Putting on a 100 miler takes A LOT of help!

The High Lonesome is only successful because of the MASSIVE amount of support we receive from our wonderful community of volunteers! We have roughly 300 volunteers shifts across our 4 teams: General, Communications, Medical, and Course Marking/Sweeping.

How do you sign up to volunteer?

Read through the description of the teams to decide which ones you are interested in
Click on the links below for your desired team
Select as many shifts as you’d like (you have to do this one at a time!), just make sure you have time for driving, eating, and sleeping!
Your team leader, director, or captain will reach out in the following months with more info

Hoping to boost your odds in the High Lonesome lottery? Each shift is worth a certain number of points which you can use to win an entry into the race or to boost your odds in the lottery! Scroll down to see the chart with values for all the shifts.

On the second Tuesday after the race, we do our volunteer bypass raffle at the Golden Mountain Runners’ group run. All volunteers get the number of tickets for the number of shifts they worked and it’s a great way to get into the race early! The event will be streamed on social media for those that can’t join in person.

Our biggest team, the general volunteers carry the brunt of the race. From prepping supplies and checking runners in, to helping runners at aid stations and cleaning up after the race. This team does it ALL and has something for everyone, including kids! While not required, many aid stations spend the whole weekend camping together (because we just don’t want the good times to end) and it’s not uncommon for volunteers to work at multiple aid stations. We even get runners and pacers helping out before and after the race (every little bit helps)! If you’re interested in working multiple shifts, you can reference the chart below to see the drive times between the aid stations AND what kind of vehicle you’ll need to get to each.

Sign up for GENERAL VOLUNTEERING

Love data and numbers? This is your team! The comms team plays the incredibly important role of tracking each runner in and out of every aid station. We utilize satellite-internet hotspots and the OpenSplitTime app as our primary tracking method. Additionally, the comms team provides communication between aid stations and CommsHQ through cell phones, Garmin InReach satellite messengers, and sat phones. As a fail safe, all tracking info is also recorded with pen-and-paper. The comms team is the most informed team in the race and BONUS, they also get to post our social media updates over race weekend! If you’re interested, click the link below to sign up for an aid station or CommsHQ shifts.

SIGN UP FOR THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

Are you a licensed medical professional and want to help care for runners? Join our phenomenally talented medical team! The med team is led by our two amazing medical directors - Dr’s Whitney Barrett and Janetta Iwanicki - who work tirelessly to keep our runners safe. Medical volunteers are paired together and are given fully stocked medical kits, protocols, direction, and race-specific education. Medical volunteers must be currently licensed and must have at minimum BLS certification. ACLS and EMS experience is especially valuable, but not required. Click the link below to sign up for available shifts based on your provider level!

SIgn Up for the Medical Team

The most active of all our teams, the course markers and sweepers are responsible for covering hundreds of miles to mark the route and sweep the course for runners, course markings, and trash. Course marking starts during the week before the race and sweeping happens in segments between aid stations. Previous course experience is a MUST for course marking and strongly desired for sweepers. While you may be given a section to mark solo, most sweeping sections have two sweepers. It’s a great way to see the course and help us make sure no runners get lost! Click the link below to sign up for the days and shifts you are able to volunteer for!

Sign up for the Course Team

WHAT IS EACH TEAM LIKE?

MEDICAL

The medical team is led by our Medical Directors, Doctors Whitney Barrett and Janetta Iwanicki. Whitney and Janetta are amazing directors and work hard to prepare the med team for all the challenges of a 100-mile race. As part of our permitting process, each aid station is listed as either a BLS or ALS level station. Levels are determined by the likelihood of medical incidents and the response times for SAR and EMS. Each aid station is given the appropriate medical supplies for their level (we call them “med bins”) as well as the necessary documentation (protocols, DNF forms, medical incident forms, etc). Instructions on how to use the equipment, fill out the forms, respond to incidents, and more are all provided by Whitney or Janetta in the lead up to the race.

