Jeff Garmire Starts FKT Attempt on Colorado Trail Today

[Ryan Jordan]

• See the related article about Jeff’s Colorado Trail FKT attempt: gear, food, tracking info, and more.

Good luck, Jeff. This is a big one.

[Mike M]

best of luck!

 

that’s a fair bit of calories to carry, but avoids the  hassle of food drops

[John Vance]

Is carrying all food from the beginning  a first for the Colorado trail?

[Monte Masterson]

Excellent. I really enjoyed Jeff’s podcast after his Long Trail FKT last year. I can’t wait for his post CT FKT podcast. I hope he says more about gear and food choices though. I liked the idea of the big number of frozen burritos he packed. Jeff said he had semi-hallucinations on the LT, so I’m thinking with the higher altitude and longer distances of the CT he might go into a full blown altered state.

Good luck Jeff!

[dirtbag]

This guy is legit NUTS!! I love him!!! Currently reading his book and really enjoyed his podcast episode on Hiking Thru. Amazing what he has done and I have no doubts that he will continue to amaze and inspire not only myself, but everyone who follows him and knows him.  I am looking forward to hearing more about this!

[Greg Mihalik]

@ John Vance

No.

[Ryan Jordan]

As of about 9:20 PM local time (Jeff started at 6:30 AM this morning), Jeff passed Blackhawk Mt and is about 51 miles in.

His plan is to get about 4-5 hours of sleep each night, so we’re expecting him to roll for another hour and a half maybe. This is when his pack is heaviest, it’s about 30 pounds today.

He’s already rolled through the biggest climb of the trail (> 4k). Easy peasy from here ;)

His goal is to finish in 9 days, which means an average of about 54 miles/day. So to have completed mileage like this with the heaviest pack on the hardest section has to be a good morale boost for him. Hopefully his head and body and feet are doing ok, he’s off to a fantastic start.

Of course as with any FKT, the moment you leave the trailhead is the moment decay starts, and these things can go off the rails at any time.

[Ryan Jordan]

As of about 8pm US Mountain tonight, Jeff is about 95 miles in. He had a pretty slow stretch as he started up Elk Creek today and then turned on the afterburners and he seems to have had a pretty strong evening. He’s certainly ahead of an FKT pace right now, but ya know, it’s early.

But we are rootin’ for you, Legend.

[John S.]

That DJI Osmo Pocket camera seems super cool. One thing left out of his food list is the Charlie Sheen Tiger Blood.

[Ryan Jordan]

Jeff crossed Spring Creek Pass a little while ago and as of about 4:15 Mountain Time (~2d 8h 45m), is around 135 miles in. He suffered a bit in the high elevations of the San Juans. Altitude and storms/cold took a bit of a toll. Today he’s reportedly looking strong and he’ll start a substantial descent soon.

He’s ahead of an FKT pace, and has two huge things going for him right now: he started with a very light pack and that’s only getting lighter; and the San Juans are behind him.

 

[Ryan Jordan]

At Spring Creek Pass (photo: Elisabeth Tizekker) –

[Mike M]

Ryan- I didn’t see a link for his tracking; you have one you can post

 

Danke

[Ryan Jordan]

@mtwarden – Jeff’s team asked me not to post the tracking link publicly. They’re trying to prevent people/press from intercepting him at road crossings, etc., so he can just focus on his hike.

[Mike M]

Ahhh- no probleeemo- thanks

[Greg Mihalik]

Is he doing the traditional “East” leg of the CT?

[Ryan Jordan]

@greg23 – yep, Collegiate East.

[Song]

Looking forward to following along

[Ryan Jordan]

As of 8pm tonite, Jeff is 189 miles in (39% complete) after about 3d 13h 30m which puts him on track to finish in just over 9 days at the current pace. He had a pretty good day today considering that it was another bad weather day up high, with cold temps – 30s and precip up there.

Of course, it’s early still, and the body will continue to decay.

But he’s got a pack that’s now about 8 lbs lighter than when he started. And the hardest stuff is behind him. And the weather outlook is terrific for the next several days.

[Greg Mihalik]

I’m about 40 miles northeast and the weather for tonight isn’t encouraging.

I wish him well.

[Joseph P]

Incredible effort, I wish him well! Regarding his gear: bear bag? Bear spray? I assume the bleach drops are for water purification, is there a particular brand? Why the Spot Gen3 vs the Garmin InReach Mini? What shoes/boots? Any details would be great!! Thanks…

[Ryan Jordan]

As of 5:40 PM tonight, Jeff was at mile 284 or so, in the northern Collegiate Peaks, after 5d 11h 50m. Extrapolated finish time is thus around 9.3d, which means he’s still on a strong pace for the FKT.

[Mark E]

Godspeed Jeff. Watching closely. Thinking you often. Thanks for your inspiration.

 

[Ryan Jordan]

As of 9:30 this evening, Jeff has 139 miles to go. He is at 6d 15h right now which puts him on pace to finish at about 9d 8h, a little more than 4h ahead of the FKT pace.

[Mike M]

Wow- good on him!

[Sam C]

I am not into the whole FKT thing, in particular because I believe that two more categories should be added.  That is, instead of a distinction between supported and unsupported there should also be a hiking/fastpacking and trail running categories for each.  Granted it’s a toll on the mind and body, I’m just not impressed by those who make miles by sleeping/resting less instead of actually moving faster.  I mean, there is nothing athletic about sleep deprivation.  Then again, there is something to say about the sheer will to succeed.

I hope that Jeff makes it.  If anything just because he is not wearing short shorts, is using two trekking poles, and his pack has a hip belt.  He is definitely making a statement here.

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