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Mags
07-27-2009, 18:05
This forum is for the discussion of trail running, speed and/or long hiking days, and related activities.

A forum for the discussion and celebration of those who enjoy being out all day and the physical challenges that the trails can offer.

There are many ways to enjoy the outdoors. Lower mileage and more camping or town time is the traditional way. Many of us prefer to simply be out all day and do minimal camping and less town time.

While healthy debate can be constructive, this forum is not for the purpose of debating the merits of long or fast travel on the trails.

If you do not prefer to hike all day or run the trails...that's cool. A person can say why they prefer one form of enjoying the outdoors without disparaging another form. A person may prefer chocolate ice cream to vanilla ice cream. That does not mean vanilla ice cream sucks. :)

Those who insist their way is the one, true, correct and absolute way to enjoy the outdoors many want to read this document. (http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/Outdoor-Writings/hike-my-hike-damn-it.html) :D

Happy Trails..no matter how you enjoy them!

John B and Paul Mags (moderators)

Homer&Marje
07-27-2009, 18:19
I want to do the Pemi Loop in one day....Working towards that goal...32 miles of pain and rocks.:D

Hope I can do it one day

jersey joe
07-27-2009, 18:52
Pushing myself to do longer days with more miles helped me keep my thru hike interesting.

Phreak
07-27-2009, 19:25
Glad to see this forum! I love speed hiking and trail running.

CrumbSnatcher
07-27-2009, 19:35
more walk- less camp. usually, but not always.

fiddlehead
07-27-2009, 20:39
I'll point out that when i was attempting running Leadville 8 years ago and was training on the CO trail.
My good friend Billy Goat met me to support me for a section.
I was getting ready to go out for a 28 mile run and was trying to figure out what i needed for the day.
He said: "This is Colorado fiddlehead, you don't really need anything except food and a water bottle" (i intended to be finished by noon)
I listened to him and always remembered that it is easy to bushwhack in that state, (compared to others) and the weather is generally good, at least in the mornings.
The underbrush is not heavy, you can see pretty far, there are few 28 mile sections with no water, etc.

By the way, i found out that speed hiking/running the CO trail is a great way to prepare for Leadville 100 in August.

CrumbSnatcher
07-27-2009, 21:29
thruhiking the A.T. who wins?
speed hiker or power hiker

Homer&Marje
07-28-2009, 07:21
That question is for LW, Warren Doyle, and...Karl Meltzer to figure out:D

As for now the record is held by a speed hiker

Nasty Dog Virus
07-28-2009, 07:45
What exactly is speed hiking? :confused:

I'm going to try the 25 mile Susquehanna Super Hike in Sept. if anyone wants to joins me...

http://www.kta-hike.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=12&Itemid=76

Looks like a challenging day with all the elevation change (4,203' up/4,191 down) and 12.5 hour time limit.

fiddlehead
07-28-2009, 08:17
thruhiking the A.T. who wins?
speed hiker or power hiker

Horton was 2 days faster than Maineac in 91 i think it was.
So, the speed hiker (or runner) was faster although i think they both did what they intended.

Blue Jay
07-28-2009, 08:59
I ran in a race over Mt. Graylock years ago. I don't think they do it anymore as I have not heard anything about it. It still ranks in my mind as my favorite race ever.

Mags
07-28-2009, 14:21
thruhiking the A.T. who wins?
speed hiker or power hiker

Whoever enjoyed their trip. Usually it is a tie. :sun

Mags
07-28-2009, 14:36
What exactly is speed hiking? :confused:

I'm going to try the 25 mile Susquehanna Super Hike in Sept. if anyone wants to joins me...

http://www.kta-hike.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=12&Itemid=76

Looks like a challenging day with all the elevation change (4,203' up/4,191 down) and 12.5 hour time limit.

