The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a 501c3 organization. Scott Brockmeier started the attempt with Matt, but was unable to complete the traverse. Episode 22: "Stringbean" McConaughy - Self-Supported (and Overall) 2017 FKT on the Appalachian Trail. My friend and brother-in-law Joren Biebuyck will be there to support me all the way again (he's a physiotherapist which is very helpful during this record attempt) and he also has a lot of crewing experience from being there the entire PCT which is way more remote and harder to access for crews. I will be tracking my attempt with an InReach device that I have given to the administrators of the website and a few other family and friends. The magazine gave her the impression of easy walks and clean cabins at the end of each day's walk. - Emma Gatewood, first solo female AT thru-hiker (1955), "Every morning it's wonderful, every evening I want to quit." It’s more likely … Culture Watch: STRINGBEAN – Joe McConaughy’s Appalachian Trail FKT Documentary Watch Joe McConaughy's recently released 14-minute documentary depicting the challenge and beauty of his self-supported FKT record on the Appalachian Trail in 2017. It takes most hikers 5-6 months to complete the 2,190 mile long trail, but in the summer of 2017, Joe set out to hike it in 45 days. Then, in 1970, Branley Owen dropped the AT record all the way down to 73 days, using good backpacker style which we call "self supported". “I promise we’ll never have to hike again after we reach Kahtahdin,” I whispered to myself.". With Mount Katahdin enveloped in a midday cloud on Aug. 28, Belgian ultrarunner Karel Sabbe summited Baxter Peak to claim the overall Fastest Known Time, or FKT, on the Appalachian Trail. Joe ‘Stringbean’ McConaughy began the trail on July 17th at 6:31 am EST in Georgia, where he hiked the trail from South to North. Sat, 01/26/2019 - 11:05am. The attempt will be unsupported; I'm aiming for 21-24 hours. Our CFC number: 12230. Ultrarunner Karl Meltzer has long dreamed of setting the speed record for crossing the USA's Appalachian Trail. Katahdin in Maine on June 27th and I will continue southbound (SOBO) until I reach Springer Mountain in Georgia. Episode 20. Other times of the year have other hazards so I'm feeling OK with what is coming and will try to adapt and overcome as things come up to us (heat waves, storms, etc.). Zack Price previously attempted this route supported on 7/1/17 but dropped at mile 45; he had also set FKTs for the NJ and CT sections of the AT. The Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership is a dedicated coalition of local, state and federal partners led by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the National Park Service. Tue, 06/25/2019 - 02:43am. Hi all, I'm now about one week before starting my speed record attempt on the A.T. and as it's getting really busy with last-hand preparations I'm announcing it officially here now. Inside an FKT Attempt on the Appalachian Trail Liz "Mercury" Anjos just completed a mid-pandemic thru-hike of the AT—with the help of a small, dialed support squad and a van named Pegasus. “The Appalachian Trail’s 2,189 miles, thru-hikers gain and lose over 464,464 ft., or more than 89 miles” So we are not talking about flat ground any longer. Her forthcoming book The Pursuit of Endurance has very much more detail on these early records and personalities. In addition I'm having some friends coming over to run sections with me (of 1-3 weeks), and my wife Emma will be there during the entire month of August. Lastly... my trail name Mercury is inspired by the Roman deity, the wing- and fleet-footed messenger of the gods. My crew and I will post trail updates from my blog and I won’t be posting on social media during the hike, as to not take up space or glorify traveling and thru-hiking at this time. Episode 21. (I forgot to switch off my Strava and was in the car to go to a pizza place near the trail). By Jennifer Pharr Davis Scenic Views. Karel ran the uphills where other runners would have walked and he stayed positive throughout the entire time I was present on the AT. Tue, 06/25/2019 - 09:56pm, In reply to My name is Kristian Morgan,… by kristianultra@…, Opps... use this as a direct link to tracking http://kristianmorganat.legendstracking.com, Henry Wakley I’ll be starting in early to mid-afternoon on Wednesday – I’m flying in from Detroit in the morning and taking public transit and Lyft to the Wing Road NY-CT state line from White Plains, and taking transit home afterward from the Stateline parking lot in NJ. In 2016, Utah ultrarunning legend Karl Meltzer, 48, bested Jurek’s … Glad to have company for anyone interested in running. My brain went in loops and my heart pouted in the corner. The Run For Colin crew reunites for an epic road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway – completing two ultramarathons in one week. ], "Grandma" Emma Gatewood was the first woman to thru-hike the AT alone. cactusjack Greetings! I am finalizing some logistics and am already up in Maine not far from Katahdin. This short documentary follows Joe as he sets out to hike 50 miles a day, in order to break the FKT for the Appalachian Trail. The