For this Appalachian Trail FKT, I realized I have to become one with the thru-hiker. That means mud baths, tarp life, eating with my hands, and yes—training while also working a remote job from the literal woods. This episode is a stitched-together recap of my second big training camp, where I logged over 300 miles and 80,000 feet of vert in the hardest terrain the AT has to offer.

I kick things off with a midnight arrival in Bangor and a 2.7-mile walk to my hotel (because, of course, there were no Ubers). From there, it’s all rain, roots, bugs, busted toes, and resupply strategy. I test out nearly every piece of gear I plan to use on the FKT—including my hilariously short sleeping bag and a tarp that may or may not survive the Whites. I hike through mud pits, scale ladders, eat questionable trail food, and rediscover the terrifying beauty of the Kennebec River—the same one I swam across back in 2016 like an idiot.

Along the way, I also get an infected toe, limp into urgent care covered in dirt, try not to scare Ivy League joggers with my homeless-looking setup, and wrestle with one of my biggest fears: talking to people in small-town resupply stores.

This camp wasn’t about big miles (although I still hit plenty). It was about dialing in the uncomfortable stuff—nutrition, logistics, clothing, sleep strategy, and reminding myself just how hard this trail really is. I’m equal parts confident and scared for August, which probably means I’m right where I need to be.

Thanks for listening, supporting, and laughing along with the chaos. Stay elite, my friends.

Chapters

00:00 Embarking on the Appalachian Trail Journey

05:44 Training Camp Insights and Challenges

10:27 Navigating the Tough Terrain

14:53 Injury and Recovery

19:26 Gear and Nutrition Strategies

23:09 Final Thoughts and Preparations for the Record Attempt

26:44 EE0FAD58-2502-4A21-A3EF-BD29BCCE281E.MP4

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

thru-hiker

Episodes