Beginning August 5th on the summit of Mt. Kathadin I will begin my quest to run to Georgia faster than anyone else has. Andrew Thompson currently holds the record of 47 days and change. A stiff record that will be tough to challenge. GPS tracking and daily updates will give the world a chance to watch a goat run through the woods…all day long! Any takers or supporters out there? I welcome any assistance, but will NOT be muled in any form. To leave a comment click on the comments above right. -Speedgoat Karl
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Making a comment on my own to see if it works……BAAAhhhhh
Great plan!
I’ve run the Maine-to-MD stretch of the AT if you need any tips or info - a goat like you will probably have a tougher time w/ the flat 100 mile wilderness just south of Kathadin (it gets booooring out there) than w/ the White Mountain climbs.
Good luck!!
Awesome! I can’t wait.
P.S. The new website looks nice.
let me know your camping point(s) in NC and I’ll bring pizza & brew
Will the goat get bored in the East Coast mountains after the Whites in NH? Seeing what you have done over the past few years, I’d have to put my two cents on the record going down under the hooves.
A training partner and I did some fastpacking/trail running on the AT in the Whites this summer, then did JFK in Maryland, where we live. If you are looking for some company on the trails through MD, I would guess we could stir some up for you. Any idea as to your pace coming south of the Mason Dixon?
Be awesome to see you rock WS 100 and the AT record in the same year. I look forward to reading more about your plans for the record attempt. I do some freelance writing (and am a marketing/media director in my day job) and would love to stir some dust for you on your way through, if you’re looking for anything of the sort. Best of luck in 2008 –Mike V. in MD
Cool Blog. APT sounds awesome!
I fixed your results on my blog.
5-100 Mile wins in 2007 with two course records.
Impressive!!!!
Way to run Karl! Go crush that AT record and I’ll run with you in Georgia!
Larry
Awesome.. Best of luck Karl!
A most worthy attempt indeed! North to South in August is the way to go. Through Maine the bugs won’t carry you away or suck you dry in August. As you hit NH you may want to also bag the AMC Hut traverse record and the Moosilauke to Hanover Dartmouth record (about 50 miles and probably in the 8 hour range). Not sure where they stand these records days but worthy intermediate goals for the Speedgoat on old home territory. If I am at home in NH when you go through and not in UT more than happy to help.
Sam
I’m from Hamburg, PA and train on the AT about 4 times a week. I ran a 70 mile section(Susquehanna River to the Schuylkill River) in November in 18 hours with a crew. Good luck on your attempt. Let me know how or when I could help.
Sounds like a great challenge. Good thing they just caught that monster down in GA! BTW, what was doing in NH? I’m from there originally…
Good Luck!
Kate
What about Mt Blanc race? And why not PCT - I’d like to aprticiapte in helping out!:) OK, that sounds like fun, so many friends turning to long trails now instead of races, next step is pretty exciting, no end to this craziness!
Olga, decided to bag the Mont Blanc race for this year and go for the AT!. Why not the PCT? Although the PCT may be a bit further and in bigger mountains, the record on the AT is extremely tough and the trail actually fits me better. It is rockier and ugly on many parts of it. It is what I like best. The PCT is likely in the future plans.
I hope to return to Mt. Blanc in 2009 with nothing on my mind but winning it! There you have it. That AT project is above and beyond anything else, I need to take my talent to another level. -Karl
Go for it! I agree, Andrew’s record is stiffer than PCT at this point, so it’ll be a fun fight:) I saw you got into WS - woohoo! Big one, so eager to see development, glad to be there and watch up close!
Karl,
Take big bites and chew voraciously. We’ll be watching you and cheering you on.
Sam
The AT record… testing your limit and comfort zone. That’s what ultra running is all about. I admire the goal. Also glad to here you’re still thinking UTMB in future.
I will cheer for you and your quest from JPN.
Go for it!! I envy you.
There are so many beatuiful long trail in US.
It is known (or believed) that you don’t train at high weekly mileage. Do you plan to change that in preparation for AT? We are all pulling for you. An AT record would undeniably extend the current boundaries of goat-country. All hail the goat-king! Baaaahhhh!
