Trail Record Breaker: Sarah Baker Overcomes Norovirus, Heat Wave, and Starvation to Set Appalachian Trail Fastest Known Time (FKT)
Record-Breaking Appalachian Trail Hike: Sarah Baker Completes Self-Supported FKT
Sarah Baker has made history on the Appalachian Trail, setting a new record for the self-supported fastest known time (FKT) for a woman hiking northbound. Baker completed the 2,193-mile trail in an impressive 74 days, 4 hours, and 42 minutes, beating the previous record set by Elizabeth Thomas in 2011.
The hike was marked by challenging weather conditions, as Baker faced record-breaking heat in Pennsylvania, cold rain, and had to forgo bathing due to concerns for local streams. On Day 20 of her hike, Baker fell seriously ill, likely with norovirus. Despite these setbacks, she pressed on, spending several days stealth camping on the trail as she recovered.
Baker's illness was particularly concerning as she was attempting to break Heather Anderson's self-supported female record. She was also worried about getting her hiking partner, ultrarunning legend John Kelly, sick during her illness. Kelly's ankle injury prevented him from setting the new FKT record.
Baker's hike was a testament to her resilience and determination. She finished the trail literally starving, with her Z-Packs Sub-Nero pack empty save for what she needed to camp during the latter stages of her hike. In the 100-Mile Wilderness, the second-to-last leg of her journey, Baker begged hikers for food and received some GORP.
Baker's hike earned her a spot on the same FKT page as Heather Anderson, Tara Dower, and Joe "Stringbean" McConaughy. McConaughy also set a notable self-supported Appalachian Trail record, but the exact time isn't clearly specified for comparison with Campanelli’s time. The current self-supported FKT for the northbound Appalachian Trail is approximately 48 days, 23 hours, and 48 minutes, held by Joey Campanelli in 2017.
Baker's hike was a self-supported FKT attempt, which prohibits external support but allows the use of public resources. She used Salt Stick Electrolyte Capsules to keep herself hydrated during the hike, and her LightHeart Gear rain jacket likely saved her life during a spat of cold rain in Virginia's Grayson Highlands.
Despite her impressive feat, Baker was unsure if she wanted to continue her hike after recovering from her illness due to the loss of fat reserves and the unlikely chance of beating Heather Anderson's 54-day record. However, her determination and grit carried her through to the end, making her a true trailblazer on the Appalachian Trail.
During her self-supported FKT hike on the Appalachian Trail, Sarah Baker sought refuge in camping sites, proving her resilience amidst challenging weather conditions. Additionally, despite their fatigue from sports activities, Baker and her hiking partner, John Kelly, both showed a keen interest in camping and exploring the trail's natural beauty.
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