Coughing Up Blood On The Arizona Trail - Sadie “Sketchy” Curry’s FKT

On April 29, 2025, Sadie “Sketchy” Curry claimed the self-supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 800-mile Arizona Trail in 17 days, 12 hours, and 27 minutes.

Sketchy is very accomplished in the community of long-distance hikers. Aside from completing the triple crown she has also gone on to hike the Great Divide Trail, Te Araroa, sail across the Pacific, and has even kayaked from Seattle to Alaska. Those lucky enough to have hiked with Sketchy quickly note her kindness, crude hiking humor, and ability to crush miles. Below is a brief post trail interview but if you’re looking for more you can find her day-by-day FKT report at Sadie Curry - Arizona Trail (AZ) - 2025-04-29 | Fastest Known Time.

Q: Why did you choose the Arizona Trail for a self-supported FKT?

I did the AZT southbound in 2021, and it became my all-time favorite trail. It combined all the parts I love about long-trails: big climbs, varied ecosystems, dramatic weather shifts, tons of wildlife (first AZT I saw a bear, mountain lion, bobcats, coyotes, ring-tailed cats, coatimundi, javelinas, tarantulas, giant centipedes, two Gila monsters, a desert tortoise, hella lizards—and so many rattlesnakes), and an incredibly involved and supportive trail community.

I have been wanting to attempt an FKT for years. I have always enjoyed the idea of making something, perhaps that doesn't even necessitate it, into a mission. Some would say I enjoy finding a way of making something causal into something epic. Side note: Big props to Anish for going unsupported - seriously impressive!

Self-supported felt natural for me, because my background is more classic thru hiker style.I thought the AZT played to my strengths: I’ve done a lot of desert hiking, it’s a mid-length trail compared to many of the other trails out there, and it has some big climbs—which I love.

Q: How happy were you before the FKT—on a scale of 1–10?

8 – Stressed for this FKT, but stoked.

Q: What was your highest and lowest mileage day?

48 miles high, 39 miles low.

Q: What shoes did you wear? Any special gear choices for this FKT?

Altra Lone Peaks—they did me well. I took no special gear, just a very pared-down thru-hiking kit that was adequate for the desert conditions while being as light as possible.

Q: What was your caloric intake?

I ate around 2500 cal/d to start and increased to around 3200 cal/d toward the end. I never felt under-fueled, and I usually had excess food when I reached my resupplies. I listened to nutrition podcasts while doing the FKT and would change my approach if I were to do another FKT-like activity in the future. I was very meals based on the AZT (cold soaking 2 meals per day), but for the future I would change to a more snacks-based approach. This would cut down on my time and energy spent prepping food. Over the course of the AZT FKT I came to the conclusion that I think I have a superpower of needing fewer calories than most hikers for long trails. 

Cold Soaking is a no cook food preparation method where dehydrated foods are soaked in cold water until rehydrated. It is used to save fuel and weight on hiking trips.

“No I did not cold soak the pizza”

Q: How were you feeling physically and mentally throughout the hike? Any injuries?

In the Beginning: I had sore feet with minor fatigue. My muscles felt good and I had no GI issues. I was stoked!

In the Middle: I got REALLY sick. I had a fever, nausea, was coughing so hard I puked. At night I was sweating through my sleeping bag. It was some sort of respiratory illness, and I considered quitting because I was afraid it could turn into pneumonia. I had to lower my mileage goals and just survive. I felt like death.

Toward the End: My fever had subsided, but I was still coughing. At the South Rim of the Grand Canyon I developed anterior tibialis tendinitis in my left leg. The pain was baaaaaad and I again considered quitting. I didn’t want to cause permanent damage and also become a liability in the canyon for search and rescue. Your brain rationalizes differently on a FKT and I decided I’d risk the injury, jeopardizing future plans, because I’d be more upset with myself if I quit.

Q: What were the best parts of the hike?

Finishing! Haha, nah I loved the night hiking. On this FKT, I never once felt nervous being alone in the dark—I actually craved the quiet, the remoteness, the sky full of stars. The world shrinks in the best way at night and becomes this peaceful, focused space. Over the years dusk has become my favorite time to hike. I thought a lot about how, when I first started hiking, I used to get the heebie-jeebies when it got dark and rush to have my tent pitched before sunset.

I loved the climbs up Mica, Mount Lemmon, and the Grand Canyon (even with the tendonitis). The Superstitions, though? Hard pass.

But also, f-i-n-i-s-h-i-n-g.

Q: What kept your mind occupied during the FKT?

I hit up some music and some podcasts, but mostly just trudged along. I did a lot of imagining the food/luxury that awaited me when I reached the northern terminus. Conversation also wasn’t a thing. I lost my voice about 3 days into the trail and legit could not say hi to other hikers. It's the longest I have ever not talked to anyone. It felt weird, but my voice was so gone it's not like I could even attempt to talk. 

