Quehanna Trail | 73 Mile Overnight Solo Backpacking in Pennsylvania | Unsupported FKT
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- Join me for one night and two days of ultralight backpacking on the beautiful Quehanna Trail!
The Quehanna trail, in North Central PA, begins at Parker Dam State Park and forms a loop through Moshannon and Elk State Forest. The terrain varies quite a bit and at times is very rugged, with over 8,000 ft. of elevation gain and lots of rocks….do not take this trail lightly! There are many beautiful creeks, streams and rivers along its path as well as some amazing camping options. The constant changing scenery is one of the things I loved most about this trail.
Other trails nearby include the Susquehannock, Black Forest and Allegheny Front, all on my bucket list, and when I found out the Quehanna had never had an FKT established on it I figured I would see what kind of time I could put down. Day one went well, but some unforeseen circumstances on day two nearly spelled disaster for me!
Day 1 - 42 miles
Day 2 - 31 miles
Total Time on trail:
1 day, 10 hours, 40 minutes (34 hrs. 40 min.)
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That is truly incredible. That trail is a butt kicker. Lots of uneven trail, water crossings, rocks, steep climbing. Glad you were rewarded with the heard of elk. It's very rare to see them on trail. Well done, sir. Love the Quehanna Trail.
Definitely want to go back and enjoy it next time! It is a spectacular trail!
Dude your a beast! 👍. Also, seeing that heard of elk was pretty cool. I’m glad you slowed down to capture the moment , thanks! Stay healthy
It was so awesome to see that big bull elk! Unfortunately I am still paying the price in my left foot For beasting the trail LOL. Thanks Alex!
Overnight the Quehanna Trail? Amazing. I'll be doing it soon and plan on 4 nights at least.
It would definitely be more enjoyable at that pace... I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment. Next week I will be on the 84 mile Susquehanock Trail attempting to set the new speed record of 27 hours.
You are a mad man. I don’t know how you do it. Congrats bro!
I don't know how I do it either sometimes. I will be slowing it way down for now on....no more madness for me this year!
Ok. Seriously impressed by your determination and attitude on this trip. Just phenomenal. I love backpacking, but I couldn’t or wouldn’t do 40+ miles in a day. Haha. Great work my man. Cheers.
I'm not sure I could do it without keeping a good attitude....staying positive can get you a long way down the trail 😁 My 40 mile days are done for a while, going back to 15-25's and enjoy them a little more!
Never knew that trail was even there. It's only about 90 minutes from my camp in Potter county. You gotta bring the colonel out and we'll float the West Branch Susquehanna from Clearfield to Lock Haven. About 100 mile trip in some of the most remote area of PA. That trip is definitely on my son & I wish list...hopefully this summer.
That sounds awesome, I will run it by the Colonel sometime. Thanks!
@@jasonwish- I think if you put in at shawville you can make it to lock haven with no portages. I think it's a little over 90 miles.
Congrats brother!!! Looking forward to our challenge hike as soon as we come off quarantine!
Thanks Brad! I'm backing off the training for awhile and try to get this planter faciitus healed up....but you know me, hard to pass up a good challenge!
I hunted deer for a lot of years in that country. It's wild, baby! You covered a lot of miles in a short time. I used to love hearing the elk bugle up there in Octobers.
Love the PA Wilds, hope to get back to that area again soon!
I see you did another FKT
Lot of beautiful sunshine
The trails an the water everything is quite gorgeous very beautiful hike
Every PA hike I've done is amazing, thanks CG!
Awesome. Hope you and your family are safe and riding out this pandemic!
Thanks Tammy, we are doing very well...hope you and your family are doing fine too.
Good job on another great hike,almost like i was there.
Thanks Glenn, I appreciate that!
Very impressive, Jason!
Thanks Eric!
New trail name: Beast Mode! Awesome job Jason! Your camera was probably trying to fight from freezing too LOL!
Ha ha, thanks Nick.....my next hike will be sloth mode, lol.
Awesome. You've got me beat, I've done it as an overnighter in just over 38 hours. My total distance per my Garmin was 76.09 miles.
Gaia shows 74.36 miles for me. The Garmin was 73.92 miles. When did you do it? There was a small reroute a few years ago I believe. I'm dying to do another FKT but I'm out of commission right now due to planter faciitus in my left heal. Thanks Michael!
I did it in September of 2016. I had 24:25 moving time and 2:28 stopped time, per my Garmin. I had about 11 hours dowtime, for setting up camp, sleeping and breaking down camp. I wasn't aware of the reroute when I started my hike, the map wasn't updated until 2017. I've hiked the area a lot and take a diversion just past the spring that feeds down the log flumes. Also at the time, where you walked Medix Grade road the trail was routed on the side hill. It loosely followed the road, but it was atrocious. If you haven't already check out the Black Forest Trail. It's 30 miles shorter but it makes the Q seem like a cakewalk. I did it last fall and finished it in 28 hours total time. My moving time was around 16 hours, some of the hills were insane. I'm looking the do the Susquehannock Trail this summer.
yes here in Pa you encounter everything
that's what makes your trails so awesome, definitely coming back to Quehanna eventually but Black Forest is up next. Done the Susquehannock twice and the West Rim and Miinster Creek, love them all!
Crazy man, you are a beast. I did this trail in spring and 3 nights was pushing my limits doing 21-22 miles the first 3 days. I did use your gpx file from so fkt so thanks for that haha.
Thanks Derek! It was pretty brutal on me that’s for sure. I would like to go back there again someday and take my time and enjoy it. Glad you were able to use the gpx file.
