Oregon Coast Trail FKT: Tillamook River to Neskowin

In August of 2024 I attempted to set the first Fastest Known Time (FKT) of an unsupported woman on the Oregon Coast Trail. While this would be my first ever speed record attempt, it was a somewhat casual endeavor in the sense that there was no current record for unsupported so I just needed to go at a pace I could manage from beginning to end. That said, if I needed to seek external support for gear, food, etc, starting out unsupported would afford me the opportunity to pivot and transition into setting a new self supported women’s FKT, which has been held by Lucia Powell since 2018 with a time of just over 13 days. Outside of thru hiking, I have zero background in endurance sports so I’m not quite sure what business I had trying to see if I had it in me to break into the FKT community, nevertheless in the pursuit of an unsupported attempt, but I’ve experienced a building, persistent attraction since learning about this type 2 (type 3?) fun. Part of it is definitely the women who’ve come before me: the Ashly Winchesters, the Ivey Smiths, the Tara Dowers, the Liz Derstines, the Nika Meyers, of course the Jennifer Pharr Davises and Heather Andersons, and many others. Their wild undertakings have stoked a fire and inspired me to test my determination, grit and strength by pushing beyond my comfort zone in my favorite style, traveling solo. These women have shown me that you are enough and so much more capable than you give yourself credit for, all of which can be discovered in the pursuit of a challenge like an FKT. As they say, you’ll never know if you never try.

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