We strive for a minimum of two medical volunteers on each shift and work to staff volunteers in a way that maximizes their experience and education. New volunteers are often paired with experienced volunteers, doctors paired with nurses or medics, and so forth. Additionally, Whitney and Janetta will be present at high-priority aid stations throughout the race to provide additional medical support and direction.

To volunteer on the med team, you must be, at minimum, an EMT. Currently licensed/registered EMT’S, paramedics, nurses, PA’s, and doctors are all desired volunteers and ER or EMS experience is especially helpful! First aid, CPR, WFR (woofer), and other similar certifications are not adequate medical training for the med team, but are still great for general volunteers.

After signing up to volunteer, one of the medical directors will reach out to confirm your certifications and licenses. After being confirmed to a specific aid station, you will also be included in the email chains from your Aid Station captain so you are involved in planning logistics. Despite being on separate teams, the medical and comms volunteers are always included as a part of the aid station team!

Communications Team

Led by veteran runners, Director Jon Eisen and Assistant Director Kevin Smith, the comms team oversees both runner tracking and communications systems during the race. The comms team is led out of our CommsHQ (the RD’s living room) and is a vital part of our race operations.

We do not use HAM Radio or chip tracking at the High Lonesome. Instead, we use an ultrarunning-specific tracking platform and app called OpenSplitTime (OST) with a combination of data transfer methods. Certain aid stations have reliable cell service and use texting, calls, and hotspots to communicate and transfer data. For aid stations without cell service, we use starlinks. Messages between teams are primarily sent through discord and text, but are occasionally sent with Garmin inReaches. All aid stations will use the OST app as their primary tracking method, and pen-and-paper as their secondary method. Due to the many communication hurdles, each aid station has redundancy plans and systems built in. Did you catch all of that? Don’t worry, we’ll go through it again when you’re on the team!

The advantage of our system is that it does not require HAM radio licensed operators…so anyone who can operate a smartphone can use any of our devices! All the systems, including backup systems, have detailed documentation that can be followed in the field. Being on the comms team means being very precise and detail oriented but doesn’t require you to be an IT wizard!

After signing up to volunteer, Jon or Kevin will reach out to coordinate training and to provide the needed documentation. Additionally, you will be included in all emails from your aid station captain to make sure you are fully included in all aid station logistics! As an integral part of our safety system, comms volunteers get higher points toward their volunteer boost in the lottery.

Course Marking and Sweeping Team

The only team that actually involves running, this is also one of the longest working teams! Led by Directors Kylie Collins and Andrew D’Arezzo, this team begins marking the course the Wednesday before the race and finish sweeping on Saturday eve. Course marking volunteers MUST have previous course knowledge, preferably previous finishers/runners/pacers and a GPS enabled device with their route loaded. We provide you with all other necessary equipment, including but not limited to: packs, course markings, and printed instructions. Marking usually requires some wizard-level shuttling coordination, so if you have someone who is willing to help run shuttle that is SUPER useful.

Course sweeping is a different beast. Sweepers are always sent out in pairs and are given a Garmin inReach, basic medical kit, and a UD FastPack. Sweepers should bring plenty of layers (there’s a lot of walking) and lights (to catch all the markings and trash). Sweepers also require some shuttling logistics, so a particular favorite is for the sweeper to have a family or friend volunteer at the aid station where they will finish…that way they have someone there with extra clothes and gear, and a way to get them out. Sweepers typically leave about an hour after the cutoff and should expect to encounter the last runners. Sweepers cannot pass runners, so often times you’ll be walking it in with runners.

When signing up to volunteer on this team, you’ll be asked to provide more info on your ultrarunning experience and your familiarity with the course. Based on on that information, we may need to have you change shifts. After signing up, Andrew or Kylie will reach out to you to begin coordinating the logistics.

Please note, given the importance of sweepers, volunteers who bail last minute or no-show may not be allowed to apply to the race for up to 3 years. Emergencies happen, we get that, but please be committed if you sign up for one of these shifts.

