What It's Like to Crew an Appalachian Trail Record
BY MEGAN "RASCAL" WILMARTH
40 days, 18 hours, and 6 minutes. This is the record for the fastest time anyone has completed the Appalachian Trail, and Tara Dower set it alongside her crew—collectively nicknamed Chump Change—on September 21, 2024.
As crew chief, I was in charge of the endeavor alongside Tara's mom, Debbie. And while I was just there to support Tara, the adventure was the hardest thing I have ever done. I hay have underestimated things early: Going into this attempt, I wasn’t all that intimidated by the task. I had spent six years racking up my own miles as a solo female triple crowner, and knew how it would operate. But by day three of crewing my friend through the unforgiving terrain of central Maine, I felt like quitting for the first time in my hiking career.
The extreme mental and physical toll that being a leader of this seemingly impossible feat took on my body and mind was something that I had never experienced. But seeing Tara push through every day without giving up hope gave me the strength to keep pushing myself.
To outsiders, the structure of a speed attempt may seem simple: The runner hikes 55 to 60 miles a day and the crew meets her at different trail crossings every so often until the day ends. However, that is just a simple way to explain what we did out there for 2,197.4 miles.
Between the extreme sleep deprivation and the inconsistency of the everyday logistics, it took every ounce of brain power to try and run a smooth operation. Thankfully, the hiking community surrounding the trail came together to make this attempt a success.
The most memorable lessons that I took away from this experience were to both trust in the process, as well as to have an unshakable belief that you will succeed. Never once did I lose hope in our goal or Tara, even though it took a little while to settle into my role as chief. Deep breaths, determination, and faith in the trail community and myself are how I held on during the hard times and what let me thoroughly enjoy the grand historic moments that I will cherish forever.
