Asheville Woman Selected for National Geographic Adventurers of the year 2012

This summer the record for fastest thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail was broken by Asheville resident Jennifer Pharr Davis. Breaking the previous record set in 2005, Davis completed the 2140 mile trek in in 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes - beating the time of previous record holder Andrew Thomas by one day, two hours and 11 minutes.
Now Jennifer Pharr Davis has been selected by National Geographic as 1 of  10 Adventurers who made the NG year in adventure with their remarkable achievements in exploration, conservation, and adventure sports. The "Peoples Choice" award will be determined by a public vote concluding on January 18, 2012. Anyone can vote, up to once per day for the person believed to best embody the spirit of adventure. The People's Choice Adventurer of the Year will be announced in February 2012. Click here to VOTE NOW

For the past 40 years the Appalachian Trail record has been held by men, with the last 20 exclusively runners. Davis' accomplishment is remarkable in two ways:  She is a true hiker and trained by hiking, not running; and that sex was irrelevant if fortitude, intelligence and perseverance - not just speed and strength - were employed. Davis hiked approximately 16 hours per day instead of running 11-13 hours as previous record setters had done. Davis slept on the Trail, eliminating additional  time losses and was assisted with supplies and moral support along the way by her crew and husband.