This week we sat down with Nancy East and Chris Ford, the new and current FKT record holders for the 900 Map in the Smoky Mountains.Their record is 29 days and 10 hours. Nancy East has been an avid hiker and backpacker for over 25 years. She has completed three 900-miler maps of the Smokies, and she and her friend Chris Ford achieved a fastest known time (FKT) record during the last Smokies-900 map. and has thru hikes of the Tahoe Rim Trail, the Wonderland Trail, Tour du Mont Blanc and many regional trails. Nancy is also a member of Haywood County's Search and Rescue Team, is on the founding board for the WNC Wilderness Safety Fund, and is a semi-retired small animal veterinarian.
She spends a substantial amount of time these days advocating for and teaching hikers and backpackers how to stay “safe and found.” She creates resources for this outdoor education effort on her blog, Hope and Feather Travels.
Chris served 22 years on active duty with the US Air Force before retiring in 2007. He transitioned to the private sector working full-time for several years in the defense industry, and today, he continues to work as a senior consultant. Slowing down the work schedule allowed Chris to spend more time doing the things he loves and to figure out the house husband gig! After 34 years of marriage, Jamie continues his training of the “Honey Do” list, and when Chris has his house chores somewhat caught up, his first plan usually has to do with the mountains…they keep calling, and Chris keeps going…a lot!
Since 2015, Chris has hiked 8,000+ miles completing thru hikes on the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and four 900-miler maps of the Great Smoky Mountains.
This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
Get new episodes of Day Fire Podcast automatically
