The Georgia Challenge in 24 hours

[Torque]

I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of someone trying to hike the whole AT section in Georgia in one day. It is 76 miles, which puts the average hiking speed over at 3 miles an hour including breaks. This seems quite possible. I am presently hiking Southbound and it would be a big challenge for the finish at Springer. Winter hiking is my main worry considering my lack of experience with it.

Thoughts?

-Babyface SOBO 2010, presently in Damascus

[Luddite]

Thats crazy lol. I hiked Georgia and thought it was really tough. It sounds impossible to ME, but you've just hiked most of the AT. I bet it could be done. It might not be too cold...you plan on getting there in about a month?

[Pedaling Fool]

I'm almost positive this has already been done.

[ChinMusic]

White Blaze's own Phreak has done it NOBO, with pack.

Karl Meltzer did it just last year SOBO, supported.

[Blissful]

Would be easy for a SOBOer for sure.

[Phreak]

I did the GA section in 22 hr 11 min with a 24 pound pack.

[Red Hat]

Go for it, Babyface! Glad to see you are doing well. Cool meeting you at the gathering!

[ChinMusic]

Would be easy for a SOBOer for sure.

Easy???? I not a thru but I can't imagine it being "easy" for all but the elite, and even then.........

[Lone Wolf]

Easy???? I not a thru but I can't imagine it being "easy" for all but the elite, and even then.........

i did 40 into damascus in under 12 hours. it was easy. i ain't elite. for a 23 year old in awesome shape to do 70 plus his last day is totally doable. georgia is easy

[Blissful]

The mtns in GA were easy for me as a SOBOer. I could put on 20 plus miles, which was norm. For NOBOS...not likely

[Rainman]

If you do cover Georgia in less than 24 hours, i suggest going back to see what you missed in the dark. There are some really beautiful parts that would make a second time through in the light well worth it.

[Torque]

Thank you all for your input! Its encouraging to hear that it has been done before.

I will be getting to Georgia around Dec 10th. I have hiked over 50 miles in 24 hours with a full pack three times on my thru-hike so far. I feel confident that I could do it as long as I do not have snow. I will probably slack pack it though for fear of injury. I do not wish to hurt myself right before Springer.

[ChinMusic]

Go for it. Let us know if you found it "easy".

[Skippy]

I did the GA section in 22 hr 11 min with a 24 pound pack.

That is incredible! especially wearing a backpack.

[stranger]

I agree it's certainly achievable, especially considering all the motivation you will have to finish, and obviously in peak physical condition, etc...

I know a number of hikers who have covered distances around 70 miles in a relatively continuous manner before, but not 24 hours. In 2001 I hiked with a guy who hiked from Port Clinton to DWG in about 40 hours, with a few naps here and there.

I agree that Georgia is overrated and relatively easy, however 76 miles in one day is huge...good luck and congrats in advance!

PS if you do this have someone waiting at Big Stamp Gap with some goodies, I have a feeling you won't want to hike another 8 miles down to the visitors center ha.

[10-K]

If you slackpack you can definitely do it. Start early and make sure you've got fresh batteries in your headlamp because it's going to be dark before 5:30...

[Spogatz]

White Blaze's own Phreak has done it NOBO, with pack.

Karl Meltzer did it just last year SOBO, supported.

Karl took a day and 1/2 to do Georgia but did continue trough the night.

[Phreak]

I agree that Georgia is overrated and relatively easy, however 76 miles in one day is huge...good luck and congrats in advance!

Agreed. The only people who would suggest 76 miles in under 24 hours is easy are those who have never done it before. It's definitely doable but not easy by any stretch of the imagination.

[Sierra Echo]

If you slackpack you can definitely do it. Start early and make sure you've got fresh batteries in your headlamp because it's going to be dark before 5:30...

can someone explain the difference between slackpacking and backpacking? i know how stupid that makes me sound!

[Egads]

can someone explain the difference between slackpacking and backpacking? i know how stupid that makes me sound!

Slackpacking is hiking w/o the heavy pack.