John Muir Trail Fastest Known Time

In August 2014, I hiked the John Muir Trail unsupported style (no one to help me out or bring me food) faster than anyone else in 3 days 11 hours.
I have hiked this trail many times, with itineraries ranging from two weeks to 5 days to finally 3 and a half days. I grew up enjoying the Sierra Nevada mountains and am very proud to have finally done something that was in the back on my mind for so many years, although it was rather painful.

[@adventuresofstitches]

Everyone has goals that they push themselves to conquer or complete...just because it's not your goal doesn't mean you have to troll on someone's page and put your negative energy on it. Andy...great job!

[@janosaldroun6560]

The mental anguish that you pushed through must have been hell. I'm sure your body and mind were screaming for you to stop at times. Very impressive will power. John Z. did a great job with the edit.

[@JohnZahorian]

slow down

[@AndrewBEntz]

miles not smiles

[@KLB5420]

Andrew Bentz, was it worth the discomfort it seemed to be? Would you do it again or attempt a different trail? What was your food intake like?

[@justrione]

This is so motivational. I am truly inspired to hike fast and light. Thank you thank you

[@lynnjohnson2371]

You went skiing with my son Jeff, now I think you might be a bad influence on him! This is pretty courageous stuff. Hat is off to you.

[@damoncorso]

super rad andrew! its amazing how you pushed hard through the real tough times. Here is to many more miles!

[@Loathomar]

While I have no interest in trying to do anything like this (speed wise) it is amazing to see what people can do. Great job!

[@decentdiversions]

I watched this last year and just rewatched. Well done! There's a 203 mile trail here in Canada called the Rideau Trail. The supported FKT was set in 1982 and never beat. To my knowledge, no one has ever claimed an unsupported FKT.

[@carternewcomb2764]

What was the FKT?

[@decentdiversions]

83h 31m set in 1983 by Bob Tysen. The objective then was to test some ultralight (for 1983) equipment from the outdoor shop he worked at in Kingston, Ontario. Last I heard, he had settled years ago in Lake Placid, NY and works or worked at The Fallen Arch, a running store there. So, if someone can hike the JMT (a trail with about 47,000 ft of elevation gain) unsupported in 83 hours, I wonder what the FKT potential is for the Rideau Trail, similar in length to the JMT but tame in elevation with only about 2,000 feet of gain. Truth be told, there have been many FKT attempts but no one has managed to even come near the 1983 FKT. On paper, the trail seems easy but there's more to it. This year, a group did a supported FKT relay and completed it in under 35 hours. Here's the Rideau Trail FKT Proboard link: fastestknowntime.proboards.com/thread/441/rideau-trail

[@carternewcomb2764]

Decent Diversions ok thanks I’ll look into it

[@rapid8983]

I have plans to do this hike in 20 days ( scenic hike) but to do that in 3 days mind blown hands down respect to this guy

[@MacheteMadness2014]

Amazing job, anyone with a negative comment is just pathetic and would die trying what you did brother. keep inspiring.

[@FollowBigfoot]

Totally amazing man! You are a beast!!!!

[@andrewryder1319]

Wow! Extraordinary achievement!

[@saintannsbeach]

Pure awesomeness, congratulations!

[@glhfsport4682]

hahaha the limp walking at the end, what a trooper

[@AlwaysBelieve777]

You're a rock star!! Seriously, congrats!

[@TheAAZSD]

What grit! Great work! Inspiring.

[@robertcallahan1046]

Unbelievable!!!! I hope to do it in 14 days. Wow!!!!!!

[@AndrewBEntz]

I did it in 14 days back in highschool with my dad, uncle, and cousin. 14 days is a really nice pace; pushes your limits, but also very enjoyable. You got this!

[@bumlifeproductions4883]

You sir, are an animal. Love your vids my man!

[@thejym]

Awesome! This video definitely deserves more views, which I'm sure you'll get before long.

[@k2thah286]

I came for the phlegm cookies and blister popping. ✊️

[@cullencole5425]

Haters gotta hate. You do you. Enjoyed the show!

[@PerfDayToday]

MASSIVE congrats... !

[@stevebarham2640]

Rad. I met a guy near Glen pass in 2013 who was trying to wrap up the trail south bound in 3 days. I don't know what came of that. You have are strong willed

[@haydenwhite7438]

Your “personal assistant”... sounds like you experienced the anima

[@holdencaulfield5815]

seventy miles in a day? what a beast..

[@MidsierramusingBlogspot]

70 miles on the JMT in a day!

[@drewrobinson1]

This is incredible!

[@gerettam3146]

Way to truck Andy, jeesh man!

[@justrione]

Thank you for posting this. I want to JMT fast.

[@LukesHomeTube]

You’re pretty amazing to make it that fast!

[@barnum99]

Congrats

[@justrione]

Awesome

[@justrione]

Awesome video I am inspired

[@goatworks734]

Just heard in an interview UTMB winner Francois D'Haene is giving this a go. Andrew, if he takes the record are you going to take this fight to the streets and take him on at UTMB 2018? Perhaps go after his GR20 record?

[@AndrewBEntz]

i wish i could get a spot in UTMB! but i think hes going for the supported record?

[@YsimulAC]

if you count only time spent walking, give or take small water breaks, what was your mph avg? This is quite the feat,

[@AndrewBEntz]

I think just over 3 mph. I typically walk at about 3.5 mph. My strategy was to try and not walk slower than 3 mph and go 3.5 to 4 mph on the downhills.

