Who is the AT Iron Man

[jackpot]

I’ve just recently became fascinated with long distance hiking. The logistics, gear, and fortitude required really sparked my interest. I see a thru hike in the near future!! I recently retired from a 22 year U.S. Army career, so I’m no stranger to humping a ruck and living outdoors for extended periods, but under very different circumstances.
Just curious, who has the record for the most AT thru hikes? I’m talking from terminus to terminus, no flip flopping or overly supported hikes. Just plain old fashion gutting it out.
Thanks,
Jackpot

[ScottP]

Depends on who you ask

[Lone Wolf]

Ward Leonard

[jackpot]

What do you mean by that? Isn't there a clear cut record holder?

[jackpot]

How many times?

[Lone Wolf]

What do you mean by that? Isn't there a clear cut record holder?

no, there is no clear cut record. but i know ward and i know he has multiple thru-hikes, no flips, no support, and no slackpacking. nobody will compare to him

[A-Train]

Ward Leonard

Doesn't Seiko have some 16 AT hikes? Not sure how many were thru's though.

[Lone Wolf]

Doesn't Seiko have some 16 AT hikes? Not sure how many were thru's though.

hardly.

[ScottP]

And what about that guy Talks Too Much. I've heard that he's been seen on the trail most years for a long time, but he never talks enough for anyone to know what his deal is. He could have a lot of thru hikes.

The real answer is that it doesn't really matter.

[SGT Rock]

Didn't Ward thru-hike something like 2 or 3 times in one year?

[The Weasel]

This is the sort of question, Jackpot, that those who enjoy long distance hiking don't care about, basically, and find it a little embarassing when it's brought up. I'm sure there's something in the Army that "newbies" ask aboutl, thinking it must be impressive, only to see everyone else in the room sort of roll their eyes and look away. This is one of those kinds of things.

Welcome to the world of the AT. Honest. Glad your part of it.

TW

[Lone Wolf]

Didn't Ward thru-hike something like 2 or 3 times in one year?

2.5 if i recall

[The Weasel]

By the way, I'd vote for Granny Gatewood as the "AT Iron Man" but rumor has it (never verified, I think) that she wasn't a man. So she can't be an "Iron Man."

Nyah, nhay, girls can't be in our Iron Man club!!!

TW

[A-Train]

This is the sort of question, Jackpot, that those who enjoy long distance hiking don't care about, basically, and find it a little embarassing when it's brought up. I'm sure there's something in the Army that "newbies" ask aboutl, thinking it must be impressive, only to see everyone else in the room sort of roll their eyes and look away. This is one of those kinds of things.

Welcome to the world of the AT. Honest. Glad your part of it.

TW

Jack???

[Lone Wolf]

This is the sort of question, Jackpot, that those who enjoy long distance hiking don't care about, basically, and find it a little embarassing when it's brought up.

you don't do much LD hiking obviously. embarrasing?

[Lone Wolf]

Jack???

hardly lotsa slackpacking and days off

[Sly]

Didn't Ward thru-hike something like 2 or 3 times in one year?

I heard he did a hike that went something like this. Springer to Neels gap to Springer to Franklin to Neels Gap to Fontana etc to Katahdin. Three hikes in one!

Not sure if it's the truth but that's what I heard...

[SGT Rock]

2.5 if i recall

That sounds fairly difficult.

[The Weasel]

you don't do much LD hiking obviously. embarrasing?

Wolf, I was walking long distances when you were trying to learn to walk. Maybe you've walked more than me since, maybe not, and I don't care which; I've walked places and distances that pleased me, and you've done the same. Always liked hiking/backpacking because it wasn't a bragging sport or a competition with others. But maybe that day is changing. Can't wait for our version of the BCS.

TW

[Lone Wolf]

That sounds fairly difficult.

Ward is one of a kind. born to hike, hike fast and far. day after day. i witnessed it for a few years