News: ODT Speed Record Attempt Successfully Completed

Christof Teuscher

After 17 days and 15 hours, I successfully finished the 750-mile Oregon Desert Trail (ODT) speed record attempt on Friday, Jul 29, 2016, solo and self-supported.

I averaged 43 miles per day without any rest day in some of the most challenging terrain I ever navigated. Despite the massive planning and training, a lot of things went terribly wrong. The experience broke me in so many more ways than I thought I could be broken. It was a colossal struggle against myself and the often hostile, yet incredibly beautiful environment.

I will post more on this blog soon. Check out the teaser in the meantime and sign up for the e-mail notifications (see right tabs) if you’d like to get updates.

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The finish at the Owyhee State Park, just after sunset. Badly beaten up, unshaved, insanely sleep-deprived, dirty, and just about ready to pass out from complete exhaustion.

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I did not stand for much longer.

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Notice the ODT patch on the pack. You can order it from ONDA.

The Trail

The trail is the brainchild of the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA). Because of its novelty and uniqueness, it was featured in both a National Geographic (“World’s Best Hikes: 20 Dream Trails“) and CNN article (“10 of the world’s most amazing long-distance trails“). Compared to other long-distance trails, the 750-mile ODT is very challenging for a thru-hiker/runner, both physically and logistically. There are few reliable water sources, the trail is extremely remote, 267 miles (36%) are cross-country, and the environment is very unforgiving.

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Map of the conceptual trail designed by ONDA. (c) Map by Mapbox. For an interactive version, click here.

Additional ODT Resources and Posts

Leave-no-Trace

The endurance challenge will be completed by following strict leave-no-trace ethics. In order to reduce landfill waste, all trash will be recycled. The buried cache bins will serve as temporary trash bins during the adventure. They will all be retrieved after the adventure, whether I finish successfully or not.

NEWS: 2nd Oregon Desert Trail Speed Record Attempt

Christof Teuscher

On Tuesday, Jul 12, 2016, I plan to start for a 2nd 750-mile Oregon Desert Trail (ODT) speed record attempt. The 2015 attempt ended prematurely after 9 days and 371 miles because of a debilitating Achilles inflammation. Once again, my goal is to run the challenging and largely unmarked “trail” across the Oregon deserts solo and self-supported. What could possibly go wrong this time?

“Hastening Eastward” Movie Clip

Check out the following clip to get a better idea of what this endurance challenge is all about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzY2uAxzgs8 (direct URL).

The Trail

The trail is the brainchild of the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA). Because of its novelty and uniqueness, it was featured in both a National Geographic (“World’s Best Hikes: 20 Dream Trails“) and CNN article (“10 of the world’s most amazing long-distance trails“). Compared to other long-distance trails, the 750-mile ODT is very challenging for a thru-hiker/runner, both physically and logistically. There are few reliable water sources, the trail is extremely remote, 267 miles (36%) are cross-country, and the environment is very unforgiving.

odt_logo

odt_overview_elevation

Map of the conceptual trail designed by ONDA. (c) Map by Mapbox. For an interactive version, click here.

ODT distance comparison. Run the ODT or run on I-5 from Portland to Fresno?

ODT distance comparison. Run the ODT or run on I-5 from Portland to Fresno? Neither option sounds completely sane to me.

Tracking

I will start from the Tumulus trailhead in the Oregon Badlands, just outside of Bend, and then haste eastward. In the unlikely case that things go well, I may finish the adventure in the Owyhee Canyonlands at the Owyhee State Park.

You can track my progress (or lack thereof) here in real-time: ODT: Real-time Tracking.

Additional Resources

Leave-no-Trace

The endurance challenge will be completed by following strict leave-no-trace ethics. In order to reduce landfill waste, all trash will be recycled. The buried cache bins will serve as temporary trash bins during the adventure. They will all be retrieved after the adventure, whether I finish successfully or not.