The 5-Hour FKT Grand Slam that Fell Harrowingly Short - Seth James DeMoor

Aug 13, 2025

Intro

This is a quick summary of The 5-Hour FKT Grand Slam that Fell Harrowingly Short from Seth James DeMoor. It’s a great watch — we’re breaking it down so you can try a similar FKT adventure today. Be sure to check out the full video for all the details.

Key Points

Scouting matters: Knowing the terrain, rock sections, snow and water obstacles ahead of time saved about 2 minutes on a 5‑hour FKT attempt.
Vertical focus: The team tackled roughly 7,500 ft of vertical gain across five peaks in ~14 mi (≈22 km) for a total time of ~5 hours and 11 minutes.
Pacing strategy: Treat each summit as a mini‑race (≈2‑3 mi, 1,500‑2,000 ft vertical) and aim for a consistent average pace that keeps you on track for the 5‑hour target.
Team dynamics: Having a partner (Joseph) for extra mileage and morale can help, but be aware of each other’s volume needs.

Workout Example (5‑Peak FKT Challenge)

Goal: Complete 5 Colorado peaks in 5 hours (or your own time target).
Total distance: ~14 mi (≈22 km) with ~7,500 ft (≈2,300 m) vertical.
Breakdown:
1. Peak 1 (Mount Meer): 2 mi, 1,200 ft vert – start strong, keep heart rate in Zone 3.
2. Peak 2 (Longs Peak): 3 mi, 1,500 ft vert – maintain steady effort, focus on breathing.
3. Peak 3 (Pagoda): 2.5 mi, 1,300 ft vert – use short uphill intervals (30 sec fast, 1 min easy) on steep sections.
4. Peak 4 (Storm Peak): 3 mi, 1,800 ft vert – keep a consistent cadence, use a slight downhill recovery after each summit.
5. Peak 5 (Mount Lady Washington): 3.5 mi, 1,700 ft vert – finish strong, push the final 0.5 mi at a slightly faster pace.
Pacing tip: Aim for an average pace of ~5:00‑5:30 min/mile on the climbs, adjusting for technical sections. Use a GPS watch or the Pacing app to customize the paces to your fitness.

Practical Tips

Scout the route (maps, GPS tracks, recent photos) to plan for technical sections and water/snow spots.
Carry extra fuel and a small snack for each summit.
Monitor vertical gain on your watch and aim for a steady vertical rate (≈300‑400 ft per mile).
Stay flexible: If a section feels too steep, adjust your pace and use walking for safety.

Closing Note

Give this 5‑peak FKT challenge a try, tweak the distances and paces to suit your own ability, and track it in the Pacing app. Have fun, stay safe, and enjoy the mountain adventure! 🚀