The Allegheny 100 Hiking Challenge (A-100), an endurance challenge met through unsupported hiking, was held last weekend.
The event — not a race — but an individual challenge of stamina, determination and resilience covers a 100-mile stretch of the North Country National Scenic Trail in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) from Willow Bay in the north to Rt 66 south of Marienville. Hikers climb over rolling hills, cross ridgelines and pass through many beautiful stream valleys.
The A-100 challenges hikers to traverse 100 miles, 75 miles, 50 miles or 25 miles in a fifty hour time period starting Friday evening at 6 p.m. and finishing by 8 p.m. on Sunday. The event is hosted by the ANF Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. The ANF Chapter is a volunteer organization responsible for maintaining the 100 miles of the NCT that passes through the ANF.
Beautiful weather was present for the weekend, but the high amount of rain throughout May and into June caused the trail to be muddy, slowing down the hikers. This year, 140 hikers started at Willow Bay. Only seventeen hikers of 64 registered for the 100 miles completed that distance, which is the usual percentage for completing the challenge. Of the 17 that attempted the 75 miles, just four completed.
The fifty mile mark welcomed 72 completers with hamburgers and cold drinks. Only 50 hikers registered for this distance, but many that attempted the 100 or 75 miles ended their hike here due to injury or fatigue. Finally, 18 hikers finished 25 miles.
This event draws in people from all over the country, including as far west as California and Washington, south from Florida and Alabama and east from Connecticut and Maryland. This year there was also a large contingent of nine hikers from Michigan.
The money raised by the A-100 is put back into the trail, providing means to build bridges and buy equipment and supplies.
The North Country National Scenic Trail is America’s longest National Scenic Trail, stretching over 4600 miles from Vermont to North Dakota, linking 8 states, 10 National Forests and over 150 public lands. The NCT provides year round recreation as it traverses America’s north country. It is built and maintained primarily by the hard work of volunteers. Anyone interested in helping with trail projects or linking up with other hikers can contact the ANF chapter at anf@northcountrytrail.org or check out our website at https://northcountrytrail.org/anf/ or our Allegheny National Forest Chapter NCTA facebook page.
