View Full Version : GA speed record attempt and more
From orlandosentinel.com (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-adventure2006apr20,0,4606093.story?coll=orl-sports-headlines)...
Chris Wedge grew up wanting to be Daniel Boone, one of America's earliest trailblazing explorers.
He has become Chris Wedge, a pioneer in his own right.
Wedge, a 34-year-old hardwood-floor salesman from Clermont, is about to embark on a five-month, six-adventure journey that will test his fitness and mental stability, a journey that most Central Floridians only can imagine.
He will start Saturday by trying to set a foot speed record for hiking/running the 87-mile Georgia portion of the famed Appalachian Trail.
He will finish in August by trying to win Colorado's famed Leadville Trail 100-mile run, an ultramarathon that winds through the highest-elevated incorporated community in America, never dipping below 10,000 feet above sea level, where oxygen is so scarce that a brisk walk can make breathing difficult.
"All my life, I've looked for challenges, going from one to the next," he said. "Everyone has different interests. Mine are just a little unusual. I love a good challenge."
Between his bookend adventures in April and August, he will race the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Mile Run through the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia; climb the Mount Whitney Trail -- reaching the highest point in the continental United States -- through the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks in California; go to Hawaii and do a 30-mile round-trip climb up the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific; then run the 26.2-mile Kilauea Volcano Marathon, which is considered one of the world's toughest marathons for a variety of reasons.
"I guess this is just my way of being an explorer," Wedge said last week over lunch. "I want to see what the human body is capable of. I want to see how far an ordinary guy like me can push it."
Wedge, 5 feet 9 and 170 pounds, played high-school, then college football at Ohio University, but he was too small and too slow to leave a lasting mark. He also found it too confining.
Although fitness was always an interest, it was only in recent years -- after his move to Clermont -- that his quest for bigger and better adventures led him to his journey.
"Everyone has a hobby. Some guys like to make wood furniture. I do these kind of things," he said. "I'd call this adventure running. It's all about who you are and what you're about. I'm not an extraordinary athlete. I'm just a guy who likes to explore his limits."
In a lot of ways, Wedge is a throwback to a much earlier era, wondering how society has become so mechanized, so overweight, so dependent upon others.
One of his goals with his journey is that he wants to promote an awareness of the environment and a healthier lifestyle. He wants to inspire others. And he also is raising money for the First United Methodist Church in Clermont, taking pledges from worshipers.
The church wants to build a multipurpose, recreational facility, where physical fitness can be encouraged and used to promote a healthier lifestyle.
"A lot of people don't really understand why I do things like this, but it's just natural,'' Wedge said. "They are really the kind of things that we were intended to do. For millions of years, humans were hikers, hunters and gatherers, throwing spears and hauling things hundreds of miles. It's why we used to be healthier."
Amazingly, Wedge isn't taking much time off from work, doing most of his adventures on the weekends, except for a week of vacation to do the Hawaiian portion of his trip.
He will be climbing the Mount Whitney Trail in California the day after a business meeting and convention ends in nearby Los Angeles.
"A lot of the people I work with, they'll probably be sitting around the pool the next day," he said. "I'll be climbing a mountain. It's just what I like to do. Sometimes, I think I should have been an astronaut, seen the world that way."
RockyTrail
04-21-2006, 15:53
One of his goals with his journey is that he wants to promote an awareness of the environment and a healthier lifestyle....
No disrespect to the man, but...
do you think he will benefit the environment with the approx 100,000 lbs of jet fuel that will be burned in order to take him to and from Virginia, California, Colorado, and Hawaii for these weekend "environmental" excursions?:D
Probably a tax-deductible vacation?:-?
Just Jeff
04-21-2006, 19:46
Living in caves and hunting with spears isn't natural. Using human ingenuity to improve our living conditions is natural.
I think it's great that he's living his dream, though. I respect the guy for that.
No disrespect to the man, but...
do you think he will benefit the environment with the approx 100,000 lbs of jet fuel that will be burned in order to take him to and from Virginia, California, Colorado, and Hawaii for these weekend "environmental" excursions?:D
Probably a tax-deductible vacation?:-?
No disrepect here either, but more than likely he's looking for his 15 minutes of fame.
Dances with Mice
04-21-2006, 20:29
He will start Saturday by trying to set a foot speed record for hiking/running the 87-mile Georgia portion of the famed Appalachian Trail.Record? What record? Whose record?
Whatenah ell's he talking about?