I have multi-day runs planned for April and early May as one of the preperations. I am not planning on running many races either. One quick Western is all I hope to accomplish before the AT. I run around 60 per week and will increase that some when appropriate. I am a firm believer of quality, not quantity. I run hard 80% of the time. Quantity is not necessarily the ticket to success at long distance. I’ll found out if I’m right in September! Baaahhhh
Awesome Karl! I will follow your epic run and look forward to meeting up with you as you pass through Virginia. Talk to Andrew and Pete Palmer before attempting as they are both great guys and know the sections and planning better than anyone. Practice walking speedgoat… Pete told me he did not run a step the first 1000 mies when he set the record, but damn can he walk fast!
Very exciting news! I’m a ultrarunner from New England, and would be glad to help in any way I can. Curious as to what you mean by “will NOT be muled in any form.” Does that mean you will only take aid at trailheads?
We’ve got you covered 100% here in NH coach. I can offer you drop bags, support, aid stations and housing. I can offer the same in Vermont. We’ll talk when it gets closer… but we’ll get you out of New England in FINE shape. Yeah!
SJ
Karl,
Count me in for the last 955.5 miles. 19 days.
Woodstock
Georgia to Maine 2007
Karl,
You inspire me. I would love to run / slow jog a few miles with You on the A.T. near Winchester, Va. Please let me know when You will be arriving at that location of the trail. I can visit my parents and we can bring you some great homemade food. I would be visiting them from Phoenix.
Sincerely,
Andy
Hey Karl. I’ve crewed Scott Grierson, David Horton and Andy Thompson. I can help out when you get to southwest Virginia. I live in Damascus.
I will trek the corse in 40 days
Karl,
I thru hiked in 2002 and live close to the trail in NJ. Let me know if you need any help coming through NY/NJ/PA. I’m also curious to see the tracking system you are using. Good luck with the planning.
Joe
Wow good luck brother, if you need some help in Maine give me a shout!
This is going to be a good one for you man and I’m psyched to watch it. Also - great site. I’m impressed, you used to give me such a hard time about all the technology
I wish you luck with your AT record attempt. If you need any help in the Wind Gap, PA area let me know.
Karl,
Just heard about your AT attempt this morning. Anything you need in GA just let me know. There are plenty of trail runners that will be more than happy to help you close the deal. Also, if you need to find some additional support for other southern states, you may want to post a message on the GUTS forum (Georgia Ultrarunning & Trailrunning Society) http://www.getguts.com
Good luck and let me know what I can do to help.
Any updates on your AT speed hike or the tracking system???
Hello Joe! Today is April 25. I am having another meeting today with BC.com about all kinds of stuff. As you know they are the title sponsor in this record attempt. It looks like SPOT is going to provide the tracking system. It is quite complicated to make it all happen, but we now are getting closer to having an actual device to start using and testing. We’ve spoken with the man at SPOT and they are on as a sponsor. Today we’ll iron out details again. I’ll let you know how things are going. Once we get 100% set, I’ll post something about it, it should be soon. Can’t wait to run through your neck of the woods. In the meantime, check out whereskarl.com for some new video we made last week. The vid on there now is a teaser, the stuff I’m getting on there this weekend is the real deal. Check it out!
Karl,
Just to let you know I thought of you when running 23 miles (yes, I know, only 23!) around Harpers Ferry last week. Definitely not fire trails. Hope the other 99% have some good runnable sections…
I also met the COO of the ATC who is looking forward to seeing you (a very good friend).
Check out my post (AT: mega sustainability sensor). Sustainability, in line with your goal to promote clean trail running.
Take care,
Jean.
Karl,
Thanks for the update.
Pretty good video on whereskarl.com
Given your background, I believe you will break the AT record.