What you just posted. ;)

For the majority of people, when "speed hiking" is disparaged..they are usually disparaging the long hiking days. Most 'speed' hikers' hike at 2.5-3 MPH vs the 2-2.5 MPH average (at the most).

I personally love to walk all day. Still not sure what is "wrong" with that concept.

Phreak
07-28-2009, 15:50
I personally love to walk all day. Still not sure what is "wrong" with that concept.
Nothing wrong with it. The only people I've heard having issues with it are those who can't walk all day.

CrumbSnatcher
07-28-2009, 15:57
Whoever enjoyed their trip. Usually it is a tie. :suni was just messin' around! i shouldn't of said who wins. your right if your doing your own thing? you win:)

JJJ
07-28-2009, 20:41
I had fun(?) on this excursion last year.
Blogged report:
Pack list (http://jjjessee.blogspot.com/2008/07/fastpack-201-getting-ready.html)
Buzzard Rock Cafe (http://jjjessee.blogspot.com/2008/07/buzzard-rock-cafe.html)
jjj

Mags
07-28-2009, 21:03
i was just messin' around! i shouldn't of said who wins. your right if your doing your own thing? you win:)

NP. I basically knew what you meant. Guess I was just emphasizing the fun and enjoyable nature. It's all good!

CrumbSnatcher
07-28-2009, 21:38
NP. I basically knew what you meant. Guess I was just emphasizing the fun and enjoyable nature. It's all good!
i just wanted to hear a professionals description of power hikers and speed hikers.:)

Mags
07-28-2009, 23:09
i just wanted to hear a professionals description of power hikers and speed hikers.:)

I'll leave the "professional hiker" label to those who seek it and want everyone to know about it. :D

Me? I'm just plain ole hiker trash who cooks a pretty good Italian-American Sunday gravy.... (http://almostitalian.com/sunday-gravy/)

To make this thread related, I cooked such a batch the night before a trail half marathon in Aspen, CO.


http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10063&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=499b2c4018e03b829b6b13176f6f7051

Plodderman
07-29-2009, 06:45
I like to do long days (20-25) but I am getting a little old for speed hiking.

Lone Wolf
07-29-2009, 07:11
Horton was 2 days faster than Maineac in 91 i think it was.
So, the speed hiker (or runner) was faster although i think they both did what they intended.

Horton ran/walked the trail in 52+ days. Maineak walked, never ran, the trail in 55+ days. his goal was 56 days

Lone Wolf
07-29-2009, 07:12
I like to do long days (20-25) but I am getting a little old for speed hiking.

you're only 50

mrc237
07-29-2009, 09:36
you're only 50

For some fifty is old! "Gettin old ain't...........

Lone Wolf
07-29-2009, 09:46
......for sissies

jersey joe
07-29-2009, 11:44
i just wanted to hear a professionals description of power hikers and speed hikers.:)
Hmmm, does a distinction need to be made for being unsupported/carrying a backpack? It is pretty difficult to run with a loaded pack!

Mags
07-29-2009, 12:03
I was asked to give a definition.

I said I would do it...

But, on second thought, I find definitions don't define as much as they get persnickety.

Safe to say some run...
Some hike all day...
Some hike fast...

Some run all day and fast...
Some run and hike the uphills...
Some power hike (all day) and speed hike (fast).

But what is fast? Damn if I know. :)

In the end, it's all good.

Lone Wolf
07-29-2009, 12:06
Hmmm, does a distinction need to be made for being unsupported/carrying a backpack? It is pretty difficult to run with a loaded pack!

back in 93 i covered between wautauga shelter and damascus in just under 12 hours. i ran the last 10 with a full pack

CrumbSnatcher
07-29-2009, 14:12
Ive ran sections.alot of downhill running, some flat grounds(SNP) it happens!

CrumbSnatcher
07-29-2009, 14:15
i Was Asked To Give A Definition.

I Said I Would Do It...

But, On Second Thought, I Find Definitions Don't Define As Much As They Get Persnickety.

