The John Cappis
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The John Cappis : event overview
The John Cappis is a free mountaineering jaunt held near Silverton, Colorado on June 27, 2026. The event honors a figure from regional ultrarunning history and follows a variable route that is adjusted from year to year. Participants who reach checkpoints are credited for however far they travel within the time allowed.
Course, requirements, and logistics
The course is unmarked and mostly off-trail, with a GPS track provided. Typical statistics are about 50k in distance and 19,000 ft of elevation gain, with high points reaching at least 13,300 ft and low points near 9,300 ft. There is a 19 hour cutoff for the standard course and a 20 hour cutoff noted for the 2025 course. Historically about one third of starters finish the full distance within the cutoff.
Entry is limited to members of Sky Pilots Endurance Navigators and to runners with demonstrated mountain experience. Runners must have experience with rugged terrain, navigation, and assessing mountain weather. Support on course is very limited, some years gear such as ice axes and traction devices has been required. Much of the route is remote, rescue could take hours or days, and typical travel speeds are roughly 1 to 2 mph. Maps and GPS tracks from previous years are available for download from the event maps. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
