SEATTLE —A hiker completed the 2,655-mile Pacific Crest Trail Thursday night at the Canadian border in Washington, finishing in less than 60 days and claiming a speed record.
Supporters of Josh Garret say he averaged nearly 45 miles a day on the hike through deserts and mountains (“Vegan hiker takes on Pacific Crest Trail for animals,” June 26, Daily Press). He left June 10 from the border with Mexico.
The 30-year-old track coach at Santa Monica College is a vegan who used his hike to raise awareness and funds for Mercy For Animals, which works to prevent cruelty to farm animals.
No agency formally tracks trail records, but Jack Haskel of the Sacramento-based Pacific Crest Trail Association told The Seattle Times he has no reason to doubt the accomplishment.
On Wednesday, Heather “Anish” Anderson of Bellingham finished the hike in 61 days.
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