Speed Hike 2012

[Pedaling Fool]

I'm confused. In your OP you say you doubt that you could average 30mpd, leaving me thinking you're just going to do an unsupported speed hike with the only intent of seeing just how fast you can do it. Then in post 10 you say you're going to do a supported speed hike, but you're not even sure you can best the best unsupported time. So why go to the trouble and expense of a supported speed hike?

OP you never answered my question. However, after reading your other posts I'm starting to think this is all a joke. I mean a literal joke as in you're screwing around with us.

[The Walker]

Hi John. I would like it to be supported, but the devil is in the details. For myself, I think the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. As far as the 30 miles, I was just saying that I could do 30 each day with support (as lots of folks could), but it's those extra miles (17) that cut into rest time and cause extra wear and tear on the body. So I am going to slowly build up the exercise routine mixing in hills and flats and jogging and walking. The advantages I do have are great weather, varied terrain (the PCT is just up the hill from the town), and school cutbacks have this math teacher working half days. I was joking about the shepherd, but I kind of like the idea.

[takethisbread]

Usually speed hikers have this stuff meticulously planned. I think hiking at a 4 mph seems high. Hey. Best of luck. I'm not sure California is the best training ground, as the hiking those trails is a lot different and in many cases easier, but hey you are from Maine you know what you are getting into. Personally I like that we have the title holder we have now, because she is a AT person and not one of these ultra marathoner types who are using the trail for recognition of their acclaim. I feel Mrs Davis record reflects honor on the trail. Jmo. Good luck and have fun

[Feral Bill]

I may have missed someting, but I don't see where the OP is looking for a record, just a speed hike. Not my thing but probably much more realistic.

[Marta]

I may have missed someting, but I don't see where the OP is looking for a record, just a speed hike. Not my thing but probably much more realistic.

He says he's thinking about a supported hike, and asks if LW is interested in helping him. I suggest that supported hikers are either serious record contenders, able to spend lots of $$$ to buy support, or trail personalities who have lots of friends who want to pay them back.

[BabySue]

I commend "The Walker" for his congenial interaction in light of the numerous comments, questions, and doubts expressed in this thread.

[The Walker]

It definitely would be helpful to have a large group of close friends, endurance athletes, and family to help out, but I shall just rely on paying for support at the beginning and maybe draw a few people in as I go along. People will support you if they think you have a reasonable chance. I mentioned LW since I have seen him crew and he is excellent. Maybe I can drag Maineak off Mount Desert Island for some help in New England when encouragement will truly be needed.

[Kookork]

No expert on Speed hiking but Jennifer P Davis put his great record up on her third Thru attempt if I am not wrong.

It s not quite impossible for somebody to come out of nowhere and break her record but it is quite remote.

You can start to talk about just breaking any records on the book but first you need to put some thought behind it my dear fellow hiker.
If you run 100 meters in less than 9.5 seconds you are a champion but if you run it in 12 seconds nobody even will mention it . It is like your 30 to 47 mile difference bro, There is a huge difference between these two numbers.

It was not funny for me nor a joke you talk about Anatholian Shepperd and then you say It is a joke. But I hope you just joke with us here and take a speed thru-hike no joke while there.

Take this journey a pilot speed hike for yourself like what JPD did and see how it goes.

Good luck Anyway

[The Walker]

No expert on Speed hiking but Jennifer P Davis put his great record up on her third Thru attempt if I am not wrong.

It s not quite impossible for somebody to come out of nowhere and break her record but it is quite remote.

You can start to talk about just breaking any records on the book but first you need to put some thought behind it my dear fellow hiker.
If you run 100 meters in less than 9.5 seconds you are a champion but if you run it in 12 seconds nobody even will mention it . It is like your 30 to 47 mile difference bro, There is a huge difference between these two numbers.

It was not funny for me nor a joke you talk about Anatholian Shepperd and then you say It is a joke. But I hope you just joke with us here and take a speed thru-hike no joke while there.

Take this journey a pilot speed hike for yourself like what JPD did and see how it goes.

Good luck Anyway

Time for some hillin'. And no, I shall not be training for a 9.49 hundred meter time.

