The John Cappis

The John Cappis

The John Cappis is a high-elevation mountaineering run held in Silverton, Colorado on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The course varies by year based on snow and stream conditions and generally involves summiting several peaks around Silverton on mostly off-trail terrain. The route is unmarked and a GPS track is provided.

The event is approximately 50 km with about 19,000 ft of cumulative elevation gain and traverses elevations from roughly 9,300 ft to 13,300 ft. There is a time cutoff of 19 hours; some past courses have allowed up to 20 hours. Participants receive credit for the distance they complete within the time limit.

Entry is limited to members of the Sky Pilots Endurance Navigators who can demonstrate suitable mountain experience. Applicants are waitlisted until their qualifications are reviewed; openings are offered from the waitlist in order of approval.

Support on course is minimal. Some basic calories and fluids are provided at a few checkpoints, but much of the course is remote and rescue could take hours or days. No pacers or caches are allowed and crew access is restricted to designated points. GPS navigation is strongly advised. Due to steep, rocky, and high altitude terrain, average moving speeds are commonly between 1 and 2 mph, and some years require traction devices or ice axes. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.