Sheltowee Trace Supported FKT Attempt (Fastest Known Time)

For my third FKT attempt on the Sheltowee I decided to go supported, with Leonidas and Michael Stutzman as my crew, in hopes of setting the overall fastest known time. My plan was to break the six day barrier but remnants of Hurricane Nicole had other plans.
I really enjoyed trying the supported style, it was a lot more work ahead of time but once on trail my crew was able to take care of everything for me which allowed me to concentrate on getting down the trail as fast as possible.
Other volunteers that were line up to help crew were self supported fkt holder Ricky Vandegrift, end to enders Jordan Byrnes, Steven Caudil and Brandon Black and from Tennessee, Nathan Dale.
Here are a few other videos I mentioned:
Zaleski State Forest with Michael:
• Zaleski State Forest -...
Supported FKT with Michael:
• What Have I Gotten Mys...
My previous Unsupported Sheltowee Trace FKT series:
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 ...

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Bummed to not see you reach your goal, Jason. I think you made a very wise and selfless choice to call it, knowing that you have a crew to look out for with this style of FKT. I know you can return and beat the record in the future, if that’s what you decide to do. Proud of you, man!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Sam, it was tough mostly because of my ankle ruining my opportunity for perfect weather the week prior and if I would have postponed again I would not have had a crew available. I know it was all part of His plan but it's still difficult.

[@SinchuwusOutside]

Another great adventure! You're a good man Jason! Sucks you weren't able to finish, however, you kept yourself and your crew in mind with that kind of weather moving in. You made the right decision! The world needs more people like you. Great job! Thanks for sharing. -dave

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Dave, I appreciate the kind words. It was a tough call to make, and going supported doesn't afford a person much flexibility to make it up or change the date that's for sure!

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Man 65 mile day!! That’s amazing. My biggest day has been 41 and I was wiped out. Great to follow along and like you said you definitely learn from each experience. You’ll conquer it next time!

[@jasonwish-]

I really wanted to push myself on this one and try to do 60+ each day but I guess it was not part of His plan for me at this time. It's still very hard for to accept what happen after putting over 1000 miles of training in, over $2000 worth of gear and food, countless hours of planning, many pages of spreadsheets and nearly a dozen crew and volunteers coordintated to help out. Probably don't have it in me to go through that again! Thanks AJ! Btw, 41 miles is a huge day, I don't care who you are, nice work!

[@michaelstutzman27]

You are a class act Jason! It’s always a pleasure to get to adventure with you man. When you change your mind and decide on another supported FKT attempt…sign me up for support!😅

[@jasonwish-]

The feeling I had seeing you come up the trail to meet me was amazing, so glad you were able to help pace and mule for me, it was much appreciated and an experience I will never forget...even if it was only for two days!! Looking forward to helping you on your next supported effort wherever that may be!

[@stanparker9948]

Awesome Jason. I love hiking, but I am not a trail runner. I have to say your trips are motivating and inspiring.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Stan! Trail running is a fairly new thing for me...I guess it was just the next step in my backpacking and hiking progression. I think it's a mixture of the competive drive in me and wanting to see how far and fast I can go...but I still enjoy a slow, sauntering hike from time to time!

[@unclebilloutdoors136]

Not a hiker anymore, but I love following you along. Same with the kayak trips. (I do still kayak alot though). Keep on keeping on Jason.

[@jasonwish-]

The kayak trips are so fun for me to film, I wish I had more time in the summer to do them. Thanks for following along and commenting, I really appreciate it!

[@joelcarminati7822]

The only thing we can’t predict is the weather. Glad you gave it a shot. Hopefully next time will be the one. Thanks for the video Jason

[@jasonwish-]

My original plan had me going the week prior with perfect weather but my sprained ankle wasn't ready and the following week I couldn't find help to crew me. Going supported has a lot of moving parts and not very flexible. If I ever do another will probably be self supported and unsupported... Thanks Joel!

[@freddonelson5505]

Weather can always screw things up! Glad you called it and kept everyone safe!

[@jasonwish-]

It sure can, thanks Fred!

[@stephenmasciocchi1411]

Great attempt, and the right call to stay safe. You'll get it next time!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Stephen, it was a tough call for sure after all the preperation and expense but your right, safety is more important.

[@thathikingguy]

See here’s the thing. I love watching you do this stuff and I completely respect your tenacity. The only issue I have is it makes me feel bad about myself LOL. Great job man seriously much respect.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Chris 🤣🤣🤣🤣I know what I do is not everyones cup of tea and I probably won't be able to do it competively for much longer so I guess I'll enjoy it while I can!

[@SeniorHiker77]

Very interesting to see your attempts at something I'll never get to do. Nice you had Leonidas was part of your team.

[@jasonwish-]

Most likely I won't be able to do these much longer...I'll be 50 next year and I'm sure eventually it's going to start getting tougher for me to be competitive in something like this. I was drawn to the possiblilty of holding an FKT in all three catagories on that trail, but very doubtful I'll ever go supproted again, just too many moving parts and soooo hard to line up help to crew. Leonidas did great! He's a good cook!

[@willieoakley2336]

Willie Oakley here Jason iam so proud of you you are the best trail hiker 👍👍

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Willie I appreciate that....I'll keep doing my best!

