Pacific Crest Trail (CA, OR, WA)

[Bill Ahlers AKA E Longshadow]

Have to assume Ryan didn't make it? Hope hes ok. Whats the Female record?

[tunahelper]

Hello All,
It's been 6 months now since I got off trail near Crater Lake,
but I've finally wrapped up all my PCT stuff from the hike last year.
I managed 1864 miles in 42.5 days, and set new PCT Midpoint and
California records, but the entire trail record still alluded me. On
my attempt I took a great many photos and also kept an audio trail
journal for every day. Because of this, and the nature of the hike I
did, I wanted to share it with those who might be interested in such
things. Thus, I created a trail journal style blog, where you can read
the journal and or listen to the actual audio recording. Also
available on the page are links to my full 500 photo PCT 2012 album, a
link to download all of the audio journals, a like to download all of
my GPS tracks and campsite waypoints and a variety of other related
documents. It's been a while in the making and I'm happy it's almost
done! Who knows if I'll attempt it again, but I know now that it is
quite possible to exceed your own goals and nothing is out of reach!

The First Post (use the right side dates/Posts to navigate through the site)
www.pctspeed.blogspot.com/2012_10_01_archive.html

2012 Complete Photo Album
plus.google.com/photos/113529152827233483970/albums/5804036552665873505


GPS Tracks and Waypoints Download
docs.google.com/folder/d/0By2m6B0qS-XOSWdkOU1WVzRLOW8/edit

PCT Documents - Gear List, Split times, Daily Mileage Log etc.
docs.google.com/folder/d/0By2m6B0qS-XObGs3WUFFUDh5TWc/edit

The last post is what my feet looked
like 2 weeks after I got off trail. Yeah, you don't want your feet to
look like that!
If you find a link that doesn't work or a different problem, please
let me know and I'll try and fit it!

Hope you'll enjoy and share with others.


Cheers,
Ryan "Tuna Helper" Weidert.

[anishnabe]

Let me begin by saying that I go on this adventure to challenge myself–to push beyond my perceived limits. The impressive paces of the people who have gone before me in this endeavor (Scott Williamson, Adam Bradley, Joe Kisner, Ryan Weidert and others) inspire me. I am in awe of the thought of covering the trail as many times as, and with the efficiency of, Mr. Williamson.

I will start from the Mexican Border (Northbound) on June 8th with a goal in mind that is similar to or faster than the current men’s record of 64 days. There is no official women’s record and in the course of this effort I hope to establish one in the same style as Scott Williamson’s. I will approach this hike as a solo thru-hiker, carrying all of my gear and supplies. My steps will connect from monument to monument. I will not ride in a car until I am done, walking into and out of towns (along the same route) to obtain what I need along the way. I will not have pre-arranged support meeting me with anything. I will carry a SPOT beacon and check in on a regular basis for verification purposes. For safety this will not be public in real time, but will be available with a delay on my public facing page: www.facebook.com/AnishHikes where updates/photos will be posted for all to see. I will be following the official PCT route and official detours that are signed as the PCT (such as the permanent Devil’s Punchbowl relocation around the Endangered Species closure near Wrightwood). Documentation will be minimal since, obviously, the majority of my time will be spent walking.
There is certain level of trust in the honor system inherent in undertakings such as this. I am delighted to be a part of a community, both as an ultra-runner and as a thru-hiker, where the honor system still means something and can still be trusted.

I am looking forward to stepping back onto the trail–to going home.
~Anish~ (Heather Anderson)

[J Train]

Good luck, Anish! Hope you're doing well...

[yassine]

First and foremost I would like to say that I am humbled and inspired by so many of the feats, adventures, & attempts that are documented here on this great website.

I would like to announce that my friend Brian Donnelly and I (Yassine Diboun) will be attempting the self-supported Fastest Known Time of the Oregon Pacific Crest Trail starting at noon on August 9, 2013.
We will be running from south to north and will not receive any help from anyone. We have several resupply boxes that we already sent out and will be carrying all of our own gear/shelter, etc.

You can read all about our intentions, the details, and more on Brian's website HERE and Yassine's website HERE.

At this point we are unsure if it is still Williamson and Bradley who hold the Oregon section FKT, or if Heather Anderson broke that record recently. Either way this is our announcement that we are going for it, and we are truly amazed by all of your energy, grit, and style!

