Appalachian Trail

[firecracker]

Here's my table of all the data available from her facebook timeline, whiteblaze, and comments from her post calling for people to help verify her location. The daily mileages are all averages, and since some include time stamps part way through a day, a few daily averages will be off since she would of kept hiking those days.

More impressive than 634mpd for the final 9 days, would be averaging 52 miles a day through the Whites.

imgur.com/a/EEX3g

[hughmac4]

Sept 20, 2016 11:14:10 GMT -5 Peter Bakwin said:

Good info Clint. If what you post is correct she did 634 miles in the final 9 days, i.e., 70mpd! I would invite her to submit a detailed trip report with daily mileages, etc., and time stamped photos. I'd be happy to look at whatever documentation she wants to provide & report my findings to this community. This is somewhat similar to the situation we had with Brett Maune on the JMT some years ago. He submitted video & photo material & a TR, which I carefully evaluated. As everyone knows by now, his claims were true. Kaiha, pm me if you want to communicate about this.

Apparently self-supported, too (per her FB post). More than 9 days faster than Anish. 9. Days. I hope the documentation flows in thick!

[Clint Cummins]

Sept 20, 2016 1:48:24 GMT -5 Clint Cummins said:

For Kaiha Bertollini's southbound FKT claim,
these are the waypoints claimed and/or witnessed/posted so far on various web sources.
Nothing shown here seems impossible, but it would help to fill in more of the gaps, and strengthen some of the claimed points.

Updated 9/20 7:40pm, with the waypoints firecracker compiled in his post below.
Several rows in the table have photos posted to facebook, but do not appear on the graph (they appear as "gaps" in the blue line).
Need timestamps or distances to add them to the graph.

Updated just now, adding the waypoints listed by firecracker above (he also showed that Bertollini and Meltzer did not pass each other).
(If the graph does not show about 25 points, refresh your browser).
Documentation continues to look very consistent.

[Peter Bakwin]

There has been lively discussion on the topic of Bertollini's record claim over at whiteblaze.net (thread now closed). A person under the handle of Billie Beartrap (Will Moran) has reported giving her a lift from Swift Run Gap (around mile 1282) to Stanimals Hostel in Waynesboro, VA (Page 8 of the thread) on the morning of September 4. If true this obviously discredits any claim of "self supported" under the ethic followed by Heather Anderson. In fact, Bertollini confirms on Facebook that she did hitch into Wayneboro (see Page 11 of the whiteblaze.net thread), but she reiterates her claim that she walked the entire trail. Hitching off trail for resupply is consistent with standard thru-hiker practice, so isn't necessarily disqualifying as far as claims to a thru-hiker style record (self supported, just not as strict an interpretation as Anderson's). That is, only IF she returned to the trail at the same spot. The owner of the hostel, Stanimal, apparently confirms (on Facebook) her arrival around noon that day, and reports driving her to Rockfish Gap the next morning. If these 2 reports are accurate then Bertollini clearly skipped the 45.5 mile section between Swift Run and Rockfish. This, of course, would invalidate any claim of an AT record. Bertollini says "I will release a statement soon. I [am] gathering everything I can and doing my best."

Added: Bertollini's "statement" was copied from her Facebook to Page 14 of the whiteblaze.net thread. Unfortunately it lacks specifics. She does claim that Billie Beartrap's account is incorrect, and says that he drove her from Rockfish Gap, not Swift Run Gap (which he disputes as below). Moran has provided his phone record showing a call on his phone to Stanimals Hostel at 10:33am on 9/4 (he says Bertollini's phone was dead), and his receipt from the Rockfish Gap entrance station at Shenandoah National Park showing that he left the Park at 10:47am. This indicates that Bertollini was in his vehicle for at least 14 minutes before they reached Rockfish Gap, where she claims he picked her up. It is also of note that the tourist center at Rockfish Gap has a phone that hikers commonly use to call for rides, so if she came off the trail at that point there would be no need to hitchhike - she could just call Stanimals for a pickup.

As Buzz Burrell very concisely put it in a comment to the gearjunkie.com story about this, "none of us can say what she did because she didn't document it". Setting an FKT requires more than just putting in insane miles & getting uncomfortable - it requires documentation. If you want to do the former, great! Have at it. Push and exceed your limits. Have an amazing experience. Just don't expect people to accept that you set an FKT without the latter. She has not yet provided even a minimum of documentation, and there is compelling contrary evidence.

[Just Bill]

Peter, I assume/see that you are following along on WB. So rather than repost a long winded post from some jack hole. Please see post 365, page 19 on the Kaiha thread.

If needed I could provide a few of the items posted and/or put you in contact with Billie but it seems to me she sunk her own battleship.

