Scott Jurek Break FKT Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail or simply known as Appalachian Trail (AT) is a hiking trail expanded from Springer Mt. in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. The trail length is 2,200 miles (5,500 km).

 

The previous AT FKT record was set by Jennifer Pharr Davis in 2011. The record was 46 days 11 hours 20 min

 

Jurek break this record by 3 hours 12 mins faster – 46 days 8 hours 7 mins.  He started this epic adventure on May 27, 2015 at 5:56 a.m. Eastern Time, USA and finish at 2:03 p.m. Eastern Time on July 12, 2015 (Sunday).

 

I sense a new book coming out soon  by Scott Jurek   :)

 

Note: FKT = Fastest Known Time.

 

 
Photo: Scott and yours truly (Leadville, 2013).

 

Taken from Ultimate Direction Buzz.

Legendary ultrarunner Scott Jurek has completed his “masterpiece”. After 46 days, 8 hours, 7 minutes Scott emerged from the One Hundred Mile Wilderness, and took his final step on the Appalachian Trail, arriving at the northern terminus at Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Ultimate Direction joins the rest of the followers of Scott’s remarkable journey in sending him a huge congratulations! Scott’s efforts and resilience were matched by his wife and crew Jenny who worked tirelessly to ensure his success.

 

Scott tops out Mt. Katahdin, just miles from the end of his journey.
Photo: Luis Escobar

 

Scott tests out a new UD prototype vest as he approaches Mt. Katahdin. His input will help develop the vest, which will have new features and technology.

 

In recent days Scott tackled the northern states of the AT, considered by some to be the most difficult ones to traverse due to its increasingly technical, rocky terrain, and limited crew access stops. Vermont is known to be exceptionally rainy, and in fact, this year was the rainiest year in Vermont in the past 130 years. Weather, fatigue, technical terrain, and few hours of sleep were obstacles that left Scott with little room for error. Still, he remained on track for the record as he battled through these difficulties.

 

Photo: Luis Escobar
Scott sits down for a meal alongside his wife and crew Jenny.

 

Scott made it through the presidential range with little trouble, stating that “the temperature was perfect, and it did not disappoint”. Scott fought his way up and over Mount Washington at 6,288ft before descending his way into Maine. Maine, the final state, greeted Scott with the Hundred Mile Wilderness, which is debatably the toughest section of the AT. The Hundred Mile Wilderness is offers extremely limited crewing access along the AT, with no official roadways leading to the trail.

 

The 100 Mile Wilderness sign warns of the difficulties ahead.