In the summer of 2024, BD Athlete, mountain runner, and photographer Joe Grant pioneered a 400-mile route through the San Juan Mountains, starting and finishing at his home in Durango, Colorado. He visited the highest peaks and the headwaters of multiple rivers, linking sections on the Continental Divide and Colorado Trail while navigating some of the most remote areas in the range.
Beginning in the Weminuche Wilderness, the majority of Joe’s route traveled well above 10,000 feet.
The Weminuche wilderness area is the largest in Colorado, spanning close to a half-million acres, yet it encompasses only a fraction of ancestral Nuche territory,” writes Joe. “Despite settlers’ formidable efforts to tame this place by way of trains and dynamite, its wild character persists and commands respect and humility.
During his journey, Joe’s mind, body, and equipment needed to work in harmony, which is why he’d spent years to prepare all three.
For equipment, Joe had tirelessly spent the previous several summer seasons working with Black Diamond designers to create an ultralight backpacking pack purpose-built for this mission.
And on his successful 2024 attempt at what he’d dubbed The Southwest Classic, Joe was carrying everything he needed within the fruits of his labor: The Beta Light Pack.
THE BETA LIGHT COLLECTION
Beta Light Pack Satellite Bag
Beta Light 45 Backpack
Beta Light 30 Backpack
Joe’s photography from his trip is a testament to the meaningful mountain experience. His black and whites stand timelessly rooted to the moment. A 12-day journey through peaks and valleys. An exploration into the true soul of a miraculous backyard.
MORE FROM JOE
I Run Far: Joe Grant and the Art of Running.
Hannah Green talks to Joe Grant about why he's drawn to black and white photography
and how art and running interplay in his life.
The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman
Dylan Bownman interviews Joe about his artistic approach to long distance endeavors.
The Adventure Stache with Joe Grant
In this conversation, Joe talks about his complicated relationship with the premise of FKTs, where he stands on the documentation debate in bikepacking and ultra running.
