Cave Dog: A Mountain-Running Madman

OldManRunner · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 1:06 pm

The running population has more than its share of eccentric and obsessive characters, and ultra-runners often tend even more towards personality extremes. The case of Ted "Cave Dog" Keizer may top them all, however. As profiled by Trail Runner Magazine, Cave Dog is an itinerant homeless man who travels the United States setting new records for one-man extreme ultras and speed ascents. His nickname dates from the time he lived in a cave near Crested Butte, Colorado while planning a Rocky Mountain record attempt. "I do it for the adventure," says Cave Dog. "That's what it's all about."

In 2002, Cave Dog used a combination of running, power-hiking, and climbing to scale all 46 peaks over 4000 feet in New York's Adirondack Mountains in a record 3 days, 18 hours, 14 minutes. His route totalled 56,000 feet of vertical gain. Two months later, he followed up with another record by summiting all 48 peaks over 4000 feet in New Hampshire's White Mountains in 3 days, 17 hours, 21 minutes. Cave Dog has also set records in Colorado's 14-ers, the Catskill Mountains, Vermont's Long Trail, and other remote locations.

Like the "Dead Heads" who follow the Grateful Dead from venue to venue, Cave Dog has a fanatical group of supporters who'll travel just about anywhere to help out their leader. The "Dog Team" provides the logistcal support for Cave Dog's record attempts, ferrying supplies and marking routes. "He's definitely done some endless adventures," says Kurt "Scurv E. Dog" Yessak, who quit his job as an executive chef in 2000 to assist Cave Dog with his endurance feats.

Cave Dog's philosophy is to live life to the fullest every day. In his words, "Life is a collection of experiences. It's up to the individual to make sure those experiences are special."