Fastpacking

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View of Mont Blanc from the Tour du Mont Blanc, seen from the Aiguilles Rouges. A typical fastpacking route. A view of Mont Blanc from the Tour du Mont Blanc, 2007.jpg
View of Mont Blanc from the Tour du Mont Blanc, seen from the Aiguilles Rouges. A typical fastpacking route.

Fastpacking is a combination of trail running and ultralight backpacking. [1] It is described by writer Clint Cherepa as "hiking the ups, jogging the flats, and running the downs", depending on the gradient, because of the weight carried. [2] Participants carry a light pack with essential supplies, including a sleeping bag and tent, or similar form of shelter, if mountain huts or other accommodation is not available. [3] [4] The weight carried will vary but fastpackers aim at no more than 15 pounds (6.8 kg) and some achieve less than 10 pounds (4.5 kg). [5] This activity may be undertaken either unsupported, self-supported, or supported. "Unsupported fastpackers make no use of outside assistance along the route", while self-supported fastpackers will leave caches of supplies along the intended route.

Contents

Fastpacking involves covering a considerable distance over several days with a pack, which requires both mental and physical strength. Established, well-traveled long distance trails are used because "with minimal extra food and clothing, getting stuck in the backcountry for an extended period of time can quickly become a dangerous proposition". [6]

Routes

Fastpacking makes use of long distance trails including: in the United Kingdom the South Downs Way, Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk and the West Highland Way; in Europe the Tour du Mont Blanc, the "Alta Via 1" in the Dolomites, and the Alpine Pass Route; [7] in the US the John Muir Trail in California and the Appalachian trail. In New Zealand world-famous routes such as the Milford, Routeburn, and Abel Tasman Tracks that take hikers several days to walk can be covered by fit fastpackers in one or two days. [4]

Equipment

On a fastpacking trip luxury items are left at home. In addition extra straps can be cut and things made to serve more than one purpose. For example, clothes worn during the day are worn at night for extra warmth, which also means a lighter sleeping bag is needed. [8]

Backpack

Ultralight frameless packs are commercially available in weights ranging from eight to fourteen ounces (200–400 g) [9] and can consist of not much more than a sack with shoulder straps, a return to the simplicity of the rucksack. Some fastpackers make their own "ultralight pack". [10] A good pack that is suitable for fastpacking needs to be particularly secure and comfortable when moving more quickly at a running or jogging pace. For this reason, many fastpackers choose packs that are designed for trail running or even specifically for fastpacking, so it will fit snugly and will not sway, shift around and rub when running. [11]

An improvised tarpaulin fly tent Tarpaulin fly tent.jpg
An improvised tarpaulin fly tent

Footwear

Lightweight footwear is essential because it is estimated that "every pound on your feet equals 5 pounds (2.3 kg) on your back", so that reducing the weight of boots by 2 pounds (0.91 kg) rather is equivalent to "removing 10 pounds (4.5 kg) from your pack". [12] [13] Most fastpackers wear running shoes.[ citation needed ] Most fastpackers who will be traveling on trails and uneven terrain will choose to wear lightweight trail running shoes which are designed to be lightweight and provide off-road grip in wet and dry conditions. [11]

Shelter

A tarp provides the lightest type of shelter as it can weigh 1 pound (0.45 kg) or less, and can be strung from a tree, or propped with branches. [14] [ failed verification ]

Ten Essentials

The Ten Essentials that are recommended to all hikers: [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hiking</span> Walking as a hobby, sport, or leisure activity

Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. Religious pilgrimages have existed much longer but they involve walking long distances for a spiritual purpose associated with specific religions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific Crest Trail</span> Long-distance hiking and equestrian trail in the western US

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), officially designated as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail closely aligned with the highest portion of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, which lie 100 to 150 miles east of the U.S. Pacific coast. The trail's southern terminus is next to the Mexico–United States border, just south of Campo, California, and its northern terminus is on the Canada–US border, upon which it continues unofficially to the Windy Joe Trail within Manning Park in British Columbia; it passes through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backpack</span> Bag carried on ones back

