THE FINALE! Ep. 7 SHELTOWEE TRACE Thru-Hike / Quest for the FKT TRILOGY

Episode 7 of my attempt to set the overall Fastest Known Time in under six days on the 341 mile Sheltowee Trace.
This is where it all began for me, by setting my first FKT in 2019 going Self-Supported and the first ever Unsupported FKT in 2021. I just missed setting the overall by 5 hours and I was unable to shake the thought of possibly coming back one day to attempt to set the new overall fastest time.
At that same time, it also occurred to me that if I did come back one more time, I would try to go supported with a crew and complete the trifecta of FKT’s on the Trace, with having held an FKT in each of the three categories. I attempted to accomplish this in 2021 but fell short at 1/3 of the way through due to poor weather. Will my fourth and final attempt be successful?
On this attempt I carried my Garmin Inreach mini and wore a Corus Apex watch for verification. For shoes I wore mostly the Altra Olympus 4.0’s, but also Topo Ultraventure 2's and Topo Pursuit's with Darn Tough socks and Dirty Girl Gators. My trekking poles were Fizan Compact 3 aluminum poles. My running vest was a Salomon ADV Skin 5.
Part 1: • Ep.1 SHELTOWEE TRACE T...
Part 2: • Ep. 2 SHELTOWEE TRACE ...
Part 3: • Ep. 3 SHELTOWEE TRACE ...
Part 4: • Ep. 4 SHELTOWEE TRACE ...
Part 5: • Ep. 5 SHELTOWEE TRACE ...
Part 5: • Ep. 6 SHELTOWEE TRACE ...
Part 6: • Ep. 6 SHELTOWEE TRACE ...
Previous FKT's on the Sheltowee Trace:
2019 Self-Supported attempt part 1: • Sheltowee Trace 2019 N...
2021 Unsupported attempt part 1: • Sheltowee Trace Thru-H...
2022 failed Supported attempt: • Sheltowee Trace Suppor...
Full length documentary of 2021 Unsupported attempt: • Sheltowee Trace Thru-H...
00:00-01:37 Intro
01:37-6:04 Divide Rd. to Charit Creek Lodge
06:04-12:02 Bandy Creek to Leatherwood Ford
12:02-15:05 O&W Bridge to Honey Creek Loop Rd.
15:05-16:52 Only three miles left!
16:52-20:37 Some personal reflection of this journey
20:37-21:50 Guest from Dayton Ohio came to see me finish!
21:50-22:38 Will I celebrate with a bottle of bubbly or something else?
22:38-24:15 THE FINISH!
24:15-26:13 Officially made it to the Burnt Mill Bridge!
26:13-28:12 Champaign!
28:12-35:11 Thanking God, my wife, my crew and closing comments
35:11-36:01 What's for dinner and our Airbnb
36:11-36:25 Comming home
36:11-37:47 Jordan's slow mo champaign uncorking and THE CREW MONTAGE

[@kellyohara806]

My husband and I were rejoicing and cheering as you exited the woods. We have watched all 3 FKTs on the Sheltowee, the Susquehannock, plus your other adventures. You are inspiring. Also, your crew was amazing. The sacrifice they gave as they supported you reveals the depth of these friendships, even new friendships. My hat is off to all they did as well. Congratulations to all of you!!

[@jasonwish-]

That just put a huge smile on my face! Thank you so much for for following my adventures on KZbin, I greatly appreciate it! I am truly blessed to have such great friends in my life!

[@deathclock9]

Steve here, I'm so glad you were able to realize your dream! I'm also honored that Chuck and I could share this moment with you and your crew. I am very suprised that you didn't have at least a couple more people show up, as I saw many of the big ST enthusiasts interacting with you online during your journey. Regardless, you must know that you're a huge inspiration to many people, even those who stay silent. Although I understand why this chapter of your life must come to a close, I can't help but notice how much you were breezing through the last two days compared to the beginning and middle. I think you got it completely dialed in at that point and if you were to try one more time, I can see you shattering THIS record as well.

[@jasonwish-]

Hey Steve! I’m still blown away that you and Chuck came down to watch me finish. It was such an honor to have subscribers of my channel show up like that…so humbling! Knowing that so many people have been inspired through my videos really keeps me motivated to continue filming my adventures and FKTs. Even though I won’t be competing for another speed record on the Sheltowee I’m sure there will be others in the future. Again, thank you so much for coming down to watch me finish and I hope you have a great year of hiking ahead!

