• Climbed to the summit of all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot elevation peaks in 2015.
And now, for 2016, the Oregon State University graduate is trying something even bigger.
Garmire is attempting a Calendar Year Triple Crown — to hike the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail — this year.
That’s a whopping total of more than 7,500 miles. It involves going up or down more than 1 million feet of elevation.
The American Long Distance Hiking Association (West) recognizes 196 hikers as having completed the Triple Crown.
“There are so many good people on the trail,’’ Garmire said in a telephone interview from New Jersey. “It’s a window into the better side of society. I’m meeting great individuals and I hope some of it rubs off on me.’’
In Connecticut now, said he’s grown to love the trail lifestyle.
“It’s a good way to see a lot of the world that others don’t get to see.’’
Garmire begin the AT heading northbound from Georgia on Feb. 6. He’s traveled more than 1,400 miles so far.
He’s had 12 showers and washed his clothes a half dozen times. His coldest night was -15 degrees and has had day temperatures of almost 80.
He’s averaging about 27 miles a day. His longest day is 44 miles. His shortest day has been 11 miles.
Garmire expects to be the first northbound-hiker to complete the AT when in finishes in Maine in mid-April.
“The AT is never as high or low at the Pacific Crest Trail, but it’s got more up and downs,’’ he said. “It’s constantly going up or down…It’s also crowded on the weekends.’’
Garmire connected in the evenings with other AT hikers for the first 700 to 800 miles, but as the leading northbounder he’s alone except for encounters with weekend hikers.
“Most days I’m hiking before 6:45 a.m.,’’ he said. “I wake up about 6:15 a.m. and pack in about 20 minutes and eat while hiking.’’
He tries to consume 6,000 calories a day, but has dropped from 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds to 170 pounds.
His basic routine is four days on the trail, then into a town to either buy more food, or to pick up resupply packages he mailed to post offices.
Garmire said his basic pack weight before food and water is 20 pounds because he’s carrying additional clothing. An ideal basic weight is 12 to 14 pounds.
“There’s been a lot more rain here, back-to-back days,’’ he said. “It’s been hard to keep dry.’’
The Appalachian Trail has many shelters. Garmire said he’s spent about half his nights in shelters and half in his tent.
He plans to fly from Boston to San Diego and start the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail next, without an extended break to recuperate.
His tentative starting day for the PCT is April 22.
“Right now, I’m feeling really good,’’ Garmire said. “I have a schedule, but it’s flexible.’’
He budgeted five days for travel, but said he might want to use those days 600 to 700 miles into the PCT to rest.
He got his trail name of “Legend’’ in 2011 back as a 20-year-old.
A group of PCT hikers were camped about a mile from a road, wishing they had steak and pizza to eat.
So Garmire walked to the road, got a ride to town and came back an hour or so later with steak and pizza for the group.
Long distance hiking can be as much a mental challenge as a physical one.
“My philosophy is you’re going to have good days and bad days,’’ he said. “Don’t make decisions on bad days. I have maybe a bad day a month. Then the next day I’ll see a great sunrise, or a bear, and I’ll remember this is so cool.’’