There ain't no "foot speed record for hiking/running the ... Georgia ... Appalachian Trail." No such thing exists.
Prove me wrong.
Just Jeff
04-21-2006, 20:35
Here's proof. At least one person has hiked the trail, so it exists. Maybe no one has recorded it, but it's out there. :p
I wonder who would be the "official" scorekeeper for something like this. The ATC, maybe? Probably not. Maybe we'll have two, so eventually we'll have to settle the issue with a race between the two record holders to get the undisputed GA AT Hiker Champion, like in boxing. Eee gadz.
Fifteen minutes of fame is fine, if that's what he's into. I'll spend a few minutes to read about him if there's an article when he's finished.
Skidsteer
04-21-2006, 21:06
He will start Saturday by trying to set a foot speed record for hiking/running the 87-mile Georgia portion of the famed Appalachian Trail.
87 miles? Since when?:confused:
75.4 miles according to a quick check of the A.T. Database. Even with the approach added on in the beginning, GA-AT is just 84.2 miles.
Reporters! Snort!:p
Dances with Mice
04-21-2006, 21:12
I wonder who would be the "official" scorekeeper for something like this. The ATC, maybe? Probably not. Definitely not. The "record" is all in his head. But he's not even original! There's another guy (http://www.turtleislandpreserve.com/eustace.htm) who has made a career (http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=0670030864) setting, or rather claiming, non-existant records.
But I'd lay down money on Squeaky in a head-to-head (foot-to-foot?) competition.
while were talking putting money on something like this,let the bookmaker here post odds.id love to see this guy,squeaky,horton,and skurka,all start from springer with some guy from guiness with a stop watch saying"GO!!" and have em race to bly gap.. or harpers or katahdin.everyone keeps talking about pushing yourself and mental challenges of doin 40 or 50 + miles a day,lets see everyone try and do it with other ultra speed hikers breathing down your neck every day.
it would be like the amazing race from cbs except on the trail...honestly im surprised something like this hasnt happened already.weve seen thru-hiking evolve from a nice 5 to 6 month"see every view" hike,to 100 day fast hikes to 40 day speed record attempts..why not have a competition or real race so to say..its just the next step on the trail.
i mean personally id rather take my own time and do another thru and take 5 months,but hell why not stage some kind of televised race or something.
donate all proceeds to the atc or aldha,or trail maint or something.
if the eco-challenge can be aired on tv then why not a AT RACE.
Dances with Mice
04-21-2006, 23:18
...if the eco-challenge can be aired on tv then why not a AT RACE.A Ratified AT race? The "RAT Race"!
Isn't that what most hikers say they're trying to escape?
fiddlehead
04-21-2006, 23:19
Yes, there were a few discrepencies in the story. The mileage in GA is wrong. And is there a record for this? New to me if so. Also, it talks about how he wants to win the Leadville 100 mile race that "never dipping below 10,000 feet from sea level" The Leadville 100 starts (finish and start line) in the town of Leadville which is 9928 and goes downhill from there for the first 7 miles. As far as winning it, he will have a very hard time if he doesn't take off work. The top 5 people in that race train year round on the race course. If you don't train at or near the altitude, you are not going to win (and maybe not even finish) the race. Anyway, i think whoever wrote the article was a little biased. Once again it just shows you that you can't believe everything you read.
Skidsteer
04-21-2006, 23:26
Once again it just shows you that you can't believe everything you read.
Hell, you can't even believe everything you think. (Saw that on a bumpersticker today. :D )
Hana_Hanger
04-22-2006, 08:59
I plan on sticking to a routine that my body can maintain for the 40 days. I aim to start at 3 or 4 am each morning and hike for 18 hours each day. Without a pack I can maintain 4mph as an average. The question will be for how many days I can keep it up! Can I keep this pace and hike the trail in 32 days or will I find it tough to break Andrew Thompson’s time? I can only answer this question by trying 100%. (I%20plan%20on%20sticking%20to%20a%20routine%20tha t%20my%20body%20can%20maintain%20for%20the%2040%20 days.%20I%20aim%20to%20start%20at%203%20or%204%20a m%20each%20morning%20and%20hike%20for%2018%20hours %20each%20day.%20Without%20a%20pack%20I%20can%20ma intain%204mph%20as%20an%20average.%20The%20questio n%20will%20be%20for%20how%20many%20days%20I%20can% 20keep%20it%20up%21%20Can%20I%20keep%20this%20pace %20and%20hike%20the%20trail%20in%2032%20days%20or% 20will%20I%20find%20it%20tough%20to%20break%20Andr ew%20Thompson%E2%80%99s%20time?%20I%20can%20only%2 0answer%20this%20question%20by%20trying%20100%.)
