In an article published today, North Carolina native, Jennifer Pharr Davis, announced that she will be attempting to break the overall speed record on the Appalachian Trail this coming June.
In 2008 she became the women's speed record holder by completing the entire length of the 2175-mile Appalachian Trail in just 57 days, 8 hours and 35 minutes - averaging 38 miles per day - with no rest days!
Davis told writer Marty Basch in a recent phone interview that she plans to tackle the overall speed record, held by Andrew Thompson who completed it in 2005 in only 47 days, 13 hours and 31 minutes. Next June, Davis plans to depart from the northern terminus of the trail at Mt. Katahdin in Maine.
Davis is also the author of a new book - Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail. The book chronicles her adventures, experiences and challenges during her first A.T. thru hike just out of college in 2005.
Incidentally, I'm quite familiar with the author of the article. I've read a couple of books written by Marty Basch - an accomplished adventurer himself. Against the Wind, about his solo bicycle ride from Maine to Alaska, is a particularly good read.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Articles and information on hiking, outdoor adventures and the Great Smoky Mountains. For hiking trail information in the Smokies, please visit HikingintheSmokys.com
appalachian trail /
Becoming Odyssa /
Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail /
Jennifer Pharr Davis /
speed record
Jennifer Pharr Davis announces speed record attempt on A.T.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments
Jennifer seems like a great person and I'm sure that I would enjoy her company and I will say good luck to her, but I hiked the trail in 145 days with 15 zero-days and next time might even take 30 zero days and 175 days. Who knows? What I do know is that speed records are not what motivate me to be in the woods.
To put up with all that pain and suffering can only mean one thing: the pursuit of fame and glory.
I cannot fathom 38 mile days!!! Dosen't sound like fun! There has to be easier ways to get famous!
Well, I wouldn't confuse this with hiking and in my personal opinion this doesn't capture the spirit of the trail. A wonderful feat of endurance and truly a credit to this athlete's dedication to test her limits. She has turned thru-hiking into a sport.
I've thru hiked the AT, and apparently so has Jennifer. I do not know of a single hiker that after completing a thru hike said "I want to do this faster". Everyone wants to go slower next time and smell the roses. I had a hand full of 36 mile days, some low 30's and tons of mid to high 20's. My body handled the distance, but why would a person want to set a record? I hiked in 150ish days with 35 zero hiking days, and feel i rushed it There's no forest gump in Jennifer, it's got to be fame she's after.
Wow, you guys are out of touch. There is a lot of fame to be had by setting a hiking record! Did you see David Horton, Pete Palmer, and Andrew Thompson on Letterman last night. Are you kidding me, there is no fame in this. Why question what drives people to do what they do. If people never pushed the boundaries of their being where would society be? Just because this is not how you would do it does not mean it is wrong on unworthy.
Post a Comment