Discussion: Killarney Loop?

Curious to know more about the Killarney loop. I've read that the Trailhead to Trailhead takes over 12 hours (obviously a good pace) and La Cloche Silhouette has been done by Eric Batty in just over 9 hours.

http://www.killarneyoutfitters.com/trip-planning/h...

The Cloche is approx 78 km so what is the trailhead to trailhead trek? Is mid-spring too early to attempt this because of lingering winter conditions?

I know a number of people have done this so curious to hear any feedback or suggestions.

Thanks!

I have no info or insight to provide.. but I'm IN!!

Dee is a good one to ask. She has all the info. And like make many AR types has done it several times in one go.

Also, 1L has done it too I believe.

I have always wanted too, but haven't made it yet.
I had one failed attempt with Dee & K-bomb a couple of years ago, due to really bad weather and fallen trees on the trail making it really hard to figure out where we were going on our midnight start.

My goal would be to do the full loop under 24hrs and maybe 20hrs.
I think the 12hr and 9hr times are a little ambition. I believe Dee & M&M did it in 18hrs.
But I am in, if there is a group at my speed.

ya i am in.

Awesome awesome loop, I have done several times, once ran it and another fast hike with a camp in the middle. 12 hrs is doable but you would be moving very quickly. We were 16 hours with a friend that fell a little ill that last bit, so I would say 14 hours for me in TOP shape. you have to take into account looking for the cairns will add time to your route if you have not done before, and if it is wet (a good chunk of it is slick rock will slow you down), the trail is not as easy to find as you would think in some sections.

Thanks for the info Wanda and Dee! I think 16 hours would seem like a good target. There is a good chance that we will have a place about 90-120 minutes from Killarney next Spring so it could be a good place to commute from. I'm wondering if it would make sense to attempt it in April or wait till later in May after STT. It's a ways out but since it's not your average trek, I will work on the details and keep everyone who is interested posted.

OMG 16hrs! Okay, well if I have 6 months train I guess I could do it.

In, as well (if I could ever get in good enough shape).

Another Ontario classic is paddling the Brent Run (Algonquin Park; paddle from Portgage Store to Brent Store and back).

DD11 I'm in too, have been tossing the idea around also, depending when it would be a good start to the season.

Sounds great everyone. I will keep a running list of people who are interested and as the plan comes together I will keep everyone posted. It would be fun to do a few longer "training" runs before hand as well.

To whet the whistle here are some pic's I took of a trip in 2004:

http://osteo.smugmug.com/Travel/Killarney/Aug-2004...

(gotta ask Bash how to post pic's directly...)

Here's one of your pics. Turns out in Smugmug, you've got it really easy - Share / Link / Embeddable / Copy

P.S. 'Bent and I would like to be kept in the loop - although 16 hours is not remotely realistic for me. When Leanimal and the Bobkittens did the K Loop for the 2nd time a couple of years ago, they had excellent conditions and were going much faster than their first time. It took them 19 hours - and they are stronger than a lot of guys.
http://www.ar.attackpoint.org/viewlog.jsp/user_252...

First time took them 29 hours - situation wasn't ideal, as described very well by Leanimal.
http://www.ar.attackpoint.org/viewlog.jsp/user_252...

Getawaystix, Hansel and Dr. Wells did it in just over 12 hours a few years ago. Here's GStix's log.
http://www.ar.attackpoint.org/viewlog.jsp/user_703...
And Hansel's.
http://www.ar.attackpoint.org/viewlog.jsp/user_249...

Thanks Bash!

Counterclockwise section of loop pic:




Trail run in Kauai, pretty similiar to me!

I've done it about 5 times now. Only ever as a quick hike through. Correction "quick" hike. I'm no Dee. The fastest I've done it is 26 hrs and I never run.
I usually do it on the May 24 weekend. It's been hot enough to hike in a tank and cold enough that it snowed.
I would advise attacking it counterclockwise so you get the worst terrain done while you have some energy.

I would also suggest keeping the group to 4-5 people. If you go with more it will slow you down. Alternatively - get two groups going. One heads clockwise and the other counterclockwise. Race to the finish. LOL! That's mean for whoever goes clockwise.

Let me know when you're going. I lilely be doing it again in May.

Oh my goodness.....
Killarney Loop race?? GENIUS!!! I'll even volunteer for the clockwise direction!

hey DD - this looks like fun at any speed. I'd be interested to know what comes of your plans.

If there is enough for a slow group you could count me in as well.

My two sense is in daylight I would attack it counter clockwise as that is most technical section. and go clockwise if you start in the dark for those of you who are measuring your time! Keep me posted of plans also. I love this loop.

Well DD, looks like you committed yourself to organizing this b!tch. Get on it. I want complete and thorough plans, on the web by new years.

Did I start this thread? :) Sounds good. I will start working on the details. Thinking late May at this point but I know narrowing down a date will be the most difficult task.

Pick the date that works for you and stick with it.

Before the bugs!

That's a good point. When do the bugs start up in Killarney? May 25th too late?

That's the weekend I was hoping for, as the May long weekend is host to 2 great 24hr races south of the border.

Crap shoot as far as the bugs go. I go the long weekend normally and it's been warm enough that I've worm a tank top and a bug net and cold enough that it's snowed. Legendaryrandy is right. Just find something that works with your schedule and hope for the best. :)

Check this out!
50km section appears to be opening next summer.
120km trail planned from Pointe au Baril to French River.

https://www.facebook.com/georgianbaycoasttrail

or
http://www.gbcoasttrail.com/

Very interesting Hammer, thanks for sharing!

