Nick Fowler Decimates Fastest Known Time on the Arizona Trail

Nick Fowler, a seasoned long-distance hiker with a track record of impressive accomplishments, has achieved another landmark in his career: he has just smashed the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the Arizona Trail, covering the 800-mile trail from Mexico to Utah in 12 days, 17 hours, and 33 minutes. With this, he breaks both the self-supported and supported FKT records, setting a new bar for one of the nation’s toughest trails.

Nick Fowler posts to Instagram to announce the completion of the trail. Photo via Nick Fowler.

Fowler is no stranger to extreme hiking challenges. In 2023, he set a self-supported FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail, hiking 2,650 miles in a remarkable 52 days despite facing Tropical Storm Hilary as he passed through the Sierra. He has also set FKTs on the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) and completed the rugged Hayduke Trail. His ability to push limits in demanding environments has made him quite respected in the thru-hiking community.

Nick Fowler at the Southern Terminus of the PCT. Photo via Nick Fowler.

Setting the Arizona Trail FKT

The Arizona Trail — known for its punishing desert stretches, steep climbs, and remote wilderness — is a feat of endurance that tests hikers of any pace. Connecting deserts, forests, and mountain ranges, the AZT is 800 miles of relentless terrain that takes most thru-hikers around 40 to 50 days to complete. Fowler managed to finish the entire trail in less than 13 days, averaging over 60 miles per day. On one of his final days, he clocked an astonishing 64 miles, gaining and descending over 10,000 feet in a single push — along with four bonus miles.

Most hikers complete the Arizona Trail in 6 to 8 weeks. Photo via J. Taylor Bell.

The previous supported FKT for the Arizona Trail was set by Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy in 2021, who completed it in 13 days, 3 hours, and 21 minutes. Josh Perry’s self-supported FKT of 14 days, 12 hours, and 21 minutes was set in 2019. By breaking both records — the supported record by almost nine hours — Fowler demonstrates an unmatched level of endurance and mental resilience.

Hiking Style and Philosophy

Fowler approaches hiking with a unique philosophy that prioritizes joy, beauty, and acceptance of the experience. Rather than fixating on hardships, he has an ability to conveniently forget or gloss over the suck, a mindset that has helped him face both the highs and lows of such speedy thru-hiking. For Fowler, the journey is as important as the destination. His positivity and appreciation for the natural world show in his storytelling and his interactions with the hiking community.

Fowler’s approach to the AZT FKT was no different. With sometimes just 3-4 hours of sleep per night, he continued to push his limits, tackling everything from grueling desert heat to steep mountain climbs. He attributes his mental resilience to his ability to find joy in the struggle and beauty along the way.

A Hiker, Author, and Speaker

In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Fowler is an author and public speaker. His book, Itch: A Pacific Northwest Trail Story, captures his experiences on the PNT, detailing the thrills and challenges of long-distance hiking. Fowler also regularly shares his insights and stories with audiences, inspiring others to connect with the outdoors and embrace adventure.

A Landmark Year for the Arizona Trail

Fowler’s new record on the AZT marks the second major FKT milestone on the trail this year. Earlier, Heather “Anish” Anderson set the unsupported FKT on the AZT, completing it in just over 24 days. Anderson’s achievement was particularly remarkable as she carried all her food from the start and did not resupply— one of the few to ever complete the Arizona Trail completely unsupported.

Heather “Anish” Anderson also holds the fastest known unsupported time for any human to complete the Washington portion of the PCT.

With these new records set by Fowler and Anderson, 2024 has become a banner year for the Arizona Trail. These two athletes have pushed the limits of what’s possible one one of America’s most scenic trails. And — not to count chickens before they hatch — but Georgia Porter is currently on pace to beat the current women’s supported FKT with just under 250 miles left to go.

In finishing the Arizona Trail with unmatched speed, Nick Fowler has raised the bar for future hikers and cemented his place among the elite in thru-hiking. His accomplishment speaks to the strength of the human spirit, reminding us all of the joy that can be found in facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Featured image via Nick Fowler.