Conservancy’s answer is a little underwhelming: Thru … I will try to put out updates as often as batteries and time permits via the account @followforrest. Earlier this month, Joe McConaughy stepped off the trail in Maine after demolishing the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the 2,200-ish mile Appalachian Trail. _ On May 27 at 5:56 am, Scott set off on a personal journey to complete one of the most iconic National Scenic Trails, the AT. Updates will come on the Facebook page Karel Sabbe Ultrarunning. Hoping for a safe and unforgettable experience! I, Justin Schott, will attempt to set an FKT for the NY section of the Appalachian Trail (89.8 miles according to the AT Distance Calculator) from Wednesday, 6/7/19 – Thursday, 6/8/19. It is with great respect and humility that I make this attempt. The miles ticked by easily and I found i cared less and less. Best wishes to all! I will start July 1st at 4am. Thank you Karel for the great company. In the past 24 hours there has been a lot of dramatic news: Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, Donald Trump used a whole lotta cash from his foundation to settle legal disputes for his personal businesses, and a completely unknown female named Kaiha Bertollini may or may not have set a new FKT for the Appalachian Trail. Joe 'Stringbean' McConaughy set a new record on the Appalachian Trail today, beating both unsupported and supported times. Tue, 05/29/2018 - 07:10pm. The Appalachian Trail runs from Maine to Georgia stretching 2,190 miles through 14 states. at the same time which would be a first (David Horton and Joe McConaughy have held both records but not a the same time I think). The accomplishments and contributions from Heather Anderson, Scott Jurek, Joe McConaughy, Karl Meltzer, Jennifer Pharr-Davis, and Karel Sabbe provide tremendous inspiration. Our campaign will begin from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain in the predawn hours on Sunday June 9th. He did a phenomenal job and leaves a daunting legacy. The attempt will be unsupported; I'm aiming for 21-24 hours. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. karelsabbe I am dedicating this hike to Marine Sergeant Jacob “Jake” Pope who lost his left leg to an IED while serving in Afghanistan. May 10, 2015. It will be very hot but Joe has proven that it is possible to do it at this time of year. The women’s record stands at 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes by Jennifer Pharr Davis supported by Brew Davis, and the overall record stands at 41 days, 7 hours, and 39 minutes by Karel Sabbe supported by Joren Biebuyck. - Chris Bakwin (AT hiker, 2017), Here's a rough timeline of speed trips. 3. But choose that little with care." Warren Doyle lowered the overall AT record to 66 days, supported at road crossings by his father during much of the hike. I also ran the Marathon des Sables in 2016 during which I learned a lot about running in heat and how to hydrate in those conditions. I spent 15 days as pacer and crew with Karel Sabbe during his successful FKT last year. At 2,189 miles, the Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. STRINGBEAN – Appalachian Trail FKT Documentary (2017, YouTube) The AT Experience by Andrew “Reptar” Forestell (2015) The Green Tunnel (A six month journey along the 2,200 mile long Appalachian Trail, condensed and reinterpreted into five minutes of stop-motion). Episode 19. Like during my PCT run I will use a tracker that updates my location every 4 minutes. FKT Report: Appalachian Trail Four State Challenge by Iain Ridgway. My hike will begin at Mt. Like my PCT run I will also verify this record as a Guinness World Record attempt, because it is nice to go for an official world record and to have a neutral and professional instance analyze all my data and claims. Check out other videos featuring Stringbean below. - Heather Anderson Fri, 09/18/2020 - 01:35pm, In reply to Hello, my name is Liz Anjos… by Liz Anjos, http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/thread/6/appalachian-trail, https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/129659-Harvey-Lewis-2018-AT…, https://us0-share.inreach.garmin.com/T5KKA, http://kristianmorganat.legendstracking.com. In March 2004 Matt Kirk has run 99 miles through Shenandoah National Park, beating David Horton's previous record of 91 miles. Watch now on YouTube. Here is what Wikipedia says about Gatewood's first AT thru-hike: In 1955, at the age of 67, Gatewood told her children (who were by then adults) that she was going for a walk. The documentary film about my FKT on the Appalachian Trail is coming out April 13 on Red Bull TV. www.kristianultra.com, Messenger Anyone is welcome to follow along with my journey on my IG @miss.clare.in.the.wild, and while I would love all the support in your heart, please do not offer any assistance during my attempt, so I can follow along with proper self-supported decorum. My crew and I are taking every measure to minimize the risk of contracting or spreading Covid-19 by getting tested, wearing masks as required indoors or when keeping a distance of 6ft isn’t possible, minimizing resupplies and arranging contactless delivery when possible, and providing our own shelters and avoiding places where hikers congregate. iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Karl Meltzer after his record-setting run of the Appalachian Trail.First off, congratulations, Karl. Administrator Challenging overall FKT as well as fastest assisted and fastest assisted northbound. Greetings fellow hikers and runners. May 10, 2015. FKT routes can be anywhere from minutes in length to multi-week journeys, such as Joe McConaughy's 45 day traverse of the entire Appalachian Trail. 