Exploring Appalachian Trail History and Endurance Records with Warren Doyle

This conversation with Warren Doyle might need a bit of context if you’re not well-versed in the long-distance thru-hiking scene in North America. Warren is a prominent figure in the Appalachian Trail community. While there's some debate about the exact beginning of the modern fastest known time (FKT) scene on the AT, Warren's impressive 1973 record of 66 days and change is widely considered a significant milestone. Warren’s contributions to the trail are extensive. Over a 45-year period, he led eight large-group “circle” expeditions with near 100% completion rates. He founded the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association and established the Appalachian Trail Institute, which has helped thousands of hikers achieve their thru-hiking goals. He has also played a key role in preparing notable figures like Jenn Pharr Davis and Liz Derstine for record-setting endurance attempts, and has advised many other prominent endurance athletes, including Karel Sabbe. I’m excited to have Warren on the show for several reasons. First and foremost, my deep love for the AT and my ongoing quest to understand its history. Warren has been a central figure in shaping the trail’s scene over the past 40 to 50 years. In our conversation, we’ll explore topics like the nature of endurance records on long trails, the purpose of the AT, social change, the impact of the outdoor industry on thru-hiking culture, the relationship between government and nature, and much more. Regardless of your familiarity with the scene, I think you’ll find this episode engaging. Warren is a vibrant and generous conversationalist, and I’m sure you’ll gain a lot from our discussion. Timestamps: 02:00 Introduction and Backlash on the AT 10:34 The Commercialization of the Outdoor Industry 17:48 The Relationship Between the Trail and the Government 25:22 The Importance of Substantive Conversations on the Trail 40:10 Regulations and Policing of Mount Katahdin 44:39 The Amateur Aspect of Endurance Hiking 47:26 The Role of Support Crews in Endurance Record Attempts 01:03:36 Challenges of Reintegrating into Society after the AT 01:11:54 Embracing a Wilderness State of Mind 01:17:04 Supporting Dreams and Moving Forward 01:24:05 The Role of a Social Change Educator 01:31:55 Concerns about the Future of the Appalachian Trail Sponsors: Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase. Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order. Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order. deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order. Additional Links: Warren's Website , Outside Feature Support the show