The Whistler Alpine Meadows races (WAM) encompass some of the best of what Whistler and coastal British Columbia has to offer, including many alpine trails only recently completed. Runners are treated to expansive alpine meadows, raging waterfalls, blooming wildflowers, calving glaciers, dizzying suspension bridge crossings, pristine alpine tarns and over a dozen backcountry lakes, along with 360 degree panoramic mountain views as far as the eye can see. Whistler is world famous, and for good reason!
For 2019 the distances include an Ascent Race, 25 km, 55 km, 110 km, and a brand new 100 mile distance, along with the Triple WAMMY! (Friday Ascent, Saturday 25k, Sunday 55k). Learn more and register at: www.trailseries.ca/race/whistler-alpine-meadows/
Video produced by Jeff Pelletier, Pacer Films: pacerfilms.tv
I’m an ultra-distance trail runner based in Vancouver, BC. From the mountain ranges of Canada and the USA, to the Alps, the Andes, and the Himalayas, I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue adventures around the world.
The West Coast Trail is a 75 km point-to-point hiking trail along a remote stretch of the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island. Originally created in 1907 to help rescue shipwrecked survivors along the coast, it’s become one of BCs most popular long-distance trails, attracting nearly 7,000 visitors each year from all over the world.
The trail offers a unique and challenging experience, complete with deep sand, thick mud, torrential rain, creek crossings in cable cars, slippery roots, rocks and boardwalks, not to mention the countless ladders. The coast guard rescues someone from the trail on average every second day. But it’s also a place of incredible beauty, offering glimpses of wildlife like wolves, eagles, humpback whales, and sea lions, as you make your way through dense forests, past lakes, caves and waterfalls, and along rugged beaches and awe-inspiring coastal features at every turn.
Growing up in Vancouver, Id always wanted to hike the trail, so I jumped at the chance to join my friend Karl in the summer of 2017 when he managed to secure permits.
I’m an ultra-distance trail runner based in Vancouver, BC. From the mountain ranges of Canada and the USA, to the Alps, the Andes, and the Himalayas, I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue adventures around the world.
The complete 12 days journey starting in Lukla then on to Manjo, Namche Bazar, Pangboche, Pheriche, Gorak Shep, Everest Base Camp, Kalapathar, Dzonglha, Gokyo, and finally returned back to Lukla via Machherma and Namche.
The SwissPeaks 360k is a trail running race that travels more than 360 km (224 miles) across the Swiss Alps, climbing over 26,000 metres (87,000 feet). Runners have up to 160 hours to complete the race, refuelling at the 31 minor aid stations, with the option to sleep at any of the 6 major life bases along the way. My goal would be to finish in between roughly 100-120 hours, and to sleep around 6-7 hours over the 4 to 5 day period. This was my second race over 200 miles, and I swore to myself that I would never try to do it again.
I’m an ultra-distance trail runner based in Vancouver, BC. From the mountain ranges of Canada and the USA, to the Alps, the Andes, and the Himalayas, I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue adventures around the world.
As trail runners, we like to travel fast and light. Here are the 10 trail running gear essentials that I always carry to stay safe on the trails. Shop all the products featured here: kit.co/jeffpelletier5/my-10-essentials-for-trail-running
The 330 km TOR Des Geants is a race in the Italian Alps. The course heads counter-clockwise on the Alta Via 2 along the south side of the Aosta valley for the first half of the race, returning along the Alta Via 1 back to Courmayeur.
The 2018 TOR was my first 200 miler. What follows is just a brief look at my experience at the race, all the ups and the downs on my journey among the giants of the alps.
I’m an ultra-distance trail runner based in Vancouver, BC. From the mountain ranges of Canada and the USA, to the Alps, the Andes, and the Himalayas, I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue adventures around the world.
The Kalalau Trail leads 11 miles along the rugged Nā Pali Coast on the north shore of the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The Trail traverses 5 lush valleys, above towering cliffs, before ending at Kalalau Beach where it is blocked by sheer, fluted pali. Most will take between 2-3 days to finish the trail. Our plan was to travel fast and light, running the entire 22 mile return trip in roughly 8 hours. Read my full trip report including map on my website at: jeffpelletier.com/running-the-kalalau-trail
For anyone planning on visiting Kauai, Id recommend picking up a copy of The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, Kauai Revealed: geni.us/wxxA
I’m an ultra-distance trail runner based in Vancouver, BC. From the mountain ranges of Canada and the USA, to the Alps, the Andes, and the Himalayas, I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue adventures around the world.
Disclosure: Some links in the description are affiliate links from which Ill receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
In August 2020, Gary Robbins set out to complete a mountain route in his backyard of Chilliwack, BC, covering 109 miles / 176 km of mountain terrain with over 33,000 ft / 10,000 metres of climbing and descent. I followed along with Garys adventure, both to document it as a filmmaker, and to help support him on his crew and as a pacer.
This was filmed on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the Stó:lō People.
— FOLLOW ME HERE:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpelletier/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffpelletierruns
My website: https://jeffpelletier.com
Im an ultra-distance trail runner based in Vancouver, BC. From the mountain ranges of Canada and the USA, to the Alps, the Andes, and the Himalayas, I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue adventures around the world.
“K2 is a savage mountain that tries to kill you.” That is how climber George Bell described the infamous peak after the first American expedition in 1953–forever giving the mountain its nickname–The Savage Mountain. Sixty-six years later, Eddie Bauer mountain guides Adrian Ballinger and Carla Perez aim to summit the 8611-meter peak and join a community of explorers fewer in number than those who have been to outer space. Even more incredible, they both will attempt the feat without the use of supplemental oxygen. Every step of the way the team faces hazardous conditions, terrifying setbacks, and crushing misfortunes. But as Ballinger puts it, “Ill go until the mountain tells me I can’t go anymore.”