Safe To Say Some Run...
Some Hike All Day...
Some Hike Fast...

Some Run All Day And Fast...
Some Run And Hike The Uphills...
Some Power Hike (all Day) And Speed Hike (fast).

But What Is Fast? Damn If I Know. :)

In The End, It's All Good.
Im The One That Ask For A Description, It Was No Big Deal! I Know The Difference! I Was Just Killing Time And Throwing A Question Out There,somebody Did Ask What Speed Hiking Is?, And Nobody Answered Him. Its All Good. I Liked Your Response Here!!! Great Post!:cool:

jersey joe
08-02-2009, 13:52
back in 93 i covered between wautauga shelter and damascus in just under 12 hours. i ran the last 10 with a full pack
Oh sure, it is certainly possible, but more difficult to run with a full pack on. I ran several days with a full pack to make mail drops. Definitions of these terms is interesting.

When I hear the term trail running, I picture someone in running shoes without a full pack.

When I hear the term speed hiking, I picture someone with a full pack hiking FAST 3+mph.

When I hear the term marathon hiker, I picture someone hiking big miles with a full pack at a normal pace, but hiking all day long.

Homer&Marje
08-02-2009, 14:34
Going to be doing 19 miles next Friday between Laurel Ridge Campsite and Tom Leonard Lean To....Gonna be running a few of the flatter, drier miles I hope....with a full pack. Base weight is at 17lbs right now...not bad. Brought some extra food, of course, but I think doing a few big mile days I'll be hungry.

Love to trail run with just the camelback and snacks though.

triguy
09-09-2009, 02:24
Call me crazy but I think an end to end "race" would be exciting. There's an Ididarodwhich is very popular. Only difference is no dogs and it's twice as far..no big deal.

garlic08
09-09-2009, 11:48
I missed this thread because I was out hiking the PNT, and even on that mess of a route averaged over 21 miles per day. Unfortunately, much of that was because the trail doesn't exist or was closed in many places and I had to road walk quite a bit. But on one very memorable section, the 165-mile traverse of the Pasayten Wilderness in Washington (Oroville to Ross Lake), this topic was really on my mind.

I was hiking close to 30-mile days on excellent trail in the Wilderness, getting up at dawn, watching the sunrise over the morning fog banks blowing through the passes, and hiking until the sunset lit up the blue glacier ice. Early one morning I passed through a popular, scenic lake area and saw lots of quiet tents, and I wanted to shout, "Wake up! You're missing the show!" These folks would slumber until 0800, pack up around 1000, walk until 1600 then sit around camp all evening (on the AT they'd be huddled in the corner of a dank shelter). If they even see me as I walk by, they wonder why I'm going so fast and not "smelling the roses".

My typical pace is about 2 mph, but I'll hike at least 12 hours a day, sometimes as much as 15. The world is not exactly whizzing by me, and I think I notice pretty much all there is to notice, with the added attraction of being out there in the early morning and in the evening, my favorite times to hike.

The only times I've ever actually run with even a light pack have been when I've been caught on a ridge in a lightning storm and treeline is pretty close, and on this last trip I ran through a long, dark two-lane highway tunnel on WA Hwy 20, about the scariest thing I've ever done on a hike.

I got into light weight packing because my old heavy stuff hurt too much. I had no intention of making longer days, but that's sure the way it turned out. Take the pain away, and the walking itself becomes so enjoyable. Now there's nothing I love more than to get to a high point near the end of the day and not being able to see where I started the day from.

Thanks for this thread, Mags.

triguy
09-11-2009, 02:33
Hey Garlic, I viewed you and Pickles on-line journal. The WHOLE thing! Couldn't stop watching it. Very, very cool, and inspirational.

emerald
09-11-2009, 12:12
Since this forum was created only recently, there may be worthwhile threads located in other forums where they might not be found and read by interested individuals.

