I completed the 96 mile route in 28hrs and 18 mins, shaving 8 hours off my previous effort. Most of that was continuing through the night, the rest was probably training and experience. Other than the 4L of water needed to cover the long stretches between potable water sources, my pack was extremely light.
Biggest challenge was the "closed" section from mile 82 to 89, I somehow missed that in my readings. It was a big error that added 90+ minutes to the journey and caused me to miss my goal of sub-27 hours. The scale of wreckage from the hurricanes and floods last spring is hard to describe. Professional crews are out there with heavy equipment cutting and clearing, but it will take many months before this section reopens. Getting through it involved navigating hundreds of large downed trees strewn across the trail, often in huge clumps, then relocating the trail amidst the overgrown weeds and shrubs (Gaia was my savior here).
I’m very grateful that our society values its trails and has the means to maintain them. Many thanks to the cleanup crews and especially the volunteers at LSHT. The Sam Houston Forest is so beautiful this time of year, and the trail is well marked and maintained.
Thanks also to Jessica for driving me back to my car and providing a mobile camp shower so I could clean up before the long drive home (LSHT website has her contact details).
Final thanks to FKT, love what you guys do!