Mt. Wilson “Make it a Double”
June 22, 2024
There are few mountain summits that offer 5,000 feet of glorious elevation gain within 7 miles, minutes from a metropolitan city and tepid weather allowing recreation year round. Mt Wilson is located in the San Gabriel Mountain range overlooking Sierra Madre in Los Angeles County and on a clear day you can see 100 miles away to our Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara.
Five years ago, I wanted to challenge myself to a double summit and I guess others too had this same craving. A few friends showed up to join me.
After finishing the double it reminded me how important these types of challenges are. I had just experienced a race that was rerouted because of poor trail conditions. The participants were asked to do a double loop. More than 50% dropped from their original 50 mile plan to the 25 mile distance. It was a staggering realization that many runners are not mentally prepared for last minute changes when it comes to race day. I persevered and completed the 50 mile course.
I wanted to make sure I was mentally prepared and found the value in challenging myself to looped courses and double summits.
Maybe it was too much pie or the fear of starting the new year under prepared, but the Saturday before the new year made sense to me. It seemed like a great way to say reflect on the year passing and start strong for the new year.
December 29, 2018, sixty five participants joined Mt. Wilson “Make it a Double” and I introduced them to LOWA BOOTS.
My hunch was correct that the trail racing community, other than myself, craved a hard challenge, without the pressure of a timed event. I’m here to challenge you, reward you for doing something daring and introducing you to the best family you’ll ever meet!
WX2 (Wilson times 2) has no official start time, but has a hard social finish time at 4pm. This year a few attempted a triple, one got a head start at 3am but surrendered after the second summit. Maybe the homemade cookies, slightly messy meatball sub sandwich’s and Ponche (Mexican hot fruit punch with cinnamon and apples) at the bottom had something to do with it. I applaud all for trying, even one summit.
Producing a safe, fun event could not happen without collaboration from my husband, Ricardo Ramirez. Thank you and for the second year in a row, Jim Fraser hosting the summit aid station. He is the true winner, braving 27 degree standing still for 7 hours, serving, aiding and cheering.
I was proud to have LOWA Boots be a leading sponsor. Two participants, Joy Castanares and Nick Mangano won the raffle for a pair of Maddox Lo Trail running shoes.
LOWA is the right fit for this environment because “mountain” running requires rugged and durable shoes. I wore the Maddox Lo on the John Muir trail and Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim and LOVING them!
Thank you LOWA Boots for sponsoring Mt. Wilson “Make it a Double”
Cyndi Wyatt
LOWA Boots Ambassador
Photo credits: Erick Gustafson