Originally Posted by
map man
I believe that if Scott Williamson or Andrew Skurka ever made it a priority they have the ability and experience to have a chance to break Ward Leonard's "self supported" record of 60.5 days. The most remarkable things they are known for involves carrying a pack while doing amazing things, rather than going the "supported" route, so their chances at Leonard's record are easier to gauge than their chances at Pharr Davis's record. I have no idea how likely it is that either will ever decide to try it.
From what I read, there is some chance Karl Meltzer (note the spelling -- it's not "Metzger") will take a shot at the supported record soon. If he does it will be interesting to see if this time around he does less running and instead pursues a strategy more similar to Pharr Davis's.
I think what Scott Williamson has done on the PCT is amazing. To take 64 days to complete it in a high snow year, without support and without getting into a motor vehicle to speed up (and make easier) resupplies, just impresses me no end. Hiking "Scott Williamson style" has an appeal to me. Not the speed -- I could never do anything close to that -- but resupplying without motor vehicle assist. It seeems like on my two week backpacking trips (the most days on trail for me as yet) getting into a vehicle always feels like it's taking me out of the experience. I think it might be fun and challenging to try to work the logistics of a long hike, limiting myself to doing all my resupplies by walking.
Note that these are all arm chair observations. I have no real world experience with speed hikes. And my track record with speed hike predictions -- I estimated before she started that JPD's likely time on the AT this year was going to be a good week more than what she then did it in:rolleyes: -- have not been so hot.