Welcome back or welcome to the Single Track podcast.

I'm your host, Finn Melanson, and this conversation with Warren Doyle may require an introduction for those not as familiar with the long-distance through-hiking scene here in North America.

Warren is a well-known figurehead on the Appalachian Trail scene in particular.

You know, while we can debate when the modern FKT scene on this route

began exactly, Warren, in my opinion, kicked off the modern era of these efforts with a then-fastest-known

time of the trail in 1973 in 66 days and change. Since then, he has dedicated his life's work

to the trail. For example, over a 45-year stretch,

he guided eight large group Circle Expedition Through Hikes, which achieved near 100% completion

rates. He founded the Appalachian Trail Long Distance Hikers Association, sometimes called Alda.

He created the Appalachian Trail Institute, which has helped

thousands of people fulfill their through hiking dreams, and even prepare notable figures like

Jen Farr Davis and Liz Durstein for record-setting endurance attempts on the trail. He's also served as

an advisor to many more notable endurance athletes, including Karel Sabay for their efforts on the AT.

And yeah, I mean, I wanted to have Warren on the show for many reasons, perhaps primarily because

I love the AT and I am constantly trying to understand and grasp the history of it.

And because Warren has been such a centralized figure of how this scene has materialized in the last 40 to 50 years, I just figured we had to get it done.

And this was a really exciting one for me.

You know, in this conversation, we talk about the nature of endurance records on long trails, the purpose of the AT, making social change, the role of the outdoor industry influencing

through hiking culture, the relationship between government and the natural world, and way more.

Anyways, I know this is a bit of a long intro. Usually I don't do intros, but I figured all of it

was warranted. I think you will enjoy it regardless of your interest in this particular scene.

Warren is such a lively guest and generous conversationalist that I think you're going to take many things from it.

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