Uncovering the Truth: Underground Doping in the Long Distance Hiking Community

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When Jason Goldman* (*names have been changed to protect the identity of these individuals) completed a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in less than 100 days, not too many people paid attention: it had been hiked faster by others. But this was Jason's third thru-hike of the PCT. His previous two were completed in 183 and 174 days, respectively. So when he published his report of a three-month thru-hike, we sent Jason congratulations on a job well done. We simply assumed that he'd lightened his gear, refined his technique, and improved his fitness. And then we forgot about it.

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Mar 31, 2009 at 8:46 pm #1235219

Addie Bedford
BPL Member

@addiebedford
Locale: Montana

Companion forum thread to:

Uncovering the Truth: Underground Doping in the Long Distance Hiking Community

Mar 31, 2009 at 8:50 pm #1490227

Jim W.
BPL Member

@jimqpublic
Locale: So-Cal

Hike Your Own Hike

I think an * could be put in front of any official record, but otherwise HYOH and butt out of others' business.

For those of us who get too few chances to get out and hike, the idea of something to boost our performance is very appealing. I have two weeks in July to do a solo trip while the family is out of town. Can anyone point me to an "adviser" to help me hit the ground running as it were with 30-40 mile days right off the desk?

Mar 31, 2009 at 9:02 pm #1490232

Taylor Ginther
Member

@tippet
Locale: San Diego

I would need to dope to get that kind of time. I wouldn't, myself, those days are gone; but I'm not going to tell people how to live. It's not the Olympics, NBA, NFL, or MLB.

Pity for his family if his doping kills him.

Mar 31, 2009 at 9:09 pm #1490235

Ashley Brown
Member

@ashleyb

Sigh. How foolish. ;-)

Mar 31, 2009 at 9:27 pm #1490238

Jon Rhoderick
BPL Member

@hotrhoddudeguy
Locale: New England

She Named Names!!!!!

Ha this is like 2 months I've had without making a productive post.

Mar 31, 2009 at 9:30 pm #1490239

Sarah Florell
Member

@sarah_f-2-2
Locale: BWCA

Ms. B,
Your funny bone seems to be missing. Thanks for the spoiler alert, NOT!

Mar 31, 2009 at 11:36 pm #1490279

Franco Darioli
Spectator

@franco
Locale: Gauche, CU.

I have to confess that using garlic allows me to push my daily limit from 8 to 12 and if overdosing up to 15 miles per day . In the long run this will provably kill me (all of my ancestors used to eat garlic and most of them are dead now)
Franco

Apr 1, 2009 at 12:25 am #1490288

Dave T
Member

@davet

.

Apr 1, 2009 at 1:01 am #1490290

Denis Walsh
Spectator

@kd7kgc
Locale: Northern Rockies

I'm old enough to want to take pain reducing meds such as anti-inflammitories for joint pain, but just for miles seems to be overkill. I go walking for me, not miles. I guess I just don't get it.

Apr 1, 2009 at 1:39 am #1490294

Dan Baker
BPL Member

@heeler
Locale: Victoria, Australia

Since I switched to concentrated water and cut my pack weight down to sub 1 kg (1.9 lb) I have been able to consistently hike 60 mile days, granted, I can only do 10 in a row before I require a rest day, BUT this is clearly better than I was doing BEFORE the switch.
I have to laugh at the fools here who can only manage 20, 30 or even 40 mile days… I don't understand why they carry so much in the way of unnecessary gear (read weight)…

Apr 1, 2009 at 1:47 am #1490295

Jason Brinkman
BPL Member

@jbrinkmanboi
Locale: Idaho

I've heard that "stacking" garlic and onions can boost mileage up into the low 30's! But alas, most of my garlic and onion eating ancestors are dead too.

Would that qualify for a double asterick?

Apr 1, 2009 at 2:01 am #1490297

Diplomatic Mike
Member

@mikefaedundee
Locale: Under a bush in Scotland

Supplements are no fun. I stashed alcohol and cocaine on a well known trail at 50 mile intervals, for a go at the supported record. I needed support to get into my bag every night. I started experimenting with single malt whisky. I drank a bottle every night, and 2 cans of Guinness every morning. The cocaine was mixed with peanut butter as a trail snack. The thought of my nightly stash added wings to my feet. The cocaine helped too.
According to my friends, i seemed to always be in a happy mood on the trail. Unfortunately, i have no memory of the hike. In fact, i haven't hiked since i lost half my liver.
Boy, i was fast though! So they tell me. :(

Apr 1, 2009 at 2:52 am #1490305

John Manning
BPL Member

@pctjohnbadger
Locale: Stainforth

Is this the moment to 'fess up that I used Vitamin I and latté on the PCT in '04? And I'm sure I saw Dave T inhaling squirrel pee one night… how else would we have managed 17-milers AND several zero-days in succession?

