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Congratulations, Andy!
On November 3rd, 2007 at approximately 3:40PM Mountain Time Andy poked his head, then body, and finally feet above the rim wall at Grandview Point, Grand Canyon. A good-sized group of people were there to greet him including family, friends, representatives from GoLite and Backpacking Light Magazine, and people who had avidly followed Andy's progress throughout his trip. It was a fantastic moment. In the next few days we will have much more to share, but for now a very heartfelt congratulations to Andrew Skurka from everyone here at BPL.
About the Trek
On April 9th Andrew Skurka began an attempt to complete the Great Western Loop, a 6,875-mile footpath over a network of five existing long-distance hiking trails as well as an unrecognized route through the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. He began from Grandview Point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with an intent to return there seven months later, after having passed through 12 National Parks and over 75 wilderness areas. The Great Western Loop highlights the cumulative magnificence of America's West, its long-distance trail system, and its National Parks, while also highlighting environmental and ecological threats to the wild lands of the West.
Learn more at Andy’s website.
Follow Along
Follow Andy's progress using the interactive map below.
Interview Podcasts
Ryan Jordan interviewed Andrew about several aspects of the Great Western Loop hike. Throughout the course of Andrew's trek Backpacking Light will release these interviews via both the Andrew Skurka Great Western Loop and Backpacking Light Magazine podcast feeds.
Subscribe to Backpacking Light Magazine podcasts via:
Podcasts are also syndicated through BackpackingLight.com's Main RSS Feed along with other online content.
 iTunes. |
 RSS. |
Subscribe to Andrew Skurka’s Great Western Loop Podcasts via:
 iTunes. |
RSS. |
Great Western Loop - Overview.Andrew Skurka is at it again: 6,875 miles of backpacking through the American West. Ryan Jordan learns what his overall plans are.
Download MP3
Companion article: The Great Western Loop, Part 1
Great Western Loop - Gear.Ryan Jordan continues his interview with Andrew Skurka about the gear he will use throughout his Great Western Loop Hike.
Download MP3
Companion article: The Great Western Loop, Part 2
Great Western Loop - PhilosophyAndrew Skurka discusses his philosophy about backpacking as well as the connections between the wilderness and the rest of the country with Ryan Jordan.
Download MP3
Companion article: The Great Western Loop, Part 3
Great Western Loop - The Loop is Closed.After seven months and 6,875 miles Andrew Skurka has completed the Great Western Loop hike. Ken Knight talks with Andy about the highs and lows, notable gear, remarkable events, and much more.
Download MP3
Companion article: The Great Western Loop, The Loop is Closed
Audio and Video Updates
From time to time Andrew is sending us audio and video postcards from his hike. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes feed. The entries are also listed here sorted newest to oldest.
Audio UpdatesNovember 2, 2007.Calling from Tusayan Museum and Ruins, AZ. October 31, 2007.Calling from somewhere on the Coconino Plateau, AZ. October 29, 2007.Calling from Flagstaff, AZ. October 25, 2007.Calling from Pine, AZ. October 18, 2007.Calling from Mammoth, AZ. October 14, 2007.Calling from Safford, AZ. October 11, 2007.Calling from Alma, NM. October 6, 2007.Calling from Pie Town, NM. October 4, 2007.Calling from Grants, NM. REPOST: October 1, 2007.—Special Thoughts.Some thoughts on major issues including global warming, the nature of wilderness, and what's next. October 1, 2007..Calling from Cuba, NM. September 25, 2007.—Mailbag.Andy talks about a torrential Colorado storm and how he dealt with it. He also answers some listener mail. September 25, 2007.Calling from Pagosa Springs, CO. September 18, 2007.Calling from Salida, CO. September 13, 2007—Mailbag.Andy answers listerens questions. Tips on fording rivers, dealing with being alone in the wild, how many breaks does Andy taken, and more... September 13, 2007.Calling from Silverthorn, CO. September 10, 2007.Calling from Grand Lake, CO. September 4, 2007.Calling from Rawlins, WY. September 1, 2007.Calling from South Pass City, WY. AUgust 27, 2007.Calling from Brooks Lakes Lodge (Dubois, WY). August 24, 2007—Part 2.Calling from Old Faithful Village, Yellowstone National Park, WY. Some general thoughts and themes. August 24, 2007—part 1.Calling from Old Faithful Village, Yellowstone National Park, WY. August 13, 2007.Calling from Anaconda, MT. August 5, 2007.Calling from Lincoln, MT. July 31, 2007.Calling from East Glacier, MT. July 28, 2007.Calling from Polebridge, MT. July 26, 20007—Mailbag.More answers to listerners questions about dealing with injury and what a typical day is like. July 26, 2007.Calling from Eureka, MT. July 23, 2007.Calling from north of Bonners Ferry, ID. July 19, 2007.Calling from Northport, WA (day 102, mile 3,394). July 13, 2007—Mailbag.Andy answers