General Volunteer Locations

Pre-race opportunities

Starting about two weekends before the race, there are numerous work days in Buena Vista. Usually they are about 4 hours in length and involve cleaning, organizing, inventorying, sorting, and repairing gear…packing runner bags…polishing buckles…making aid station binders…petting Kelsey and Caleb’s dogs…you get the idea.

On Wednesday and Thursday we need volunteers to help unload and organize all the gear in Buena Vista at the High School. This is a very popular activity for runners who are already in the area (families welcome) and it’s a great time (pizza and snacks included)! These shifts are usually 8 hours.

Also happening on Thursday is runner check in. This is a really fun shift because you get to see the majority of runners and the energy is infectious! These shifts usually start around 11am on Thursday and end at 7pm.

Raspberry 1 and 2

Raspberry is the first and last aid station for runners, and they feel like completely different aid stations! Raspberry 1 is only 7.3 miles into the race so it’s bustling! Runners tend to be in and out, which means mostly filling water bottles and tracking the HUGE rush of runners without missing anyone. Raspberry 1 is a popular aid station for people to use to double up their shifts since it’s over quickly.

Raspberry 2 (mile 92.7) is much slower as runners are exhausted. They tend to be in good moods though since they can almost taste the finish. Crews are allowed at this aid station, but since runners are more spread out it’s less crowded. Raspberry 2 is more about food, managing the heat, and getting runners out the door quickly!

Raspberry has been captained by Wade Janacek (2018 HL100 Finisher) since 2021, however he’s running the race again this year! Taking the reins for 2024 is the veteran HiLo’ers, the Fox clan. Tyler and Ellie Fox, and Ellie’s dad Rob Hacker. Ellie and Hack both have HiLo buckles and Tyler’s got some unfinished business at Purgatory he needs to sort out eventually. The Fox clan are wonderful people, great leaders and coordinators. Although there is no running water, there is good cell service here and a porta-john. Wade will be coming back in 2025, hopefully with a brand new buckle.

Antero

Our most remote aid station! At this point the runners have gone over the high point of the course and are just starting their long descent down the Antero Jeep Road. They will be very happy to see you after such a grueling climb. Access to this aid station is difficult and requires a high clearance truck, SUV or Jeep. Because of the early morning opening time we suggest heading up with Captain David Hoff on Thursday evening and enjoying a night of camping (and a family dinner) to ensure you are ready for the first runners. Runners are usually in a great mood and move through the aid station quickly. The atmosphere is fantastic (likely due to David’s pancake flipping skills), especially with how remote it is! Since this station goes by so quickly, it’s a great aid station for people who want to work later in the race or have pacing obligations.

Antero is captained by David Hoff (2017 Finisher) - his fifth year as Antero Captain. David is one of the most capable outdoorsman you’ll meet and his backcountry competency makes Antero’s inherent difficulties go unnoticed. PS...David is also an avid traditional bowhunter and likes to cook up some wild game for his volunteers! Antero has no cell service, running water, or restrooms…so it’s a full off the grid experience!

St. Elmo 1 & 2

Located on the outskirts of the “ghost” town of St. Elmo (it’s usually crowded with tourists), this aid station has quickly earned a reputation as a great place to see carnage. Runners will cross Laws Pass twice on their way to and from Cottonwood, racking up over 4k of vert in 12 miles. Due to the multi-directional traffic, St. Elmo is never slow or dull. Some runners move in and out quickly, others spend more time trying to recover. Either way, it’s a great place for volunteers to see runners just starting to get into the teeth of the race.

St. Elmo has been captained by Jesse Peragine (2019 Finisher) and his wife Brit since 2021. Jesse and Brit have infectious personalities and bring a deep knowledge of the race to the table. St. Elmo has no cell service or running water, but does have a porta-john. Parking for the aid station is in the ghost town and requires a 1/4 mile (easy) hike to get to the aid station.