[Clint Cummins]

Just Bill,

This is the key portion of Kaiha Bertollini's statement on facebook in terms of what happened on the 45.5 mile segment between Swift Run Gap and Rock Fish Gap:

"I had walked for 28 hours straight and was starting to nod off as I walked.
Something I haven’t experienced since Basic Training. I needed to eat and I had no food.
There was nowhere to go but Waynesboro, VA which is 6 miles off trail and you have to get there by highway.
I had to hitch, I had no other option. A man and his very cute son picked me up and took me to the hostel.
I even let his son take a picture of me. I did not hide this from anyone.
I ate, I slept and was dropped back at Rock Fish gap where I was picked up."

This is consistent with her hiking this 45.5 mile segment during a 28 hour hike through the night (all day Sept. 3 and early morning of Sept. 4).
It implies she spent the night of Sept. 2 at/near the Bearfence Shelter, instead of the night of Sept. 3rd there.

This timeline fits with the post and replies of the Stanimals person.

It conflicts with Billie Beartrap's statement of picking her up at Swift Run Gap.

If she can submit her original iPhone photos from Sept. 2 and 3, their internal timestamps could verify her version of the events.

Similarly, if Billie has photos of her at Swift Run Gap, that could verify his version of the events.
I'm unable to read attached photos at present on the whiteblaze.net forum, as I have not registered there, so apologies if I missed something.

[thompsoniac]

I agree with Clint 100%
She stated that she had been hiking for 28 hrs straight.
She personally told me today that she was picked up at " a hot dog stand down the hill from the Rock Fish Gap Visitors Center." She might have pictures of it on her broken phone.
Andrew Thompson

[Fat girl]

On her Facebook page she has a picture and comment about getting to Bearfence shelter at 10:30pm and excited about getting 6 hours of sleep. She next posted the next morning at 6am, and aometime between 10-11am she was picked up. I'm not sure how she can explain the mileage and time it would take to get rockfish gap by 10-11am.

[justagigolo]

She changed her story when put out her "how I did it" memo.
Changed it to hiking 28 hrs straight.

Turns out she called hostel from billys truck at 1033, before she could have been picked up if picked up outside park. Used his phone because hers  was dead. His ticket showed 1047 exit. Busted again.

I wouldnt believe anything this chick said unless she wore a tracking collar and had a chaperone.

Pics on whiteblaze and billys facebook of the phone call. Im sure bill townsend will post here too.

[Just Bill]

Fat Girl is correct, she posted planning to sleep for 6 hours at bear fence shelter. Additional info from Billie including a screenshot of a phone call made at 10:33 on his phone by Kaiha to Stanimals hostel. Another witness saw her around Front Royal on 9/3 morning if I recall correctly as well.

To me, solid enough to confirm he picked her up from inside the park, not outside.

Keep in mind, Billie was driving, so his nearest point of reference would have been swift run gap station near the center of the park. However, regardless of the exact miles in the park, it is clear she was involved with this reported ride within the boundaries of the park for at least the time it took to drive to the gate.

Billie recounted a fairly detailed conversation including personal details about Kaiha. Though not publicly posted, the final short video clearly shows her speaking with Billies son and saying goodbye for confirmation this was not another hiker.

In addition, the first story was it was illegal to walk there, now it is the hotdog stand? Which was only mentioned as the place to ride from in my WB post and conflicts at least one version of her story.

There is also the roughly .5 mile walk from the pay gate to the brown rail where she was dropped off and the trail leaves the parkway. She herself seems to confirm this in her statement.

Billie is now William Moran on FB. Mags has posted the additional photos on WB in the closed thread. Horton and Doyle have been notified.

If they (Jenny and Kaiha) would still like to flush out the week of 9/2-9/7 it would clear it up, but Will is a credible witness with no motive, and no matter which of the 4 or 5 scenarios laid out they choose, each seems to have a hole.

Others reached out to me too on FB with photos of other hitches, including Newfound Gap, which would be a horrible spot to hitch on an FKT with standing bear hostel offering enough food for her reported resupply style.

Keep in mind, she was following Anish, and her rules to break her record. They clearly state "not entering a vehicle for any reason". So how can we entertain the trip as a whole when she was actively violating the rules of the hike she claimed to start? "No planned trail magic". But she actively received planned support "calamine lotion" from trail angels.

It may be possible to give her some recognition for her journey (ala Joey Camps) but it seems impossible to call it any form of an FKT, even an original category. She never intended to honor the spirit of a self-supported style hike, so how could she stumble into a supported one?

I don't know how to post here, but the info is up on WB and could be sent to Peter, though seems Horton and Doyle are the ones to review. But if needed could be out here for your efforts.

Good to have a few sets of eyes on it all to remain fair and objective.
Despite assertions, I don't see that any of us serious about this are on a witch hunt. In fact it appears that a few of us started out trying to prove, not disprove and simply could not.

[Just Bill]

A somewhat plausible version of all stories.

9/2 was bear fence shelter.
Slept and got up early AM on 9/3.
Started her 28 hour stint from there into 9/4 am.