Good job!
Thanks!
And why is it you do these again??!!😎😎
Loved the elk ... and grouse can scare you bad enough in the day. If it happened to me at night and he got on my head or neck, I would have filled my pants and the trip would have been done!!🤣🤣🤣
Great job, as always.
Lol 😂 !! It’s been along time since I’ve seen some elk this close to home!
Remind me not to backpack with you. I would be a wet spot on the trail. LOL
Lol! Don't worry, I'm slowing down for the rest of this year!
Congratulations! Those of us who have backpacking experience understand what an accomplishment this is. An overnight trip 70+ miles!
Thanks Daniel! It was a tough one...I will definitely be back and slow it down next time!
Another nice video Jason. I always enjoy watching and listening to your commentary. Not to sound bad, but it would have been entertaining if you had the grouse attack on video. Keep up the good work and try to stay out of those creeks.
That would have been awesome if my camera would have been running during the grouse attack 🤣🤣. Thanks Jeff!
I guess you could take a spur to Baltimore for some crabcakes.
🤣
"The wood is so thick, that for a mile at a time we could not find a place the size of a hand, where sunshine would penetrate, even on the clearest day." - Conrad Weiser, 1737
my fastest time is 122 hours, lol... This is definitely a beast of a trail, but it gives as much as it takes.
Beast of a trail is a great description...coming up out of those drafts seem to go on forever! I will definitely be going back to enjoy it slowly next time
@Jason Wish I've found clockwise is a bit better for me handling those drafts first. using either mosquito creek trail or East connecter makes a nice figure 8 adds a few miles tho.
@@jasonwish- always wandered why there is no ultra there.
@@stonedapeadventures my buddy Bob Stewart just destroyed my record last fall, he ran straight through the night and finished it in 20 hours!
@@stonedapeadventures Yeah, I think I would go CW next time.
Congrats, get in all you can. Planting time around the corner. I am a hammock guy but looking at the X-mid 1p tent. Double wall, as I fear the condensation of a single wall. Too many years of uncomfort in the woods with Uncle Sam. I was curious as to how you choose between hammock and tent for your trips.
Farming is taking priority now....lots to do! Condensation is a problem at certain times, but usually only if I sleep close to water, but normally depends on the time of year and what the humidity and dew point is I'm guessing. On my leisurely trips I always go with the hammock cause its fun and comfortable, but when I'm crushing miles and know I will be setting up in the dark I almost always choose the duplex and air pad option, which is the lighter and more compact option for me too.
@@jasonwish- Thanks for sharing your decision making. It's amazing how much time hikers put into buying gear. I like to make every dollar count. I think you just sold me on dyneema.
Great Video and nice job on accomplishing your goal bud . May I ask whats the reason for all of the FKT videos ?
Thank you! I love to take on a challenge and push myself just like an athlete does on the track or in a marathon. I still enjoy slow, leisurely backpacking trips most but lately I've had a desire to take on some speed hiking challenges and see what I was capable of doing. I will be taking a long break from it now and slowing down for relaxing trips and farming videos for awhile.
Good footage despite your effort
What Garmin are you using and why did you pick that one? Are you using any trail APPs?
I use the Garmin in-reach mini and I chose it because it's the lightest one on the market that I know of and it allows two way communication and map sharing so others can follow along. I also use Gaia. And just recently started using Strava as well when on an FKT attempt.
I don't mean this in a judgemental way but why do such a gorgeous Trail in two days to the point where you're pushing your body Beyond what's physically and mentally healthy and you can't take your time and enjoy it? Just asking cuz I really want to understand thanks
I love to challenge myself just like a marathon or an ultra runner does or like any athlete does in track or any sport really. I get a lot of fulfillment and satisfaction from completing a challenging hike and sometimes I like to see just how fast I can do it. I still enjoy a slow leisurely backpacking trip with friends from time to time. But when I’m solo I usually move pretty quick, it’s in my nature. I think FKT’s are so awesome...if I’m going to compete at something I would rather do it in a beautiful environment like the backcountry and not on a road. I hope this helps you understand a little of why I do this. I do currently hold the self supported FKT on the 333 mile Sheltowee a Trace in Kentucky and it’s one of my greatest life achievements that I will never forget, almost as good as my wedding day and the birth of my children. Take care.
@@jasonwish- thanks for explaining that's awesome that this is your competitive sport. I'm a smiles over miles backpacker so it's cool to hear a different perspective.
What did your pack weigh?
I had a base weight around 8-9 lbs. and after adding two days food, some winter clothing, fuel and water I believe it ended up being around 17 or 18 lbs. I'm actually getting ready for an FKT attempt on the Susquehannock Trail, which is nearby the Quehanna, at the end of October, and have my weight cut way down for this one...plan to tarp camp just a few hours when a nap is needed. Hope to have total weight below 12 lbs. Btw, I love your last name!
@@jasonwish- thats awesome thanks! An im actually doing the BFT this coming weekend..an im doing cowboy camping. My back way 9 an all take food an sleep bag an sleeping pad an food. An some green. Hoping my pack be no more then 20lbs.
I look forward to hearing about your trip!
An thank you! I appreciate it! Got picked on lot for it tho in school back in the day!
@@stevenquick8391 after I finish the Susquehannock I will be doing the BFT as well. Enjoy!
Music was so loud, annoying and didn't belong in NATURE.
yeah probably, this is a very old video when I didn't really know what I was doing...don't use much music anymore.