Some people like to go for stroll on a Sunday after dinner or maybe walk the dog after work. Some people, myself included, are a little more serious about their walking. I am happiest in the Brecon Beacon mountains around my home in South Wales. I try to get into the hills at least once or twice a month.
But then some peoples walking habits are sheer lunacy.
A few months ago, I heard a podcast about Matt Hazley, a young hod carrier from Essex who one day decided to walk almost 8000 miles across the US in one year. He did it and decided on a new career as an extreme endurance hiker.
This summer, Matt is planning to hike the Appalachian Trail in the US, from Maine to Georgia – 2175 miles, 250 mountains and 100 miles of elevation (yes, 100 miles!) in just 40 days – that is a week quicker than the current record help by ultra runner, Andrew Thompson.
I tracked Matt down, gave him a ring and before long S8080 was building him a website supporting his record breaking attempt and help raise money for his chosen charity, steps.
Do the sums… 2175 miles divided by 40 days equals 54 miles a day. How will he do this?
Over to Matt… “I plan on sticking to a routine that my body can maintain for the 40 days. I aim to start at 3 or 4 am each morning and hike for 18 hours each day. Without a pack I can maintain 4mph as an average. The question will be for how many days I can keep it up! I can only answer this question by trying 100%”.
Matt will be starting his attempt this summer when most of the snow has cleared. We will be publishing Matt’s trail diary live on his new site www.matthazley.com so please take a look and support this young British hero on his quest and maybe even donate a few pounds to steps, a charity that helps families, children and individuals with lower limb conditions.
… and if you think this is a little crazy, wait until you see what he has planned for 2008!
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