Kristian Morgan 2023 AT SOBO FKT attempt starting August 2nd

[Patrickjd9]

After about a 30 day delay because of time for the trail to recover from the flooding in New England, Kristian Morgan is trying for a southbound FKT.

As of this time, he is approaching I-77 and US 52 in Bland, VA, and appears to be a day or more faster than the record [EDIT:southbound] pace.

https://live.enabledtracking.com/kmatfkt2023/

https://www.instagram.com/kristianultra/

[James GAME2009]

Does anyone actually care about SOBO vs NOBO records? It's the same trail. Going SOBO was considered an advantage for a long time (may still be), hitting the tough sections when fresh. What he is doing is impressive for sure, but come on, overall record or no record.

[CalebJ]

Does anyone actually care about SOBO vs NOBO records? It's the same trail. Going SOBO was considered an advantage for a long time (may still be), hitting the tough sections when fresh. What he is doing is impressive for sure, but come on, overall record or no record.

Yes. The overall record is certainly the big goal, but a lot of people do see a distinction between the directions and the approaches to each.

[chknfngrs]

I think there is merit that warrants both directions for sure.

Different directions means different approaches to that same terrain.

He’s had two or three cracks at this and is doing solid work!!

[Lone Wolf]

SOBO is easier. bottom line. i'm more impressed by the NOBO record.

[chknfngrs]

SOBO is easier. bottom line. i'm more impressed by the NOBO record.

What makes it easier? Isn’t that subjective? What’s easy to one might be insane to another, right?

[HankIV]

What makes it easier? Isn’t that subjective? What’s easy to one might be insane to another, right?

I’d guess for a regular thru hiker SOBO might be a little tougher, although I sure enjoyed mine and flew thru TN,NC and GA even with shorter daylight. But for a highly fit FKTer it’s probably better to hit the tough stuff with fresher legs.

[Nightwalker]

SOBO is easier. bottom line. i'm more impressed by the NOBO record.

Why is Sobo easier. I'd love to know.

[HankIV]

Why is Sobo easier. I'd love to know.

My guess would be that for someone in good enough shape to attempt an FKT, that getting the rugged parts of ME and NH over with while you’re relatively fresh would be easier, vs hitting them at the end when you’re somewhat spent.

For your general purpose thru hiker, that would work in reverse. I know for me it did on my SOBO; by the time I got off Moosilauke the combination of having my trail legs firmly established and the terrain smoothing out resulted in a dramatic increase in daily mileage.

A regular thru hiker rests the body more too, gets a full night’s sleep, nearoes and zeroes. Such that they are in peak shape at the end of the hike. Whereas the FKTer is probably in peak condition at the beginning, and sounds like they rest the bare minimum along the way.

Conjecture on my part since I’m not part of the FKT scene.

[Lone Wolf]

Why is Sobo easier. I'd love to know.

What HankIV said...

[LazyLightning]

Doesn't he already hold 2nd or 3rd place for NOBO?

[k2basecamp]

Karel Sabbe is the man��

[LittleRock]

IMO, completing the entire AT in under 60 days is an impressive feat, NOBO or SOBO.

[Patrickjd9]

True, even 60 days is close to 37 miles per day.

[Patrickjd9]

He should enter Georgia tomorrow morning, about 50 miles ahead of the SOBO record pace.

[Seatbelt]

He should enter Georgia tomorrow morning, about 50 miles ahead of the SOBO record pace.

What is the current SOBO record?

[chknfngrs]

He’s got something like an 85 mile section to do if he wants to make it before sunrise tomorrow, or something like that. He’s had a lot of fun and some really hard work to this go round. I do hope he gets it, so he can move on!!!

[Lone Wolf]

He’s got something like an 85 mile section to do if he wants to make it before sunrise tomorrow, or something like that. He’s had a lot of fun and some really hard work to this go round. I do hope he gets it, so he can move on!!!

he'll get it but it's only the SOBO FKT. the real record to beat is NOBO. in my opinion. i expect to see him come back for that

[chknfngrs]

45D22H38M
Speedboat, circa 2016

[chknfngrs]

That’s SpeedGoat, aka Karl Meltzer. No thanks at all to quick thumbs and autocorrect. However, maybe Karl likes SpeedBoat? Sorry, not enough caffeine at this point.