75 miles of orienteering and peak bagging 26 peaks around the Wicklow Round in Ireland, establishing a new FKT. Instagram:  "After a couple hours It stopped raining. Jan 28, 2015. As a dedicated trail and ultrarunner, he has 95,000 miles of running under his belt, including his record-setting run of the 2,160-mile long Appalachian Trail in 1991, which was the subject of his book, A Quest for Adventure. Speed records on the AT are known going back to the first true thru-hike by Earl Shaffer in 124 days in 1948 (south to north). Progress will be tracked with a Garmin Inreach Explorer every 10 minutes and can be found at                  https://us0-share.inreach.garmin.com/T5KKA Joe McConaughy | Appalachian Trail FKT and Ultrarunning eric schranz September 14, 2017 Podcasts. Their achievements, and those of Heather Anderson and Joe McConaughy (self-supported record holders), Scott Jurek, Karl Meltzer, Andrew Thompson, Pete Palmer, David Horton, and the list goes on, are not only feats of extraordinary athleticism, but a testament to the power of the mind, planning, strategy, the ability to roll with the punches, and above all… relentless forward motion. (Women in italics.). I am formally announcing my intent to challenge the self-supported FKT for the Appalachian Trail. She wore Keds sneakers and carried an army blanket, a raincoat, and a plastic shower curtain in a homemade denim bag slung over one shoulder. The de facto authority on FKTs is Peter Bakwin's website, which chronicles the attempts on various routes in the US and abroad. Let's do this thing! Along with the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, it is one of the "Big 3" National Scenic Trails. The entire trail from Georgia to Maine is open for use, though some restrictions for out-of-state visitors remain in the northern-most states; this may mean leaving the trail to get tested before entering certain states, contacting state health departments regarding this particular circumstance and following their guidance, and/or making some difficult decisions if the situation gets worse over the next month. This adventure will be conducted with great reverence to the Appalachian Trail and especially those that have attempted a FKT there. It was McConaughy’s second attempt to set a FKT on the Long Trail, following a failed bid in 2015 and successful FKTs on the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails.But this time, not even the extra weight could hold him back, and he smashed the previous record by more than a day, finishing the trail in 4 days, 23 … Thank you to all those who have been helping me in preparation for this attempt, I do not see this as my attempt but OUR attempt. Clare "Star" Olson Olympia, Washington, Admin note:  Clare stopped after about 9 days. Harvey Lewis' FKT attempt is also being discussed here: https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/129659-Harvey-Lewis-2018-AT… As best I can tell, at the end of Day 14 he is 17 (ish) miles behind Stringbean's pace? Hiking the AT has been a dream in the making for a long time, and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to now realize that dream. The story on the phone was titled, “Ultrarunning Legend Scott Jurek Sets New Appalachian Trail Speed Record.” Jurek listened. I felt so lonely. Woltering completed the task in 21 days, 15 hours and 35 minutes. For the first time in 51 days, 16 hours, and 30 minutes, Liz “Mercury” Anjos stopped on the Appalachian Trail. The reason of the attempt is pretty simple: I love running and I love adventures. I think the A.T. is a unique trail and I look forward to hike/run it. I, Justin Schott, will attempt to set an FKT for the NY section of the Appalachian Trail (89.8 miles according to the AT Distance Calculator) from Wednesday, 6/7/19 – Thursday, 6/8/19. Tue, 05/29/2018 - 07:12pm, In reply to Going for overall FKT (with… by hawkeye2180, Love to have you follow on Facebook - Harvey Lewis Ultrarunner and Instagram Harvey Lewis Ultrarunner, Hi there! The first section of the Trail was opened on October 7, 1923 in Bear Mountain, NY and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) was founded soon after in 1925. It appears that his attempt is over. Update on my AT Self-Supported FKT. Episode 18. … I will be heading southbound and using Gaia GPS to track my progress. ... Sabbe set his FKT in 2018, completing the route in just over 41 days, and Anjos ran hers earlier this year, finishing in 51 days. He'll probably join us for a weekend as well which would be awesome. Hugh MacMullan IV It may not be a “normal” look at life on the trail, but it will undoubtedly leave you craving miles. Cheers! This site is an awesome