After a lot of mapping, scouting, and now getting out and putting down a time, this route finally came together. I’ve been trying to come up with a big SWVA High Country link-up/FKT for about a year now and really happy to see how this turned out today.
I’m submitting this as an FKT so that this route can hopefully become a bit more established and more runners can get out and try it. My goal today was just to lay down a time I would be happy with, it’s nothing extraordinary so I highly encourage people to come out and lay down some faster times. Also, the female FKT is waiting to be established so that’s open for the taking!
This is a route that summits every point over 5,000’ in Virginia, including the state high point, Mount Rogers. The amount of technical terrain and exposure on this route is unrivaled in the Southeast. There’s a reason this stretch of the Appalachian Trail (which most of the route is on) is often voted as the best of the AT by thruhikers.
I’ve been eyeing this one for a long time, grateful to have such a great day out this morning. If you’re interested in going for this route feel free to reach out to me if you want any beta!