Frustrating Day on the Sheltowee Trace and the Blue Heron Loop

Two weeks after my failed Supported FKT attempt on the Sheltowee Trace I decided to give it another go but with no crew to help me I had to go Self Supported. Knowing that I may have to deal with cold, wet weather I knew there was a chance that I may fail so I did not announce this attempt to anyone other than my wife and three fellows in Kentucky and Tennessee that would transport me back to my truck upon completing the trail.
To go self supported I would not have any crew or aid. I decided to put out a drop bag of resupplies for each night to help lighten my load and enable me to run more. It was a good plan and I was super excited to give it another go to see if I could get the overall and break the 7 day barrier and reclaim my FKT from Ricky Vandegrift that was beaten by only two hours back in 2020.
The Backpacking Podcast episode that I was on;
• 140 JASON WISH Secret ...
0:00-3:39 the plan
3:39-4:51 bag drop 1
4:51-5:37 bag drop 2
5:37-6:07 bag drop 3
6:07-7:18 bag drop 4
7:18-7:50 bag drop 5
7:50-8:39 bag drop 6
8:39-9:00 arrive at camp
9:00-11:09 What happened? Change of plans
11:09-20:24 Blue Herron Loop
20:24-21:20 Fort Boonesborrow State Park
21:20-21:33 the Backpacking Podcast with John and Jeremiah
21:33-22:17 conclusion
My failed Supported FKT with Michael Sutzman and Leonidas 2022:
• Sheltowee Trace Suppor...
My previous Unsupported Sheltowee Trace FKT series 2021:
part 1: • Sheltowee Trace Thru-H...
part 2: • Sheltowee Trace Thru-H...
part 3: • Sheltowee Trace Thru-H...
part 4: • Sheltowee Trace Thru-H...
part 5: • Sheltowee Trace Thru-H...
part 6: • Sheltowee Trace Thru-H...
part 7: • Sheltowee Trace Thru-H...
part 8: • THE FINALE! Sheltowee ...
My very first Self-Supported FKT on the Sheltowee Trace 2019:
part 1: • Sheltowee Trace 2019 N...
part 2: • Sheltowee Trace 2019 |...

[@jasonwish-]

Check out the full episode of the Backpacking Podcast here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6mqcqmoq8uUhZo

[@jaxcoop1511]

Hey Jason. I know you are a man of faith. Sometimes it takes a little Devine intervention to tell us when something isn’t meant to be. You’ll get another opportunity when the time is right. Thanks for making the most out of this video. You’ve got me wanting to go and check out that area. I’m in central Indiana and that’s not a bad trip at all to get to that area. Thanks again for the entertaining videos

[@jasonwish-]

Yep, I felt as though God was speaking to me through my dreams that this was not the time for me. Sometimes it just hard to know if your doing something for the right reasons. Hopefully I'll get another shot at it someday. Definitely check out the Blue Heron area or anywhere in BSF, it's so beautiful! Thanks!

[@john_kelley]

It was great getting to hang out with you! It's always great getting you on the podcast. Loved the video!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks John! I had so much fun being on the podcast with you guys...it almost makes me want to start my own! But I would need a tech guy for sure...no way the Colonel could do it, lol!

[@JourneyontheTrail]

You sure did a great job turning that trip around. That Blue Heron trail was awesome and I enjoyed listening to you all on the podcast last week. It was also neat to see some of the behind the scenes of the setup of a FKT. Thanks for sharing bud.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks AJ, glad you found it all interesting. Since I never started the FKT I wasn't sure what i was going to do with the footage...I thought about not even using it except for future b-roll, but fortunately the podcast thing happened and allowed me to piece together a video from it.

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

Its always good to follow your gut feelings! You shouldn't be disappointed with you decision though the Blue Heron Loop looked amazing! Definitely a location I want to check out soon! Thanks for sharing Jason!

[@jasonwish-]

Looking back now I feel regret for not following through on both attempts, especially after all the training I put in, but those things happen sometimes. Yes, that area was beautiful, will definitely be back to explore more in the future. Thansk Chris!

[@trailwalker19]

thanks Jason... while watching your hike it made me want to go out on another short hike cuz I haven't hiked in 12 days... great video, great views!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Teri! Hope you get that hike in soon!

