The Race To Break The Appalachian Trail Speed Record

This conversation with Warren Doyle might need a bit of context if you're not well-versed in the long-distance thru-hiking scene in North America. Warren is a prominent figure in the Appalachian Trail community. While there's some debate about the exact beginning of the modern fastest known time (FKT) scene on the AT, Warren's impressive 1973 record of 66 days and change is widely considered a significant milestone.

Warren's outdoor activism and contributions to the trail and broader hiking community are extensive. Over a 45-year period, he led and provided backpacking education to eight large-group "circle" expeditions with near 100% completion rates. He founded the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association and established the Appalachian Trail Institute, which has helped thousands of hikers achieve their thru-hiking goals. He has also played a key role in preparing notable figures like Jennifer Pharr Davis and Liz Derstine for record-setting endurance attempts, and has advised many other prominent endurance athletes, including Karel Sabbe.

I'm excited to have Warren on the show for several reasons. First and foremost, my deep love for the AT and my ongoing quest to understand its history. Warren has been a central figure in shaping the trail's scene over the past 40 to 50 years. In our conversation, we'll explore topics like the nature of endurance records on long trails, the purpose of the AT, social change, the impact of the outdoor industry on thru-hiking culture, the relationship between government and nature, and much more.

Regardless of your familiarity with the scene, I think you'll find this episode engaging. Warren is a vibrant and generous conversationalist, and I'm sure you'll gain a lot from our discussion.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Backlash on the AT
18:34 The Commercialization of the Outdoor Industry
15:48 The Relationship Between the Trail and the Government
23:22 The Importance of Substantive Conversations on the Trail
38:10 Regulations and Policing of Mount Katahdin
42:39 The Amateur Aspect of Endurance Hiking
45:26 The Role of Support Crews in Endurance Record Attempts
01:01:36 Challenges of Reintegrating into Society after the AT
01:05:54 Embracing a Wilderness State of Mind
01:11:04 Supporting Dreams and Moving Forward
01:16:05 The Role of a Social Change Educator
01:25:55 Concerns about the Future of the Appalachian Trail

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