Good luck with your training.
jersey joe
Good luck with the attempt! I have been quietly watching your progress and really surprised how much has come along! I have also been looking back at alot of what the past record holders did during there attempts. Now I read alot of great posts from people here and I’m just wondering a few things. You talk about your attempt being fully paid for. You have all of this high tech equipment to track you and follow your every step. You also say that you have an RV to follow you everywhere you go. Do you feel in anyway that this takes away from the simplistic “idea” of running the AT? I guess I mean that all of the past record holders had the ooportunity of “big-money backing” yet turned it down. They were offered neat gadgets to help track so that they could “meet” there team along the way. Instead they headed out with very little money, beat up vehicles and 1-2 people at the most crewing for them. They had to rely on there knowledge of each section of the trail and have faith in each other to make there daily goals. It was truly them and nature (still with the speed goal in mind) Please know that I am not downplaying your attempt AT ALL! I’m just wondering if you are doing your route from North to South like Andrew to compare attempts, dont you think its a little tough to TRULY compare when you obviously have stacked the advantage relying on so much support from sponsors, crew and electronics?
Hey JJ, Great to hear your opinion on this, I am sure alot of others feel the same way, but let me clarify the whole idea of support. It is true that at this point I will likely have far more support than Andrew did. If he turned down Thousands of dollars in support, then that was his call. I did not technically ask for this kind of support. I would be doing this out of my Subaru if I had to. I committed to this adventure back in November, so whatever were to happen I would go with it (RV or not).
The technical gadgets…the tracking system was not saught out to help my crew meet me, they know where the roads are via the road map. The gadget is for the world to watch a person do what he does best….run/walk through the mountains. It’ll be interesting for the public to watch it. Yes it is an advantage to the crew, but they will likely do what a crew does in a 100 mile race…hurry up and wait. The real advantage I would have is the fact I can get off the trail and into a bed within minutes, Although Andrew did not have this luxury, he did sleep in a bed (most of the time) or on a pad-mattress. The one thing I will say is we will both have done the trail under our own power. Noone will carry anything for me, including extra water, water filtration tablets, a bandaid, a light or batteries, gels…you get the picture, anything. On those terms we are equal. The rest can be judged in all different forms. This is how I’m gonna do it, that was how he did it. Remember the bar is high, and Andrew is the man, I am just merely attempting to do it quickly and allow people to watch me suffer! -Speedgoat Karl
I’d like to see someone actually run North Carter and South Kinsman in the Whites. Out of curiousity, what is your previous AT experience?
Any good technical Mountain runner can run anything! Although I am a superior technical mountain runner I’ll likely have tired legs in there and will be walking, scrambling, hiking No.Carter and South KInsman. Did you really think I would RUN the whole thing. It’s pretty far to Springer Mountain
Experience on the AT? I have been up, down and all around Mt. Washington, Crawford Notch, Guyot, and Lafayette, as well as Moosilauke. I’ve been on many sections in Vermont and Rockylvania as well, the challenge is what intrigues me here. I know it’s ugly and the itinerary suggests I will make huge progress through the NH woods, but remember it’s just an itinerary to spark interest, which it certainly has done.
Best of luck to you. Watch the footing when you hit Pennsylvania…lovingly referred to as Rocksylvania, especially around Hawk Rock and Cove Mountain….killer terrain, nothing but rocks for miles.
Karl
Best of luck in your endeaver. Wow! Just one question. What kinds of food/drinks will you be eating to keep up the energy for the many miles you plan to do each day? We live near Hot Springs N.C.. Let us know if you need anything.
Barbara, I’ll be eating everything I can, During races it’s all about gels, but this endeavor will be much different, plus I’ll bed moving much slower than any race day, so I should be able to eat lots. Lots of fat in general.
Karl: I’m entirely too self centered to spend much time blogging so I don’t know for sure if you’re accepting or looking for any pacers, but I’d love to run with you for a couple of three days while you’re out here on the AT. Let me know, I’d look forward to it.
Todd Walker
Karl,
I worked at an Outback Steakhouse with Andy Thompson back in 1999 in Lynchburg, VA (both attending Liberty University at the time). I remember his stories about the first two attempts he made and the amazing mental stuggle it must be for even an ultra runner to stay on task for that many days over so many miles. He may read this blog and correct me, but I believe his second attempt was cut short due to extreme rain and many falls on the trail due to wash outs. I think he said that after one of the falls he just laid there and knew that the attempt was over. The other one was stopped because of cold weather. He had logged hundreds of miles during both attempts. Anyway, I was happy to run across his successful run in 2005. Good for him, and what determination to keep at it until successful completion.