resource to remind us all to get back to nature and experience everything that comes along with it. Like many of these trails, the route has changed slightly over the years, and there has been a general tendency for the trail to become longer over time as reroutes are made to take the route off of roads. My name is Henry Wakley from McCoy, VA. Our Tax ID number: 526046689. I've learned about so many new routes that I didn't know exist and can't wait to explore them. Karel thank you for the inspiration you inspired in me and for setting the standard so high. Keep on keeping on. I will be heading southbound and using Gaia GPS to track my progress. John L. (Cactus Jack) Senter and Karl Meltzer: Yeah, thanks.It’s a good feeling to get it done … The Long Start to the Journey by … It is roughly the distance between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., as the crow flies. Exercise is good for you. I also have long-distance hiking experience from hiking New Zealands Te Araroa Trail, the Pyrenean High Route, the Sierra High Route, Corsica's GR-20, .. It's a unique opportunity to be able to run a trail like this with a crew, and I feel privileged to be able to do it. This short documentary offers a raw look at life on the trail from Joe’s perspective, as he tries to hike 50 miles a day for 45 consecutive days, on America’s most iconic long trail. kristianultra@… After my PCT run they asked very detailed questions like "Why were you running at 40mph on day 29 in the evening?" On June 21, 30-year-old ultrarunner Coree Woltering finally stopped running after setting the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the 1,147-mile Ice Age Trail that winds its way through the state of Wisconsin. Episode 21: Paddy O'Leary - East Bay Skyline Trail. Going for overall FKT (with assistance) on the AT leaving at first light, 5:56am from Springer Mountain on Wednesday, May 30th, 2018. Trail updates and more info can be found at mercuryontheat.com. hawkeye2180 Wed, 06/27/2018 - 02:27pm. About 5 years earlier, Gatewood read an article in National Geographic about the AT and thought "it would be a nice lark," though in retrospect considering the difficulty she added "It wasn't." On July 19th, Dan Binde summited Mount Katahdin in Maine, the northernmost stop on the Appalachian Trail and claimed an FKT (fastest known time). I don't know the Appalachian Trail which is a weakness but also a strength as I'm very curious to what's coming and to the scenery that I'll run through. I wanted someone else there to share everything with, good and bad. Four best friends endure triumphs and toil to set a new FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail and raise $34,000 in memory of my cousin, Colin. This supported style took hold after Doyle's accomplishment, and in 1978 John Avery shaved 9 hours off the FKT, hiking and running for 65 days, and receiving support throughout the trip. Stretching from Maine to Georgia, the trail goes through … This attempt will be done as a team and self supported. In 1960, Lochlen Gregory and Owen F. Allen completed the trail in 99 days (south to north), a time that was matched by Earl Shaffer in 1965 (north to south this time). And counting. I will start on Springer Mountain, on the 18th of July and will be going northbound. I would like to address that this thru-hike is happening in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He ticked off all 2,190 miles of the AT in 41 days, 7 hours and 39 minutes, eclipsing by more than four days the previous northbound FKT … I’m posting today to announce my intention to start an attempt at the speed record for the AT. I am also hoping to raise awareness and funding for this great organization. Stringbean tells the story Joe as he attempts to break the speed record on the Appalachian Trail. David Horton is a long haul veteran the fastest appalachian trails. I also have the possibility of being record holder of both A.T. and P.C.T. While our documentation from mile 300-900 is unconventional by FKT standards, he has tons of witnesses, photos and live videos to make up for an unfortunate SPOT device. On Bakwin’s FKT proboards website, the discussion about FKTs on the Appalachian Trail received 55,000 views—nearly 10 times the usual numbers. (The previous record was 22 days, 6 hours). We'll try to add Scott's data as well but he hasn't been able to extract it yet from his DeLorme device/website. Episode 19: FKTOY Final Results. I will provide occasional updates via Instagram but will focus primarily on moving down the trail. My motto is, "Carry as little as possible. Update on 6/17:  Harvey started falling behind Stringbean's pace on Day 14, and has continued to lose ground each day since. It took 45 days, 22 hours, and 38 minutes, but today (Sunday, September 18, 2016) ultra-runner Karl Meltzer broke the record for the fastest supported thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. This is his third and final attempt to run the 3,524km (2,188 miles) in record time. I would like to say I have learned so much from Karel and his amazing strength as a runner. The Long Start to the Journey A quick follow up on what happened during my Appalachian Trail FKT