[Chris Schultheiss]

Looks like Anish just broke the record!! Yes way to go girl!

[Arya Farahani]

Congrats Heather "Anish" Anderson! 61:17:12.

[anishnabe]

I just wanted to update and say that, on August 7th 2013, I set the overall self-supported PCT FKT. This also establishes an self-supported women's PCT FKT record as well. My time was 60 days 17 hours and 12 minutes. It was an incredible journey. ~Anish (Heather Anderson)

[bdon]

New Oregon PCT FKT ...

At 1:37 pm yesterday (August 17th) I crossed the Oregon/Washington border on the Pacific Crest Trail (mid-point on the Bridge of the Gods) after starting at the Oregon/California PCT border on August 9th at 3 pm. Numerous witnesses were present at both the start and finish and other forms of verification (for the entire trip) are available to those interested.

This establishes a new self-supported speed record on the PCT for the state of Oregon in a time of 7 days, 22 hours, 37 minutes. Some additional information is available at: brianthedonnelly.blogspot.com/

I am completely awed and humbled by full-length PCT record holders, both past and present.

Cheers,
Brian

[michelle]

Hi, This is Michelle Turley, Scott Williamson's wife.  Scott has asked me to announce his attempt to break the overall speed record on The Pacific Crest Trail that Josh Garrett just set supported at 59d8h14m.  Scott will be doing this record in his usual style, self supported.  This means he will NOT have anyone following, or otherwise meeting him in
prearranged manner to give him support. Scott plans to do this hike carrying all of his food, equipment,
and water between resupply towns, which he will walk into and out to pick
up prepacked and mailed food boxes or he will be purchasing food. Last but not least as in prior records he will not be getting in a vehicle for any
reason during this attempt.

Scott did not post his attempt for the speed record prior to his hike because Scott knew Anish was going to break his record and he was waiting to hear news before he made his finial decision and he was training in Washington prior to starting his hike.  Meanwhile Josh also broke the overall speed record fully supported.  Scott has decided to attempt to break the overall speed record, that Josh Garret set and holds, southbound on the PCT.  Scott started at the Canadian Boarder on August 10th at 11:30am.

Scott sends a BIG congratulations to Anish for her outstanding job at breaking his current record and to Josh for the setting the supported record. 

[michelle]

Hi everyone, Scott Williamson AKA "BINK" here, Apparently there is some interest as to what happened with my hike and so as to dispel any ridiculous rumors I have decided to post this brief message. (The rumors get strange, my favorite this year was one which had me earning my living as a used car lot owner!)

Anyhow I departed the Canadian border on August 10th at 11:30 am going southbound on the PCT headed for Mexico in an attempt to break the 'Unassisted' PCT speed record recently broken/set by Heather Anderson, but also going after the now overall record set by supported runner Josh Garret, but in the 'unassisted' style. Basically trying to do whatever I could pull out of it, but mostly going for a personal best if anything. For the first two weeks of the trip I had rain every single day and night, having to set up my shelter after 45+ mile days each night was a real challenge. Due to being wet the entire first two weeks my feet were pretty well hammered up those first two weeks and the damage to them remained until I got off the trail IE-blisters that heal slowly while walking on them 16 hours a day each day.

I did fairly well, not as fast I would have liked but not too bad considering I did not really see the sun until southern Oregon. Entering California I was feeling pretty good and keeping up a 45 mile a day AVERAGE. All seemed to going fairly well even considering the rough weather I had in the first weeks. Then the day before hitting the halfway point, I felt a little nauseated for part of the day, but didn't really think much of it as I have had that problem on particularly hot days in the past and at the time it was the first hot weather I had encountered. The following day I started having horrible nausea and stomach pain in the mid morning and it most or less continued all day. I kept on going through it and figured it would pass and somehow did my miles that day despite feeling like I was on the verge of puking my guts out all day long, but never actually vomiting.

That night I had terrible stomach pains. I had passed the halfway mark at 30 days, 6 hours and 35 minutes earlier that day. Not great, but still decent enough. On the morning of September 9 Th I awoke at my usually 4 am start time to the worst nausea you can imagine. I felt like I had no energy, but kept hiking on anyway staying on pace. Mid morning I started having pain in addition to the nausea. Still I hiked on. Everything changed late morning when I stopped to dig a cat hole and use the bathroom. Because I do not treat my water I often keep an eye on my stools being on the look out for worms which I have had in years past. If you are squeamish read no further. On this morning I was shocked to see that my stool was solid BLACK, no joke, solid black. This is an indication of bleeding somewhere in the GI tract. At that point I figured it was probably over, but hiked a few hours longer just too see. Things did not improve and seemed only worse. I decided to quit the hike just south of a place call cold springs.