A backpack—also called knapsack, rucksack, pack, booksack, bookbag, haversack or backsack—is, in its simplest frameless form, a fabric sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders; but it can have an external or internal frame, and there are bodypacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camping</span> Outdoor recreational activity

Camping is a form of outdoor recreation or outdoor education involving overnight stays with a basic temporary shelter such as a tent. Camping can also include a recreational vehicle, sheltered cabins, a permanent tent, a shelter such as a bivy or tarp, or no shelter at all. Typically, participants leave developed areas to spend time outdoors, in pursuit of activities providing them enjoyment or in a form of educational experience. Spending the night away from home distinguishes camping from day-tripping, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trail running</span> Mountain sport

Trail running is a type of running that takes place on outdoor trails, often in mountainous terrain, and often includes significant ascents and descents. Trail running is overseen by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) and includes longer races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backpacking (hiking)</span> Outdoor recreation of carrying gear on ones back, while hiking for more than a day

Backpacking is the outdoor recreation of carrying gear on one's back while hiking for more than a day. It is often an extended journey and may involve camping outdoors. In North America, tenting is common, where simple shelters and mountain huts, widely found in Europe, are rare. In New Zealand, hiking is called tramping, and tents are used alongside a nationwide network of huts. Hill walking is equivalent in Britain, though backpackers make use of a variety of accommodation, in addition to camping. Backpackers use simple huts in South Africa. Trekking and bushwalking are other words used to describe such multi-day trips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bivouac shelter</span> Improvised shelter

A bivouac shelter or bivvy is any of a variety of improvised camp site or shelter that is usually of a temporary nature, used especially by soldiers or people engaged in backpacking, bikepacking, scouting or mountain climbing. It may often refer to sleeping in the open with a bivouac sack, but it may also refer to a shelter constructed of natural materials like a structure of branches to form a frame, which is then covered with leaves, ferns and similar material for waterproofing and duff for insulation. Modern bivouacs often involve the use of one- or two-person tents but may also be without tents or full cover. In modern mountaineering the nature of the bivouac shelter will depend on the level of preparedness, in particular whether existing camping and outdoor gear may be incorporated into the shelter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ten Essentials</span> Survival items recommended by hiking and Scouting organizations

The Ten Essentials are survival items that hiking and Scouting organizations recommend for safe travel in the backcountry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thru-hiking</span> Style of hiking

Thru-hiking, or through-hiking, is the act of hiking an established long-distance trail end-to-end continuously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ultralight backpacking</span> Style of hiking

Ultralight backpacking is a style of lightweight backpacking that emphasizes carrying the lightest and least amount of gear. While no technical standards exist, some hikers consider "ultralight" to mean an initial base weight of less than 4.5 kg (9.9 lb). Base weight is the weight of a fully loaded backpack at the start of a trip, excluding worn weight and consumables such as food, water, and fuel. Base weight can be lowered by reducing the weight of individual items of gear, or by choosing not to carry that gear. Ultralight backpacking is most popular among thru-hikers.

Hiking equipment is the equipment taken on outdoor walking trips. The duration, distance, planned activities, and environment impacts equipment selection. For example, a short day hike across flat farmland versus trekking in the Himalayas would call for different types of equipment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarp tent</span> Piece of tarp used as a tent

A tarp tent is a tarpaulin, a plastic or nylon sheet, used in place of a tent. It is usually rigged with poles, tent pegs, and guy lines. Ultralight backpackers use tarp tents because they are lightweight compared to other backpacking shelters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Packraft</span>

Packraft and trail boat are colloquial terms for a small, portable inflatable boat designed for use in all bodies of water, including technical whitewater and ocean bays and fjords. A packraft is designed to be light enough to be carried for extended distances. Along with its propulsion system and safety equipment the entire package is designed to be light and compact enough for an individual to negotiate rough terrain while carrying the rafting equipment together with supplies, shelter, and other survival or backcountry equipment. Modern packrafts vary from inexpensive vinyl boats lacking durability to sturdy craft costing over US $1,000. Most weigh less than 4 kg (9 lbs) and usually carry a single passenger. The most popular propulsion systems involve a kayak paddle that breaks down into two to five pieces. Most often they are paddled from a sitting position, although kneeling can be advantageous in some situations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Granite Gear</span> American outdoor company that sells backpacks, hiking and portage accessories.

