Hand Crack and Singletrack: A New SKT on the Wind Cave/Green Canyon Loop

Great view of Mt Logan from atop ridge

There is much talk about so called Fastest Known Times(FKT) in running and climbing. The concept is simple: certain individuals try to beat the current record time on a given course, whether it be a standard 100m track in the Olympics, the R2R2R in the Grand Canyon, or your neighborhood backyard mountain run. The "known" part of it implies that it might have been run faster, only the humble hardman/woman who did it just isn't reporting it, so we just go by what the arrogant media attention hoarders report.

However, what often isn't reported, or isn't given credit, is the just the opposite. The SKT, or slowest known time, usually is looked down upon, due to the obvious lack of fitness, orienteering, or preparation by the participant. I myself am quite pleased when I can beat the fastest time on a certain course, but also recognize the harsh torture and effot that usually accompanies a SKT. I am a pro at achieving SKT's. Examples include our Gannett trip, where we were utterly crushed by the mountain, or Nate and I's epic Wellsville hypothermic experience where our SKT is still yet to be determined as we did not finish. Farmer Bill had to drive us to Wendy's in Brigham City where we warmed our goods with the bathroom hand warmer till the calvary arrived.

Annie and I would like to announce our new SKT on the classic, yet rarely done, Green Canyon/Wind Cave loop up in Logan which we accomplished this weekend. I am not qualified to say how far the run is or how much vert is lost/gained due to lacking a GPS watch or the time necessary to map it out on Google Earth, though if pressed I would say in the 15 mile range and maybe 2-3k of vert. The loop starts at the mouth of Logan canyon, then traverses north across the Bonneville, then up Green Canyon, up and over and down the ridge to the Wind Cave trail in Logan, then out using the Stokes Nature Trail back to first dam. And with the new Pipeline trail in place, feet on pavement time is minimal. Regardless, if you are interested in beating our SKT, here are the requirements.

You must:
1. Jump "trail closed" signs and construction equipment on the Bonneville shoreline section.
2. Slip and slide up and down the icy Green Canyon road which receives no sun until the summer solstice, tagging the top of Green Canyon for unneeded extra miles
3. Either posthole in waist deep soft cold slush on the Green Canyon ascent or abandon the trail in favor of attempting to link together thick, steep but dry schwak. Climbing unstable loose limestone cliffs is usually helpful to avoid both.
4. End up 1 mile west of the Green/Logan saddle where the descent trail is located.
5. Descend through the "Angels Landing" of Logan trail by somehow kindly asking farmer John and college student Billy to move aside.
6. Spend 10 minutes lost in the Guinivau/Malibu campground across from the Wind Cave trailhead searching for bridge across the river to access the next trail section. (its 1/2 mile up canyon, not down)
7. One member of your two man crew must roll her ankle near 3rd dam, but manage to courageously hobble to 2nd dam before being picked up by the first member.
8. Remove and replace your long sleeve shirt 10-35 times due to constantly changing temperature conditions.
9. Solo the 4 bolt 5.6 on the Date Wall as rain starts to fall
10. Take an absurd amount of pictures to put on your lame blog.

My time: 4:30 with Annie being the person mentioned in requirement 7.