Episode 65: FKT Of the Year - Overview of Nominees with Peter Bakwin

630 FKTs this year (and more coming in every day) ... what's new and cool?  

"More women, and more women going solo on technical routes"

There were no big efforts this year on the big routes, like the AT, PCT, R2R2R, JMT ... the existing times are too fast!

"The low-hanging fruit has been plucked"

Who will be the FKTOY winners?  What do YOU think?

Dan Booth Round (United Kingdom)

Submitted by pbakwin on Thu, 12/19/2019 - 09:59am
Description

Visits the 10 trig points [UK Ordnance survey marker used for surveying and mapping] around Bath. No specified route between the trigs! Distance about 24 miles, with 1000m of ascent. Terrain ranges from road to deep mud.

Denali (AK)

Submitted by pbakwin on Wed, 12/18/2019 - 06:54pm
Description

The highest peak in North America (20,310').  The FKT is up & back from Base Camp at 7,200'. In 2023, this route was standardized, for the future, as starting and finishing at the door of the 2023 base camp manager's hut. The location of this hut changes every year, but the route will always start and finish at this location. 

Coordinates: 62.96795, -151.16737

Franklin Trail (CA)

Submitted by pbakwin on Wed, 12/18/2019 - 03:25pm
Description

The Franklin Trail is 10.25 miles each way from Carpinteria to Jameson Lake. The south end is at Carpinteria High School and starts enclosed in fencing. This opens up to tight switchbacks through rock outcroppings that climb to utility roads. The utility roads are well signed as the route twists and rolls through the foothills. At 5.2 miles, there is a sharp turn onto singletrack where the trail leaves the road and climbs to the top. This section is all singletrack, rocky, and technical. After 8 miles, the Divide Peak OHV Route is reached where a sign is marking the top.

Aspetuck Trail (CT)

Submitted by pbakwin on Tue, 12/17/2019 - 12:32pm
Description

The Aspetuck trail is a part of the Connecticut blue-blazed trail system and is located within the Aspetuck River Valley area of Fairfield County, The Aspetuck Trail intersects the towns of Newtown, Easton and Redding. This woodland trail travels through the Centennial Watershed State Forest and connects to the trail system in Collis P. Huntington State Park. Notable features include the Aspetuck River, Hedmon’s Pond dam, scenic overlooks and stone walls. The trail also connects to the blue-blazed Saugatuck Trail offering longer distance hiking opportunities.