Territory Run Camp-Mt. St. Helens

PRESENTED & ORGANIZED BY OUR FRIENDS AT 


Each fall, we gather with the team at Aspire Adventure Running and a lodge full of runners in celebration of trails, friendship, and the pursuit of perfect alpine running. Join us on the open and awe-inspiring shoulders of Mt. St. Helens for a community-centric run camp experience.

Thursday September 28th- Sunday October 1st 2023


What is Territory Run Camp?

A getaway from the hustle of life to live close to nature, run free, learn from amazing people in our community and connect with other like minded trail runners. 

Fall is a great time to be in the mountains. Cooler temperatures, colorful foliage and crisp fall air make for incredible days of running. Head out to Territory Run Camp, and you’ll spend those days on the shoulders of Mt. St. Helens, bearing witness to the past eruption and jawdropping new landscape it has carved. Between the days of running, return to a lodge with sweeping views to eat delicious meals, and be surrounded by a community of friends who love to run in the mountains too. This is Territory Run Camp.

View from Run Camp deck.

INCLUSIVENESS

This is a camp for trail runners of all paces and we welcome mid to back of the pack runners. You can choose what route feels best for you and we will help link you up with other guests for your daily adventure.


TRIP OVERVIEW

Thursday, Day 1
Meet at the Mt. St. Helens Science and Learning Center
Runners are welcome to arrive anytime after 5pm. We’ll have cold drinks and plates of fresh appetizers served alongside libations to set the tone for the weekend.  Dinner will be at 6pm followed by a trip overview and stoke building for the running that lies ahead.
Friday, Day 2
Run the Mount Margaret Backcountry
After a hot predawn breakfast, runners will be transported to the Johnston Ridge Overlook. Departure times will set runners up to catch the sunrise from Harry’s Ridge, with views of Coldwater and Spirit Lake below and Mt. St. Helens dominating the southern horizon. From Coldwater Peak, our distance groups divide. Those running further head over Mt. Margaret and a chain of ridgelines and alpine lakes. The short distance runners descend then climb up and over Blastzone Butte to drop onto the shores of Coldwater Lake. Both routes finish at the St. Helens Science and Learning Center basecamp. Dinner, drinks, and celebrations are a guarantee.
 


Saturday, Day 3
Run the Loowit Trail
Runners have 3 distance options for the day, each requiring an early start and offering access to the Loowit Trail. A 17 mile option takes runners over Windy Pass, offering not-so-distant views of Mt. Adams and a close encounter with the East Face of Helens. The 24 mile option traverses the full blast zone, and circles the West Face of Helens. Both of these groups converge at June Lake and can expect a fully stocked lakeside aid station and a shuttle from the nearby trailhead back to basecamp. The 40 mile runners begin their day with everyone at Johnston Point, but make the full circumnavigation of the mountain traveling in a counterclockwise direction and finishing the “lolli-pop” back at their start. An Aspire shuttle will connect the start/finish with basecamp and libations/celebrations.
Sunday, Day 4
Breakfast and Goodbyes
Runners will wake up for a final breakfast, weekend reflection, and say their goodbyes. All activities will wrap by 10:00am.

Evening Talks

Harnessing the Mind for Running with Danielle Snyder
Our mind is constantly focusing on information that affirms our pre-existing beliefs (often negative beliefs). We have the ability and power to acknowledge these maladaptive thought processes and work towards a healthier mindset with positive self-talk. In this talk, Danielle will help athletes to see every performance as an opportunity to grow and choose how they view the experience.

Danielle has worked with countless professional athletes and Olympians and specializes in helping athletes avoid the pitfalls of negative self-talk, so that they can achieve more balance in all parts of their lives. Using multiple different techniques, Danielle  guides her clients along their paths to physical and mental well-being, helping athletes reach their potential.

Danielle is a Certified Running Coach and a licensed clinical social worker with extensive additional training.


Capacity

We have spots for 40 mountain loving runners. So grab your friends and let’s spend our days in the hills and our evenings sharing meals and drinks as the conversation and laughter mingles with starlight.

Map

For topographical route information, elevation profiles, and a downloadable GPX file of the route see the Caltopo: Territory Run Camp: Mt. St. Helens

Transportation

This trip begins and ends at the Mt. St. Helens Science and Learning Center. Aspire will provide an optional round trip shuttle from SeaTac to Mount St. Helens on Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning. There will also be carpool options from Portland. 

Accommodations

Our basecamp for this Rendezvous will be The Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center. The lodge includes bunks beds and cots. Once these are full, outdoor camping on the grounds may be opened. Aspire will provide lively camp amenities for a remote but comfortable “glamp” style experience. We will prepare all our meals and have access to comfortable indoor spaces for dining, orientation, and community activities.

The only thing that topped the wonderful food and trails is the people themselves. What a blast to hang out with such funny and adventurous people for a few days. This was my favorite running experience of the year. I still keep in touch with the awesome people I met.

-Kevin Menzie, Denver CO

 

Cost

Late Registration: $1000 - open from July 31st.

 

Trip Insurance

Every year we have at least one runner who due to injury, illness, or personal/familial circumstances can not participate in their registered trip.  While registrations can be transferred, Aspire does not issue refunds.  See the Aspire Adventure Running FAQ's.  We strongly encourage each runner to purchase 3rd party trip insurance that will reimburse the cost of registration in the event that you are unable to participate in the event.
Territory Run Camp is organized in collaboration with Aspire Adventure Running.
Aspire organizes single and multi-day running adventures in wilderness terrain. They provide logistical and emergency support paired with delicious meals for a unique and memorable backcountry running experience. More info on Aspire can be found here.