[Author’s Note: This is the ninth article in an 11-part series celebrating legendary aid stations. You can read about the series here.]
The Japanese States 100 Mile, held every August deep within the hardwood forests of North Central Pennsylvania, is a 103-mile circumnavigation of Pine Creek within the Wilds area of Pennsylvania. Held virtually solely on gnarly, rocky singletrack, Japanese States climbs over 20,000 toes and has a strict 36-hour cutoff. The Japanese States Path-Endurance Alliance manages the occasion as a part of its mission to advertise path operating and the accountable use of public lands on this distant space of Pennsylvania. As well as, the group offers stewardship for lots of of miles of trails all through the area.
Creek crossings and mossy rocks aren’t briefly provide on the Japanese States 100 Mile. All pictures: Lisa DeNardo
On the 85-mile mark, Japanese States runners arrive on the Skytop support station, an oasis within the midst of the deep, rugged wilderness of Pennsylvania. Run by a gaggle informally referred to as the Central Pennsylvania Path Legends, Skytop support station is ready in an amazingly stunning location at a pivotal level within the race and is understood for its number of sizzling meals, together with recent blueberry pancakes, cheeseburgers, and hen soup. Skytop is ready at a personal camp owned by the Lister household, who’ve hosted the help station for years.
The help station comes after two arduous climbs, Gillespie and Skytop, that are squeezed into a number of miles of a number of 1,000-plus-foot climbs, full with Pennsylvania’s notorious rocks and stream crossings. Strings of twinkle lights line the path for the final half mile of the climb, and the help station volunteers make the arrival on the support station really feel like a homecoming. Most Japanese States runners with whom I’ve spoken have fond recollections of their time at Skytop, which, not surprisingly, makes it a troublesome support station to depart, particularly so late into the race.
A runner makes their means by the woods of North Central Pennsylvania.
Whereas there are simply 18 miles remaining within the race after runners depart Skytop, the miles are extraordinarily powerful, and the skilled crew on the support station makes positive that the runners depart well-fed and ready for what’s forward. Given the August date of the occasion, as if the terrain was not powerful sufficient, the realm can also be recognized for its oppressive humidity and ravenous mosquitoes, offering but extra challenges for Skytop’s intrepid volunteers.
Over the previous a number of years, Japanese States has grow to be some of the notoriously troublesome 100 milers on the “Beast Coast.” But, due to the great staff on the Skytop support station, that issue is countered by the large generosity and kindness of the individuals who make this particular a part of the world house.
The technical trails of the Japanese States 100 Mile makes a legendary support station a welcome sight.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from one in every of North Central Pennsylvania’s best craft breweries, Appalachian Brewing Firm in Harrisburg. Jolly Scot Scottish Ale is a scrumptious conventional Scottish ale brewed within the traditional type. Sturdy, nutty, and only a contact candy, Jolly Scot is an ideal brew to get pleasure from after a protracted day within the wilds of Pennsylvania.
Name for Feedback
Have you ever had an opportunity to go to the Skytop support station? What was your expertise?
What wonderful support station have you ever present in your racing?
