JACKSON, WYOMING — A North Face-sponsored athlete faces legal charges after cutting a switchback during his Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt on Grand Teton. Michelino Sunseri, who broke the FKT record in September with a time of 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 50 seconds, now has his achievement revoked by Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and fastestknowntime.com. The National Park Service (NPS) is pressing charges, which will require Sunseri to appear in court on November 19.
The charges stem from Sunseri’s decision to cut a marked switchback, a significant violation of NPS regulations designed to protect trail integrity and natural ecosystems. The switchback in question connects Garnet Canyon to Lupine Meadow and is marked with signage warning hikers against off-trail shortcuts. GTNP spokesperson Emily Davis emphasized that the NPS is taking this case seriously due to its public nature, as Sunseri shared his FKT attempt widely through social media.
“It was a very public violation of NPS regulations, shared in such a public way by this influencer and sponsored athlete,” Davis told National Parks Traveler. The NPS worries that allowing such a breach of trail rules could set a dangerous precedent for others, particularly in the growing world of FKT attempts.
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Sunseri’s case is drawing attention in part because of past controversies with FKT attempts. In 2012, Kilian Jornet also cut switchbacks during his Grand Teton FKT attempt. Though he faced backlash from the local climbing community, he was not formally cited by the NPS, and his record remained flagged but valid. In contrast, Sunseri’s record was fully revoked, and the FKT title has returned to Andy Anderson, who set the previous record of 2 hours and 53 minutes in 2012.
Sunseri has not commented publicly on the charges, nor has The North Face, which removed all promotional content related to his Grand Teton FKT from its website following the revocation. The maximum penalty for cutting a switchback in GTNP is a $5,000 fine.
This case may set a precedent for stricter enforcement of trail regulations in high-profile FKT attempts, particularly as the sport’s popularity grows with athletes using tracking apps like Strava, which provide exact route details. As Davis explained, “If Sunseri, a sponsored athlete, can cut switchbacks while pursuing a high-profile FKT, others could easily do the same.”
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Lessons Learned and Safety Tips:
- Stay on marked trails: Cutting switchbacks damages ecosystems and can lead to erosion, making trails unsafe for future hikers.
- Know and respect local regulations: Each park may have specific rules that differ from other locations or countries.
- Use tracking apps to confirm your route: Apps like Strava or GPX trackers should be used not only to verify your FKT but also to ensure you’re following the designated trail.
To support search and rescue teams in their efforts to keep public lands safe, consider purchasing a COSAR card here: https://cpw.state.co.us/backcountry-search-and-rescue-program.
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