I wonder if one of this forum's moderators might respond to my inquiry and inform us as to whether an attempt to transfer related threads into this forum has been made, is underway or if there is some way in which people interested in these threads could help in gathering them where they now belong?

Mags
09-11-2009, 12:22
Since this forum was created only recently, there may be worthwhile threads located in other forums where they might not be found and read by interested individuals.

I wonder if one of this forum's moderators might respond to my inquiry and inform us as to whether an attempt to transfer related threads into this forum has been made, is underway or if there is some way in which people interested in these threads could help in gathering them where they now belong?

I am sure as hell am not going to wade through 5+ yrs of threads. I, and the admins who can actually do it, have better things to do. :)

If you are volunteering to do it..great! PM Troll and let him know your plans.


As new threads have been created since the creation of this forum have been moved here as we see them.

emerald
09-11-2009, 13:56
I wouldn't expect a moderator or anyone else to do what you appear to have suggested I think someone else should do. I was asking how individuals interested in the subject matter might be of assistance. Maybe what I'm suggesting is more people should do something rather than engage in an endless stream of mindless banter.

Maybe there are particular threads that might be made more accessible by transferring them here as opposed to allowing them to remain buried?

Would someone be willing to transfer threads if they are called to that person's attention? Is what was posted a policy statement or an attempt to call to the attention of readers the enormity of the task?

If someone is willing, what is the best way to go about it and what threads might be worthy of transfer? The Where's Karl? thread in particular comes to mind as one some might wish to locate at some point.

Mags
09-11-2009, 14:25
Maybe what I'm suggesting is more people should do something rather than engage in endless stream of mindless banter.



I agree!!!




Maybe there are particular threads that might be made more accessible by transferring them as opposed to allowing them to remain buried?




Emerald, since you brought it up..AND it seems important to you, why don't you find all the threads, copy and paste the pertinent links for the threads in question and send them to me. I'll make a note to the admins.

I am glad you brought this point up and are willing to do it. :)

Also, as mentioned, if new threads appear myself or my fellow mod will ask the thread to be moved. Naturally, mods of other forums can also ask the threads to be moved if they so desire. (If a speed hiking thread appears in the general forum, for example). But it really is not that important.

If you, or someone else, would rather just talk about and not do a darn thing..then please don't write anymore. ;)

As a reminder, this is a forum for long/fast hikes and/or trail running.. not "What we should do about administering the forum". You are a moderator..post it in the mod forum not here. Further posts will go to the great bit bucket in the sky. :)

Thanks!

Dogwood
09-11-2009, 17:20
Mags, don't know if this is what you were looking for, but Andrew Skurka's website has a few noteworty suggestions on how to do a fast hike. For those interested in fast hikes I suggest you check out the website.

As far as I can tell those who thru-hike in the shortest amount of time not only hike faster than the avg. hiker but they also put in long hours consistently while developing a rhythym to their routine.

Bidwell
09-24-2009, 15:24
I missed this thread because I was out hiking the PNT, and even on that mess of a route averaged over 21 miles per day. Unfortunately, much of that was because the trail doesn't exist or was closed in many places and I had to road walk quite a bit. But on one very memorable section, the 165-mile traverse of the Pasayten Wilderness in Washington (Oroville to Ross Lake), this topic was really on my mind.

I was hiking close to 30-mile days on excellent trail in the Wilderness, getting up at dawn, watching the sunrise over the morning fog banks blowing through the passes, and hiking until the sunset lit up the blue glacier ice. Early one morning I passed through a popular, scenic lake area and saw lots of quiet tents, and I wanted to shout, "Wake up! You're missing the show!" These folks would slumber until 0800, pack up around 1000, walk until 1600 then sit around camp all evening (on the AT they'd be huddled in the corner of a dank shelter). If they even see me as I walk by, they wonder why I'm going so fast and not "smelling the roses".