questions from listners about water, trekking poles, and hiking solo. July 13, 2007.Calling from Oroville, WA. July 7, 2007.Calling from Stehekin, WA. July 2, 2007.Calling from Snoqualmie Pass, WA. June 30, 2007.Calling from White Pass, WA. June 26, 2007.Calling from Cascade Locks, OR. June 19, 2007.Calling from Willamette Pass, OR. June 16, 2007.Calling from Crater Lake National Park, OR. June 15, 2007.Calling from Medford, OR. A talk with Ean Nelson of the PCTA. June 12, 2007.Calling from northern, CA. Mile 2112 of the trek. June 8, 2007 - Navigation.Some thoughts on trail navigation when it's covered in snow. June 8, 2007.Calling from Castella, CA. Mile 1956 near Castle Crag State Park. June 4, 2007.Calling from Old Station, CA. Some thoughts on foot care in wet conditions. June 1, 2007..Calling from Belden, CA. Andy interviews Scott Williamson and Justin Lichter while staying in Truckee, CA. May 29, 2007.Calling from Truckee, CA. May 21, 2007.Calling from Yosemite Valley, CA. May 13, 2007.Calling from Kennedy Meadows general store (south end of High Sierra), CA. May 8, 2007. Calling from Hiker Town Hostel, CA. later May 6, 2007. Calling from Agua Dulce, CA. May 6, 2007. Calling from Jeff and Donna Saufley's Hiker Heaven, Agua Dulce, CA. An interview with Donna. May 2, 2007. Calling from Cajon Pass, CA. April 28, 2007. Calling from Morongo Valley, CA. April 23, 2007. Calling from Parker, AZ. April 18, 2007. Calling from Bagdad, AZ. April 16, 2007. Calling from Seligman, AZ. April 12, 2007. Calling from Grand Canyon Village, AZ. April 10, 2007. Calling from Grand Canyon Village, AZ. |
Video UpdatesSeptember 15, 2007 through September 29, 2007.>From Colorado's Collegiate Peaks, to the southern tip of the Colorado Rockies; wonderful wildlife encounters; proof of the old saw that a through-hiker will eat anything; and, so much more. September 7, 2007—Elk Show.>A quick slideshow (yes we know it's blurry) of wonderful life. August 28 through September 10, 2007.From Anaconda, MT and the Bitterroots, throuogh Lemhi Pass, past wide spaces with big skies and cows (Idaho and Montana), and into Yellowstone National Park. August 13 through August 24, 2007.From Anaconda, MT and the Bitterroots, throuogh Lemhi Pass, past wide spaces with big skies and cows (Idaho and Montana), and into Yellowstone National Park. July 22 through August 6, 2007.The last of the Pacific Northwest Trail, Glacier National Park, fire in The Bob, food, and wandering. July 7 through July 19, 2007.The Pacific Northwest Trail and more. June 22 through July 7, 2007.Snow fields, whiteouts, fierce winds, rushing rivers, and river fords in the Pacific Northwest. June 8 to June 22, 2007.From Castle Crag in California to McKenzie Pass in Oregon. June 8 to June 22, 2007.From Castle Crag in California to McKenzie Pass in Oregon. May 21 to June 5, 2007.See northern California's snowbound trails, steaming geysers, water falls, and some fun as Andy did. May 14 to 20, 2007.Week 3 on the Pacific Crest Trail. April 29 to May 14, 2007.Videos from Andy's first two weeks on the Pacific Crest Trail. April 12, 2007 2:30 PM.Walking along the Boundary Trail of the Grand Canyon. At over 7,000 feet the South Rim does get snow this time of year. April 11, 2007 1:03 PM.Water can be scarce in the Grand Canyon. Sometimes you use what you find. April 9, 2007 11:06 AM.A typical walk along the Tonto platform of the Grand Canyon. |
Selected Photos
Some of our favorite photos that Andrew has taken along his hike so far. They are listed in reverse chronological order. Click the thumbnail photos in the list on the left to see the larger versions.
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Interactive Map (BETA)
Click a link to display a map. You may have to scroll the page to view the entire map.
Reader Comments
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Forum Index » Editor's Roundtable » The Great Western Loop
( bugbomb - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
South Texas
Companion forum thread to Articles(s):
Great Western Loop Portal Page - An entry point for all things related to this trek.
Podcast: The Great Western Loop, Part 1 - Overview
Podcast: The Great Western Loop, Part 2 - Gear
Podcast: The Great Western Loop, Part 3 - Philosophy
Edited by bugbomb on 05/29/2007 22:36:50 MDT.
( JHC88@MSN.COM - M )
Locale:
Maryland
Ryan -- is there any way of posting how long the podcasts are, so that we know the amount of time to listen to them? I enjoy them, so keep up the good work. Thank you! John
( richard295 - M )
Locale:
San Francisco Bay Area
I couln't find any podcast link for interview 2. The only thing I could access was the text from Andrew's site.
( awsorensen - M )
Locale:
South of Forester Pass
Richard,
Go to page 1 and you'll see page 2 right below it.
John,
It only takes about 10-20 seconds to down load the podcast.
All you need to do is grab and scroll to the end, (to the right) once it's down loaded and it will tell you how long it is.
Hey is there any way we can get the packlist posted?
He talks about most of his gear, but a list would be nice to see what he's using during the trip.