I have been to Ranger school for the Army and done some long hikes with over 80 pounds for a number of days, but I can’t imagine doing over 2,000 miles.
I don’t care how much sponsoring you are getting, nothing can be taken away from a physical undertaking like this. The GPS is a great idea and will be a treat for those who want to keep up with you. God Bless you on your attempt and may nature be kind. I will watch and pray for you along the way.
Karl, You will have great interest and following as you attack your quest for the AT record. I look forward to seeing you and helping you out in the MD - WV - Northern VA sections leading up to Labor Day weekend. Run smart and Good Luck, Gary
Karl,
Good luck!
Somewhat along the lines of JJ’s earlier question, but perhaps more from the logistics inquiry side than the “purity of hiking” side, I’m intrigued to know how much you’ll be carrying, sleeping plans, etc. I am fairly unfamiliar with speed hiking/running and I haven’t seen anything on the website about, for instance, how often you’ll resupply, what pack weight you intend to carry, etc. More specifically, what gear you intend to carry, how often you plan to sleep on the trail vs. off trail, whether you will take a breather in Pine Grove Furnace, PA to attempt the “Half-Gallon Challenge” and so on.
I also think that by infusing these types of anecdotes, you may win the hearts of those who would question the purity of your wilderness experience. Deep down, I believe every long distance trail enthusiast wants to appreciate what others are doing and how they do it, and sometimes all it takes is a little inside info to break down that barrier.
Hello Jason, Referring to JJ, the electronic devices are not for me to use to find where I am, I know where I am….following the white blazes and in the woods. These gadgets are only for the public to watch, I don’t care what my heartrate really is, what my “coordinates” are (in GPS). That stuff means nothing to me.
As far as the “purity” of hiking the AT, to each his own, I”m doing it my way with full support. While actually on the trail, I have a few friends hiking/running with me but that’s it. No mules to carry anything. Not TP, iodine, extra water….anything. \
I plan to sleep in plush accomodations in the RV every night, not sleeping on the trail at all. The only place I may bunk down on the trail would be in the Smokies as there are long sections between seeing my crew. That will only happen if I am pressed for time, but most likely not. I’m not saying I’ll be ahead of the record, just plan on doing those two 36 mile legs on two seperate days. I”ll time those days to sleep in the RV.
Pack weight, mostly under 5 lbs as there are plenty of road crossings to re-supply from my crew. Where there are long sections, Iodine will filter water. There will be a few sections where I will carry more water, that has to be determined daily and every evening before sleeping.
I’ll carry mostly energy food on shorter sections and be fed in between by crew with more solid food. The longer sections I will carry solid food and eat alot before I start these longer sections.
If I had not been “offered” this kind of support, I was going at it in my subaru, with the same three drivers, it would have been more like Andrew’s run, but hey, this is a dream of mine, and I’ll take the RV and support, maybe next time I do it, I’ll go south to north self supported to change things up.
In 4 weeks I’ll be stumbling around in Maine, and I can’t wait.
And I’ll only takle the half gallon challenge if it is beer, I would imagine it is, but it’s gotta be ready for me, cuz’ downtime is not my friend on this one.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I’m sorry to say, but the Half-Gallon Challenge is ice cream, not beer.
Karl,
I will follow with great interest and while sending good wishes. Let me know if you need help around Hanover, NH.
No doubt, as you have mentioned, the itinerary will or may have changed since posted. Day 9 at first glance looks brutal. What sort of work days (e.g., 12, 15, 18 hours of running; what sort of naps) are planned for NH?
Best regards,
Dan
Just gonna keep plugging along, and whereever I stop, I’ll stop. As you can see the itinerary is moot after a few days.
Karl, good luck on your endeavor. Wanted to know if there was any particular reason you chose August 5th for your start date?
Very useful blog. will visit/