[at-l] Speed Record

[Bob C]

I suspect the n-S record may have been set by Ward Leonard on the second leg of his distance record attempt in 1991. Ward started in Georgia in January, walked to Katahdin, back to Georgia (probable record leg), then back to Maine. I met him as he approached Katahdin the second time and as he passed me enroute to Georgia again. He never made it all the way back to Georgia the second time, but it was a remarkable attempt. Given the weather conditions that likely slowed him on his initial march to Katahdin, I'm guessing his trek back to Georgia and again to Maine took about 60 days each. Roughly May and June going south and July-August for the return to Maine. Anyway I met him in late August going north in the 100-mile-wilderness and a few days later heading south again. Technically, there are no official records in either direction, since there is no way to check the accuracy of the claims. But Ward never struck me as someone who would cut corners. He was disliked by most other hikers because he so bitterly sneered at the shortcuts he saw most hikers were taking on long distance trails.

Weary 




> ------------Original Message------------
> From: Sloetoe <sloetoe at yahoo.com>
> To: "sevy" <sevy at mcttelecom.com>
> Cc: runhorton at juno.com, at-l at backcountry.net
> Date: Mon, Jan-1-2007 1:40 PM
> Subject: Re: [at-l] Speed Record
>
> --- sevy <sevy at mcttelecom.com> wrote:
> > I know this is a taboo topic for many but does
> > anyone know the speed record for traveling North to
> > South on the AT ?
> > I believe most of the fastest traverses have been
> > South to North.
> > Thanks
> > The Bamaman AT '81
> 
> ### I don't know as a single "record" AT hike *has*
> ever been done N->S. Interesting question -- it would
> be a different animal, certainly considering how flat
> the trail is down south (now THAT is a taboo thing to
> say, though true none-the-less), and how much more
> technical* the footing is up north (like the last 600
> miles or so). Velly intellesting qwestion...
> 
> *"Technical" is trail-runner term meaning: "Oops,
> better watch where I'm putting my feet.)
> 
> Anywho, I don't know as there *is* a N->S record at
> this point, but have also copied David Horton, who may
> know or have something to add.
> 
> But!
> So! Bamaman! Why for you inquire?
> 
> waycurioustoe
> 
> Spatior! Nitor! Nitor! Tempero!
>    Pro Pondera Et Meliora.
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