[@DMSAdventures]

Oh man! I watched ya on the backpacking podcast and have tomorrow off so I was finally able to get to a few videos. What a crazy experience. I related to Leonidas when he said he couldn't film much bc of being busy. I feel that way backpacking with the Rugged Mountain Siblings! Its usually fun work... but its still work. Flippin weather!! So rare to get something decent several days in a row. Rain is a mood killer in general. Between that and the leaf noise I don't blame you. I bet it cumulatively wears on you. Awesome attempt though with many lessons learned I'm sure.

[@jasonwish-]

Hey Mark! Glad you got to see the podcast, that was so much fun! And you are totally right about the cumulative affect of things that wore on me. This time of year it’s definitely hard to find a good stretch of weather and the older I get the less I can tolerate extended periods of cold and rain. But it was still a good experience and I certainly learned a lot about going supported, just wasn’t part of God’s plan for me this time. Thanks for the comment!

[@berniebroering7438]

Well Jason, we can't win them all when it comes to weather in the Midwest, but we did have a good end of summer! Great try, and if I were a betting man you'd do it again. Hope you are enjoying your down time with the harvest pulled in. Cheers!

[@jasonwish-]

Yeah that was some crummy weather movin in...going supported locked me into that week, next time back to self supported 😁 Been doing some traveling in the RV with my wife in North Carolina. Thanks Bernie!

[@berniebroering7438]

@@jasonwish- You're welcome. Rest, you and you're better half deserve it. Happy holidays!

[@redshepherdoutdoors7201]

Oh man that’s rough. Nichole wasn’t kind to any of us. Nothing but respect and admiration for you. I have faith the good Lord will let you conquer that trail again when the time is right.

[@jasonwish-]

Yeah, she was a mean one! If it's in the Lords plan for me to get back on that trail again I'm sure He'll open up a nice weather window for me when that time comes....hopefully I'm ready! Thanks!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Man I’m surprised you tried it with that weather coming in! Good effort!

[@jasonwish-]

Believe me, I would have loved to have done it a week earlier, but I had a sprained ankle and I was fortunate to still have my crew available when I did it but if I would’ve postponed it even one more day, I would not have had any help at the end. That’s the problem with going supported, much less flexibility, thanks, Steven!

[@jamesosborne5950]

Way to go anyway . Live to fight another day brother. Loved the video

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks James. I might still have a little fight in me 😉

[@brianogden9076]

That's no picnic hike either. Good job

[@jasonwish-]

That 65 mile day had 9,000 ft of elevation gain so you are right, it was no cake walk! It was a great experiece and maybe I'll be back for it again in the future! Thanks Brian.

[@jamesosborne5950]

When you were at cave run at the dam is where I kayak at . Awesome

[@jasonwish-]

I went through there about 1:45 pm on November 10.

[@jamesosborne5950]

I’m 35 min from morehead and 5 min by long bow boat dock on a part of cave run lake . Ky is beautiful

[@jasonwish-]

It’s always been beautiful when I go by cave run, all three times. Yes, it’s a beautiful place!

[@OldPackMule]

Dude! I thought you were done with FKT's?!?! Like a moth to a flame.

[@jasonwish-]

Hahahah! Most likely I won't be able to do these much longer...I'll be 50 next year and it's going to start getting tougher for me to be competitive in FKT's. The main reason I decided on this one was the possiblilty of holding an FKT in all three catagories on that trail but will probably never go supproted again, just too many moving parts and very hard to line up help to crew. The flame was hot! 😉

[@nickbates4554]

Sorry the weather didn’t cooperate with you. Glad your ankle injury didn’t keep you from the attempt.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Nick! The ankle was a little sore for the first 15-20 miles and from there on I never noticed it again, it was incredible! Hopefully next time I get a good weather window.

[@TheBane1979]

Dude, those miles are insane. If you get the chance, check out “highly branched cyclic dextrin” it’s pure carbs, and it broken down and absorbed crazy fast. It’s a powder, completely dissolves in water. It has no flavor, and it’s increases your glycemic index crazy fast. For these sort of hauls like you’re doing, when you’re Crashing, this would get you right back up. Might try it on a normal day.

[@jasonwish-]

I’ve used it before so I’m familiar. On this attempt I chose to just go with Tailwind for my liquid fuel and other real food that I enjoy during ultra races. I will take a little with me next time but in the past I never stop to take the time to pour it in my water and mix it. All those little stops throughout the day really add up.

[@TheBane1979]

@@jasonwish- if you’re doing this assisted it’s something you could have waiting for you. You could use it to wash down what ever you’re actually eating. Might help get ya where ya need to be while you process the food. I’ll be watching for your next attempt!

[@rosesmith6208]

bummer, did not get to reach your goal, maybe next time, its never over until it is over, I could never do what your doing my body is to broken down and defective to even consider hiking a long trail let alone doing so in a certain time. forget that.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Rose, I know that doing these isn't for everyone and I probably don't have too many more years in me to attempt these, I'll be 50 next year. But I still feel so young and strong so might as well haha. Nothing wrong with a slow sauntering strolll in the woods though!