I do not have medical insurance, so have not been to see a doctor. Initially I thought I might have a bleeding ulcer. After a two week course of an acid reducing drug I no longer think that is what the problem is. I have gained all my lost weight back but I am still having nausea daily, although the bleeding stopped three days after I got home. At this point I am guessing I have some sort of water born infection, although I have never had one which did not involve the bowels or diarrhea. So I am stumped at this point. I do know I made the right decision getting off the trail, THERE IS NO WAY I would have been able to continue at 45+ miles a day. I am guessing even 20 mile days would have become difficult. At this point I am feeling a lot better, but I am now trying to get my hands on a course each of metonidazole and ciprofloxacin both of which can knock out most water borne illnesses one can obtain in north America. Usually the metronidazole does the trick. I am not a big fan of just taking things like this, but I also cannot continue living off of dramamine (an OTC) anti nausea drug. Anyway that is the story folks.

A couple other notes. I do plan on trying to break the PCT overall speed record, in an unassisted/unsupported fashion, starting at the Mexican border in June of 2014. I am already planning that. I have no idea how I will make it work so that I can be there but I will. Northbound is easier in my opinion. Why? On a southbound speed hike you have three major strikes against you. 1- starting in one of the hardest sections of the trail. 2-losing daylight each day from the start and lots of nighttime walking 3-a very high chance of inclement weather numerous times before reaching the end. Talk to ANYONE who has done both north and south bound through hikes of the PCT and I bet they will agree. In the meantime I want to congratulate both Heater Anderson and Josh Garret who destroyed my old record this summer. I am very impressed with Heathers achievement doing it without support, especially as a first speed hike. My guess is she could probably take it well below 60 days next time she comes out. I know how hard both of them had to work to pull off what they did and I congratulate them for their amazing feats pulled off this summer. One final note: This years north bounders seemed like a great crowd of folks overall. I met some great people as I came south. I really appreciate all the encouragement from everyone I met. I hope all you folks I met had/ will have safe happy conclusions to your journeys north. See everyone next year! BINK

[David Horton]

Scott,

I am sorry to hear about your problem on the PCT. Heather should enjoy her record while it stands and I CAN"T believe how fast she did the PCT. However, when the weather is better and you are HEALTHY, I think you will lower the record even more. NO ONE knows as much about the PCT as you do, Billy Goat might be in second place. I have the utmost respect for you. I have NEVER heard a bad work said about you. Good luck to you and God speed next year.

[Donna Saufley]

Scott, I had no idea you sold used cars! My favorite rumor about me was that I was a competitive surfer. Seriously, you are, as always, a class act. Hoping you feel better soon and get over the nausea. Much love from Hiker Heaven, L-Rod

[Susan "backpack45" Alcorn]

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the update--we've all been sitting on pins and needles wondering how you were doing out there. Very sorry to hear about the medical stuff going on. Obviously you made the right decision about pulling off the trail this time. Your health is more important than meeting deadlines and breaking records. Continue to take care of yourself--the trail will indeed be there for you when you are well again.

Happy trails, backpack45

[Bruce Thompson]

Scott, I was keeping an ear out for the new record and super sorry to hear about your stomach bug. Looking forward to seeing what you do next year.
I have to comment on your writing "but also going after the now overall record set by supported runner Josh Garret,"
I've never heard him described as a "supported runner" before -- as if he ran the trail. Perhaps he ran off the trail near Truckee to buy a used car from you to finish the hike. : ) (Watch, soon people will be repeating that.)
Here's a photo, from the San Francisco Chronicle, of "runner" Josh Garrett leaving Chimney Creek. Looks like about a 20-30lb pack: tinyurl.com/l6r8lar
While, thanks to having a support person, there were times he didn't have to carry that kind of load (and it seems he would be the first to admit that) he certainly didn't run the trail. But referring to him as "runner Josh Garrett" suggests that he might have and is really exactly the way rumors get started.