[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 nearly 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 working and the accountable use of public lands on this distant space of Pennsylvania. As well as, the group offers stewardship for a whole bunch of miles of trails all through the area.
Creek crossings and mossy rocks aren’t in brief provide on the Japanese States 100 Mile. All photographs: Lisa DeNardo
On the 85-mile mark, Japanese States runners arrive on the Skytop assist station, an oasis within the midst of the deep, rugged wilderness of Pennsylvania. Run by a bunch informally often known as the Central Pennsylvania Path Legends, Skytop assist station is about in an amazingly lovely location at a pivotal level within the race and is thought for its number of scorching meals, together with recent blueberry pancakes, cheeseburgers, and hen soup. Skytop is about at a non-public 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 assist station really feel like a homecoming. Most Japanese States runners with whom I’ve spoken have fond reminiscences of their time at Skytop, which, not surprisingly, makes it a tough assist station to go away, particularly so late into the race.
A runner makes their manner by the woods of North Central Pennsylvania.
Whereas there are simply 18 miles remaining within the race after runners go away Skytop, the miles are extraordinarily powerful, and the skilled crew on the assist station makes positive that the runners go away well-fed and ready for what’s forward. Given the August date of the occasion, as if the terrain was not powerful sufficient, the world can 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 turn out to be probably the most notoriously tough 100 milers on the “Beast Coast.” But, because of the fantastic group on the Skytop assist station, that issue is countered by the super generosity and kindness of the individuals who make this particular a part of the world residence.
The technical trails of the Japanese States 100 Mile makes a legendary assist station a welcome sight.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from certainly one 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 fashion. Strong, 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 assist station? What was your expertise?
- What wonderful assist station have you ever present in your racing?
