Why Rainbow Mountain?

Author: Adam Bratton
​Read Time: 3 mins

The addition of HPM’s brand new “Rainbow: A Western NC Mountain Run” is a no-brainer for the next evolution of our brand and reach … at least in my mind. I can't expect everyone to fully grasp the inner workings of my whirlwind enabling mind so let me share a little more context as to why HPM is so STOKED about this new running experience and why you should join in!

Fog covered Big Piney Ridge & Lake Susan in Montreat, NC

It’s well documented that I have a lifelong love affair with the mountains … examples HERE and HERE … and when my wife and I were fortunate enough to buy a spot in the outdoor adventure haven of Black Mountain, NC (now proudly updated, and intentionally appointed as the MAP House) my mind immediately started spinning and the ideas started flowing!

Not a bad backyard

Nestled in Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and sandwiched between Asheville and Old Fort, the area is surrounded by Pisgah National Forest and endless flavors of outdoor adventure. In the first few months of the MAP House’s existence, each trip to Black Mountain was a jam-packed combination of building furniture, unloading boxes, painting and fixing things up and exploring the wilderness of our massive new backyard. On one of those early and exploratory trail runs, I stumbled upon a trail named “Rainbow Trail” that involved a spicy and near-vertical incline to the tree covered summit of Rainbow Mountain followed by one of the most beautiful and flowy trail descents that I have ever run along the aptly named “Rainbow Road Trail”. The 4 ish mile loop just so happened to start and finish in the heart of Montreat, NC which is ripe with beauty and HPM potential.

Welcome to the summit of Rainbow Mountain!

I quickly started burning mental calories around the idea of a new event:

• Dang, wouldn’t it be cool to share this amazing experience with the HPM community?
• How many Charlotte area runners have yet to fully experience this type of “mountain running”?
• Who do I need to talk to and what are the steps to put on an HPM event up here?
• The “Rainbow” theme could be fun to play with … especially with multiple loop options … Single, Double, Triple arched rainbows are fun!
• We could use the MAP House as a basecamp for race ops, volunteers and a fun new VIP party!
• Are there potential dates that would work with my schedule and not step on the toes of existing area races?

Rainbow Mountain from Lookout Mountain (Rock Overlook)

Long story short, I talked to the Montreat Police Chief who connected me with someone at the Montreat Conference Center (they own and operate Montreat Wilderness and the trails that we will use), scouted and refined the course, came up with a name and event creative, vetted the idea with one of the most well respected RD’s in the area (shout out to Brandon Thrower at Tanawha Adventures) and put down a deposit for space rental. Now it is time to party!!

My goals for this running event are simple:

• Expand the HPM footprint. I’ve always believed that human movement is a universal concept regardless of where  people are located. We still have a LONG way to go as I understand it's not super easy for someone from the left coast to participate in Rainbow, but expanding our “in-person” presence outside of Charlotte is a good first step.
• I want to help raise money for Montreat Wilderness to support their mission and environmental efforts. I know all too well the endless and increasing costs associated with maintaining and preserving natural spaces. Environmental advocacy and support continues to be a massive priority in everything that HPM does.
• If you haven’t heard yet, our Perennial Endurance Run is being retired and this new Rainbow event will allow us to remain super active during the spring running calendar for many.
• Provide an opportunity for the Charlotte running community to experience more “mountain running”. No knock on Crowder’s Mountain (it’s an incredible resource for the Charlotte area - We're consistent users) but there is something different about the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western NC.
• Speaking of mountain running, I was very clear with Brandon Thrower at Tanawha Adventures and that I have zero desire to compete with him or the existing events in Western NC, rather I want to see Rainbow as the launchpad and gateway to longer and more gnarly events that are already happening.

Tentative Elevation Map for "Rainbow: A Western NC Mountain Run" (per loop)

​My point is … Let’s Friggin Go!!! Early feedback and reaction to Rainbow only gives us more confidence that this will be another incredible HPM event. We welcome our existing community and those that have yet to experience the vibe that we bring! We can’t wait to kick off the inaugural Rainbow Mountain Run in all of it’s colorful glory in March!

Rainbow Info & Registration HERE

Journal - Why Rainbow Mountain?