attempt. He will move into his adapted home built by Homes for Our Troops next week. I'm going for the overall record set by Joe McConaughy last year, and I've been in touch with him a lot discussing my record attempt. If anyone would like to become a run coaching client of mine or ask any questions just check out my website here. Whether or not he set the new FKT on the AT this year, Knotts has well over 12,000 miles of trail under his feet. Liz Anjos I learned a lot about running a long-distance hiking trail by setting the F.K.T. These trips established stylistic norms and also guidelines for FKT aspirants. Thus she took little in the way of outdoor gear. In addition I will track everything on Strava and will upload to Strava when cell service allows. kristianultra@… View map at RoadID.com/WheresHarvey. I will also be supported along the way by my family in Virginia and Pennsylvania, as well as friends I have met through the amazing hiking and trail running communities in the Eastern US. I suggested a route addition of the NY section of the AT but it has not been added yet, so I'm announcing my intention to set the FKT here (also an only known time). A well-known speed hiker set a new record on the Appalachian Trail on August 31st, hiking the 2,190-mile route in the fastest known time (FKT) of 45 days, 12 hours and 15 minutes. A great example of this is the Appalachian Trail. They did not ask where or for how long, as they knew she was resilient and would take care of herself. hawkeye2180 Live Tracking can found as a link on my website www.kristianultra.com or directly here www.kristianmorganat.legendstracking.com. - Earl Shaffer, first AT thru-hiker Posted in r/AppalachianTrail by u/gramps14 • 35 points and 30 comments Wide-open vistas beyond the footpath offer respite and are essential to the Wild East. Through my InReach I can also message my father and he will update these messages to Twitter. Karl Meltzer 2016 Appalachian Trail FKT Transcript. My live tracking info has been shared privately with the site runners at Fastest Known Time. Scroll down on the Q&A page of the website for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and you’ll find the following—very reasonable—question: If hiking the Appalachian Trail is so hard, why would I want to do it? There is a rich history of hard-charging endurance athletes and AT ambassadors who have advanced this challenge to what it is today. One of the most beloved trails in the United States, the AT weaves through 14 states from Georgia to Maine with over … The record is currently held by Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy (@thestring.bean) who finished the 2,191 miles in 45d 12h 15m last August. Pete Palmer: 48 days 20 hours 11 … You can follow my journey using the following link and PW: https://share.garmin.com/EricStrumpf / ATFKT2018. Going for the self-supported record of the AT, starting at first light on June 16th. Sun, 07/05/2020 - 06:34am. Jennifer Pharr Davis, Scott and Karl have all been really helpful as well with advice - that is one of the nice things about this FKT community. [I am indebted to Jennifer Pharr Davis for this section. A bestselling book about Gatewood was published in 2014. The record is a … In embarking on and sharing about this journey, I would like to deliver my own message of perseverance and hope. She would later say "For some fool reason, they always lead you right up over the biggest rock to the top of the biggest mountain they can find." [Click here if you can’t see the video above.] Preparation has gone well and I am very excited to be so close to the start of this FKT attempt. "I found things in the woods that I didn’t know I was looking for..." - Jennifer Pharr Davis Many thanks to everyone who contributes their time to the FKT website and Buzz's podcast. When did nobo and sobo become different records? We'll try to include Joe's GPS data on this site so you can see Joe moving on the map as well so people can have an idea of how I'm doing compared to the current record. On July 7th, beginning from the southern terminus on Springer Mountain, I’m attempting a supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail. He averaged about 50 miles a day and completed the … I'll be following the guidelines and procedures set before me by Stringbean and Anish. The Appalachian Trail (AT) runs 2,189 (in 2015) miles from Georgia to Maine. My name is Kristian Morgan, I am officially announcing my attempt to go for the supported north bound FKT on the Appalachian Trail. I'm Karel Sabbe from Belgium and I'm a 28 year old hiker / ultrarunner. Another AT record that has been pursued a few times is the most miles that can be run on the AT in 24 hours. Admin note:  Eric's InReach stopped sending signals in the morning of July 1. I had hoped I’d stop being miserable after it stopped raining, but that wasn’t the case. It takes most hikers 5-6 months to complete the 2,190 mile long trail, but in the summer of 2017, Joe set out to hike it in 45 days. Update on 7/19:  Harvey finished the AT today in 49d15h or so, the 8th fastest time to date. Thanks! I’m very thankful to have this opportunity and can’t wait to get started. Hello, my name is Liz Anjos.