Episode 19 | Jeff Garmire on the Long Trail FKT

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Summary

Today’s guest is Jeff Garmire (trail name Legend). In the summer of 2019 Jeff achieved the fastest known time on Vermont’s iconic Long Trail, clocking all 272 miles in five days, twenty- three hours, and forty-eight minutes. Prior to that he set unsupported and over-all FKT on the Arizona Trail, completed the Great Western Loop, and completed a Calendar Year Triple crown, among other accomplishments.

When he isn’t hiking, Jeff is a public speaker and hiking coach / mentor. He also just released a book called “Free Outside: A Trek Against Time and Distance,” which chronicles his Calendar Year Triple Crown.

Ryan and Andrew talk to Jeff about the nuts and bolts of his Long Trail FKT before transitioning into a conversation about mental health, relationships, and the philosophy of speed records.

 Outline

• The Long Trail FKT
  • Features of the Long Trail (terrain and tread)
  • Managing expectations and disappointment
  • Treating each day as its own effort
  • Hiking without sleep
  • Mantras as a way to stay present during hard pushes
  • Jason Fitpatrick’s film Unsupported
  • Recovery
  • Training
  • Food
  • Water
  • Gear
    • Custom pack from Lite AF for Long Trail
    • Gossamer Gear pack for Arizona Trail
  • Efficiency
  • Gear access
  • Foot care and foot problems
  • Hygiene
  • Sleep and mile management
  • Mental challenges (time of day)
• FKT – Philosophy and Motivation
  • Pre-announcement, electronic tracking, post-announcement (trip report)
  • The FKT Community
  • Jeff’s Calendar Year Triple Crown and other adventures
  • How long distance hiking affects Jeff’s relational life
  • Family support
  • FKT backlash and how Jeff responds
  • Why attempt an FKT – mental reward
  • Transferable lessons
  • “The antidote for depression is action”
  • Long distance hiking and mental health
  • Jeff’s plans for the future
    • He wants to attempt the Barkley Marathons, which has only been completed 18 times by 15 runners.

Resources

• Jeff’s website – www.freeoutside.com
• Jeff’s instagram and facebook profiles
• Jeff’s youtube account
• Jeff’s book

Feedback, Questions, Tips?

• Submit them to [email protected] or Twitter and get featured on our next podcast!

Credits

• Backpacking Light – Executive Producer
• Ryan Jordan – Director and Host
• Andrew Marshall – Producer, Host, and Editor
• Jeff Garmire –  Guest
• Look for Me in the Mountains – Music
  • Written by: Chris Cunningham and Ryan Jordan
  • Performed by: Chris Cunningham (acoustic guitar, lead and harmony vocals, harmonica), Chad Langford (upright bass), and Tom Murphy (mandolin).
  • Produced by: Basecamp Studios in Bozeman, Montana

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