Edited by awsorensen on 05/16/2007 23:24:56 MDT.
( kenknight - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
SE Michigan
Aaron, check out the podcast interview we did with Andy were we talk about his gear. It came out last week and the companion article and podcast player are accessible from the GWL Portal page as well as the "podcasts" page. A gear list is included in the companion article.
Edited by kenknight on 05/22/2007 00:20:09 MDT.
( jshann )
Locale:
North Texas
Skurkas gearlist is also on his website.
( kenknight - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
SE Michigan
I've just posted about 30 new photos for Andy's Great Western Loop hike. Other the next few days I'll be adding many more so keep an eye on the page for them.
To prevent confusion: Andy's latest photos are here.
Edited by kenknight on 05/30/2007 13:45:52 MDT.
( dstenberg1 - M )
Locale:
South
I can't find where you posted the pictures.
UPDATE:
I found the pictures. Thanks for posting!
Edited by dstenberg1 on 05/30/2007 05:29:28 MDT.
( mikeclelland - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
The Tetons (via Idaho)
Hey Andy & Ryan,
Huge thanks for this podcast.
It felt so relevant and important to take the discussion far beyond
just lightweight camping. I truly appreciated bringing up the very serious issues of simple living and our loss of wilderness.
A big reason that Lightweight camping appeals to me is because it's a very real chance to live simple. It's a renewal exercise for my soul, and with a revitalized "self" I can better change the world. Yes, I know that sounds lofty - but it's true.
This is an enormously important issue - but it can be hard to articulate, and Andy was wonderful at speaking his truth. It was refreshing and inspiring.
This web-site has lot's of cool tricks and specialized gear, but after listening to this podcast - I realize that it can achieve SO MUCH MORE!
well done!
M!
( blister-free - M )
Locale:
Puertecito ruins
Phenomenal podcast.
Re: global warming and the lightweight lifestyle, the notion of Pascal's Wager comes to mind. To wit, that the expected value of believing (in god, as the wager goes) is always greater than the expected value of not believing.
If we choose to believe that global warming (and the net long-term negative impact of humanity on planet earth) is real and consequential, and if we, individually, take measures to address it (ie, by living a "lightweight lifestyle"), then the result is that we benefit both ourselves and the planet regardless of future outcomes had we chosen not to believe or to act.
But there's also a more sharply defined advantage to living simply, particularly as it relates to the skills we develop in order to, and as a result of, living with less. In Pascal's Wager, believing is at its least a harmless and contrived conviction, and at best it gets him to heaven. For us, today, believing in and following a simpler lifestyle is also a form of life insurance. It can increase our own individual odds of survival in the face of climate change and the "sudden" disasters it may spawn.
Planet Earth will almost certainly host life for a few more billion years. The life forms that hang around through and beyond humanity's growing crisis will be the Adapted Ones. And each of us, individually, has the power to adapt. Our power is our intelligence. On the grand scale, our collective power will always work both for us and against us, and chaos may rule. But individually, we have a choice in how we use our power. And so I say, choose wisely - for the planet, certainly, but also for you.
Edited by blister-free on 06/03/2007 23:48:59 MDT.
( kenknight - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
SE Michigan
I've added 30 more photos to the colleciton. This brings us up to May 21, 2007. Enjoy.
( gmatthews - M )
Locale:
USA
Really awesome coverage of Andrew's journey.
It's nice having both the audio and visual.
( jbrinkmanboi - M )
Locale:
Idaho
Is the Interactive Map (BETA) up yet? I just get a white square - no map. Maybe I have browser issues.
( kenknight - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
SE Michigan
Jason, you may indeed be having browser issues. Clear your browser's cache and try again.
Their was a problem for a few hours yesterday, but it was fixed mid-afternoon.
( kdesign )
Locale:
Mythical State of Jefferson
Map is up----no problems w/ Safari on a Mac. Make sure you have latest version of whatever browser you use. Also make sure you have Adobe's Flash player installed and possibly download another browser if issues still not resolved. My back-up browser is the lean, mean "Opera".
( awsorensen - M )
Locale:
South of Forester Pass
Andrew getting skinny!
( kenknight - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
SE Michigan
Andy has sent us more photos spanning a little more than a 2 week period from late May to early June.
Expect some new videos soon too.
( ptgandw )
I have not seen a new podcasts since July 13, yet I have received Andy's Update e-mail indicating that there should be more recent postings. The URL that I have been using is
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/andrew_skurkas_great_western_loop.html
What am I doing wrong?
( kenknight - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
SE Michigan
As you have noticed by now we're undergoing a big change. Articles are a bit in flux and you should see the podcasts appear in the article shortly.
The best way to get the podcsts though remains subscribing to them via iTunes. This is especially true for the videos.
Sorry for all the dust.
( ryan - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
Greater Yellowstone
I spoke with Andy today. He's in Anaconda, MT, and about to do a 380 mile section w/o resupply. His spirits are very good considering his past week. His body is holding up well, and he seems pretty excited to get the Montana smoke behind him, he made an interesting comment: that the smoke actually robs him of about 30 minutes of daylight each night. Go figure.