Everything This Ultralight Backpacker Took on a 2,160-Mile Hike | Condé Nast Traveler

Ultralight backpacker Joe McConoughay, known on the trails as ‘Stringbean’, holds the speed record for the Appalachian Trail and is here to share his essentials for the 2,160-mile hike. On the go for 50 miles a day, Joe’s goal was never to remove his pack while moving, allowing him to cover 2,160 miles in only 45 days. From storing the right amount of food to serious chafe prevention, see how Joe packed his ultralight 20lb bag for his record-breaking trek.

Trail Footage Provided by Michael Dillon

Director: Alice Roth
Director of Photography: Eric Brouse
Editor: Leticia Villarinho
Host: Joe McConaughy
Producer: Alyssa Marino
Field Producer: Vara Reese
Line Producer: Joe Buscemi
Associate Producer: Josh Crowe
Production Manager: Melissa Heber
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Camera Operator: Alfonso
Sound Mixer: Lily Van Leeuwen
Production Assistant: Noah Bierbrier
Post Production Supervisor: Andrew Montague
Post Production Coordinator: Holly Frew
Supervising Editor: Christina Mankellow
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds


ABOUT CONDE NAST TRAVELER
Expert travel tips, destination guides, videos, and the best of food, fashion, and design from around the world.

[chowly]

Well shot, beautifully produced video! Super impressed with Stringbean; great presenter, super knowledgeable about all the gear and explains it well. Love all the b-roll he captured while conquering this incredible feat!

[davidstaunton]

Wow - what a beast! Amazing achievement. Absolutely next level athlete ❤

[mountainlaureldesigns]

He is showing a Mountain Laurel Designs (MLD) SuperLight Bivy Sack and MLD Pro Poncho Tarp.

[woodsman]

Amazing! Sacrificing for the record. Love it

[barrypanaretou]

Amazing fitness but for me it's all about taking in your surroundings not running past them! However each to their own and what this guy achieves is simply remarkable!!! Respect

[jeffg]

The part where you were squeezing through the rocks, you could tell how much weight you lost. Crazy!

[Theknives]

Which Victorinox model did you use? Thank you!

[ittotaq]

this is fastpacking.... not backpacking.

[DonHavjuan]

Running. The best way to miss the whole point and everything else about a trail. Waste of time.

[edgartokman]

You should carry 5 phones use them as flashlights

[paulcontursi]

What about a shelter and sleep system?

[whereisthemessiah]

Could I use my garmin watch instead of a spot tracker as proof?