Kristian Morgan 2023 AT SOBO FKT attempt starting August 2nd

[Patrickjd9]

After about a 30 day delay because of time for the trail to recover from the flooding in New England, Kristian Morgan is trying for a southbound FKT.

As of this time, he is approaching I-77 and US 52 in Bland, VA, and appears to be a day or more faster than the record [EDIT:southbound] pace.

https://live.enabledtracking.com/kmatfkt2023/

https://www.instagram.com/kristianultra/

[James GAME2009]

Does anyone actually care about SOBO vs NOBO records? It's the same trail. Going SOBO was considered an advantage for a long time (may still be), hitting the tough sections when fresh. What he is doing is impressive for sure, but come on, overall record or no record.

[chknfngrs]

I think there is merit that warrants both directions for sure.

Different directions means different approaches to that same terrain.

He’s had two or three cracks at this and is doing solid work!!

[CalebJ]

Does anyone actually care about SOBO vs NOBO records? It's the same trail. Going SOBO was considered an advantage for a long time (may still be), hitting the tough sections when fresh. What he is doing is impressive for sure, but come on, overall record or no record.

Yes. The overall record is certainly the big goal, but a lot of people do see a distinction between the directions and the approaches to each.

[Lone Wolf]

SOBO is easier. bottom line. i'm more impressed by the NOBO record.

[LazyLightning]

Doesn't he already hold 2nd or 3rd place for NOBO?

[chknfngrs]

SOBO is easier. bottom line. i'm more impressed by the NOBO record.

What makes it easier? Isn’t that subjective? What’s easy to one might be insane to another, right?

[HankIV]

What makes it easier? Isn’t that subjective? What’s easy to one might be insane to another, right?

I’d guess for a regular thru hiker SOBO might be a little tougher, although I sure enjoyed mine and flew thru TN,NC and GA even with shorter daylight. But for a highly fit FKTer it’s probably better to hit the tough stuff with fresher legs.

[k2basecamp]

Karel Sabbe is the man��

[LittleRock]

IMO, completing the entire AT in under 60 days is an impressive feat, NOBO or SOBO.

[Patrickjd9]

True, even 60 days is close to 37 miles per day.

[Patrickjd9]

He should enter Georgia tomorrow morning, about 50 miles ahead of the SOBO record pace.

[chknfngrs]

He’s got something like an 85 mile section to do if he wants to make it before sunrise tomorrow, or something like that. He’s had a lot of fun and some really hard work to this go round. I do hope he gets it, so he can move on!!!

[Seatbelt]

He should enter Georgia tomorrow morning, about 50 miles ahead of the SOBO record pace.

What is the current SOBO record?

[chknfngrs]

45D22H38M
Speedboat, circa 2016

[chknfngrs]

That’s SpeedGoat, aka Karl Meltzer. No thanks at all to quick thumbs and autocorrect. However, maybe Karl likes SpeedBoat? Sorry, not enough caffeine at this point.

[Patrickjd9]

Morgan is in Georgia, at about 44 1/2 days and mile 2123.

The SOBO record, by Karl Meltzer is 45 days, 22 hours.

He should break that by several hours. The NOBO and overall record is several days less than that.

Karel Sabbe 41d 7h 39m 0s 2018-08-28 per https://fastestknowntime.com/route/appalachian-trail

[LazyLightning]

I guess I got names mixed up and he does not have a NOBO record however, looking at the link about it looks like true 2nd place is missing. Wasn't it last year that someone was on pace to beat the NOBO record until the Whites where he fell behind, but still pushed on and got 2nd and still much faster then 3rd (what is currently listed as 2nd) ?

[chknfngrs]

Same dude Lazy. Kristian is a beast.

[Lone Wolf]

He’s got something like an 85 mile section to do if he wants to make it before sunrise tomorrow, or something like that. He’s had a lot of fun and some really hard work to this go round. I do hope he gets it, so he can move on!!!

he'll get it but it's only the SOBO FKT. the real record to beat is NOBO. in my opinion. i expect to see him come back for that