[The Walker]

Anybody out there have any opinion on some good altimeters? Something I can use to challenge myself. Might be a nice Christmas present.

Thanks to all veterans!

[hikerboy57]

dont see why you'd need an altimeter.you still need to make miles regardless, and itskind of like counting how many miles left to go, it just makes it feel longer.I hiked up garfield alongside a guy with one, and it was driving me. every 2 minutes he would state our altitude, and how much higher we needed to climb. pretty annoying way to cap off a 14 mile day, forget about your p[planned 30 mile days.

[The Walker]

Planning on 4 am to 9 pm hiking days and not necessarily ending each day at a road crossing. Nothing worse than stopping short and then having to do those miles the next day.

[ezNomad]

The Walker - I'm in San Diego too, training for AT 2012 NOBO. Just curious where you are training near here?

[The Walker]

Borrego Springs

[The Walker]

I will be taking applications for my 2012 Speed Hike Support Team soon. Strong hikers willing to walk some miles with me would move you up the list.

[Malto]

I will be taking applications for my 2012 Speed Hike Support Team soon. Strong hikers willing to walk some miles with me would move you up the list.

How much does it pay?

[The Walker]

I have been honing my hiking plan. I shall pace myself somewhere between Jennifer's 3 miles per hour ( long hours) and Horton's 4 miles per hour ( shorter hours).

Even in rougher footing, 3.4 miles per hour over a whole day should be manageable. That makes 47.6 miles.

14 hours of activity leaves 10 hours of down time. Hopefully, that will be enough to recuperate. Not having to hike in the dark is also important. I don't mind it, but it does make things a little slower and takes more mental focus.

Time for some desert strolling.

[Malto]

Even in rougher footing, 3.4 miles per hour over a whole day should be manageable. That makes 47.6 miles.

Have you even done a single 47 mile day at that pace or even 47 miles in a day at any pace?

It is soooooooo easy to hike via spreadsheet, feet don't hurt, muscles don't get tired and you don't have to poo but it's much harder in reality. There are VERY few people that can maintain 3.4mph for even a single day let alone string multiples together. There is a reason JFD and Scott Williamson only maintains 3mph averages.

I have my own record breaking plan. I am going to shatter the AT record by hiking it in 17 days. I will run it at 6.7mph, 20 hours per day. At this pace I can finish in just over 16 days but I'm being conservative at 17 days. For all you non-believers out there, here is proof that I can do it:
1) I ran my first marathon at 6.7mph pace so I know I can do that speed.
2) I have hiked over 2654 miles so distance isn't an issue.
3) Once I stayed up 20 hours straight so the long days won't be a problem.
4) I have hiked over 16k in vertical gain in a day so the hills won't be a problem.


I also have several other things in my favor, I have learned by other ridiculous and unrealistic plans :
1) I will start June 13th so I have the longest days of the year and best weather.
2) Since I will be doing 134 mpd I will self support myself. I will pass through a resupply point nearly everyday that is close to the trail.
3) I'm going to shave my legs to reduce air drag.

I just need one thing, an appropriate trail name because Malto just won't cut it for an feat this epic. How about Flash, Speed, Warp, History? Any others?

[hikerboy57]

ive decided to speed hike to the moon, should be easier than the AT, once Ive gotten beyond the earths gravitational pull.Going to have to do it fully supplied as there are no maildrops.Im bringing a lot of Tang.I need advice as to whether I should use an internal or external pack.Im hoping for a passing asteroid to supply water, bringing a jet boil for both cooking and propulsion.anyone have a spare set of maps. Its getting the trip off the ground that seems to be an issue.

[silverscuba22]

ive decided to speed hike to the moon, should be easier than the AT, once Ive gotten beyond the earths gravitational pull.Going to have to do it fully supplied as there are no maildrops.Im bringing a lot of Tang.I need advice as to whether I should use an internal or external pack.Im hoping for a passing asteroid to supply water, bringing a jet boil for both cooking and propulsion.anyone have a spare set of maps. Its getting the trip off the ground that seems to be an issue.

External all the way, dont be one of those teen hipsters ultra-light moon goers, gotta go old school all the way