Extended Teton Crest Trail

‍75 miles | 19,000 feet of elevation gain

We started at the Grassy Lakes Trailhead near Flagg Ranch and finished on Teton Pass. The northern section of the trail is remote and rugged—we only saw one person the entire first day.

Dreams to a Reality

I’ve been wanting to complete this route for nearly 10 years. For a long time, I had it in my mind that it needed to be done in a single push. Last year, I realized that I didn’t need to, nor did I want to, take that approach—but I still wanted it to be a serious effort. That’s when the idea of a light and fast overnight came into focus. We went no tent, no stove, and carried very minimal gear.

Food & Fuel

We fueled primarily with trail food: bars, chomps, gels, granola, dried fruit, and plenty of electrolytes. For variety, we carried some salami and cheese, plus a meal replacement that only required water.

‍Strength from Training

The training I’ve done in the gym made a huge difference. I had the strength and stamina to keep moving, even when I was tired. On the second day, I actually felt stronger than on the first, and we finished the trail feeling solid. I know I owe much of that resilience to the time I’ve put into training.

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A personal talk with Emilee

Q1: What’s your favorite exercise in the gym, and why?

Cleans. I love that they are complex and require coordination and skill. I also feel pretty cool doing them.

Q2: What motivates you to train, even on tough days?

My brother suffered a spinal injury in 2013. He’s lucky to have not been paralyzed, but he has very limited mobility from the neck down. I once heard the saying: “Recreational discomfort is not suffering.” That really hit home. My brother would give anything to feel that discomfort again, and remembering that puts things in perspective for me.

Q3: Have you dealt with injuries, and how have they shaped your approach to training?

I’ve been very lucky not to have had any major injuries. I think the gym has definitely helped with that. I’ve had a couple of stress fractures in my feet, but that’s because I felt really strong coming out of winter and had to learn the hard way that ski-touring all winter doesn’t directly transfer to running.

Q4: What has been the hardest thing you’ve pushed through?

Running my first 100-miler was pretty hard. But honestly, having to put my dog down the very next day was even harder.

Q5: How did you feel wrapping up the Teton Crest Trail?

At the end of the second day, I actually felt pretty good and was able to finish strong!

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