Apr 1, 2009 at 5:26 am #1490313

James Hopkins
Member

@bajajameshopkins

I do not know if this is an April Fools joke but here is the Sad Part. I was at Primal Quest this year running support. There were teams using Pot as a pain mitigator and other substances that might be considered suspect at minumum. Adventure racers are the ulitimate BPL. So I guess in the joke there is a bit of truth….

But who am I to say. 46 years old and love to hike and need my Ranger M&Ms (Advil) to keep moving sometimes…..

Apr 1, 2009 at 5:39 am #1490314

Rich Steixner
Member

@neognosis

I've found that regularly taking large hits of a substance sometimes referred to as dihydro-monooxygen helps me hike MUCH further…. it's cheap right now, but I think once the authorities get wind of it, it will be made illegal and the price will skyrocket.

so far, it has one serious side effect though… the more hits of dihydro-monooxygen I do, the more my genitals want to expell this yellowish liquid. Weird, right?

Apr 1, 2009 at 6:33 am #1490321

Michael Hammond
Member

@mvhammond
Locale: Southeast U.S.

Wow, you really have to watch out for that Dihydrogen-Oxide. If you keep dosing that stuff you can get really flushed. I've even heard of people taking so much of it that it starts oozing out of their pores and dripping from their forehead. What a gruesome thought. Personally, I never touch the stuff.

Apr 1, 2009 at 6:45 am #1490323

Ryan Jordan
Admin

@ryan
Locale: Central Rockies

@Rich:

Nobody ever talks about its effects on the genitalia.

Good on you for stepping up to the plate and putting this in the open.

I thought I was the only one.

I love this community. It's such a safe place.

Sincerely,
ryan

Apr 1, 2009 at 6:56 am #1490324

Andrew Skurka
BPL Member

@askurka

This article sounds like something straight out of The Onion. And it April 1st. But that would be very uncharacteristically BPL to publish a joke like this.

The thought of long-distance hikers using performance drugs to achieve "grand illusions of media success and the opportunities that could be afforded to me if I became a professional hiker" is laughable. Why didn't this individual contact me first — I would have instructed them not to quit their day job!

I have to wonder — if a 20-mile/day hiker could suddenly do repeat 40's, what could I do with a little extra juice doused on my Balance Bars and couscous?

Apr 1, 2009 at 7:04 am #1490328

Sam Haraldson
BPL Member

@sharalds
Locale: Gallatin Range

Skurka, I would suggest a boot of this Hydrogen dioxide supplement they're talking about. Stock up before the feds crack down on it.

Apr 1, 2009 at 7:05 am #1490329

Curt Peterson
BPL Member

@curtpeterson
Locale: Pacific Northwest

Who is Selena Roberts? ;)

Apr 1, 2009 at 7:17 am #1490330

Chad Mason
Spectator

@porch13
Locale: Arizona

Uhhhh…….April Fools Day?

Apr 1, 2009 at 7:18 am #1490331

Joe Clement
BPL Member

@skinewmexico
Locale: Southwest

I don't know, I'm trying to get back into shape at 50, and it's pretty tough. Tougher when you're lazy like me. With my history of doing the wrong thing, I hestitate to think what I would do if I had any clue where to get steroids or HGH. I'd just like to do 15 miles days, or ski at a high level, and not have my knees hurt.

Apr 1, 2009 at 8:40 am #1490362

Eric Binder
BPL Member

@ebinder
Locale: New England

If it is legal, it is legal, and can be used any way anyone feels fit. GNC has plenty of safe products to enhance one's performance.

If it is illegal then… And, it should not be used because of safty reasons. Just ask Jose Canseco.

Enjoy your hike.

Apr 1, 2009 at 8:57 am #1490365

John S.
BPL Member

@jshann

bpl deleted my post…nice..

Apr 1, 2009 at 9:11 am #1490368

Kendall Clement
BPL Member

@socalpacker
Locale: Cebu, Philippines

I don't know. I personally don't take any kind of supplements for workouts or illicit drugs of any kind. I'm pushing 50 and had a fairly wreckless youth which I regret in many ways. The thought of doing anything like that sends shivers up my spine. Having said that, I think that people do what they feel they need to do. If it's legal then it's really nobody's business. By the same token, if somebody's doing something illegal then it's none of my business as long as it doesn't affect me. I'm disappointed with any kind of high level or professional athlete who feels it necessary use performance enhancing substances; because I think that, whether they like it or not, they ARE role models for the kids. IMHO that's part of the job description. I'm not one to dictate ethics and morallity to people, and I'm not in law enforcement.
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