Jeff Garmire Starts FKT Attempt on Colorado Trail Today

best of luck!

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

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

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!

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!

@ John Vance

No.

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.

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.

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

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.

At Spring Creek Pass (photo: Elisabeth Tizekker) –

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

Danke

@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.

Ahhh- no probleeemo- thanks

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

@greg23 – yep, Collegiate East.

Looking forward to following along

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.

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

I wish him well.

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…

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.

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

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.

Wow- good on him!

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.