RECAP - Day 24 - 2024 Appalachian Trail - Fastest Known Time Attempt 🏃♂️
⏰ Start Time: 4:00am
📏 Distance: 52.9 miles
⏳ Time on Trail: 14hrs 39mins
🚶♂️ Avg. Speed: 3.6 mph
⛰️ Elevation Gain: 7,118 feet
⬇️ Elevation Loss: 7,418 feet
Today, I crossed from Pennsylvania into New Jersey. New Jersey always seems to be where I see the most bears. Back in 2022, when I ran this section and set the second-fastest time in the world northbound, I encountered a large, intimidating black bear.
Actually, what happened was this: to my left, walking in the opposite direction, was a huge creature. My peripheral vision caught sight of the bear. I paused, pulled out my phone, as usual, to snap a photo. But I noticed something strange—the bear didn’t even glance at me. It moved forward, almost in a moody, deliberate manner. Something about its energy felt different, so I put my phone away and started to leave the area. This bear wasn’t like the others I’d encountered before, those that normally run away at the first sight of a human.
As I made my way forward, I came across another bear, basking on its back in a puddle, joyfully splashing in the muddy water. It noticed me and, as all wild things do, swiftly moved on.
Leaving Pennsylvania is always a bittersweet moment. It’s a rewarding achievement, but it also means leaving behind some of the most incredible people who’ve supported me along the way. Shoutout to all the brothers and sisters in PA—you’ve been a constant source of strength. As I return to the Appalachian Trail this year to chase the fastest known time, I look forward to reconnecting with the amazing friends I’ve made there over the past seven years.
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