All You Need to Know About Fastpacking

Racepacking = racing while backpacking

Fastpacking = backpacking fast

Backpacking = backpacking at average speeds

Slowpacking = backpacking slow

Runpacking = running while backpacking

I just made these up but they seem pretty adequate to me!

Totally Arbitrary, but a starting point –

Speed:3 mph to 8 mph
Mode: Walking to Running
Base Weight: 10# to 0#
Time Between Rest: 15 hours to 48 hours
Distance: 40 miles per day to 100 miles per day
Tread: Maintained Trails to Cross Country Routes
Elevation Gain/Loss:10,000 feet per day to 100,000 feet per day
Threshold Effort: Longer than 100 miles, and more than 10,000 feet of gain
Crew: 0 to 12

What other "criteria"?
What is your opinion on the "minimums"
What are the "required" criteria?

…pickin up what I'm puttin down

How many lbs is UL for a 300lbs person? Twice that of a 150lb-er, of course!

Actually fastpacking is when you are in a hurry to break down camp and put it in your backpack. This is where most people get hung up… stuffing their sleeping bags. there's a whole thread about it

It is a very fine line (if any)between fast packing (hiking) and multiday trail running. I have hiked with some truly world class hikers and their speed on the downhills is about as fast as a trail runner and their uphill speed is a pretty close match. Many fast packers (hikers) have learned that a steady trot on the downhills results in less wear and tear.

As an aside. I am sorta stuck in the middle between trail running and hiking. I often alternate even with my full pack just to change the muscle groups up a bit.

Not so much at running

I liked this article for the perspective into what is an outstanding human capacity.

I know this is a few months old, but I think the distinction between hiking really fast and running should be made. I am NOT an expert at either, nor do I have a stake in any of this, but I thought it may help the discussion.

The way I've heard it is this:

Running= both feet leaving ground after each foot strike

Speed hiking= one foot always remains in contact with the ground

So I guess there is a difference because running does require more stamina or whatever, but still, there doesn't need to be a new name for it. Still just backpacking. You just add the element of running.

Edited so it added some sort of value to the convo.