Adventurers, fast hikers, and ultra runners all have at least one thing in common; the desire to constantly push their bodies and minds to new limits. From Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s historic ascent up Mount Everest in 1953, to Joe McConaughy’s recent record-breaking 59 day fast hike of the Pacific Coast Trail, their feats are the stuff of legends.
Their ability to endure pain, conquer fear and persevere through adversity never ceases to inspire and amaze me. For me, their stories are a source of motivation, reminding me to continue pushing harder and challenging myself in new ways, and in all aspects of my life.
Today, I came across the story of Luke Distelhorst and Ben Mayberry, who on July 27, 2015 completed a 107 mile hike around Glacier Peak in 35 hours flat.
To most people, this is an unimaginable feat. To Luke and Ben, it was an opportunity to have fun.
There were no other competitors, no water stations handing out snacks and cups of cold Gatorade, and there was no trophy or prize money awaiting them at the finish line. They simply wanted to accomplish a goal, push their personal limits, and take in some unbelievable scenery along the way.
Remarkably, they finished the 35 hour trek with smiles on their faces. My guess is they had another 12 hours left in them.
If you’re interested in reading more about Luke and Ben’s amazing journey, head on over to Luke’s blog Seeking Ultra and check out the trip report.
And if you want to get the full story, see some really cool photos and hear about the planning and preparation they did, check out this interview Luke did with the Washington Trails Association.
*Photo attribution: Glacier Peak photo shared by brewbooks under a Creative Commons ( BY-SA ) license
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Now, Getgo Outdoors!
Robb Keele
Latest posts by Robb Keele (see all)
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