mountain Lake to Mount Pickett is 3.7 miles with 760 vertical feet (average 3.8% gradient). After reaching Mount Picket, the trail mostly descends all the way back to Camp Moran aid station. The trail passes the southern terminus of Mountain Lake and follows Cascade Creek. The Cascade Creek trail has scenic waterfall views at several points on course. After crossing Olga Road, the Cascade trail continues to the east side of Cascade Lake. From there the course follows the shoulder of Olga Road as it passes by Cascade Lake. Jeremy and I reached Cascade Lake aid station, (mile 13.7 415’) run by Cowgill, in 2:07:15. 

After passing through the aid station we continued up to the park entrance and then jumped on the Powerlines trail. This topped out near the North Boundary trail at 2040’. This was the only section where poles might have been useful, so I found some branches and used them as I climbed. This third major climb on the course is statistically the most difficult with 1625 vertical feet over 2.5 miles with an average gradient of 15.4%. Once we reached the North Boundary trail, we dropped 670 feet over 2 miles through a beautiful dense forest. Upon reaching the junction with the Twin Lakes trail, we began climbing again to Mount Constitution. I would consider this the fourth major climb of the loop, even though it is relatively short. There are about 10 switchbacks to the 2401 foot Mount Constitution and corresponding aid station, which Jeremy and I reached in 3:29:16 (mile 19.4). The climb is 1030 vertical feet over 1.1 miles with an average gradient of 17.7%.

Jeremy decided to climb the tower, but I wanted to go for time, so I just descended from the peak proper. The Little Summit trail offers excellent views to the northwest from precarious rock outcrops. These rock outcrops eventually get overwhelmed by stunted conifers. The stunted conifers grow taller as the elevation drops further and the course transitions onto the Cold Springs trail. The Cold Springs trail switches back dozens of times as it plummets towards Cascade Lake. The trail was relatively rocky and footing was challenging. Upon reaching Olga Road, the course dips back into the forest via the Cascade Lake Loop trail and after 1950 feet of descending, there is a slight hill climb that parallels the road. I crossed back over Olga Road and into Camp Moran aid station in 4:17:00 (mile 24.5). I was feeling  great and excited to complete the first loop at the Orcas Island 100. 

The weather was only improving as time passed and with the sun shining the temperatures rose into the mid 50s. I felt strong on the Little Summit road climb and reached Mountain Lake aid station (29.3) in 5:14:50. I took some time to scour the lakes for waterfowl on this loop and my ebird list grew by 6 species. I had a difficult time on the gradual ascent to Mount Pickett on this loop. I remembered it feeling much easier on the first lap and did not even realize it was climb. Perhaps it was my fresh legs or perhaps it was conversation with Jeremy, but the second approach to Mount Pickett was less enjoyable. From a mental standpoint, the stretch between Mountain Lake aid station and Cascade Lake aid station became my least favorite from this lap onwards. Despite being mentally taxing, this segment was beautiful with old growth firs and cedars, cascading streams, and waterfalls. However, the distance between aid stations made this segment a grind occupying 36.8% of the total race course distance and 32.1% of the overall time. I reached Cascade Lake aid station (mile 38.4) in 6:52:00. I was excited to see that Rob and Celestine at the aid station and I chatted with them and Aaron for a few minutes before heading out.

I took it easy on the powerlines climb, I talked to Apryle and my dad on the phone and even studied some Spanish on Duolingo. Sometimes it is useful to distract myself in a long duration race. I hit the Mount Constitution summit (mile 44.2)for a second time at 8:30:09. Then after the long descent I reached Camp Moran (49.3) in 9:24:46. I had to resupply on this loop and it was my longest aid station stop of the race at 0:05:30. I picked up a jacket, headlamp, battery pack, and plenty of calories. My second lap was 5:07:46 or 19.8% slower than my first lap. I had just enough light to make it to the top of Little Summit without my headlamp. My goal from there was to finish the race under the light of my headlamp. 

The Little Summit trail descent was unpleasant in the dark. My quadriceps were taxed, my reaction time was slow, and my depth perception was skewed. The first few miles with a headlamp is always a difficult adjustment. After running with natural light for over 10 hours, my eyes did not like the artificial substitute. Nonetheless I reached Mountain Lake aid station for the third time in 10:39:12 (54.1 miles). Mentally I had a better third lap between Mountain Lake aid station and Cascade Lake aid station. Objectively, it was 0:20:09 slower than my second lap and 0:34:58 slower than my first lap. I reached Cascade Lake aid station in 12:36:31 (mile 63.3). Unfortunately I got passed outside the aid station, but I was able to stay with him up the powerlines trail, but got dropped on the North Boundary trail descent. 

I reached Mount Constitution aid station for the third time in 14:15:30 (mile 69.1). My split for this segment was 1:38:59, only 50 seconds slower than my second lap but 0:16:58 slower than my first lap. I had to stop for a bit to drink some hot soup and then I descended back to Camp Moran which I reached in 15:31:09 (mile 74.3). I completed my third lap in 6:06:23 which was 42% slower than my first lap. I was passed again out of the aid station which dropped me to third place. I reached Mountain Lake aid station in 16:48:23 (mile 79). I walk/jogged the section between Mountain Lake aid station and Cascade aid station with Ann who has finished multiple 100 and 200 milers. It was great to share some miles with someone through this section. I reached Cascade Lake aid station for the final time in 18:56:25 (mile 88.2) and I was passed for a final time dropping to fourth place. 

I was disappointed to lose yet another place, but I was happy that I was still moving well. It started to drizzle for the first time all day as I climbed the powerlines trail. Once I reached the North Boundary trail I joined Pedro from Ecuador. We chatted about mountaineering in Peru and Washington as we ascended to Mount Constitution. I reached the Mount Constitution aid station (mile 94) in 20:54:41. This segment took me 1:58:16, which was 0:36:15 slower than my first lap. Overall the Cascade Lake to Mount Constitution accounted for 30% of the total time on course despite occupying only 23.3% of the overall distance. This is certainly due to the drastic elevation gain of this section. The final summit was a beautiful sight, the light drizzle transitioned to a light snow. The snowflakes danced in the glow of the headlamp and there was a light powder on the ground. I knew that only 5 downhill miles stood between me and a conclusion to my effort. 

As I descended I saw headlamps trailing so I pushed as fast as I could muster. My knees were aching and I was having a difficult time picking up my feet, but I felt like I was flying. However, in retrospect, my pace indicated something different. The Mount Constitution to Camp Moran segment took me 1:08:39, which was 0:20:55 slower than my first lap. However, it was 7 minutes faster than my third lap, which means this was the only segment that was faster than a previous segment all day. I reached the finish line in 22:03:20, meaning that my fourth and final lap was completed in 6:32:11 or 52.5% slower than my first lap. Essentially I was about 17.5% slower on each lap as the day progressed. I am not disappointed with the end result, I am not certain that a slower first lap would have guaranteed a more even pace. It was a beautiful day, the weather was cooperative, the trail was maintained, and the scenery was gorgeous. Thanks so much to James and Katy at Rainshadow and all the volunteers! Thank to Apryle for caring for all the animals!