[@colonel1979ab]

Great meeting you both!!!

[@stanparker9948]

Congratulations Jason. I watched all 7 videos and enjoyed everyone. I thought it was awesome the way your friends supported you and of course it was wonderful when two of your fans showed up for the finish. Again congratulations and I look forward to your hike this February on the Palmetto trail

[@jasonwish-]

I appreciate that very much and thanks for watching the entire series! I was blown away that those guys came from Dayton to see the finish! Can't wait to get back on the Palmetto Trail in early February! I'm actually considering coming down this week to knock out a few of the road sections that I skipped but not sure I want to drive it twice in a six week period, lol

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Man…I had such a smile watching this conclude. It’s been amazing watching your channel grow from its early days to where you’re at today. I really appreciate you speaking about your faith and giving thanks to God, wife, and friends. Really appreciate you sharing your journey and looking forward to what your 50s bring.

[@jasonwish-]

I am very thankful to have loyal youtube friends like you AJ....I still can't believe we haven't ever gotten together for a trip yet, maybe that will happen in 2024! The Lord is faithful and He has blessed me in so many ways and I will alway keep my eyes focused on Him! Currently have 10 videos in the hopper to keep me busy editing this winter and can't wait to share them! Hope your new year is a blessed one my friend!

[@willieoakley2336]

Jason it's Willie please don't forget you have a lot of subscribers to your KZbin channel who will follow you no matter what trail you're hiking 🥾 on like I said in other comments you are a winner 🏆 God bless you we will be watching for new videos from you

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks for being such a loyal supporter of my channel Willie! Currently working on a good ol' fashioned backpacking trip video filmed back in November....nice change from the FKT stuff. Happy New Year!

[@anthony_privett]

Congratulations on your FKT. Your determination is an inspiration to us all. Thanks for sharing your journey with us all.

[@jasonwish-]

Thank you Anthony I appreciate the kind words! Always happy to share my journeys and hopefully I can continue to inspire people in 2024!

[@SinchuwusOutside]

CONGRATULATIONS JASON!!! Great job and way to represent Ohio!!! Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us. -dave

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks so much Dave, I really appreciat that and happy to share it with you all! Glad to bring this one back to Ohio! Hopefully it will stick for a year or two!

[@PatRiot-le7rd]

Congratulations on another FKT, Mr. Wish, and well done, gentlemen!

[@jasonwish-]

Thank you for watching and for the congrats, I really apprciate it!

[@joelcarminati7822]

Awesome job Jason. Proud of you buddy! I knew you could do it. Video’s were awesome. Cold weekend outside here. Perfect to watch all 7 videos. Nice to see the colonel !!

[@jasonwish-]

Hey Joel, thanks for watching all those long videos...glad you enjoyed them! I have several adventures with the Colonel in the works...hopefully he can make more appearances in 2024! Hope you are having a great start to 2024!

[@bethballein3073]

Wonderful! Amazing accomplishment! Great team support!!🎉

[@jasonwish-]

Thank you so much! I'm very fortunate and blessed to have such great friends! Happy New Year!

[@stevebednarchik9390]

Congrats on such an accomplishment. So fun to follow along. What an inspiring set of videos. Glad to have found your channel. I’m in the green industry and chase miles as well. Here’s to 2024🎉

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks so much Steve! Keep on crushin it in 2024!

[@thomasc7332]

The beginning was awesome how you recapped each day. Great cinematography there and throughout. Congrats.

[@jasonwish-]

So glad to hear that you enjoyed it, that gives me a lot of satisfaction after putting a ton of effort in on the edit! Happy New Year!

[@thomasc7332]

@jasonwish- It could just be on my end but wanted to let you know. Some of the words at the end were off my screen.

[@jasonwish-]

@@thomasc7332 Hmmm, I've watched it on my TV with my family and on my computer and never noticed anything like that....were you watching on a smart phone?

[@thomasc7332]

@jasonwish- It must just be on my end. I am on an android phone that is several years old. Just pulled it up on my laptop, and it is perfect.

[@jasonwish-]

@@thomasc7332 thanks for checking!

[@user-vl4sq8uq3p]

And now he is one year older, Happy birthday!

[@jasonwish-]

Ha! And one year wiser....hopefully, lol!

[@haroldsams-hs]

very impressive! I have no doubt that was very difficult. your support team/friends were awesome as well, Congratulations on the FKT and Thanks for documenting it so we could be part of your journey! Happy New Year!! looking forward to your next adventure!!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks for coming along with us on this journey! It continues to be rewarding for me even after all these weeks later by reliving it through the videos...glad you enjoyed it too! Onward to 2024! Happy New Year Harold!

