TN-GA in 4 days on the AT

[aray]

I'm planning a hike that will start in TN at Cades Cove camp ground. Hike up to Russel field shelter @ 179.6 on AT

and hopefully make it to Bly gap @ 78.6 in Ga. in 4 days.

My friends say it's impossible, but with the right kind of training like Crossfit and trail running with a 30lb pack should give me a good shot at it.

I'm wondering how fast that section has been done before and what kind of miles/day are realistic for ultra-light unsupported hikers through that area.

The total elevation climbed will be a little over 34,000 ft.



Any info or web links would be helpful and appreciated.

[AppFastpacker]

Given proper experience, fitness, and gear, it would be possible. During his record breaking AT through hike (SOBO), Matt Kirk managed ~33-40 mi/day through this section. Check out the exact mileage on the page he made for the hike: sub60.wikispaces.com/About His blog also has a wealth of information on his gear and fitness preparation.

[t dog]

It's very possible. Although the start and end points don't mesh nicely with his camps, it seems quite likely Matt Kirk finished the section of the AT you speak of in about three days, with 2000 miles from Katahdin to Tennessee on his legs.

I will say that my very first fastpacking trip several years ago was on many of these same miles of trails, albeit in the opposite direction. I believe I got myself from my start at Deep Gap, NC (~7 miles N of Bly) to Russell Field in about 3.5 days. I carried a very light pack of homemade sewn gear but did not by any means consider myself any sort of endurance athlete at the time.

It would be a difficult 100 miles, no doubt, especially unsupported, but there are certainly more difficult 100 mile races. According to a table of elevation gain on the AT here: www.whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php/49 , this is about 28,000' of vertical gain. My expectation is that a 100-mile veteran could quite likely get this done in under 36 hours.

However quickly you are able to complete your desired course in, it is sure to be an adventure. That section of the AT is very beautiful any time of year; enjoy it out there!

[aray]

Thanks for the info. That's amazing that people can do that in 36 hours.