by Kelly Ammon
On August 1, I ran the Art Loeb Trail in Pisgah National Forest completely solo and self-supported, and it was perhaps the biggest “jump into the unknown” feat I’ve ever accomplished.
ALT is a trail that runs approximately 30 miles (with ~9k ft of climbing) from start to finish in western North Carolina. Every summer I travel for a weeklong company conference in eastern NC, so this year I thought, why not leave a few days early and score a great trail run in the process?
When the idea first crossed my mind, I was excited but also incredibly anxious. I love running 50ks, but it’s something completely different, especially as a woman, to take on a completely unknown trail, completely alone. My sister connected me with her friend, Stephanie, a wilderness badass in her own right, who would provide me with some insight into the area and a shuttle the morning of my run.
I “took off” around 7:30 Saturday morning. I say “took off” ironically, because it was about 16 miles up of rhodie tunnels (aka, tight single track of rhododendron). Just climbing, not really even views to speak of, just climb, climb, climb, and more climb. I moved with purpose but mostly power-hiking and singing so I wouldn’t get eaten by a bear.
Around mile 18, I reached the most “tourist-y” section of trail and was rewarded with some great views and human interaction. At this point I was running low on water and started using my water filter. (Nothing makes you feel more like a badass than filtering water from moss runoff in the middle of the woods.)
In my mind, I just needed to make it to mile 20, and it would be all downhill. That was mostly true, but the last 10 miles were also the least traveled and most overgrown. The trail became very, very narrow and shiggy on both sides, taller than me. Although it was easier than the climbing, it wasn’t easy to send it.
Most of the ALT is marked by white blazes, but in the shining rock wildness there is nothing marking the trail. I had the route saved to my watch, and with about 4 miles left, it told me to go a very hard 90° (or more) to the left. Around the same time, janky, homemade, red, spray paint blazes began. I trusted my watch but at one point wondered if I’d ever get off the mountain or if I was being lured to a serial killer’s lair. (I’ve seen Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Deliverance, so that baseline of fear is always there.) I was so incredibly happy to finally make it to the trailhead and see my car waiting for me.
If you’ve made it this far through my “race” report, thank you. A few friends have asked me, “Why ALT?” Yes, it was convenient with my work schedule, but mostly because of my cousin, DJ. A handful of you met him when he ran the Conestoga with us. We ran Boulder Field and Bull Run together (team win!). He ran ALT with some friends a few years ago, and we were always talking about runs/races/FKTs we wanted to do, together or solo.
DJ was an awesome runner, loved an adventure, and last October, he took his own life. Trail running for me has always been part adventure, part escape, and absolutely more than just fitness. That’s only been amplified since last October; my bucket list has only grown for me, but also for him, for runs he did and those he didn’t get to. I only hope that I can keep doing this for years and years and years to come.
Sometimes running or “trail therapy” isn’t enough, and when it’s not, don’t hesitate for one second to reach out to me or a friend or a professional. There’s no shame in it.
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