[@Maxspeed1998]

Great series Jason, what an accomplishment!

[@jasonwish-]

I really appreciate loyal supporters of my channel like you Tom, thank you so much! Looking forward to sharing more of my adventures in 2024, Happy New Year!

[@LeonidasontheTrail]

I got pretty emotional watching this and reliving that last push, but you know what? I’d do it all again!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks brother! It doesn’t matter whether you’re competing or crewing, after a week long journey like ours, it’s about impossible to not get emotional at some point. Lots of great memories were made and a record was set all thanks to great crewing! But I’m not sure if I could do it all over again 😂

[@jasonwish-]

And thanks so much for all the great video footage! It definitely added to the story!

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

Even though I knew you got it, it is still cool to watch it actually happen! Congrats Jason this is quite the accomplishment. Now you need to try the FKT on the Pine Mountain Trail!

[@jasonwish-]

Hey Chris, I appreciate you still watching all those videos even though the outcome was already known. Your comment made me look up the PMT FKT and there is currently not one on it! There has been a route submitted that is 85 miles with 13,000 ft of gain, with is identical to the Susquehannock Trail in PA. The route that has been submitted goes from downtown Harlan througth Breaks to the TH in Elkhorn City. I didn't realize it was this long, I only did a 40 mile section, may have to check it out...you have my wheels in my head turning a little, lol!!

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

@@jasonwish- it’s a tough trail, but I think it’s much better marked now than your last trip! Come on down! PMT needs the recognition! I would be willing to help out any way I can!

[@danaphillips5622]

Epic achievement! Congratulations! 🎉

[@jasonwish-]

Thank you, I greatly appreciate that!

[@buckman840]

Wow! Congrats! What a feat and an awesome support crew!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks! No way I could have done it without them, nor would I want to! Thanks for watching!

[@DMSAdventures]

Faaaantastic Mr. Wish! We all watched your finale together so I appreciate you giving glory to God and acknowledging His presence on your hike. I hope that record hangs around for a long time to come. That was super cool those dudes came down to see you finish. What a feeling! Would you say that you've recovered? Happy New Year to you and hope you have an exciting itinerary of adventures planned for 2024!

[@jasonwish-]

Hey Mark, that is awesome that you guys all watched together, thanks! Without Him leading the way and being my strength and my rock, I never would have finished....He knew exactly was I was able to bear, and I was certainly tested! To Him goes all the honor and glory. I am finally 100% recovered, it took about 8-9 weeks, but during the recovery I lost quite a bit of fitness and gained nearly 15 lbs, which for a skinny fellow is a lot, lol. Trying my best to maintain what I have left and will start preparing for my first 50K Ultra in my new age group coming in just 15 weeks on April 27. Currently have 10 videos in the hopper to keep me busy editing this winter with several more big adventures coming soon, one being the Palmetto Trail in early Feb! Hope you and your family have a blessed new year!

[@DerrickHikes]

Great video! You are an absolute trooper!

[@jasonwish-]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Congrats, Jason!! So glad you were able to accomplish your goal. Now, I hope to never see you on the Sheltowee again after all those miles on the Trace! 😅😉 Happy New Year and happy belated birthday!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks, Samuel! You’ll probably see me back on the trace at some point just not doing an FKT lol. Hopefully we can get together again for a fun hike in 2024, have a blessed new year!

[@cgriggsiv]

Congratulations On your FKT Now go get yourself a lot of rest And happy New Year to you and your friends and your family

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks CG! I'm all rested up and ready to take on 2024! Happy New Year!

[@darkwingdork6195]

Congratulations, sir!🎉🎉🎉

[@jasonwish-]

Thans you, I appreciate you taking the time to come along with us, Happy New Year!

[@darkwingdork6195]

@@jasonwish- You are most welcome, sir. I appreciate you taking the time to film your adventures so we can come along, entertaining and inspiring as always. Following the live streams on this round was a lot of fun too. Happy new year to you as well!

[@darkwingdork6195]

@@jasonwish- You are most welcome, sir. I appreciate you taking the time to film your adventures so we can come along, entertaining and inspiring as always. Following the live streams on this round was a lot of fun too. Happy new year to you as well!

[@Brolosolo80]

Congratulations🎉

[@jasonwish-]

Thank you for watching and commenting, I appreciate it!