FKT: Jonathan Zaharek - Bob Marshall Traverse (NY) - 2020-10-12

Athletes
Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
13h 34m 6s
GPS track(s)
Report

I was super excited to give this ago. Thank you to Jay Whitbourne for the inspiration. I'm so grateful to have been able to accomplish this and for the inspiration of Bob Marshall as well. This was a fully unsupported speed thru-hike of the Bob Marshall Traverse, identical to Jay's previous attempt. I carefully calculated the time that I would be on the trail so that I could appropriately bring the perfect amount of calories and do this as minimalistic as possible. I brought around 2,500 of food, a 1.5L bladder, Microspikes (which I never needed), a light coat, Headlamp, small medkit, and a couple other small necessities. I knew every single spot beforehand where to refill my water, and when I did, I took straight from the source without filtration. (You got to love the Adirondack Mountain run off!). 

I trail ran on most flat sections and moved as quickly downhill as possible. Also, one of my carbon Z-pole snapped on me the first mile in, which left me to use one trekking pole the whole day!

The conditions were pretty wet.. Other than that, the temperature was perfect. Considering it is mid-october, I definitely lucked out on my conditions.The Crux of the day was definitely ascending the Algonquin Trail to Boundary Peak. I've always hated it...Anyways, all in all I had such a fun day and would recommend this Traverse to anyone that love the challenge themselves and has some sort of emotional connection to the Adirondack High Peaks.