Follow my experiences here on TheTrek and on my personal blog, FitForMiles.com, quickest thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, Accessing the Appalachian Trail: A List of Shuttles and Taxi Services, Gear Suggestions for an Appalachian Trail Winter Thru-Hike, How to Manage Hygiene on the Appalachian Trail, ATC Urges 2021 Hikers to Take Precautions, Consider Alternatives, Can Thru-Hiking Bring Peace? Large races, especially ultramarathons, often have strict rules about the route, pacing, and required gear. There are three types of support. They allow people to push themselves in different ways without the constraints or crowds normally associated with large-scale races. They can be a great way to gain some recognition for athletic achievement as well as a sense of pride for personal accomplishment. Adventure protagonists. As Nick Hollon writes in an article on the subject, chasing FKTs  “affords us the ability to race where we want, when we want.” He also outlines several other factors that make FKT attempts appealing: Low cost. This is the only pack we tested that even came close to being able to pack along everything we would need for an ultralight fastpacking mission, making it our Top Pick for All-Day Unsupported Running. Within the broad definition of an FKT, there are three types that are currently considered: supported, self-supported, and unsupported. What’s more, the options for FKTs are essentially endless, as nearly any established route can be used for an FKT attempt. Next was an outstanding new unsupported FKT of 3d11h00m by college student Andrew Bentz, August 26-29, 2014. In addition, there are three Styles of support and thus three separate FKTs within each category (see “Styles” section below). The route must be notable and distinct enough so that others will be interested in repeating it. Routes: It's great that people are out doing fun local routes. For FKTs, you’re on the honor system (aside from the verification methods discussed) and the onus is on the athlete to act responsibly and safely. That’s almost eleven hours faster than the supported speed record set by professional ultrarunner Karl Meltzer in 2016, and nine days faster than the unsupported speed record set by Heather “Anish” Anderson in 2015. Home › Forums › General Forums › Speed Hiking and Fastpacking › FREE screenings of the film "Unsupported" – FKT's on the John Muir Trail Viewing 21 posts - 1 through 21 (of 21 total) Forums are supported by our merchant partners (disclosure) REI (Coupons) • ZPacks • Hyperlite • Patagonia • Arc'teryx • RBTR […] You must give your actual name to be credited with an FKT; no pseudonyms or trail names. Modern FKT attempts are enormously challenging and debilitating. They were chosen because they are the only Routes on which two or more Fastest Time of the Year Awards have been accomplished (one Award plus three Nominations for the Presi). FEMALE SUMMARY Thru-hiking, with a long a tradition in the ultra-community, was honored here, earning the #1 and #2 spots (separated by a small margin in the voting). Though two attempts at the unsupported FKT were made by men this summer (Jeff Garmire ultimately set a new record of 5 days, 23 hours and 48 minutes in late July), the only previous attempt at such an FKT by a woman was by Jennifer Pharr-Davis in 2007. Payson McElveen had never gone out of a bikepacking race prior to his recent decision to try an FKT. and plan to utilize multiple methods. When a new FKT is entered, e.g., someone beat the previous speed record of the route, the claim is verified and stands until it is broken by someone else. In addition to this, photos taken along the route with metadata (date and time stamp) enabled can help prove where you were at specific times. Supported, Self-Supported, and Unsupported A report by Megan Lacey and Christof Teuscher. Because there is no official sanctioning body for verifying FKTs, determining the veracity of each case is left mostly to the community. It’s a strong time in the women’s unsupported category. It’s the combination of several supporting sources that lead to acceptance of a claim. There, the world is broken down into regions and then further into countries, states, and eventually to trails themselves. Motorized travel for the sole purpose of linking important features may be allowed, for example during the Colorado or California 14ers. He has a tracking site through a sponsor, RoadID. Updated 7/5: Due to a technicality in the FKT rule book, Stringbean now holds the “self-supported” FKT, and the previous unsupported FKT stands from 2019. So with his typical racing schedule on hold in 2020, Durango resident McElveen had the time to work on beating the unsupported FKT of 3 days and 21 hours, and the local knowledge of the course needed to pull it off in his first Home; Forum; FAQ; Calendar; Forum Actions. Whether it’s just once or continuously, any support at all means it’s a Supported trip. Can be on any surface - road, trail, or off-trail. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Meraldi’s Mount Kenya FKT dates back to a 1995 ... two Kenyan athletes named Kenneth Kemboi and Susy Chemaimak set men’s and women’s unsupported FKTs for … Burrell and fellow runner Peter Bakwin were among the first to go after an FKT back in 2000 when the two men ran 223 miles on the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada in four days and 14-plus hours. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Jeff Garmire is Attempting an Unsupported FKT of the Colorado Trail By Daniel Booth September 1, 2020 No Comments. Unsupported FKT on the Tahoe Rim Trail Hi there! Self-supported means that you don’t carry everything you need from the start, but you don’t have dedicated, prearranged people helping you. Must be at least 5 miles long or with at least 500 feet of climbing. After all, as they say on the FKT site, “If no one believes you, what’s the point of claiming an FKT?”. Eli Burakian At the finish, McConaughy was … I wanted to share my trip report (brief version) as I submitted the the FKT site. Climbing, cycling, paddling, skiing, and other sports are great, and we may establish separate categories for them in the future, but not at this time. Including the supported, unsupported and self-supported categories, all but six of the 45 FKTs set by women on those routes have occurred within the last 10 years. 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