Cottonwood

One of the happiest and energetic aid stations, Cottonwood is nestled in a little meadow along the banks of cottonwood creek. Ringed on all sides by the peaks of mineral basin and the continental divide, it’s downright charming. This is a crew accessible aid station, and shuttles are run by CORE, a local 4wd education and advocacy group. This is a great aid station for anyone, including families and first-time volunteers. Access to the aid station requires a moderately long drive on a rough 2wd road but is a great choice for volunteers who want to work on Friday, but can’t come in the night before.

Cottonwood is getting a two new captains this year, Mark Schwalbenberg and Chris Watson. Mark is new to Cottonwood, but not to running and aid station. He’s been co-captain and captain at Antero for several years and we’re thrilled to have him leading this important spot. Chris is new to the team, but has a 2023 HiLo finish under his belt. Chris has fond memories of his time at Cottonwood and is looking forward to helping runners through their challenges.

Water is available to filter from the creek and there is a porta-john. There is no cell service. Parking for volunteers is limited, so we usually get a nearby site for parking.

Tin Cup

This small-but-mighty aid station plays a critical role for runners and is one of the most remote aid stations. Tin Cup is only 3.5 miles up the road from St. Elmo, but it marks the turn off of the road onto the remotest part of the course - alpine tunnel. Runners are usually really starting to grind at this point, and for some it’s the beginning of the night. Set only a few hundred feet below treeline next to the continental divide, Tin Cup is a magical place. Quiet, peaceful, and scenic…until runners arrive and then it lights up and turns into the highest back-country costume party in the world! This is a “basic” aid station, meaning it offers less food and drink options. Access to this aid station requires a high clearance 4wd truck, SUV or Jeep…or the ability to hike 3.5 miles from the ghost town of St. Elmo.

Tin Cup has been captained by veteran volunteers - the husband/wife power-duo of John and Jennifer Danese - since 2019. John is a two-time High Lonesome finisher (2017 & 2018) and Jennifer is a rad outdoorswoman whose crew prowess is unsurpassed. You won’t meet two cooler folks or encounter a more unique aid station! Tin Cup does not have cell service or a porta-john, but has a nearby streams to filter from.

Hancock

Ahhhh Hancock…also known as Carnage City. No place showcases the 100-mile spirit like here. It’s a gritty spot where runners are invariably in terrible shape, but you’ll never see more determination than here. It’s the halfway point of the race and a wild ride. This is a crew accessible aid station and is the first point runners are allowed to pick up pacers. If you’re looking for a true-100 miler aid station experience, this is your spot. Runners tend to be struggling with all the usual problems…eating, drinking, blisters, fatigue, breathing, etc. This is a large aid station with a ton of moving parts. Volunteers have to manage parking, crews, pacers, gear checks, food prep, runner assistance, medical issues, comms issues, and more.

Hancock is captained by Nick Leuck and Blake Wageman. Nick has been leading Hancock since 2021, but took a break in 2023 earn his HiLo buckle. Blake stepped in to captain while Nick ran, and now they are teaming up to make the dream team. Nick and Blake are kick ass captains who balance work and fun, brings a good crew, and knows their stuff. Hancock doesn’t have cell service, but does have a porta-john and a stream to filter water.

Lost Wonder

This is our only indoor aid station! Based out of the lovely Lost Wonder Hut, it’s an incredibly important aid station. Runners are completely gassed at this point and are bracing themselves for the difficult section ahead (the Ridge). The aid station is well equipped with a full backcountry kitchen and has numerous spots for runners to rest. Lost Wonder is a great experience, but due to the hours (it’s open until 4am) it does require folks who work well on minimal sleep. Volunteers typically all go up to the hut at the same time and then break into shifts so everyone gets some sleep. Rumor has it, the best backcountry pizzas are baked here.