Just a little bump for the Killarney Loop in May. I picked up a map of La Cloche Trail today (wow there is ALOT of contour). We are aiming to do it on Saturday, May 25th. I will summarize who's interested and post further details over the next couple of weeks.

That weekend works for me. Thanks for talking this on DD11.

Change that. I am now voting for the long weekend. That is the weekend before, May 18-20, as I am heading to Africa May 25th.

Africa?!?!?!

This has been on my list since 1L mentioned it (a few years ago :-) )! And as a race ~ that's a great idea :-D soo... is this going to happen?

Actually I'm in, even if I'm solo-ing it :-D

I may be able to join if you go on the long weekend.

Teaser pics went up for one of the ~equidistant competing long weekend options. Go west and beat on some 'mercans.

I have to work on this and hope to have some time over the next week. I was just told I need to go to the US between our long weekend and the US long weekend which is when I had planned to do this run so trying to sort that out.

A number of people have expressed an interest in this run since I posted in the Fall. I am curious how many people would be in for the following dates:

Saturday, May 25th

Saturday, May 18th (2nd Option -it's the long weekend so doesn't work as well for me but might be better for others).

I'll be there with Mj on the long weekend regardless. We're also planning a quick hike rather than a run. Though there may be a bit of running we're not thinking of this as a run. We have a bit of a tradition - hike loop as quickly as possible, go eat fish and chips with Coke, sleep. That's pretty much it. I don't know if this helps or hinders your planning but at least it's solid info.

I love Killarney fish and chips from the school bus!

I've got to bow out - the 28th we're racing the Mohican and the 25th we're just back, don't think I'll be doing another 80 that soon! Maybe I'll kick it off in the fall.

I believe I'm in for this, I was thinking after the long weekend, or perhaps end of June (not sure if that is bug season / ie, not a good choice), but I'll confirm.

I found out I have to be in the US for business over the Cdn Long weekend. Argh. As much as I want to do this in the spring, I'm wondering if the Fall might be better. Stay tuned. I know 1L and MJ are planning to do it the long weekend regardless.

How did I miss all of this. I love the Killarney loop but we never did it trying to be fast. Our first priority was good company, second was good food, third was a nip of maple liquer, and fourth was stopping to watch the sunrise. It's such a great trip and one day I think I will go back to try to run it but we didn't run one step when we did it either time. Too bad I am going to miss this.

So you are saying DD11, if it doesn't happen on the long weekend it won't happen until the fall? I thought you were targeting the weekend of the 25/26th?

Quite an old thread, but as it's tough to find discussion on this... Just wanted to share that Chantal Warriner just completed a solo run of the trail in 14:01 (counter clockwise I believe, more technical first, no silver peak side trail).

(I don't know if anyone else has attempted a fast run of this recently...)

Speedy!

Barb the time I discussed with you on my full run of the trail I included silver peak. Map should be at your doorstep tomorrow or Monday.

Merci!

Seems getawaystix, Hansel, bwells included silver peak, but batty/atkins didn't. Is that side trail considered part of the loop? (As part of a fast run? Seems like a nice climb :-) )

Nah just a nice added feature with views.

Cool. While I won't set any records whenever I eventually get there, there does seen to be that tension between how fast can I do it with how awesome can it be (take it all in, sleep under the stars, swim at every chance :-) )

I'm still getting abused for not including Silver Peak when we did it last year (Hansel). Best to always include for posterity.

How much time does Silver Peak add to a fast loop? I've hiked it years ago at leisurely pace.

Distances vary between 1.9 and 2.5 km each way. :-)

Rugged, steep trail - but gorgeous at the top!

Good advice Harps, for around here :-) ! I wouldn't want to give up the view I don't think, so would probably take a split. From "Jeff's map", it looks like about 250-280m ascent

(so perhaps 45 min to 1 hour depending how rugged!?)

If I remember, Silver Peak was about 40 minutes up, and 20 down. So let's call it an hour. Then there's also the impact that it might have on your endurance later in the loop...

Just went back to check my Garmin, and it looks like up was more like ~25 minutes. So an hour is probably an overestimation.

It's a pretty technical downhill too.

...'technical' enough that one can do it in Crocs if I recall correctly from a previous canoe trip, non?

Are you asking Scott or Harper? Cuz Harper wouldn't know., FYI.

I consider Crocs to be performance footwear Phats -- who needs 'traction' or the shoe to 'stay on' while running?

Phatty's daughter has an opinion on that.

AdventureGirl! and I ran up Silver Peak in 24 minutes earlier this week but that was after only running 26 minutes from the David-Boundary Lake portage (at a slower pace than the Batkins did the entire loop).

If the loop was to be attempted in a 2 or 3 day outing what sections would people suggest on each of the days? (Silver Peak included)

Although there are sections of technical trail all around the loop, the most consistently technical and strenuous part of the loop is the east side. So for a 2-3 day fastpack where you would be carrying larger packs and travelling only in daylight, it would make sense to do the loop clockwise so you do the hardest part with the lightest pack. For our non-stop loop, we went counterclockwise so we could do the harder east side in daylight.

You could look at our GPS track from Aug. 16 to get an idea of where you would end up each night if you divide our time into the number of days you want to take - adding some extra for Silver Peak. We made some long stops but they were fairly evenly distributed around the loop.