I’ve been meaning to post on this story for a couple of weeks, and it ended up getting buried in my Inbox, but considering yesterday’s story about the hiker completing the thru-hike of the Adirondacks, I think this one is appropriate as well.
Back on July 25th, two hikers, Jeni McNeal and David Adlard, who also happen to be experienced adventure racers, took on the Wonderland Trail, a 93-mile classic hike that circumnavigates Mt. Rainier in Washington state. The two ended up completing the entire route in just over 63 hours, which represents one of the fastest times ever for the trail, but is all the more impressive when you discover that approximately 10% of the route was still snowed in. For reference sake, most hikers take between 8 and 12 days to complete the Wonderland.
McNeal and Adlard carried their own gear and stopped for just a few hours of sleep along the way. They also burned more than 33,000 calories each, and drank over 50 liters of fluids along the way, while climbing and descending more than 20 peaks, with 47,000 feet of elevation gain mixed in for good measure. The rugged trail is well known for its challenges, which include multiple water crossings, rocky and uneven paths, and plenty of steep ascents.
For this dynamic duo, this was just a training exercise however, as they prepare to compete, as Team Adventure Sports Week, at the upcoming Desert Winds Expedition Adventure Race. I have no doubt that those adventure racing skills came in handy when setting that hectic pace out on the trail.
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I have always loved to go places as long as I can and I have had visited so many cool places, Despite that, I am still up for a challenge, I would still love to burn calories and gain experience.I hope this place will be the next. 🙂
Then I'm sure it will be next Caroline. If there is one thing that I've learned when it comes to adventure and travel, you simply need the desire and passion to visit a place, and you can get there.