Rules & guidelines

Call your shot in the Facebook group!

The Cascadian Wilderness Endurance Series present an exciting opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to participate in a multi-media adventure blogging contest. These events are open to trail runners, backpackers, fastpackers, and hikers, and each event features a unique and defined route, which participants must complete on foot and in one push. Unlike traditional endurance races, there are no course markings or aid stations along the way, providing participants with the freedom to create their own adventure. Participants can choose to tackle the route solo or with a couple of friends. There are no cutoffs, so participants can take as much time as they need to complete the route without pressure.  This unique event is not just about the physical challenge, but also about the opportunity to capture and share the beauty of the wilderness through captivating multi-media content.

Failure to abide by the following may result in a time-based penalty, subtraction of points, and/or disqualification.

Post your result to the facebook group and you will be eligible for a finisher patch (UPWC origin routes only).

Entrants may participate solo or as part of a team. Teams can be independent, unsupported athletes that simply travel together, or team members can mule for one another. But teams will not be allowed to receive any outside support from non-running personnel.

Loops - Choice of clockwise or counterclockwise is up to participants. Trips may started at any point on the loop, as long as that same point is returned to in order to complete an entire loop.

Point to points - May be completed in either direction SOBO (aka Southbound or North to South), NOBO (aka Northbound or South to North), or if you’re a bad ass YOYO as an out-and-back in either direction for the Epic Double.

Out and Backs - have a fixed starting point, and must be completed out from the fixed starting point to the turnaround and back the opposite direction on the same route back to the start.

Lollipops - not a true loop, it has an out and back stick on it, you need to complete the out and back stick and the loop. Choice of clockwise or counterclockwise is up to participants. Trips may started at any point on the loop or stick, as long as that same point is returned to in order to complete an entire loop.

Mode of transport - you can run, hike, walk, skip, saunter, dance, crawl, ski, snowshoe, or swim (depending on how muddy the trail is), alone, with a friend (furry or otherwise), or in a group, unsupported, self supported, or team member/group supported. You may not receive any outside support from non-participating personnel  Watercraft are not allowed to shortcut the Olympic Coast route, Seven Lakes route or on any route.

After you complete the trip, please submit your trip report as soon as possible. You can do this by posting in the Facebook group, tagging us in an Instagram post, making a YouTube video, or any other artistic endeavor you can imagine. Although GPS/Strava/Garmin tracks are not required, please submit them if you have them. If you happened to set the FKT on the route for the year, we will ask you for a GPS track.

Times can be self-submitted and will require a GPS link or picture from your trip report.  Please note that for Touch All the Lakes, Loowit Trail and Baker’s Dozen, the time submitted should be trailhead to trailhead.

To help you prepare for the challenge ahead, we strongly recommend that you join the UPWC and WIEC facebook groups.  Here, you can ask questions about routes, gather and share trail information, and connect with other participants. We also invite you to follow us on Instagram - @CascadianWildernessEndurance.

We encourage you to become a member of your local trail maintenance organization, such as the Washington Trails Association, Idaho Trails Association, Wallowa Mountains/Hells Canyon Trail Association, Trailkeepers of Oregon, or Wild Montana. Volunteering for a trail work party is a great way to give back to the trails that make events like the CWES possible. Please give back!