A hiker has set a new record for completing the Arizona Trail trek.
Jeff Garmire completed the hike in a record 15 days, 13 hours and 10 minutes. Considering the trail is 800 miles, he averaged about 51 miles a day. This is what is known as the "fastest known time," or FKT, for completing the trail.
For most people, completing the trek can take years, but for Garmire, it was a different story. He told The Arizona Republic, "I was definitely pushing myself, up to 18-20 hours a day, moving forward, constantly."
Garmire recounts the entire journey on his blog, discussing the physical and mental toll this journey took. He encountered not only the harsh terrrain of the trail, but heat and snow along the way. Garmire completed the journey in what is called a "self-supported" manner, meaning he resupplied necessities all on his own without any kind of arranged support.
The Arizona Trail starts at the U.S.-Mexico border and ends at the border of Arizona and Utah, north of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The trail is divided into 43 passages, which most hikers use to traverse the trail over the course of several trips.