100 in 24

[sburnett0429]

Hello,
My friend and I are trying to pick a 100 mile section in the southeast (GA,TN,NC) He and another guy are wanting to do a hundred miles in 24 hours. We are trying to find a section that would enough road access so that we can bring them food and anything else they might need.
any suggestions?

[Lone Wolf]

are they ultra runners?

[climber2377]

have they done 100 miles in 24 anywhere before? its more like a trail run than a hike. average speed has to be around 5 miles an hr. i m sure he'll need to rest. is he planning this in the snow or is this a plan for warmer weather?

[sburnett0429]

they are not ultra runners. we are planning for next week. (spring break)
They are well conditioned runners, and experienced hikers. They have considered the size of the goal, and since there would be a support vehicle meeting them every so often, there is some room failure. I am thinking if we met them once every 10 to 20 miles, then if something happened we would be near-by to take care of them.

[Tennessee Viking]

I say anything north of Devils Fork Gap TN/NC or Hot Springs going into VA. Except for a couple places, there are accessible trailheads about every 10 miles.

[John B]

Outstanding idea! I wish them the best of luck. Please report back with how things went.

My only suggestion is to get a great set of trail maps and try to find agreed upon road crossings where you can meet them and resupply with food/water.

Check out the blogs and news reports about last week's Black Mountain Marathon and Ultra (western North Carolina). Heavy snows cut the ultra from a planned 40 miles down to 34, but still the times were great. The winning marathoner did it in about three and a quarter hours, which is freaking incredible.

If they can do a hundred in 24, they should check out the Western States 100 for a really good time. You can PM me if you want links to other ultras. Not so many in the south as compared to the west coast, but still...

http://www.wncmagazine.com/feature/o...s/freezer_burn

http://www.blackmountainmarathon.com/

[drdewrag]

Sounds awfully difficult to me. I wouldn't say impossible, but in the GA/TN/NC section, it may just be. 4+ mph is way up there and that leaves no room for stopping...Good luck. Would love to here how it goes!

[The_Saint]

Sorry, but I put my money on failure. The trail conditions will be poor and experienced 5 mile runners won't last 5 miles on the trail. The terrain is horrible for running and the steepness of anywhere in that section will make it exceptionally difficult, and dangerous for that matter.

[JAK]

They shouldn't really need supply if it is for 24 hours, even if it is 100 miles.

[The Flatulator]

100 in 24 in the South?! They'll be hurting if they finish. I would rather do 100 in the Shenandoahs. Easier terrain with not much elevation change. I did 4 20+ days through there on my '82 hike and I don't remember it being that difficult. On my '77 hike, I did the "Hundred Mile Wilderness" in Maine in 3-1/2 days. My longest day was 38 miles. Now that was a butt-kicker! There is plenty of pain to be had no matter where you hike. Enjoy and hope for a rainy day-cooler hiking and the miles tick by easier.

[JAK]

Multiple exit points is always a good idea though, especially for something like this.
Best regards. I would make 24 hours the goal, rather than 100 miles.

p.s. Are you are doing the night hike first?

[Rockhound]

Squeaky hiked the Smokies in 24 hrs. To add 25 miles to that along any section in the south would only be doable by a very select few. Your friends are not experienced ultra runners or trail runners? Muddy slippery conditions. Nope. Your friends wont make it.

[Disney]

That sounds like a massively difficult accomplishment. I'd really like to know if they succeed. Please report back, before and after pictures would be absolutely awesome. I know I could never do it. I struggle with 20 in 24. Heck, most days, I'm lucky to get 10 in 24.

[ARambler]

I think 100 in the Shenandoahs would have to include the roller coaster or 3 Ridge/the Priest.

How far is it from Washington Monument, MD to the Washington Monument, DC?
Rambler

[max patch]

Next week? And in the SE?

I'd ask about the Florida Trail, not the AT.

[Slo-go'en]

I just love when people post insane ideas like this. They obviously have no clue what the trail is like. It's nothing like running around the track 100 times. Which would be a good way to start to see if you can actually run 100 miles in the first place.

This is not a good idea at all. In any 100 mile streach of the trail right now there will be significant snow and ice and blow downs to try and get past. And if by some miracle all that snow and ice does melt in a week from now, the trail will be knee deep with mud and the streams overflowing.

Waiting until much later in the spring or even next fall would be a really good idea. But even then the chances of doing something like that are slim at best and the risk of life time disability great. Slipping in the mud, tripping on a rock or root then bash you head on the ground or break something is a real risk. The chances of something like that happening get greater as you get tired. And do you really think they can run an obstical course like the AT - half of it at night - and maintain a 5 mph pace - I don't think so.

[JAK]

I might try something like this if I ever get down to 165 pounds again.

I am curious how much farther I can hike in 24 hours,
at say 165 pounds + 15 pounds gear vs 200 pounds + say 20 pounds gear.

Any ideas?
At 220# total, moderate terrain, maybe 40 miles???
At 180# total, 100 miles ??? I rather doubt it.
It sure would be nice to get down to 165# again to find out.

I should have done this when I was 20. Oh well. At least I'm well rested. lol

[jersey joe]

100 miles in 24 hours would be tough...I have thought about the whole AT in NJ in 24 hours (72 miles). That is certainly doable.

[JAK]

Rather unpredictable time of year for something like this. Perhaps not so bad if you have multiple exit points. I would focus on the 24hr thing and be flexible on the 100 mile thing. Set a benchmark, maybe try and beat it every full moon.

[JJJ]

A hundred in 24 is pretty tough on the AT.
If they don't have experience running on technical trail, now's a good time to get some -as soon as the snow melts.
Maybe a 50 in 12 or something.
It's the climbing and descents and the rocks that get you.

I'd start northbound on the ridge above Erwin,Tn at Indian Grave Gap.
You can keep check on them for the first several miles using Beauty Spot Gap Rd as they are getting gear and such fine tuned.
The overall bias is downhill
The last 30+ miles going into Damascus, Va is pretty tame and they'll be glad of it. I have friends that have done the Smokies in a day, mostly unsupported.

They can do this with some first hand experience under their belt.
They'll be ultra runners when they're finished.