I dig this post... sums up why I love going long distances. When I run long training runs, people ask if I stop and smell the roses. What they don't know is that I'll probably see a lot more roses along my run than if I were to hike.

leeki pole
09-24-2009, 15:37
Try Half Dome in Yosemite in a day. Makes Katahdin seem like a walk in the Park.

LoneRidgeRunner
01-01-2011, 21:12
Personally..I just hike....Who cares how many miles in a day? I don't. I much prefer to take my time. To each his own. As far as someone telling someone "You're only 50."..well.....every one is entitled to his or her own opinion as to at what age they wish to or wish not to slow down. When did backpacking become a competition anyway? If you wanta race with others who wanta race go to the Olympics...If I had the time and the finances I'd take a thru hike leaving around November at Springer and hit Katadin around October. That would allow pleny of time for r and r and to do some blue blaze hiking to enjoy the scenery and sights instead of blowing past it all so I could say.."Hey..I hiked the AT in just blah, blah, blah and so and so took 4 days longer........Who cares? Many people are just too critical of other's hiking. I don't care if you do it in 2 months or 2 years... it's entirely up to the individuals. Why should any one else care?

jcazz
01-01-2011, 21:48
Anyone doing a winter Ultra?? The Febapple Frozen Fifty is coming up -50M & 50K.

10-K
01-01-2011, 22:05
I'm running a 50k next weekend in Columbia, SC. www.carolinaultras.com

Phreak
01-01-2011, 22:19
Personally..I just hike....Who cares how many miles in a day? I don't. I much prefer to take my time. To each his own. As far as someone telling someone "You're only 50."..well.....every one is entitled to his or her own opinion as to at what age they wish to or wish not to slow down. When did backpacking become a competition anyway? If you wanta race with others who wanta race go to the Olympics...If I had the time and the finances I'd take a thru hike leaving around November at Springer and hit Katadin around October. That would allow pleny of time for r and r and to do some blue blaze hiking to enjoy the scenery and sights instead of blowing past it all so I could say.."Hey..I hiked the AT in just blah, blah, blah and so and so took 4 days longer........Who cares? Many people are just too critical of other's hiking. I don't care if you do it in 2 months or 2 years... it's entirely up to the individuals. Why should any one else care?
To each his own. But this forum is for speed hiking. Why post in here if its not your cup of tea?

Egads
01-01-2011, 22:24
To each his own. But this forum is for speed hiking. Why post in here if its not your cup of tea?

Even more so for digging up a 2009 thread to complain about - DB troll

10-K
01-01-2011, 22:28
I'm glad he dug it up... I do wish this forum was more active.

LoneRidgeRunner
01-01-2011, 22:42
I'm glad he dug it up... I do wish this forum was more active.

Thanks 10 k..It's a shame that people with similar interests can't voice opinions without some getting their drawers in a wad...LOL...

Sly
01-02-2011, 01:03
Try Half Dome in Yosemite in a day. Makes Katahdin seem like a walk in the Park.

Yeah, maybe because it's longer hike, but Katahdin is steeper overall...

Katahdin 5.2 miles, 4200' gain = 807' elevation per mile

Half Dome 7 miles, 5000' gain = 714' elevation per mile

Mags
01-02-2011, 23:10
To each his own. But this forum is for speed hiking. Why post in here if its not your cup of tea?

Maybe my sticky was not obvious enough? :D

Long Ridge, this forum is not for debating if it is better to run a trail or not. Hell, your trail name has Runner in it..
I'm a dumb Guinea and I confuse easily..do you like running or not? ;)

Re: Being Active
It is fairly active..but the threads to get moved from the general forum often.

weary
01-02-2011, 23:23
....I personally love to walk all day. Still not sure what is "wrong" with that concept.
I love to walk all day too. But somehow, I don't get very far, any more. Not that I ever did by racing standards. Twenty miles was about my limit during the peak years. Now I think 7-10 miles makes for a nice workout.