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Post by Kenneth Posner on Sept 6, 2013 21:44:25 GMT -5
On September 3, 2013 at 11:20 AM I completed the Long Path, a 350-mile hiking trail from NYC to Albany NY, in 9 days 3 hours 6 minutes, which I believe to be the new Fastest Known Time for this trail. I had announced that I would run the Long Path on a self-supported basis and did so through mile 300. However, at that point it became clear that my food caches were insufficient and I received assistance from spouse and friends with resupply of food, clothing, and supplies. Therefore, this FKT is on a supported basis. I encourage other trail runners and thru-hikers to take on the Long Path, as I found it to be a beautiful course with awesome views, a sense of history, and a mischievous personality. The Long Path is meticulously blazed and documented online thanks to the staff and volunteers of the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference, and I had no major problems following it even at night and during bad weather. GPS documentation together with selected photographs and other information available at www.findmespot.com/spotadventures/index.php/view_adventure?tripid=324604 |
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Post by bennephew on Sept 9, 2013 19:13:46 GMT -5
Great work, Ken! Sounds like a great route!
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Post by Wandering Home on Nov 6, 2013 19:14:56 GMT -5
Agreed that it is an outstanding trail and it is meticulously documented, mapped, and blazed through the Catskills with the exception of the lower Vernoy Kill area (an incredible amount of downed trees). North of the Catskills is a different story though. I have extensive trail and wilderness experience and spent hours hunting for the trail in some sections between the Catskills and Thatcher Park. Several times the trail veered off a road and all but vanished when it entered an overgrown field.
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Post by Kenneth Posner on Nov 6, 2013 21:27:57 GMT -5
You're right about the downded trees. I stopped counting after 30 and estimate north of 100. They're from Irene and DEC hasn't gotten around to cleaning them up. Which would take a crew with big chainsaws.
North of the Catskills, there were some spots where I struggled with with overgrown trails and sometimes had trouble finding the next blaze (especially at night). It sometimes took a little bit of searching, and I often had to refer to the trail notes, but I always found the blazes were there.
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Post by Wandering Home on Nov 7, 2013 10:37:09 GMT -5
I didn't have the trail description with me. All I had were the old outdated 5th edition maps. I went ultra-light and I was counting ounces. Generally, I'm good to go only using the maps but it was tough this time. With some persistence I wound up finding the blazes as well. I took a southbound journey from Altamont to the GWB and finished last July 26. I took the table of distances and reversed everything but didn't print out all the descriptions. Unfortunately, I didn't bump into any LP thru-hikers when I was on the trail but I did meet an AT thru hiker when we crossed paths in Harriman. I greatly enjoyed the trip. I think it has the potential to be a national scenic trail but it just needs some polishing up and attention in some of the seldom used areas.
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Post by Wandering Home on Nov 8, 2013 18:49:24 GMT -5
Congratulations on your time and for raising funds for a good cause. My only question which I'll pose gently is are you able to get as rich of an experience if you cover ground that quickly? I took over double the time - 21 days (with 3 zero days for a family reunion). While I usually put in around 20mi/day, I had the luxury to stop and bask in the sunlight and soak in views on the Escarpment Trail, take a morning dip in Blue Hole Brook, and meet some interesting people.
I've since gotten more serious about fitness (short triathlons, completed my first century ride, and I'm training for my first marathon). However, when I'm on the trail I like to take the time to really enjoy the experience.
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Post by Kenneth Posner on Nov 9, 2013 17:47:19 GMT -5
To Wandering Home Guest (see last sentence):
The book of nature is like a page written over or printed upon with different-sized characters and in many different languages, interlined and cross-lined, and with a great variety of marginal notes and references….It is a book which he reads best who goes most slowly or even tarries long by the way. He who runs may read some things.
-- John Burroughs, The Art of Seeing Things
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Post by Peter Bakwin on May 5, 2014 17:48:57 GMT -5
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Post by tinydome on Sept 20, 2016 18:59:36 GMT -5
I first learned about the Long Path working with the AMC fixing up the new Harriman Outdoor Center on Breakneck Pond. Then I read of Kenneth's epic effort. Since then I haven't stopped thinking about it. So this Saturday 9/24 I will give my best effort to complete the Long Path self-supported in 7 days. Not sure if I can do it but, nothing ventured; nothing gained. If anyone wants to come out and hang let me know. My Delorme inReach Mapshare is share.delorme.com/RyanKunz Also any advice would always be appreciated. Fingers crossed the weather gods smile down on my journey. |
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Post by Tinydpme on Oct 2, 2016 7:53:45 GMT -5
Man that is a tough trail! Everything going well until the section between W. Fulton and Middleburgh. I decided to stop yesterday 48 miles from the finish because my quad started failing on me. Up until then it was just some pretty painful blisters. I will try again someday. Overall a beautiful and rewarding experience. Thanks for inspiring me Ken!
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