Granite Gear is an American outdoor company that sells backpacks, along with hiking and portage accessories. The company was founded in 1986 by outdoorsmen Jeff Knight and Dan Cruikshank, based in Two Harbors, MN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Skurka</span> American professional backpacker

Andrew Skurka is an American professional backpacker who is best known for his two long-distance hiking firsts—the 6,875-mile Great Western Loop and the 7,778-mile Sea-to-Sea Route. He was named the 2007 "Adventurer of the Year" by National Geographic Adventure and the 2005 "Person of the Year" by Backpacker magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbia Montrail</span> Sub-brand of Columbia Sportswear

Columbia Montrail is a sub-brand of Columbia Sportswear that manufactures and distributes shoes for trail running, hiking, and general long-distance running.

GoLite is an outdoor hiking and backpacking gear company that relaunched as an apparel manufacturer under new ownership in 2018. Humanitarian and environmental initiatives are a key part of the new ownership. As of 2018, GoLite has donated 14,000 uniforms to help health care workers in Uganda and Guatemala using company fabric resources. The new sustainable clothing collection is intended to combine outdoor performance and athletic functionality. GoLite is headquartered in Seattle, WA.

Scott Williamson is an American thru-hiker, most noted for being the first person to complete a continuous one-season round trip of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). He is also noted for his speed records for hiking the PCT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camping food</span> Food designed for camping and backpacking

Camping food is food brought on or designed for camping, hiking, and backpacking trips. The term also encompasses ingredients that can be used to make said foods. The primary differences relate to campers' and backpackers' special needs for foods that have appropriate cooking time, perishability, weight, and nutritional content. To address these needs, camping food is often made up of freeze-dried, dehydrated, pre-cooked, pre-prepared, or otherwise preserved foods that can last extended periods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backpacking with animals</span>

Backpacking with animals is the use of pack animals, such as a horse, llama, goat, dog, or donkey to help carry the weight of a backpackers gear during an excursion. These animals need special considerations when accompanying backpackers on a trip. Some areas restrict the use of horses and other pack animals. For example, Great Basin National Park does not allow domestic animals at all in backcountry areas.

References

  1. Kate Siber (2009-08-06). "Fastpacking: What is it, and why do it?". Runner's World. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  2. Cherepa, Clint (August 27, 2018). "Hike Fast, Sleep Hard: Are You Ready to Try Fastpacking?". Outdoors.org. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  3. Crable, Ad (June 18, 1993). "Running wild". Lancaster New Era.
  4. 1 2 Patrick Kinsella (May 5, 2017). "Run, don't walk: mastering the art of fastpacking". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  5. Sarah L. Stewart (2014-10-20). "10 Tips to Go Ultralight". Backpacker. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  6. "Ultralight Backpacking: The New Way". www.backpacking-guide.com.
  7. Dyu, Lily (31 January 2019). Fastpacking: Multi-day Running Adventures: Tips, Stories and Route Ideas. Cicerone Press. ISBN   978-1-85284-957-3. OCLC   1076616836.
  8. "Hike Fast, Sleep Hard: Are You Ready To Try Fastpacking?". Archived from the original on 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  9. Fletcher, Colin (2002). The Complete Walker IV. C. L. Rawlins, Vanna Prince, Hannah Hinchman (Fully updated and revised ed.). New York. ISBN   0-375-70323-3. OCLC   49677120.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. Ray Jardine (1992). The PCT Hiker's Handbook. LaPine, OR: AdventureLore Press. ISBN   0-9632359-0-7.
  11. 1 2 "Fastpacking Gear Guide 2021 [Ultralight Backpacking Guide]". 2021-02-27. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
  12. Chris Townsend, The Backpacker's Handbook 2005, p. 39
  13. "Weight on your feet". 23 February 2019. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  14. "Scout Life magazine". Scout Life magazine. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  15. "Ten Essentials". National Park Service.