Pemigewasset Loop, White Mountains, NH

Ben Nephew & Kevin Tilton hold the FKT for the Pemi, 7h04m47s, set Sept. 4, 2009.

The Pemigewasset Loop is a rugged 31-mile route in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It has become a popular backpacking route, as well as a tough 1-day challenge. This page has detailed information about the route.

Ryan Welts scorched the route in 7h05m32s on August 9, 2009. He had support on Mt. Lafayette and had made a food drop at Galehead Hut the day before. Slightly more information is available at this thread.

Less than a month later, on September 4, 2009, Ben Nephew (9 time Escarpment Trail winner) and Kevin Tilton ran the Pemi in a new FKT of 7h04m47s, taking just 45 seconds off of Welts' record! Their report with splits is here.

As best I can tell, prior to Welts the FKT for the Pemi Loop was held by Alex Kahl, at "about 7h25m" in (August?) 2005. Charles Dona reported doing 7h26m31s in September 2008, which seems to be close enough to "about 7h25m" to be considered a tie.

While not the FKT, a detailed report (with splits) of a fast (8h14m14s) Pemi Loop by Kevin Tilton July 4, 2005, gives an idea of what is involved in running the Pemi.

"Is someone chasing you or are you doing this for fun?" -- Kevin Tilton