Updates on "Where on the Appalachian Trail is Scott Jurek?"

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The Appalachian Trail 100-Mile-Wilderness in Maine ~~ Photograph by Robert Sutherland

Scott Jurek is attempting to break what runners call the "FKT" for running the Appalachian Trail. In that sense, FKT means "fastest known time."

Purists will tell you that the FKT for a supported thru-hike on the AT is attributed to Jennifer Pharr Davis, a very nice lady who doesn't seem to live for such things, no matter how adventurous she might be.

Purists will also tell you that Jennifer didn't run the AT, she just got up early and hiked late into the evening, really fast. For 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes.

I will tell you that, in my dang book, that's close enough to running to win a Snickers.

It might not be your dream to run the length of the AT. That's OK. My neighbor, Frasier Fir, section hikes whenever he can. Some folks go SoBo. Others flip-flop. Bunches go NoBo from Joja.

Many people who express their thoughts and/or feelings in online forums refer to Scott as a jerk (or worse) and attribute ridiculously negative motivations to him for choosing to make this gargantuan effort.

Why he chooses to attempt such a feat is his business. How is his business. It's all his business. I'm thankful that he keeps us up to date on how he's doing. For whatever reasons he chooses.

Scott Jurek's Latest Position

Thanks to Delorme.com, we can find Scott's current position online by clicking here.

If you have a copy of David "Awol" Miller's 2015 edition of The A.T. Guide, it's pretty easy to plot Scott's latest position. Fun too.

• As of 4:50 PM on Friday, July 10th, 2015, Scott was coming at West Chairback Pond in Maine, roughly 85-miles from his ultimate goal: the end of the Trail atop Katahdin in Baxter State Park.

The Appalachian Trail's 100-Mile-Wilderness in Maine ~~ Photograph by Robert Sutherland

• As of 9:30 PM on Friday, July 10th, Scott's most recent update was at 9:15 PM. He was in the 100-Mile-Wilderness to the east of Greenville, Maine, as seen in the photograph on the right.
• Around 8:45 PM, Scott seems to have forded West Branch Pleasant River. The mileage from there to Katahdin is 84.7. Sunset came there at 8:28. Twilight was 9:05.
• At 10:31 AM on Saturday, July 11th, Scott crossed Jo-Mary Road in the 100-Mile-Wilderness. That spot is 56 miles from the end of the Trail ... the summit of Katahdin.
• At 3:09 PM, Scott was running alongside Nahmakanta Stream about a mile past the ford at Tumbledown Dick Stream. He's around 44 miles from finishing, with more than 24-hours to go. Keep in mind, the last few miles are some of the toughest on the Appalachian Trail -- running up what we call Mount Katahdin.
• As of 6:30 PM, Scott's latest update came at 5:27 PM. It appears he has paused along the way to Katahdin, after passing over Prentiss Brook -- 39.9 miles from the end of the Trail. When he reaches Wadleigh Stream, he'll be a mere 38.2 miles from his goal.
• Saturday, 8:40 PM. The sun has set. Scott has another 20 minutes or so before twilight. At 8:30 PM, he was about to ford Pollywog Stream. (Don't you love the creativity of the names of spots along the Trail?) That's 33.6 miles from the summit of Katahdin. There's a Lean-to at Rainbow Stream, at mile 30.1. Wonder if he'll pause there for the final push in the morning?

Scott Jurek's position on the Appalachian Trail at 11:11 PM on Saturday, 7-11-15.

• Nope, he pushed on. At 11:53 PM, Scott's last reported position, as of 11:11 PM Saturday night was, well ... whatever location that is on the map to the right. All I can tell is it's south-southwest of Rainbow Lake, approximately 28 miles or so from Trail's end.

More than 17 hours ... and fewer than 30 miles or so?

I think he'll make it.

We'll know tomorrow!

Scott Jurek's Deadline

In 2011, Jenn Davis set the FKT at 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes.

Scott hit the Trail on May 27th at 5:56 AM. He is now into his 45th day on the Trail. To beat Jenn's time, Scott must survive and summit Katahdin before 5:15 PM on Sunday, July 12, 2015.

If he doesn't, he's going to come much closer than you or I ever will.

One thing is certain, if he succeeds, Scott's wife, Jenny, deserves a heaping helping of whatever honor is bestowed upon the man who could not have made it without his wife's help.

Blessings to them both.

Here's a link to the best story I've read about the expedition of Jenny and Scott Jurek.

Tags: Attractions, Appalachian Trail, News, Robert Sutherland Travel Writer, and Hikers

About the Author Robert Sutherland:
Robert Sutherland is a travel writer enjoying life. Robert has two adult daughters and six grandchildren.