Episode 32 | Jeff Garmire on the Colorado Trail FKT

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Summary

In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Andrew and Ryan interview some of the folks who came together to make friend’o-the-podcast Jeff Garmire’s recent FKT of the Colorado Trail a success. First, Ryan talks with the Fastest Known Tiger himself to get an insight into the physical and mental stresses Jeff underwent while achieving the record.

In the second interview, Andrew chats with filmmakers Nik Tizekker and Dylan Harris about the logistics (and adventure) of shooting a film about Jeff’s FKT.

Finally, Ryan takes the mic again for a brief chat with BPL Columnist (and Jeff’s partner) Maggie Slepian about the highs and lows of watching a loved one complete such a challenge.

Outline

• Jeff Garmire Interview
  • General check-in
  • Starting pace and strategy
  • Tackling the San Juans at the start vs. the end
  • Struggling with altitude
  • Weather
  • The climb up Elk Creek
  • Dealing with touch sections of the trail
  • Finding a tempo
  • Sleep deprivation and hallucinations
  • Going FKT style means he had to sacrifice on some things like electrolytes
  • Food
  • Ate his last bit of food 24 hours before he finished
  • Footwear
    • Hoka Speedgoat 4 Trail Running Shoes
      • Did have to break his shoes in just slightly
      • Survived the 500 miles!
  • One giant blister and several smaller blisters
    • Probably didn’t swap out socks as much as he should
  • Gear
    • What didn’t he use?
    • What would he have left behind?
    • FKT – Skills, Training, Grit, Luck
  • Film crew – no interaction, setting personal boundaries
    • Two different adventures
  • Unique opportunities
    • Pushing the boundaries of unsupported travel
  • Can this FKT be beaten and if so how?
    • If luck breaks a little towards the challenger
    • More scouting
• Film Crew Interview
  • Introduction to Nik and Dylan
  • The genesis of the project and how it developed over time (fast)
  • How did they get ready to shoot so quickly?
  • The challenges of shooting in the backcountry
  • What makes this film different?
  • The ethics of this type of filmmaking
  • How to make a documentary film without communicating with the subject
  • Gear
    • Black Magic 6k
    • Sony A7 iii
    • DJI Osmo Pocket
    • Drones
  • Dylan’s goal is to make Jeff cinematic!
  • Lenses
    • Sigma 18-35 ART
    • 24-70 2.8
  • Interview schedule, interview philosophy,  and other logistics
  • The intimacy of filmmaking
  • What went wrong?
  • Planning around Jeff’s changing pace
  • An adventure for the crew as well as for Jeff
  • A self-funded project
  • The realities of shooting in the backcountry vs. a more cinematic, structured feel
  • Post-production plans
• Maggie Slepian Interview
  • How she helped prep
  • The struggles of watching a loved one struggle on an FKT
  • Outside contact vs. having no contact
  • When did she know it would actually happen?

Related Content

• Listen to Jeff talk about his Long Trail FKT
• The country is still in the grip of Covid-19. Jeff, Maggie, and the Backpacking Light Podcast crew have some words of wisdom for you.