Lost Wonder is captained by Chris McBride and his family Kelly, Henry and George. The McBrides are one of the few crews that has been at the race since it’s inception. They captained the very first year at a nearby trail head before the race began renting the hut. The race began using the hut in 2018 and the McBrides haven’t missed a year…although Chris did take 2022 off to go earn his buckle. Check out our film, The Well, to see more of the McBrides and LWH. This is a very hard aid station to get into, as it has our highest rate of returning volunteers. Lost wonder has water, restrooms, and moderate cell service for Verizon only. Driving to the hut though is a FULL 4WD road…so if you don’t have a high clearance rig, you might want to consider Monarch or Purgatory.

Purgatory

Named for its mythical role as the place between heaven and hell, this aid station marks the last time above treeline (hell)…but there is 3 miles of suffering before runners get to Monarch Pass (heaven). Located on the continental divide in the Monarch ski area, this aid station runs through the middle of the night. Purgatory is known for challenging weather, winds and destroyed runners. It’s a full value volunteering experience! Volunteers typically go up together and break into shifts so everyone gets some sleep.

Purgatory has new captains this year, power couple Justin Bourn and Savanah Gaines. Justin is no stranger to the Sawatch, he got his first 100-mile buckle at Leadville in 2023…in large part due to Savanah’s mastery at crewing. Since Monarch ski area is going through some large scale infrastructure projects, the location of the aid may shift slightly. Purgatory has cell service for most providers and may have electricity, but does not have a water source or restrooms.

Monarch

The fortress on the hill, Monarch is a massive sanctuary for runners. It also marks the end of the high altitude running and for many runners their arrival here coincides with sunrise. Affectionately called Fort Monarch due to its size and rugged attitude, volunteers here play an important role helping runners recover and manage problems. Runners are usually pretty spread out by this time, but as crews are allowed at Monarch it’s always bustling.

Matt Royal and Stephen Bartos led the aid station, and it just might be the smoothest running one we have. Matt has been a captain since the very first year, but he didn’t move to Monarch until 2018 when he co-captained with the legendary Roch Horton. He took over the reins in 2019 and was joined by Stephen Bartos in 2022. Stephen ran HiLo in twice, and got his first buckle in 2021. Matt and Stephen have an effortless rapport and are fantastic to work with. They have a knack for bringing people together and put in massive effort to make this aid station legendary. It’s impossible to not have a great time at Monarch… unless you are a runner with stomach issues. Complete with electricity, running water, restroom, and cell service for T-Mobile and AT&T this aid station is a roadside mountain oasis!

Fooses

Runners will be breathing a sigh of relief when they reach this aid station…literally! They have just descended over 2,000 feet since leaving Monarch and the extra oxygen is extremely welcomed. Fooses is one of those aid stations that runners either blow through or spend a lot of time in. Since it’s lower in elevation, a lot of runners are finally getting their appetite back. For others, they are chomping at the bit to keep moving. Tucked away along a little creek and pond, it feels remote despite being only a mile from a major highway. Volunteers here take turns working the aid station and manning the highway crossing.

Fooses is captained by Logan Hjelmstadt, a 2021 HiLo finisher. Logan first captained Fooses in 2022, then took a year off to run the race again in 2023. He’s returning this year and is stoked to help runners get to the finish line. Fooses does not have any cell service, but does have a restroom and water to filter.

Shavano

Our newest new aid station (est 2021), this is more of a water-drop and comms hub than a full aid station. The aid station will be just outside the Angel of Shavano Campground and its main purpose to track runners and ensure they don’t get turned around in the campground…every year there are a few delirious runners who seem to end up here!

Shephen Sherbahn and Jacob Warnke have been captaining the aid station since 2023 and bring the energy to this small but important spot. Shavano has spotty cell service, and a restroom in a nearby campground.

Blanks Cabin

Located in a gorgeous meadow at the basin of 14,000ft Mount Shavano, Blanks is a gorgeous, busy, and important spot. It’s a crew accessible spot, and a popular spot for runners to change out pacers for the last push. This is a great place for first-time volunteers to work as it’s captained and staffed with many experienced volunteers. There are ample secluded camping spots dispersed among the aspens, this aid station is within walking distance from the Mt. Shavano trail head which boasts a luxurious pit-volt toilet. Blanks is crew accessible and runners are usually spread out. Blanks is one of our longest-open aid stations and so requires a very coordinated sleeping schedule to make sure everyone is in top shape to help out the runners.

