New PCT record, again

I figure as we see more and more upper level athletes try it, the time will drop. Once you actually start getting guys (or girls) that run seriously and competitively interested in attempting it, you get lower times. See JMT, see PCT.

WWJMS
what would john muir say?

i guess its an ex of what i call our 'drive-thru culture'

sorry…i have respect for the athletic feat 4 sure,
but to turn such an epic journey into a speed contest is to reduce it,
devalue it,
violate it,
to Miss the Point i think…

WWTTON
whatwilltheythinkofnext?

"The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself."

" the point " is whatever one chooses it to be.
so in that respect, as long as you are true to yourself you can't miss the point.

how are people on this site so fond of putting it ?
ummmh ….
HYOH
yeah that's it :-)

on another note, Karl Meltzer is currently on the AT attempting to beat the supported record.

" the point " is whatever one chooses it to be.
so in that respect, as long as you are true to yourself you can't miss the point.

…..

Well said Art, I like that.

Definitely, HYOH. And if you want an uber-supported run, then, sure, go for it.

For me, "The few times McConaughy and his support team missed each other at a planned checkpoint go down as some of trek’s most trying moments. McConaughy would push onward, counting on the kindness of strangers or a ranger for food or a sleeping bag" puts this totally outside the realm of speed-packing and into some new category of "54 back-to-back trail ultras" or something like that. Same route but a different event than those who use SUL techniques to traverse the PCT being largely self-sufficient between resupplies.

"Same route but a different event . . ."

+1, well said.

It's certainly not what I would want out of a PCT hike (which, honestly, I'm not sure I want anyway). That said, my wants are largely irrelevant to McConaughy. It's an impressive feat, for sure.

I may be more impressed by Anish's unsupported record last year, but that has to do with my values and emphases. As I said, those are pretty irrelevant to Anish, McConaughy, and basically all PCT hikers this year.

RE – WWTTON – whatwilltheythinkofnext?

They just did:

Fastest Tour of the Louvre!

"Musuem Lovers, On your Marque: Un, Deux, Trois, Bang! Allez allez"

there is speculation that this is the brainchild of one Lance Armstrong,
…who u may have read was strippd of his Fleur de Lis earlier this year.

we get it.. you don't like speed records and fast packing.

guess what, many people probably don't like what you do either.

guys like you like to say HYOH out of your ass

nm…

I think these supported/unsupported records are fairly interesting HYOH and all that, though there should be a "dawn to dusk" category IMO,…. of course, substantiated by SPOT and naval observatory times of twilight and if the post office will be closed … Tough. Maybe extra points for baking muffins on the trail. Rereading Chris Townsend's "the Advanced Backpacker" (earlier edition) speed hiking paragraph reminds me sitting to ponder new surroundings isn't so bad either.

You know that people still have their eyes open when they run. Especially out west where you have large open views you can still take in quite a bit.

not to mention they have probably done many parts of the trail at slower paces before so they are just repeating it more quickly.

I don't trail run either but I *honestly* respect the effort. (not say I respect the effort while talking shit the next breath)

I hike quicker than a lot of people naturally but stop for views, overlooks etc. I'm also aware of my surroundings and notice the little things. I also hike fast enough that I can do a 2 day hike that covers the same ground some people take 3-4 days, so who is seeing more now?

But people can't handle people doing things that are foreign to them. Which is strange on here because many say the same things about lightweight backpacking. This comes up with every new FKT thread and it is disappointing the people I lose respect for.

What's the point, speed hiking and running…….. They should put speed limit signs on the PCT at 1mph so that people could really experience it. It's about time for mags to come along with his now famous HMHDI. Google it if you haven't seen it.

…famous,infamous, or obnoxious..here it is :)

HMHDI

I was trying to remember the exact letters but I'm glad you came through.

Mags, I'm doing Huntingtons Ravine next week.. perhaps that is wrong because you can take the Cog or auto road up?

I did the Huntington and tuckerman ravine loop last summer. It was one heck of a trail run, if you can call running on four appendages running. Maybe I did it wrong…. Oh well, it was a load of fun.

"what would john muir say?"

Don't know. But, while not an athlete myself, I do like what some famous folks have said:

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second. – William James

Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. – William Arthur Ward

Mental will is a muscle that needs exercise, just like muscles of the body. – Lynn Jennings

God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. – Eric Liddell

What would John Muir say?

Suspect he would be too busy protecting the wild spaces, climbing mountains, exploring valleys and loving life to care someone else's non-destructive behavior is affecting his enjoyment of the outdoors.

I must confess, I think sometimes a lot more attention is paid to these record attempts vs say something like Kristin Gate's Brooks Range Traverse… but that's more a reflection of what our society finds interesting.

I was fortunate enough to hear Jennifer Parr Davis speak. Besides being a downright friendly person, she had an obvious love for the outdoors.

Liz "Snorkel" Thomas holds the record for women's fastest traditional thru-hike and we've had the pleasure of her being a guest on our silly little podcast. Besides being an enthusiastic person with a great love for the outdoors, she has excellent taste in beer.

Guess what I am trying to say, is that a person attempting or getting a record on the trail does not make them any less of a passionate outdoors person.

I've done fast hikes (a more modest 25-30 MPD!), slow bushwhacks off-trail with a map and compass and no guidebook, leisurely backpacks with my wife at 5 MPD and even camping trips where Mrs Mags and I simply gazed across the ruins of the Ancient Pueblos while seeing the sun set over the Utah desert.

Which activity is more pure? More rewarding? More "true" to the spirit of the outdoors?

The answer of course is just silly. Because there is no truly right answer.

Pretty sure John Muir would be happy with anyone being in the outdoors doing anything.

The records are good stuff, not only the accomplishment but some info useful for those finishing big mile weekend trips before reporting to work (sport shakes, late night camp set, no cooking, etc…). However, I just think there should be yet another category for these long trails (and other places)

There are categories.. Supported, unsupported. Races need clear rules to keep things fair. Having random time cutoffs per day would be very difficult to keep track of.

They do that in the Ididarod with sleep requirements but that is a single race that has huge infrastructure/support. Having set times, "day time" etc aren't black/white. they change daily that couldn't be kept equal all season.

@Jake: I've actually thought about it as a geography/GIS problem and it's simple to figure twilight times being roughly the same on a north-south trail (did it all the time in military planning)- since if those in the lead should be clustered.

Problem I see after writing all this: Speed actually becomes more a factor within set time and potential injuries could increase; right now all the record-breakers are hiking late into the night with an early rise rather than rely on speed.

Jake..do you see the fishing line being cast out? I could be wrong..but I think he is reeling you in. ;)

Yea, I see that Mags :)

off to ride my bike. riding the Kanc monday.. gotta get ready :)