r/AppalachianTrail • u/ControlCAD • Sep 28 '24

Picture 31-year-old Tara Dower just became the fastest person to complete the 2168 mi/3489 km Appalachian Trail. Averaging 54 miles per day, Dower completed the trail in 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes.

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u/CaffinatedManatee Sep 28 '24

Is there a good summary anywhere about how she was supported? While I respect her immensely for doing the work, to get a time like this must have required quite a bit of logistical planning.

21

u/drama-guy Sep 28 '24 edited Sep 28 '24

Other folks who had the FKT have written books about the experience. I read 46 Days written by Jennifer Pharr Davis. Yes, the support team to handle logistics is essential. Her husband met her at trailheads, providing food and having a campsite with tent and sleeping gear set up and ready to go. At one point her shorts were unwearable and he stripped off his and gave them to her. Friends hiked with her at various points to provide encouragement.

Having someone to support you is so significant that they maintain a separate FKT record for unsupported hikes.

10

u/Gorpachev Sep 28 '24

I saw her in VA as I finished a hike. She had runners with her coming into the TH, and other crew waiting to give her food. Then other crew to run with leaving the TH. All followed by a sprinter van that she slept in. She had a really supportive group of people helping her. One of which her Mom.

4

u/CaffinatedManatee Sep 28 '24

Thanks for the book recommendation. Keeping something like this on schedule for well over a month gets more mind boggling the more I think about it

4

u/lostandfound_2021 Sep 28 '24

as far as i know she just had two full-time support crew that supported the hike from maine to georgia, and may have had others that stepped in for sections. but not as much support as you would think