From The Backcountry

Scott Benerofe is a backpacker and ultra-runner based out of Vermont. Scott has some pretty insane efforts to his name, including a winter Appalachian Trail thru-hike (see episode #20). In late July, Scott went out and established a route that he calls the White Mountains Triple, which is a 100-mile linkup of the Pemi Loop, Presidential Traverse, and Mahoosuc Traverse, all on foot. The route boasts 35,000 feet of elevation gain and some of the gnarliest terrain that New England has to offer. We talk all about his effort in this episode. We also talk about the recent controversy on the Grand Teton FKT, Tara Dower's historic FKT on the Appalachian Trail, and more. Find Scott on Strava and Instagram @scottbenerofe

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podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/

At 10am on August 28th, I set out with a group of over 30 northeast locals to attempt a supported FKT on the Vermont Long Trail. We would finish the trail 3 days, 21 hours, and 9 minutes later, taking over 7 hours of the FKT and being the first run of the Long Trail to be under 4 days. I covered a lot of my individual perspective of the run over on the Singletrack podcast, and I will cover the nuts and bolts in a detailed trip report (to be released very soon). This podcast is a little different. In this podcast, I brought together the 6 crew/pacers who were out there with me for the entirety of the effort and hear stories from many different perspectives of this effort. It was a pleasure to get this group together one more time to hear the stories that I wasn't privy to as the runner. I hope you all enjoy our conversation!

Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoe

Use code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire order

podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/

Kristian Morgan is a multi-day endurance athlete who holds the second and third fastest times on the Appalachian Trail (and the southbound FKT). This year, Kristian again returned to the AT to attempt the Northbound and overall FKT. He made it to Maine ahead of record pace but was ultimately derailed by injury. We chat with Kristian about his effort and his plans to return to the AT for a 6th attempt in 2025. You can find Kristian on social media @kristianultra. You can also find his website at https://www.kristianultra.com/

Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoe

Use code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire order

podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/

On the heels of finishing 15th overall and 4th woman at Hardrock 100, prolific ultra-runner and backpacker Tara Dower returns to the podcast to discuss her upcoming south-bound Appalachian Trail FKT attempt, which is starting this coming Saturday, August 10th 2024. She is looking to bring together her thru-hiking experience as well as her experience setting big FKTs on trails like the Colorado Trail to take down perhaps the biggest FKT of them all.

Find Tara on Instagram @tara.dower. If you want to get involved with her effort or just follow along, head on over to her website tara-treks.com or follow @chumpchangeFKT on Inatagram. 

She is also raising money for Girls On The Run, which helps address the mental and physical health concerns of girls everywhere by helping them develop meaningful relationships and discover the joy of movement. You can donate to Girls On The Run at Tara's website, linked above.

Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoe

Use code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire order

podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/

Time Stamps:
4:15 Keith Nadeau
31:32 Mead Binhammer
50:30 Lauren Gregory and Dan Curts
1:42:53 Larisa Dannis MacFadden

The Jigger Johnson Ultras are a series of races hosted by White Mountain Endurance and Aravaipa Running in the southern White Mountains. There is a 20 mile, 50 mile, and 100 mile race. Xander and I were lucky enough to get the chance to interview 5 of the 6 winners from Jigger Johnson, and we hope you enjoy!

Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoe

Use code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire order

podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/

Deanna Doane is a trail runner from Florida who has strong roots in western Maine. Over the past two years, Deanna has raced the Grafton Notch Loop twice, setting new women's FKTs both runs on this hidden gem of a competitive running route. We talk all about her effort, the Grafton Notch Loop as a whole, and more! Find Deanna on Strava and on Instagram @wandering.sunflower

Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoe

Use code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire order

podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/

Nick Fowler is a multi-day athlete based in the midwest, but who does most of his racing on FKT routes out on the west coast. Nick is best known for his 2023 self-supported FKT on the PCT, a mind-blowing effort that ran him 52 hours, 9 days, and 18 minutes. We talk a lot about this effort and why he's planning to return to the PCT in 2025. Nick turned the tables and asked me a lot of questions, so have some fun with that. Find Nick on Instagram @nick.fowler.says.hi

Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoe

Use code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire order

podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/

Larsen Ojala is a mountain athlete based out of New Hampshire. Larsen has taken on multiple large projects in the Whites, including FKTs on the Double Presidential Traverse, Triple Pemi Loop, and Lodge to Dodge, as well as being the third known person to complete the White Mountains 100. Most recently, Larsen took on the New Hampshire section of the Appalachian Trail in a single push, completing the 161 miles and 56,000 feet of vertical in 3 days, 1 hour, 37 minutes. Find Larsen on Strava and on Instagram @larsenojala

Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoe

Use code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire order

podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/

Jack Kuenzle is a mountain athlete based out of a van. Jack and Anna DeMonte have spent the last 4-5 months living out of a van in Europe and training to go after the round rip speed record on Mont Blanc from Chamonix. They each came up just barely shy of the men's and women's overall running records, but both set incredibly stout new skiing records. Jack returns to the podcast for his 3rd appearance to discuss his effort and much more. If you want more Jack content, go check out episodes #15 and #41 where we chat about his FKTs on the White Mountains 100 and Mount Rainier.

Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoe

Use code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire order

podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/

We're back baby! This week Xander and I chat with Kristian Morgan, who holds the second and third fastest times on the Appalachian Trail (and the southbound FKT). This year, Kristian is again returning to the AT to attempt the Northbound and overall FKT. We talk to Kristian extensively about his preparation, planning, and why he believes this will be the year he takes down the overall record.

Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoe

Use code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire order

podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/