Q: What wildlife did you encounter?

Deer, elk, and a few foxes. Crazy few animals compared to AZT round one (2021). I don’t think it’s that they weren’t there—I think I just wasn’t paying attention and perhaps the sobo versus nobo time of year also played a role. 

Q: What was your nighttime routine and camp setup like?

Hike until I physically couldn't, or my pace/ effort had diminishing returns, or my tendon hurt too bad, or a campsite positioned me for the next day's objective well.

Then:

• I’d throw down my torso-length foam pad, bivy, and sleeping bag.

• Set up tarp if needed (only set it up once).

• Strip shoes and socks and clean feet.

• Change into long johns and sleep socks (luxury item - but worthy I felt).

• Divvy up next day’s food into a gallon Ziplock.

• Fill my pack up with snacks.

• Eat dinner while all this is going on.

• Brush teeth, then lights out.

Unconscious in seconds.

Q: Any surprises out there?

I expected my feet would hurt. But damn did they hurt. It wasn't even blisters (which I did have a few), but just the daily pounding that eventually disintegrates your soles.

I mastered 2-minute naps. I’d set my alarm, pass out instantly, start dreaming, and wake up to the alarm. Wild.

Water was easier than expected. In 2021, it was fall and I didn’t know the public caches well. The FarOut comments helped a ton.

But overall, I definitely didn’t expect to get so sick. Having to decide if it was safe to keep hiking was my biggest hurdle on trail. At times I really couldn't breathe and was hacking up huge chunks of gross green phlegm. I was scared. I coughed up a little blood and was very scared. I didn't want to pull a dumb move, but I also didn't want to quit. I thought about it constantly and it was mentally fatiguing.  

Q: What was the first thing you did in honor of breaking the record?

Ate pizza. Drank all the drinks—Spindrift, V8, coconut water, Vitamin Water. Showered. Slept.

Q: How happy were you after the FKT—on a scale of 1–10?

Still an 8 - Exhausted, in pain, and soooo relieved to be done. I was proud of myself. But the days following the FKT I crashed to a 4. All the good body juices; dopamine, endorphins, adrenaline that had been flowing were gone. The goal was met. I felt no purpose. Daily goals were not clear anymore. Everything hurt more because I wasn't taking anti-inflammatories. It was the biggest come down I have ever experienced. 

Q: How was reacclimating to normal life?

Brutal. I was worthless for over a week. Vimal had planned to keep hiking while I drove home, but that wasn’t realistic—I was so drained. We drove home together. At home, I’d make breakfast, then take a break. Do laundry, take a break. I felt completely depleted and overwhelmed by even simple tasks/decisions. This reacclimating was worse than after finishing a regular thru. I’ve felt tired before, but never unsure if I could even function at work. It’s gotten a lot better since I’ve reached that month mark off trail.

Q: Any shout-outs?

• Vimal, my partner—he was there to drop me off, pick me up, and give me encouragement throughout this endeavor. V stayed in Phoenix ready to pick me up while I was sick in case I needed to bail. Throughout the hike he reassured me and believed in me and that meant so much.

• My mom and dad—My mom met me at the finish and was more emotional than I was. She said the whole thing was somewhat torturous to observe as a parent, just knowing your child is suffering. My dad was super supportive, always updating me on my mileage and how I was tracking compared to Katie’s record. Thanks mom and dad (and dad, I too have Far Out).

• Katie “Wilderness” Brown—Katie and I hiked together in 2016 on the CDT. She made this goal seem achievable and encouraged me when I let her know I was interested in pursuing a FKT and encouraged me even more when I decided on the AZT (her record). She gave me advice and was super supportive.

• Nika “Early Bird” Meyers—Early Bird and I also hiked together in the past and she has set some bad ass FKTs (Colorado Trail and Long Trail). I felt silly that I thought I could pursue this goal, but Early Bird convinced me I had what it took.

• Vet school crew—Lindsey, Cameron, Angela, and Amber, thanks for the frequent encouraging texts and being there for me when I wasn’t sure I should continue at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

• Rory “Masshole” Moore—thanks for joining me on sections of the Winter Desert Thru hike I used as a sort of training hike and telling me I should make the attempt on the AZT.

Q: What are your future plans?

The whole FKT I thought “never, ever, ever again.” But... I keep wondering: What if I hadn’t gotten sick? What would my energy have been like with better fueling? Could I have avoided injury with different training? It’s crazy to me how fast the memory of suffering fades and the curiosity mixed with ambition creeps back in.

For now, I’m heading out on a hiking and packrafting traverse of the Brooks Range.

No future FKT plans...

Yet.