[@berniebroering7438]

Jason, You sure are a glutton for punishment. Even though it didn't turn out for you this time, it looked like you had a lot of fun and it turned out to be yet another learning experience. Make sure you give your wife as much attention as she needs since you take so much time away from home. Best Cheers!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Bernie! Believe me, after 25 years of marriage I'm always careful to include the wife in plenty of her favorite activities. We love RV camping, trying new restaurants and antique shopping together...if I'm not on trail or working on the farm, I'm with her! Definitley important!

[@anthony_privett]

Great video. I love BSF. It’s such an amazing area.

[@jasonwish-]

BSF is pretty amazing! Part of me wishes I just would have stayed down there for an overnight hike but then i would have missed out on the podcast!

[@willieoakley2336]

Jason I really enjoyed this video I wish things had went the way you planned them but sometimes they don't but again I enjoyed this video I will be watching for the next video God bless happy hiking 🥾

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Willie, Maybe I'll get another shot one of these days! If not, I'll live, but after putting so much training into it would be nice to have a payoff! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Man, you brought back all the memories for me of our thru hike when you stopped at all those places to drop your resupply bags. Sorry this attempt didn’t work out as you hoped. You’re gonna get it, bro! Just keep putting in the work and it’ll pay off!

[@jasonwish-]

It was really cool memories for me as well, especially seeing some of the these places in the daylight that i've never seen before, thanks Sam!

[@talldude5841]

Another great adventure Jason. I live in Wooster, Ohio. If you ever need help, let me know. Love your shows.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks! I will keep that in mind! By the way, because of your channel name, I'm curious, how tall are you?

[@talldude5841]

@@jasonwish- i am 6'6"and a half.

[@jasonwish-]

@@talldude5841 your channel name suits you well! The height gene skipped me, topped out at 6' but my brother is 6'4" and my sons are 6'4 and a half and 6'2.

[@Smokeybeesnatural]

Well brother, I kinda thought you were a tad crazy 🤪 😆. Give it some time. I know you can do it! Don't rush it!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Nick! If I give it too much time I may loose the desire all together...really wanted to knock it out after all the training I had put in, kinda feels like I did it all for nothing now 😢😢

[@Smokeybeesnatural]

@@jasonwish- no way! The trail will be there. It hasn't been for nothing. You've put in a ton of work and have inspired many, to do crazy things!

[@zakkmiller8242]

Have you ever stashed a drop bag in the backcountry only to later find that it had been stolen? I couldnt imagine that!!

[@jasonwish-]

its never happened to me thankfully but two of my friends had one of their resuply bags stolen near laurel river lake during their thru hike on the sheltowee a few years ago.

[@ChristianOutdoorLife]

Always enjoy your videos. I am going down to Morehead for the big turtle 50k. Is there any free tent camping close by that you know of? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@jasonwish-]

Hey John, I am running the big turtle 50 K so I will be there and as of right now I’m going to check out twin knobs campground first but if I decide to go free camping, I’m gonna go to the south end of cave run lake where the Sheltowee renters the woods there are some horse camping sites just inside.

[@ChristianOutdoorLife]

@jasonwish- thanks for the info can't wait to hopefully meet. My in laws just live an hour away. We might stay there but not sure yet. I saw you stayed close to the northern terminus once and was curious about that place.

[@jasonwish-]

@@ChristianOutdoorLife That place near the Northern Terminus is the Clark Farm Shelter at mile 9 of the Sheltowee and the owners welcome hikers to use it when needed, but it also happens to be our turn around spot and aid station on the Big Turtle 50 K so might not be a good idea to camp there before the race, but I could be wrong. If you decide to camp somewhere the night before and want company just send me an email. [e-mail]

[@ChristianOutdoorLife]

@jasonwish- Many thanks and have a Happy Easter Jason!

[@TheBane1979]

Looky here, i'm gonna need you to stop teasing me and do the dang hike lol jk

[@jasonwish-]

I know I know, believe me, I feel a little silly for not following through after going through all of that, but hopefully the timing is better for me if there is ever a next time. Actually, if you want to know the truth, I'm just spoiled now and only want to do it with a support crew, lol, and I hate temps below freezing!

[@TheBane1979]

@@jasonwish- I’m completely kidding. I gotta imagine if the attempt is FKT then you need to be in the right mindset for it. 50 miles a day seems insane for me, but I don’t run at all.

[@jasonwish-]

@@TheBane1979 I know you were kidding. Three years ago when I did my first attempt and broke the Self Supported record I only needed 36 miles per day and that seemed unimaginable! Funny how perspective changes over time with more experiences and training...now 50 mpd doesn't seem very hard, at least without a pack and a crew, but doing back to back to back for 6 days, now that's when its gets a little insane!