Trail Running and Speed Hiking (sticky)

[Mags]

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.

Happy Trails..no matter how you enjoy them!

John B and Paul Mags (moderators)

[Homer&Marje]

I want to do the Pemi Loop in one day....Working towards that goal...32 miles of pain and rocks.

Hope I can do it one day

[jersey joe]

Pushing myself to do longer days with more miles helped me keep my thru hike interesting.

[Phreak]

Glad to see this forum! I love speed hiking and trail running.

[CrumbSnatcher]

more walk- less camp. usually, but not always.

[fiddlehead]

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]

thruhiking the A.T. who wins?
speed hiker or power hiker

[Homer&Marje]

That question is for LW, Warren Doyle, and...Karl Meltzer to figure out

As for now the record is held by a speed hiker

[Nasty Dog Virus]

What exactly is speed hiking?

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?op...d=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]

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]

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]

thruhiking the A.T. who wins?
speed hiker or power hiker

Whoever enjoyed their trip. Usually it is a tie.

[Mags]

What exactly is speed hiking?

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?op...d=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]

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]

Whoever enjoyed their trip. Usually it is a tie.

i was just messin' around! i shouldn't of said who wins. your right if your doing your own thing? you win

[JJJ]

I had fun(?) on this excursion last year.
Blogged report:
Pack list
Buzzard Rock Cafe
jjj

[Mags]

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]

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]

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.

Me? I'm just plain ole hiker trash who cooks a pretty good Italian-American Sunday gravy....

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

[Plodderman]

I like to do long days (20-25) but I am getting a little old for speed hiking.