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  1. #1
    Registered User
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    06-15-2020
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    Roxbury, CT
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    28
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    Default Supported FKT Timing?

    Hey guys! Hoping to join the parade of nerds trying to set an FKT on the trail. Just wondering what everyone thought about timing an FKT, ie when to do it. Looking online, it seems a lot of attempts started in July and finished in August. I'm trying to balance temperature, rainfall, trail conditions, and daylight hours to find the ideal time to start a supported attempt (Next summer). I'm thinking starting NOBO in early June, when it's a little cooler, and splitting the effort over the solstice. What do you think? Will New England be too muddy in early July? Not sure on chance of severe weather in the Whites and how that varies based on time of year.

    Unrelated, but linked is a cool product I'm building up and it should be helpful for anyone attempting an FKT. It's a map with all the parking lots and AT shelters on it and I'm working on plotting where previous runners/hikers stayed in each night during their FKT attempt. I've got Karel on there and working on Joe now.

    https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?...7D&usp=sharing

    -Simple Jack

  2. #2
    Ounces are the little-death
    Join Date
    04-27-2010
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    Nashville, TN
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    40
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    198

    Default

    The solstice played a part when I had tried although I don't think it's super important.

  3. #3
    Registered User
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    12-19-2005
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    Knoxville, TN
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    wow....

    clever way to set up your spam....

  4. #4

    Default

    Nah this dude is legit.

    Has 3 FKTs under his belt.

    Rock on Simple Jack!

  5. #5

    Default

    Weather does what it does. I would imagine since FKTs are based on trail conditions, weather events (or lack of them) and their severity will impact speed and are hard to predict a year out. One can employ averages, but as my grandfather said about using them for weather prognostication, "put one foot in a bucket of very hot water, the other foot in very cold water, on average you will be uncomfortable."

    Bring a rain coat.

  6. #6
    Registered User
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    12-08-2008
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    Los Angeles
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    Roxbury?! You run in any of the Roxbury Races?

    Heres a thread about daylight hours from back when I was planning and FKT attempt...
    Big Hike: the first iOS app for the AT and BMT

  7. #7

    Default

    Simple Jake - Good luck on your FTK. Early July is often a wonderful time to be in the Whites. Probably a bit more volatility with the swings in weather conditions than you would get later in the summer. I often spend a week in the Whites in early July and 4 out of 5 times the temps are good and there is only a little rain. With a little luck you could have perfect weather. But there is definitely a meaningful chance of hitting some cold and wet conditions, more so than 2nd half of July and 1st half of August.

    Hope it all works out for you.

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-15-2020
    Location
    Roxbury, CT
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    28
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    2

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Linesman View Post
    Roxbury?! You run in any of the Roxbury Races?

    Heres a thread about daylight hours from back when I was planning and FKT attempt...
    I do! Whenever I get home I try to, which isn’t that often. I live in Virginia now but definitely still claim Roxbury. Have you been? Thanks for linking that thread, lots of good info. The Katahdin weather closure problem is a bit troubling.

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