On August 5th, Elite Ultrarunner, Karl Meltzer will attempt to break Andrew Thompson’s thru hike record of 47 days, 13 hours, 31 minutes. Check out karlmeltzer.com for info on his BIO to prove his worthiness. Real time tracking every 10 minutes for the world to watch, along with prizes from Backcountry.com for guessing statistics on the attempt. Come watch Karl suffer while he makes his way to Springer Mt! -Speedgoat Karl
Karl Meltzer
Yes, you are right, the trail with prove thy worthiness, the BIO doesn’t mean much once I get going! Thanks for the good words!
Speedgoat Karl
Ah yes, the shameless self-promoter…a common creature in the wilds of trail forums. In any event it would be quite a feat to finish quicker than Andrew Thompson and I wish you best of luck. I wish you most luck in meeting whatever personal goal you have with this hike whether it is dictated by speed or perpaps something else.
Ryan
The thing is, Maine and New Hampshire are largely unrunnable, meaning very, very long days at the outset, and/or a herculean make-up exam farther down the trail. Whether northbound or southbound is the better strategy, though, I cannot say. One simply hopes he knows what he’s in for from Day 1 at Katahdin as planned. Springer Mountain and vicinity is a walk in the park by comparison.
…
Yes I admit I am approaching 50 years in age and the days of physical prowess are fading away. That said after walking from GA to ME twice now I find it hard to believe anyone could cover that distance in under 50 days. That is why if your passage is confirmed via some type of GPS device consider it a record, regardless of the time it takes, of the verifialbe kind. Best wishes and watch out for those wet rocks.:cheers
stealthblew
The current record is of 47 days 13hrs and 31min comes to around 57 miles a day! anyone who can pull that off is pretty beast. although if he used a support team, a lot less beast.
DB
LOL…They actually call this a “thru hike”???..Its just an ultra marathon which happens to use the AT as its course :lol
Programbo
why! what a waste of some great views. Thats only my opinion. It seems to me that they only thing you take from this is a record and the only thing you leave is a footprint that will wash away at the next rain or maybe some trampled plant that you killed or maimed because you where going to fast to notice. Or maybe a hiker you knocked over as you went running by.
huff & Puff
The 47 day record is with a full support crew. Ward Leonard holds the records for unsupport hikes and it is some crazy mileage.
Darth Pacman
DB, that’s 45.7 miles a day, not 57…whoops!
I have a satellite tracking system, so there will be no “cheating” as some might think.
Yes, I am a self promoter, it’ll be interesting to watch to say the least, I’ll be suffering for sure.
For the itinerary found at karlmeltzer.com, remember it’s just an itinerary I threw together. It’ll be moot, likely after day 3. Thanks for the good words, don’t worry, I won’t miss any views, I’ve seen them all already, and I won’t trample too many plants passing anyone, as I’ll make sure my 140 pound frame doesn’t do any damage. Chances are I’ll pick up more random garbage on the trail than anyone ever has, I don’t like to see garbage on trails.
Let’s all have fun out there and enjoy the trail however we feel like. 
-Speedgoat Karl
Speedgoat Karl
I know you will do it honestly (following the entire white-blazed trail)out of honor and respect for those that have come before you: Doyle, Avery, Horton, Palmer and Thompson.
Warren Doyle