Well it appears that Matt Hazley or Squeaky knew someone who has a record...although he states that is not why he is doing it.
know what it takes to keep up high mileage days on the AT and I have the highest respect for past records and the current record holder Andrew Thompson who averaged nearly 48 miles per day with a time of 47 days 10 hours 31 minutes. (know%20what%20it%20takes%20to%20keep%20up%20high% 20mileage%20days%20on%20the%20AT%20and%20I%20have% 20the%20highest%20respect%20for%20past%20records%2 0and%20the%20current%20record%20holder%20Andrew%20 Thompson%20who%20averaged%20nearly%2048%20miles%20 per%20day%20with%20a%20time%20of%2047%20days%2010% 20hours%2031%20minutes.)
Hana_Hanger
04-22-2006, 09:01
Looking forward to following this and anyone else wanting the link here it is:
http://www.matthazley.com/2006trip/index.htm
Looking forward to following this and anyone else wanting the link here it is:
http://www.matthazley.com/2006trip/index.htm
I read this and did not see the actual date he was starting. Does anyone know?
Lone Wolf
04-22-2006, 09:49
I think he said July 1st. I'm getting psyched.
Lone Wolf
04-22-2006, 09:51
On a related note, anybody interested in running a 50 mile trail race starting and finishing in Damascus, here's some info. http://imtr.ehc.edu/
max patch
04-22-2006, 10:40
I was on Springer a couple of years ago on a Sunday nite when a group of 3 men (supported) had just finished running the GA section that weekend. Refreshing that they didn't feel the need to blab about it on the net.
max patch
04-22-2006, 10:48
No disrespect to the man, but...
do you think he will benefit the environment with the approx 100,000 lbs of jet fuel that will be burned in order to take him to and from Virginia, California, Colorado, and Hawaii for these weekend "environmental" excursions?:D
Probably a tax-deductible vacation?:-?
Nah, Delta is already flying there. The're not flying a plane just for him.
On a related note, anybody interested in running a 50 mile trail race starting and finishing in Damascus, here's some info. http://imtr.ehc.edu/
Is there a prize for last place? :D
Lone Wolf
04-22-2006, 11:34
The satisfaction of completing a 50 mile run in under 12 hours.
Nah, Delta is already flying there. The're not flying a plane just for him.
And he is slim and an ultralighter, so the extra load of carrying him and his gear doesn't use much more fuel.
The satisfaction of completing a 50 mile run in under 12 hours.
That's cool if it floats your boat. I am satisfied with covering 50 miles in 5 days, enjoying the trail, the views and time off with only my brother to bother me.
Heck, I'd be more proud of being the person who took the LONGEST time to hike Ga or the entire AT.
Speed-hiking up or down the AT would be akin to viewing the country side from a Boeing 707 at 30000 feet.
Heck, I'd be more proud of being the person who took the LONGEST time to hike Ga or the entire AT.
Speed-hiking up or down the AT would be akin to viewing the country side from a Boeing 707 at 30000 feet.
Couldn't agree more, but then I don't hold anything against those who have a different approach to the trail. Actually, my brother and I are on the 40 year plan - maybe we will set the longest record. :D HYOH
Tha Wookie
04-23-2006, 20:24
Living in caves and hunting with spears isn't natural. Using human ingenuity to improve our living conditions is natural.
What do you think caves and spears are for?
I slept in sort of a cave last night (big rock ledge overhang). It was good for me, far better than my "improved living conditions" at home.
And my friend Greg and I had a discussion of "what is natural?"
Here's what I came up with: Things that retain natural properties, i.e., things that exist within sustainable energetic ecosystem systems that that have not been altered by processes by which they lose their inherent natural properties.
I agree with you, Jeff, that animal ingenuity is part of nature, including us homo sapiens. I mean, how would a human ever have figured out photosynthesis? It seems that ingenuity, in Darwinian terms, is why we occured in the first place.
