JMT Record Attempts – 2014

I am going for the slowest on record this fall. Watch out!

I'm sure Jenn Shelton will be going for her 4th attempt.
She can take down the big dogs as well.

Every year several people indicate that they're going after the JMT record. Actually getting to the start line is an accomplishment in itself. I hope everyone will remember and adhere to the basic "rules of engagement" by announcing intentions in advance & providing verification if a record is achieved. I know that Jenn has made attempts, but she has never announced these publicly (just for example). For solo/unsupported attempts solid verification (i.e., SPOT or gps track) is especially important.

The rules of engagement for the slowest JMT are a bit different. We need verification by SAR. :-)

Have there ever been any JMT races? I guess there might be some issues with the traffic. Maybe small informal ones? I'd find it very interesting to watch but about the least adapted for that I guess as almost anything.

Marko, mine will be the slowest while continually moving. No zeros – just as many neros as I can stand….and the slowest pace ever recorded!!!

I'm very excited. I'll have people waiting throughout to provide me with support, to carry me, wipe my brow…

So watch for the SKT!!! (slowest known time)

races are not allowed on the JMT because races are not permitted in National Parks.

its sort of funny that some on this site love to make fun of those who want to go fast, but when their own issues are questioned they trot out the famous HYOH … not pointing any fingers here, because I'd probably get an HYOH in my face …

We a poking fun at ourselves art.

Ha! I've personally done the JMT 3 times. This first 2 were speed records at the time (beaten multiple times since), the 3rd was an 8-day backpack. That 3rd trip was BY FAR the most fun! But, each trip had its own rewards.

No races on the JMT, but I suppose you could have called Brett Maune & Ian Alloway's near simultaneous (Alloway left Whitney 1 hour after Maune) unsupported trips in 2009 a "race" (Maune won that one).

Best reason I've heard to pay close attention to verification on an FKT effort: You don't want to have to set the CR at Barkley in order that people will believe that you really did get the FKT on the JMT!

yes, Brett's Barkley CR did lend some credibility to previous claims :-)

You see, I'm making fun of how fat I've become since moving to Texas. It's DAMN hot down here you know……….

NM

"because record is not the primary goal in any case that should be achieved and pursued in JMT by all means."

This is way too general. I actually get that the record time is of interest to an elite few, and worthy of admiration, but not emulation, by the rest of us, and that it is apples and oranges with the motivations of most of us, in spite of art's implication that I don't. I was watched a documentary the other day that was discussing Reinhold Messner's solo ascent of Nanga Parbat, was filled with admiration, and was thinking he was as far above "good climbers" as people who can do the JMT in a few days were above me. I personally feel I have always gotten it! I'm just tired of being accused falsely of not getting it or "putting down" people who are into it.

@jennifer I know you are counting the distance between the hotel and the restaurant in your "non zero days". :-)

Well Art, at least you're posting more than just another discussion of records, you've contributed on other topics. Most I've seen the last few years, talk it up about someone's attempt,then disappear.
Duane

Michael Popov and I started at the same time on top of Whitney.

He obviously destroyed me in that "race".
I passed him the first night while he was napping at Vidette and he passed me back coming down to Rae Lakes.
We were together for about 15 minutes of the whole attempt.

I still want to take another stab.
Just hiked the trial unsupported in 6 days last year, even while spending 19 hours at Reds.
I just don't like the pack weight for that long on my back.

It's hard to go supported though. So much work to get people where they need to be for you and even harder to get pacers.

Michaels story about it on the link below is awesome.

http://www.southernmostrunners.com/JMT/AaronsJMTStory-07.htm

Mark – I take you at your word, I believe you :-)

Article on FKTs in general on Outside Online today:
http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/bodywork/in-stride/The-Road-Less-Sprinted-The-Rise-Of-Fastest-Known-Time.html

I really like them. I remember reading Brett's at the time it happened. Pretty interesting to me.

I rally have no interest in trying myself since I like to enjoy the areas I visit. However, I can see the interest for guys that have done it before. After a few trips on the JMT, why not push yourself and test your limits? We will continue to see records get broken as better athletes try for them and technique improves.

We did the JMT in 1971 in 27 days, but we had layover days each week, and hiked out to food drops twice, at South Lake and Onion Valley. Also a food drop at Devils Postpile. If we set any record, it was in the most peaks climbed while hiking the JMT: 17. People do the trail faster than we did, but I don't hear about anybody climbing peaks. What were we thinking!?!

This seems to have as much to do with backpacking or hiking, as a hot dog eating contest has to do with hot dogs. But to each their own, have at it. As for me, I prefer to chew my food.

Glenn – have you actually looked at what's on this site, to me 80% of it has nothing "Really" to do with back packing or hiking.

also, since this site is called BPL (Back Packing Light) I think someone moving thru the mountains in an extremely light style is totally apropos. the fact that they happen to be going fast is just beside the point (and in case you weren't aware … even the record breakers mostly hike the JMT).

"to me 80% of it has nothing "Really" to do with back packing or hiking."

Or eating hotdogs.

I love how most people think that you all of a sudden can't see anything while you hike just a little faster.

Yes, it is just a little faster pace than most. It's just that we don't take breaks (gasping for air from the heavy load) every ten minutes. Most people look like they are in more pain than I am while I'm on an attempt from there house sized packs.

That and hiking at night with a full moon in the Sierra's is amazing!

"I love how most people think that you all of a sudden can't see anything while you hike just a little faster."

Yeah, but didn't you say last year that you'd done the JMT twice without ever seeing the rock monster, Aaron? ;)

(disclaimer: I haven't been on that part of the JMT so I have no idea whether it's easy to see or not…)

Agreed about night hiking in the Sierra under a full moon – one of my favorite things!

I walked past the Rock Monster twice without see it, while I was looking for it and "going slow".

Now I see it every time.
:-)

And I would argue that the "fast crowd" is pushing the edge on gear, technique, approach, food, possibilities, etc. that we "slow folks" can benefit from – if we choose to.