Somewhere towards the end of that she encounters Billie.
Where exactly? Hard to say but seems to be in the park and north of the gate during a time she was running on empty and desperate to get food.
Some confusion is to be expected.

Early am 9/3 departure and 28 hours and 53 miles would put her short of the gate from bear face shelter at 10:30 ish on 9/4.

I would expect, if resolved to a hitch and wiped she would have abandoned the official AT to thumb for a ride as she neared the park border and Billie was that ride.

Don't have it in front of me but shelter to (wood rail) hot dog stand would have been 54+ for the day, not 53. Believe it is 9 shelter to swift run and
45.5 more to the gate, then a half mile to the spot she was dropped on 9/5. Though again, the minor difference could be chalked to sleep issue in reporting, though miles were reported fresh from a rest to the Hostel owner.

Fits all accounts more or less. Billie credibly claims yellow blazing some portion of the park, Kaiha now claims he picked her at hotdog stand?
Seems all agree he picked her up. So in her version she made it to the pay station (not sure if that's on trail). Used his phone, they hung out, then what... She finished the miles, Billie paid the gate fee, forgot to mention he agreed to pick her up at the hot dog stand while she wrapped up the day. That'd be weird as Billie reports being unaware of her attempt until after the fact.



I hesitate to say this but; in theory she could have doubled back if she realized her error after sleep or did road walk in the park, but why not start with that version. But then that likely would not work with 9/5 and 9/6 so again; If she wants to do that week maybe somehow there is an explanation.

[Just Bill]

Clint, I would imagine...
9/4 photos will (mainly) be unavailable for this time.
No reason to use Billies phone unless she had battery (well I guess Yogi'ing free stuff for no reason if I'm cynical)

Which causes a double edged problem again...
No phone to disprove Billie also means no phone to take a picture of the hot dog stand.

A follow up if Andrew is talking to her. If she found the hot dog stand and could "crush" a few dogs out and stuff a few in her pouch to go, why go into town at all? If hot dog stand was closed, why not nap by it until it opened?
Fits the uncomfortable resupply strategy.

Were the waysides closed for the season? Never flushed that out. Could explain the food shortage if she was counting on them that's all.

[Andrew]

What time did Billie pick her up at Swift Run?

[justagigolo]

Waysides dont close till about first week november I think. Leaf season is big in shenandoah.

www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/facilities-opening-schedule.htm

This is also not a person new to shenandoah, she hiked it supposedly a couple months before.

Billie comes across as highly credible. Personally I interpret her not mentioning the fkt to him,to intentionally not attract attention.

When did he say she borrowed phone? Immediately? Or after 10 min of driving.
Was she at an AT crossing, or walking along road?
Did she look like someone that just walked 28 hrs? Anyone that did that would look like hell and sleep all way to hostel. Even if didnt sleep, they would be quiet with eyes closed most of the time, bright light is painful in sleep deprived state. Their eyes would be bloodshot and watery. This is first outward sign of sleep deprivation. Then immediately sleep all day.  No way to hide that. 

The photo on billies facebook, shows clear eyes.

Did Stanimal comment on how she behaved when got there?

[Just Bill]

He reported originally that they were together about 45-60 min if I recall correctly. He's on Facebook and willing to answer questions directly Andrew if you wished, first hand from one more person seems reasonable.

Stanimals has a business to run but was responsive. Seems unfair to keep grilling the poor guy. Again, if Andrew wants to take point on verification seems reasonable and few better qualified.

I don't know that we can nail a spot down along the parkway to a mile marker though it clearly seems north of the pay gate, which is north of the park entrance and still .25-.5 miles from where you would leave the parkway (west to town or east into the woods to continue SOBO)

Also, while the appearance issue keeps coming up, it seems irrelevant.
She started the trail "heavy" and that was clear in a group photo she took with some angels up north when she started. She confirmed this someplace. She might have lost significant weight for her.

Heather's pics are all dramatically different too. Women hikers do not respond the same as men generally. If nothing else, such efforts only fit into body shaming or superficial judgements that fuel thier arguement and narrative. So while I understand why those in the know would consider it valid... It is counterproductive in this case. Especially as other avenues are so readily available to review.

Andrew, full disclosure if you are directly investigating, I have been in some form of contact with Jenny prior to the finish, though that is spelled out on WB. If it becomes necessary I can discuss some things but agreed already to keep those discussions private so you'd need Jenny's permission.

Also Jenny has been conversing lately from an email that displays Kaiha's name in the last few days. So I would verify who you are talking to. Jenny's role and activity on the trail remains unclear but why go further when this day or week seems enough. The photo with Karl is odd, if self-supported why does your partner keep popping up?

It's not personal so I didn't wish to dig deeper than needed and this stretch popped up with folks at WB and all I did really was compile those, pull a map, and verify directly with Billie and Stanimal.