E22: Making Triple Crown History with Zelzin Aketzalli
Zelzin started her adventures on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017. In 2018, she kicked off the year with the Hayduke Trail, and four days (FOUR!!!) after she completed it, she knocked out the Appalachian Trail. In 2019, she set out on the Continental Divide Trail. When she completed it, she made history. She was the first person from Mexico to earn the Triple Crown of Long Distance hiking.
For the folks who get jazzed about big miles, let's look at these impressive stats she's put up:
👑 2017 Pacific Crest Trail - 2,658 miles (4,278 km), 153 days total.
👑 2018 Appalachian Trail - 2,190 miles (3,524 km), 100 days total (four days after she completed the 812-mile Hayduke Trail in 60 days).
👑 2019 Continental Divide Trail 3,018 miles (4,857 km), 145 days total.
Oh, and if that's not impressive enough, she learned English on the PCT. She didn't speak a word of it before she started thruhiking.
Join me and Gabaccia as we chat with Zelzin about the inspiration for her adventures, what it means to carry the flag for her country, her plans to create the first long-distance trail in Mexico, and so much more.