Almost There
04-23-2006, 20:55
Actually Wook,
From an anthropological standpoint, it isn't better for you. Especially if you are doing it every day, day in and day out. There is a reason why early man rarely lived beyond 30, and it isn't just because they were preyed upon. Humans don't hold up well in the natural elements. It's simple, look at a picture of a bear and yourself, how much fur do you have? Wait, bad question for you.:D
What I am saying is our bodies lose heat too easily, we are not designed to stay in the elements, hence we can double our life spans when we eat "well" and have proper shelter and clothing. Also I am not talking about medicine, simply a better way to take care of one's self. Ramses the Great lived past eighty, and Augustus lived past seventy. People back in the day could live well and long without modern conviences, but sleeping in caves and hunting with spears...isn't gonna give you a long life....but I'll grant you it certainly would be an interesting one.
If you have never read it, I would recommend, "Guns, Germs, and Steel", it won the Pulitzer Prize. Excellent book about primitive cultures and why some people evolved technologically and others did not.
What do you think caves and spears are for?
I slept in sort of a cave last night (big rock ledge overhang). It was good for me, far better than my "improved living conditions" at home.
And my friend Greg and I had a discussion of "what is natural?"
Here's what I came up with: Things that retain natural properties, i.e., things that exist within sustainable energetic ecosystem systems that that have not been altered by processes by which they lose their inherent natural properties.
I agree with you, Jeff, that animal ingenuity is part of nature, including us homo sapiens. I mean, how would a human ever have figured out photosynthesis? It seems that ingenuity, in Darwinian terms, is why we occured in the first place.
Tha Wookie
04-23-2006, 21:24
Actually Wook,
From an anthropological standpoint, it isn't better for you. Especially if you are doing it every day, day in and day out. There is a reason why early man rarely lived beyond 30, and it isn't just because they were preyed upon. Humans don't hold up well in the natural elements. It's simple, look at a picture of a bear and yourself, how much fur do you have? Wait, bad question for you.:D
What I am saying is our bodies lose heat too easily, we are not designed to stay in the elements, hence we can double our life spans when we eat "well" and have proper shelter and clothing. Also I am not talking about medicine, simply a better way to take care of one's self. Ramses the Great lived past eighty, and Augustus lived past seventy. People back in the day could live well and long without modern conviences, but sleeping in caves and hunting with spears...isn't gonna give you a long life....but I'll grant you it certainly would be an interesting one.
If you have never read it, I would recommend, "Guns, Germs, and Steel", it won the Pulitzer Prize. Excellent book about primitive cultures and why some people evolved technologically and others did not.
AT -who ever said is was for an entire life, or even one season?
Even if it was a whole life, you can't convince me that sitting in a cubicle, eating ****ty food, sitting in traffic, being bombarded with mind-controlling messages, and having walls and a heater is better than living primitive.
TYOS (Throw You Own Spear)
Almost There
04-23-2006, 22:39
Hey Wook,
I think there is no disagreement here that getting away from it all for a little while is sometimes the perfect situation.
The problem with email or posts is it's impossible to completely understand one's intent.
BTW never said to sit in a cubicle, eatin fast food, or any of that other stuff is any good for you.
I've changed my life quite a bit in the last couple of years because I think a simpler, more generous life is the better way.
Oh yeah, and TYOS back atcha, my friend.
Just Jeff
04-24-2006, 00:15
Here's what I came up with: Things that retain natural properties, i.e., things that exist within sustainable energetic ecosystem systems that that have not been altered by processes by which they lose their inherent natural properties.
I can agree with that. I think sustainable systems should certainly be the goal.
Here's an interesting parallel - many third-world countries find that the only way they can industrialize is with a benevolent dictator. Some level of authoritarianism, including limitations on freedoms, is needed to make the changes necessary to drag the country into the new century. Like Korea under Park, for example.
Do you think it's worth giving up some of our freedoms to a (hopefully benevolent) dictator for a time, so s/he could make the changes necessary to drag our economy into creating/maintaining only sustainable systems for our whole economy? Because I don't think it'll happen any other way before a true crisis teaches us a lesson. Would saving our planet before the crisis be worth giving up your freedoms to a more authoritarian government?
Yikes! Is this an AT forum or am I in Kansas?
Just Jeff
04-24-2006, 03:40
Doh - I guess that was a pretty ugly hijack that didn't belong in the AT forum. Sorry guys. Wook, if you want to keep talking about it, start a new thread in the non-AT forum and I'll answer. Otherwise, don't worry about it.
Hey Jeff, I don't mind. I just thought it was getting a little intense. Go ahead and talk about whatever you guys want. I am not a thread hugging purist.
heyman62
04-24-2006, 07:50
I myself would be more likely to sponsor a person that was raising $$ for an AMC,AT, or hiking related organization instead of a distant church. All the same I wish him luck.