On Sun, Jul 22, 2018, I plan to start for a self-supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt of the 505-mile (813km) Washington Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) section. I will start at the Canadian border and—in the rather unlikely case things will go both well and fast—finish at the Bridge of the Gods. Self-supported means that I won’t carry everything from the beginning to the end, instead, I will rely on resupplies in the traditional thru-hiker style. During my attempt, I will not have any dedicated, pre-arranged people helping me. However, if you feel inclined to spontaneously join me for some miles anywhere on the (long) way, that is acceptable, as long as it is not pre-arranged and planned.
Preview
Check out the WA PCT FKT preview movie clip at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3nUR9BneSE
From Plan A to Plan D
For this summer, my plan A was to compete in the 560-mile Transpyrenae race, which crosses the Pyrenees between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic ocean. Sadly, that race was canceled two weeks ago, so I suddenly ended up with a huge summer mileage hole that desperately needed to be filled. I then spent a week on a plan B: going after Brian Donnelly’s Oregon PCT FKT. When my planning was finally done and ready to be executed, the Klamathon wildfire spread on the California/Oregon border and closed the PCT. While there is some hope that it will reopen soon, I didn’t want to wait. As of today, Jul 18, it is still closed.
Thankfully, the alphabet has enough letters, so I moved on to plan C: the Washington section of the PCT. Yet, after a day of intense planning, I discovered that there is no legal way to enter the US from Canada on the PCT, which was part of my initial southbound plan. And entering Canada from the US requires a special entry permit that I would have had to request weeks ahead. So that’s how plan C went down the drain.
The current plan D is to access the northern terminus of the PCT from within the US. That means I will have to “hike” in 30 miles (48km) from Hart’s Pass, the last access point one can drive to, tag the border, and then turn around to do another 505 miles (813km). That is precisely what UltraPedestrian Ras did on his unsupported FKT.
I hope there won’t be any need for a plan E, or more…
Static overview map of the Washington PCT. 505 miles (813km), 110,000 feet (33’528m) of elevation gain. Discomfort included at no additional cost. See below for tracking.
Current Records
According to the new FKT page, no one has claimed an official self-supported Washington PCT FKT. However, Heather “Anish” Anderson completed the WA section self-supported in 11 days 3 hrs (267h). UltraPedestrian Ras did it unsupported in 13d 14h 58m (327h), i.e., he carried all the food.
There is no doubt that it will be very hard to beat Anish’s time on the tough Washington section, which is slow and does not allow for as much running as the Oregon section. And Anish is known to be absolutely relentless.
But there is more: as I discovered during my last-minute planning, Dave and Will announced a northbound FKT attempt starting on Jul 27. So that should add some additional excitement for the dot-watching spectators at home.
Gear
It’s been said before: if you want to go fast, you have to go light. Gravity is not optional after all, whether you believe in science or not. My base pack weighs well below 10 lbs without food and water. That weight will increase considerably on the long(er) stretches, when I’ll have to carry food for 2 or 3 days. My longest section without any resupplies is 123 miles. There’s plenty of water, so compared to the Oregon Desert trail FKT, my pack will in general be much lighter. But alas, I’m also much older and weaker.
My monstrous calories spreadsheet tells me that I will have access to a whopping 73,066 calories. Sounds like this is going to be a real feast—I can’t wait!
Like a pro, I will carry the bare minimum. Dental floss not pictured. But rest assured, Stephanie and Dr. Kaip, that I will floss daily.
Tracking
You can track me right below or at
The planned start is at 3am on Sun, Jul 22. That may change depending on trail and my very own condition after the “leisurely” 30-mile hike-in to the Canadian border from Hart’s Pass. I may decide on a rest minute/hour/day/night before I turn around and start the actual FKT. I will not use my SPOT transponder on the access hike.