A technical FKT at home can be more than a big day out. For Kalie McCrystal, it’s a proving ground for the skills that matter when the terrain gets steep, exposed, and unforgiving, and a stepping stone toward bigger goals like the Matterhorn speed record.

We talk through her Tantalus Traverse FKT in the Tantalus Range across from Squamish, BC, a bucket-list alpine line that mixes runnable trail with moraines, snowfields, glaciers, route finding, and a crux that often includes multiple rappels. Kallie shares what “safe and fast” actually looks like on big mountain terrain: choosing the right weather window, deciding whether to rope up, and carrying just enough gear to manage risk while still moving efficiently. We also get honest about the unglamorous stuff that decides the day, like under-eating, bonking late, and planning water stops when there’s no resupply.

From there, we shift into racing and why a skyrunning course can feel simpler than an FKT: fewer moving parts, less navigation, and more room to truly test fitness. Kallie previews Beast of Big Creek, talks about the joy of racing with friends, and lays out what’s ahead in Europe, including Trofeo Kima and an ambitious push to bring women’s times closer to men’s on iconic technical records. If you care about alpine running, technical scrambling, mountain race strategy, and the next wave of women pushing the ceiling in the sport, this one’s for you.

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