Industry News
Earlier this year, athlete Michelino Sunseri apparently broke the 12-year-old fastest-known time (FKT) record for the Grand Teton in Wyoming on Labor Day. He completed the nearly 15-mile route, which involves climbing and descending 7,000 vertical feet to the summit at 13,775 feet and returned to his car in an impressive 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 50 seconds.
This time beat the previous record by over three minutes but was soon overshadowed by controversy. Sunseri admitted to cutting a switchback during his descent, violating National Park Service (NPS) regulations intended to protect the environment from erosion. The section of trail cut by Sunseri connects Garnet Canyon to Lupine Meadows, which is the largest switchback on the descent. This led the Fastest Known Time (FKT) website, which tracks such records, to reject his claim.
Grand Teton National Park rangers have now confirmed that Sunseri has not only been issued a citation but has been formally charged for disregarding posted signs and cutting the switchback. This is a serious matter, as Sunseri is required to appear in court to respond to the charges. Cutting a switchback is a misdemeanor that carries a fine of $5,000 or six months in jail. Sunseri must appear in court on November 19.
When the switchback cutting was first revealed it sparked debate within the mountain running and climbing communities. Veteran mountaineers argued that Sunseri’s shortcut undermined the integrity of his achievement. Cutting switchbacks, while sometimes common in European races, is illegal in U.S. national parks and can cause erosion. David Gonzales, a writer and photographer, stressed that competitors must follow the official route for speed records to hold credibility. Similarly, Jackson-based runner Kelly Halpin expressed disappointment, noting that Sunseri was aware of the rules but chose to bypass them.
This wasn’t the first time an elite mountain athlete attempted to set the FKT on the Grand Teton by cutting switchbacks. In 2012, Kilian Jornet, one of the world’s top mountaineers and long-distance trail runners, also cut switchbacks during his attempt to break the mountain’s speed record. His off trail running upset the local running community in Wyoming, prompting Grand Teton National Park rangers to intervene. Soon after Jornet’s run, rangers posted warnings along the Grand Teton’s trails, stating they would ticket anyone caught cutting switchbacks.
These charges show how serious Grand Teton National Park takes the incident. The episode underscores the tension between athletic ambition and environmental responsibility. While Sunseri remains a talented runner, what transpired serves as a reminder of the ethical standards expected in public spaces, particularly within national parks.
