Flight Phase Athletes headed to the border of Idaho and Oregon for some rugged training miles at the annual Hells Canyon Run on the Snake River. Technically a non-organized event, the run takes place every year during St. Patrick’s Day weekend and is announced by a pair of adventurous guys from Washington. Runners pay for a rowdy boat ride up river and run back to Pittsburgh Landing, Idaho along the Hells Canyon National Recreation Trail. Runners can choose to go 15 miles or 26 miles.
During the boat ride, it’s common to see herds of grazing elk, mountain goats, and enormous birds of prey including bald eagles. Along the trail back are a couple of historical homesteads, petroglyphs and pictographs if you know where to look, and several small streams where water can be collected and filtered. There is camping at both upper and lower Pittsburgh Landing which is generally easy to obtain on a first come first serve basis this early in the year.
This year, Eloise Armour and Sarah Fondaw jumped in last minute to take part in the 15-mile event. Dani Goodson brought over some of the Lolo Hotshots and ran the 26-mile run. The 26-mi run has about 4600ft gain and is fairly easy to follow in most areas. Flight Phase athletes will definitely be heading back to this incredibly fun event so stay in touch for 2024!