Ep. 4 SHELTOWEE TRACE Thru-Hike / Quest for the FKT TRILOGY

Episode 4 of my attempt to set the overall Fastest Known Time in under six days on the 341 mile Sheltowee Trace.

This is where it all began for me, by setting my first FKT in 2019 going Self-Supported and the first ever Unsupported FKT in 2021. I just missed setting the overall by 5 hours and I was unable to shake the thought of possibly coming back one day to attempt to set the new overall fastest time.

At that same time, it also occurred to me that if I did come back one more time, I would try to go supported with a crew and complete the trifecta of FKT’s on the Trace, with having held an FKT in each of the three categories. I attempted to accomplish this in 2021 but fell short at 1/3 of the way through due to poor weather. Will my fourth and final attempt be successful?

On this attempt I carried my Garmin Inreach mini and wore a Corus Apex watch for verification. For shoes I wore mostly the Altra Olympus 4.0’s, but also Topo Ultraventure 2's and Topo Pursuit's with Darn Tough socks and Dirty Girl Gators. My trekking poles were Fizan Compact 3 aluminum poles. My running vest was a Salomon ADV Skin 5.

Part 1: https://youtu.be/KWbu35qeA1I?si=r2xroqEQas-eHXY4
Part 2: https://youtu.be/X-7FKvTcvsI?si=1VESsPCPRPi0QK0F
Part 3: https://youtu.be/7Qb_unfeCDU?si=r6VMawXPPGImZAqq

Previous FKT's on the Sheltowee Trace:
2019 Self-Supported attempt part 1: https://youtu.be/6B1zaBYjQu0?si=XQ4JHk1rUi3WxfPu
2021 Unsupported attempt part 1: https://youtu.be/4S7EazsKANM?si=KoMB1Kyzy9eq1bxm
2022 failed Supported attempt: https://youtu.be/VVoOSdxCdpQ?si=b1_R40n6aN2WZ5AE

Full length documentary of 2021 Unsupported attempt: https://youtu.be/LB_GewaOuTE?si=CePGqWlPl6AyTuNT

0:00-0:31 intro
0:31-3:19 leaving the 49er Diner and getting started on day 4
3:19-5:13 update from Jorndan from the crew
5:13-8:45 livestream from an aid stop
8:45-14:45 Pine Creek Cemetary, Sinking Creek, Vanhook Falls, and Cane Creek
14:45-15:27 200 miles done!
15:27-18:43 Laural River Lake and Holly Bay Campground
18:43-19:40 coming up in the next episode