On August 5, 2008, uber ultra-runner Karl Meltzer set off on the biggest race of his life. His challenge: to run the entire length of the 2,174-mile Appalachian Trail in less than 47 days. Definitely daunting. Absolutely grueling. Probably insane. But when he does it, he’ll rule the AT as the guy who conquered it, all of it, the fastest on two feet. This is going to be Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Self, Man vs. Clock – and it’s going to be good.
Official Finish: Monday, September 29, 4:20 a.m.
Submitted by Marit Fischer on Mon, 09/29/2008 - 13:05
Official Start: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 7:08 a.m. Official Finish: Monday, September 29, 2008, 4:20 a.m. Though the way it's been recorded on this site is deceiving, that's a total of 54 days 21 hours and 12 minutes. Unofficially, Karl's is the fourth fastest thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. In order, the fastest finishers: Andrew Thompson: 47 days 13 hours 31 minutes (2005) Pete Palmer: 48 days 20 hours 11 minutes (1999) David Horton: 52 days 9 hours (1991) Karl Meltzer: 54 days 21 hours 12 minutes Scott Grierson: 55 days 20 hours 34 minutes (1991) Jennifer Pharr Davis: 57 days 8 hours 35 minutes (2008) (I've had to scrounge a little to find these times. Please feel free to let us all know if I missed someone.)
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Comments
Slowest continuous thru-hike?
WHO CARES ABOUT FASTEST?
A better prize than this race is the 'SLOWEST continuous AT thru-hike'. How long can a person go on a continuous end-to-end hike from Maine to Georgia staying on the trail or in nearby 'trail towns' without quitting, flip-flopping, or running out of money, or losing interest? A real challenge and a real test of endurance! Definitely daunting. Absolutely grueling. Probably insane. But when if you can do it, you’ll rule the AT as the guy who conquered it, all of it, the SLOWEST on two feet. This is going to be Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Self, Man vs. Clock – and it’s going to be good. Maybe backcountry.com can sponsor such an attempt-- it will give the opportunity to better advertise more gear than a couple of camelbacks and headlamps supporting some chump cranking out 5 miles/day with many zero days and a 70 lb pack.
(And, no, yo-yo's count as 2 separate thru-hikes)
Additional info
David Horton's record (1991-1999) was 52 days 9 hours and 41 minutes.
Warren Doyle
Previous women's record
Jenny Jardine: 87 days (1993) unsupported, with husband Ray
Great Job!
That is a truely amazing feat. Congratulations and all the best. in the future.
Ward Leonard
That unsupported record was in 1990. Also, he did another under 65 days in 91 when I believe he did a yo-yo and did part of a 3rd thru-hike the same year but for some reason didn't complete the 3rd trip(why)?
some more
Warren Doyle: 66 days 8 hours (1973)
Ward Leonard: 60 days 16 hours (1980?) unsupported
John Avery: 65 days 21 hours 15 minutes (1978)
Records before Warren 1973?
What were the records before Warren Doyle in 1973?
Ward
1990 unsupported
Unsupported? Do you mean..
self-supported? Unsupported would mean that all food was carried from the start, which would probably be impossible.
Congratulations Karl
Karl,
Congratulations on completing your summer project. If history is any indicator, I'm sure you'll be back to put your name at the top list and well out of reach. Sarah and I have enjoyed reading about your daily trials and tribulations over the past several weeks. Great job.
Best Wishes,
Paal Tveit
Well out of reach? Here we go
Well out of reach?
Here we go again....
Warren Doyle
What Karl's done
already is out of your reach, Warren. Not even on your best day.