Blanks has been captained by Erica Rackley (2019 & 2021 finisher) and Heidi Berghammer since 2022, and they do an amazing job. The aid station works through the night and into the following afternoon, so it takes a lot of energy and focus to work this spot. There is good cell service, restrooms, but no running water here.

Finish Line

Who doesn’t want to welcome runners finishing a 100 miler?? There are few places as inspiring as the finish line of a 100 miler, and even fewer that have the views ours have! Volunteers at the finish will mostly be on food duty; making sure runners, crew and other volunteers are nourished and happy. Due to the fact it’s at the end of the race, it’s easily the biggest party spot on the course! This aid station has restrooms, cell service for all providers, camping, and plenty of left over water.

The Finish Line is captained by Kevin Kaucher, who’s been in charge since the very first year. Handed the reins about an hour before the first finisher in 2017, Kevin hasn’t stopped rocking the aid station since. Always dressed in “MURICA” regalia, Kevin has been adding one piece of American flag apparel to his outfit each year. What will this year bring? You’ll have to be there to find out.

Post-race clean up

On Sunday, the massive effort of cleaning, organizing, and packing up ALL the gear begins. Due to the general exhaustion among our core staff, we are ALWAYS looking for more hands to help. Given our desire for help, this shift (usually 6-8 hours) gives a whopping 3 extra volunteer points! It’s an easy way for volunteers to be a huge help and easily improve their lottery odds.

The work involves getting all the gear back to the RD’s house, then the work begins. We’ll do as much sorting, cleaning, drying, washing, inventorying and packing as possible in the shift. Whatever is left get’s done by Caleb and Kelsey over the rest of the week. This work takes place at the finish line or back in BV, so it’s all easy to get to.

Course sweeping

Raspberry 1 to Antero - You'll start at the Raspberry Gulch aid station and then climb, climb, climb. Once you've reached the Antero aid station, you will have the option to turn around and run back to Raspberry Gulch for a killer decent, or if you'd like, you can help Antero break down, and catch a ride with the Aid Station crew down the mountain.

St. Elmo 1 to Cottonwood to St. Elmo 2 - This sweeping segment starts and finishes at the St. Elmo aid station. This is not a crew accessible aid station. You will run to the Cottonwood Aid station, turn around, then sweep on your way back to St. Elmo.

St. Elmo 2 to Hancock - Want to get some practice running in the middle of the night? This segment is a special one. You'll spend a good deal of time up high, and will most likely need some cold weather gear. You'll need to work with the Course Director on the logistics of getting you back to your car at St. Elmo, but don't worry, its a short drive back!

Hancock to Monarch - While its only ~20 miles, expect this segment to feel like you've run an Ultra. You'll be in the high alpine, late at night (and probably early morning too). You get to visit the Lost Wonder hut/aid station before heading out onto the long ridge that gave the race its name. Logistically the most challenging segment for sweeping, if you have a way to get your car from Hancock to Monarch, you'll make us extra happy.

Monarch to Blanks - A fun segment with some steep decents and climbs, this segment can be a little toasty, but hey, its only 15 miles... You get to say "hi" to the crew at Fooses on your way to Blanks Cabin.

Blanks to Raspberry 2 - Cruising on the Colorado Trail sound like your thing? This segment runs pretty fast, and runners are usually pretty motivated to stay ahead of you at this point in the race. If you feel like you want more miles, you're always welcome to give the thumbs up to Raspberry Gulch, turn around, and run back to your car at Blanks. Otherwise, we are happy to give you a ride back.

Raspberry 2 to Finish - The very last segment, you will enjoy a standing ovation when you cross the finish line!

CHART OF DRIVE TIMES AND CLEARANCES REQUIRED BETWEEN AID STATIONS

CHART OF VOLUNTEER POINTS BY POSITION, TEAM, AND SHIFT