[@tomnoyb8301]

What was the previous record and has Bentz record been broken since?

[@editz26smithoni69]

great job! absolutely unreal! super humans do exist for real :) and everyone else hike your own hike

[@boviac]

That's just crazy.

[@farbrortumm]

This is awesome

[@glhfsport4682]

i like the music

[@dougolaughlin]

Do you have a gear list? just wondering what your base weight and holy are you flying.

[@AndrewBEntz]

basically I only had my sleeping bag, pad, and food. I didn't take a tent. I had other small things like a spot messenger and GoPro and charger and stuff

[@zackhollyadventures]

That was amazing!

[@neutronium9542]

This is an awesome video. However, there seems to be some weird glitch with some of the footage with it getting deinterlaced (if that is the correct term). On my screen there are a bunch of horizontal strips of video that are out of alignment. If it were possible for you to fix this I would love it. Thanks for making these videos, they inspire my own much feebler hikes.

[@AndrewBEntz]

I think this may have just happened on your computer? Hadnt heard of this issue before, sorry about that

[@bryseholyoak262]

What bear canister are you using here?

[@shawndamschen231]

very cool. do you know what the previous record was and who held it? would you do it again to try to break your record? Very Cool though Andy! quite the accomplishment!!! Oh and just curious is all, but are you thinkin of doing any FKT's on any other trails?

[@AndrewBEntz]

Brett Maune had the previous record at about 3 days 14 hours. Not sure about doing it again, I think I would rather try a different record? And as for FKTs on other trails, I failed at the Uinta Highline Trail last summer and would like to give it another shot sometime.

[@kibashisiyoto6771]

At Tuolumne Meadows, did you stay south of the highway or did you cross the highway and go to Parson's Lodge?

[@AndrewBEntz]

I just stayed south of the highway. The trail is always a bit tricky there.

[@Misty8flip]

Big congrats snd great video. Did you have to get a permit?

[@xGorexGirlx]

Amazing !!!! Beat LA

[@sakules]

badass

[@vincentmoreno7970]

I seriously need to know what you brought with you on you're run.

[@AndrewBEntz]

montbell 40 degree, custom pack, polycro ground tarp, cut down z rest, dri ducks top, hat, buff, flashlight, camera, phone and thats pretty much it. I did not have a shelter

[@vincentmoreno7970]

Andrew Bentz Freaking beast. Im going be after that record someday. You're a real inspiration man.

[@glhfsport4682]

im so curious what type of shoes you wear on these super long hikes

[@danielgraham2298]

He’s wearing Altra brand, possibly the Timp model. Great company, I highly recommend.

[@rob_6292]

funny how people are looking at you like youre a bum at the end

[@robertlester9566]

Mother and daughter holding hands at the end looking down at your feet with disdain...legend!

[@Hallahanify]

@@robertlester9566 I think that was a gay couple?

[@rainyh4110]

Wow!

[@Peter-ri9ie]

Man, impressive! Well done! 👊🏻🙌🏻💪🏻 What was on your gear list, being unsupported? And what did you bring for food?

[@strathack33]

Pretty awesome, with speed and record setting being the goal. Obviously, not trail enjoyment by your own admission. Just wondering though. Is the "1D 10H 58m 39s" listed at the start of the video just for view enticement or is it a mistake? Anyway "3D 11H 59m 40s" is impressive, now is there another nut out there willing to try and top it??? Lol...

[@AndrewBEntz]

strathack33 i just didn't know how to create thumbnails at the time. should probably change that if i can

[@lukebergan6160]

Were you chewing tobacco?

[@1OTDM]

How do these times get recorded/verified?

[@AndrewBEntz]

you can use a gps like a spot tracker, and then you report the times on fastestknowntimes.com

[@JStompinado]

John Zahorian??? I thought that dude fell off a cliff. Why does he keep popping up??? I thought a bear ate that dude.

[@jamesbadham228]

So funny, the two women outside the store looked at you like, "Who's this homeless guy with socks and no shoes? Is he dangerous? He's so dirty. And limping. Can hardly walk." They probably thought you were the least trail-ready person in the park.

[@matthewmorrison5529]

Yo dude -- this is rad. I'm entertaining the idea of trying to rip 'er in 3 days this year. Have some questions for you, if you have a few mins to exchange an email or two that would be aweosme-- mcharlesmorrison AT berkeley DOT edu Cheers man, Matt

[@patrickward7671]

Why,

[@themourningdove7208]

😆😅😂🤣

[@ImTheDudeMan471]

Backpacking has always been about how fast you can go. All backpacking should be raced on trail. If I see another person on the trail, my thought is to be faster than they are. Slow is for suckers, suckers!

[@AndrewBEntz]

speaking my language

[@skibusch1]

Did you even enjoy it? Or was it just like running a marathon in the mountains?

[@sshattuck311]

your little boy beard is so funny

[@AndrewBEntz]

we cant all be you

[@jasonsoutthere7733]

Screw trendy ass beards.

[@ArbitraryLifestyle]

The Denver cookie cutter look!

[@scampie3824]

Why though? I always thought places like these were meant to be enjoyed, not rushed through.

[@tommohren9488]

dont get it...why speeding through the beauty of nature like a robot...oh man sad

[@peteconrad9842]

This is bs...

[@johnanderson8096]

did not watch this video... wish these ego driven idiots would stick to a track...

[@jackgilbert2873]

lol. sick comment bro