What do you get when you combine backpacking with trail running? If you read the title of this post you know it’s Fastpacking - and here’s what you need to know about the latest outdoor recreation mashup.

If you’re a long distance runner you’ve probably seen the hydration belts and backpacks that some folks use to carry water and nutrition on long runs. Technically, carrying only food and water is not fastpacking - unless, that is, you spend the night out on the trail! Fastpackers carry everything they need with them to survive overnight and unsupported fastpackers have been known to cover nearly 600 miles at a stretch.

Fastpackers working with support teams have accomplished some pretty amazing stuff as well. In 2005 Andrew Thompson hiked/ran the entire 2,174-mile Appalachian Trail in just 47 days, 13 hours. In 2001 Ted Keizer summited all 55 of Colorado’s Fourteeners (mountain peaks over 14,000 feet high) in just 10 days, 20 hours with the help of a dedicated support team. Now that’s fast packing!

Over on the Serious Running trail running blog they have some tips for what to pack in a fastpack and they suggest keeping the whole thing under 3 pounds (not including water of course). The next time you’re strapped for vacation days, cram it all in with a fastpacking trip!

Over on Examiner.com Jay Werth shares his tips for pooping outdoors - a must read for anyone planning on a “primitive” camping trip this summer. To be honest I’ve camped in very few places that didn’t at least have a vault-style toilet with the exception of backpacking along the Appalachian Trail. Even then, many shelters along the trail have privys for hikers’ convenience.

Anyway, the #1 tip offered by Mr. Werth seems to be to poop as far away from streams and lakes as possible. Werth also mentions a good tip for setting up a simple folding toilet seat and talks about strategies for burying waste.

In some highly trafficked and desert areas like the Grand Canyon, hikers and campers are required to pack toilet paper out with them to protect the environment. A friend told me a story about hiking in the Grand Canyon with an inexperienced backpacker who misunderstood and carried her toilet paper and waste out with her. Needless to say her backpack was a little smelly on the way up

For some the question of pooping outdoors may be keeping them from giving camping a try but it’s really not rocket science. Just keep the basics in mind and the rest will come naturally!

Check out our tips for saving space in your bag when packing toilet paper.

This story is getting picked up all over the place so apologies if you already read it elsewhere. Last week three young guys from Texas were sent back to the Lone Star state after arriving in Dublin, Ireland for a backpacking trip. Their offense? No address for the place where they planned to stay and no demonstrable money on hand (apparently immigration officials wanted to see bank statements).

Anyway, the whole incident resulted in major media coverage in Ireland and now the guys are being showered with offers for free hotel stays, interviews, and even an ad campaign on the Emerald Isle. Apparently those in the tourism biz are a little upset that their potential “customers” were treated so rudely and they’re trying to make up for it.

Admittedly the 3 men hadn’t done a lot of planning for their trip:

We learned it the hard way. We recognize now that we were less prepared than we should have been.

Then again, I suppose I’ve been guilty of this myself too. A few years back my brother and I planned to meet in Europe for an epic trip through Germany, Italy, and France. The only hotel we booked ahead of time was for our first night in Mainz and beyond that we basically winged it (which, in hindsight, was pretty stressful). To top it off my brother didn’t even have a passport with him which meant our transportation options were pretty limited. Fortunately we didn’t run into any snags but that’s probably just because we were lucky.

But what if these guys had planned to spend their nights outdoors as they truly “backpacked” across Western Europe. Is that allowed? Judging by immigration officials’ response, it isn’t - unless you have a fat bank account

Another month, another set of winners! Apparently tripleblaze members are paying attention this time around and we saw about a dozen members contribute during the month of June - much better than the handful we saw in May. In the end though, a familiar name came out on top: Mongoose. In June Mongoose racked up 276 points while our second prize winner NC Hiker slid in with 8 points.

What did it take to earn 8 points and a $25 gift cerficate to REI? In NC Hiker’s case it was just 2 new hiking trails and a single photo for the entire month - not a bad paycheck for a few minutes’ work! Contest is happening again this month - get your campground listings, hiking trail info, reviews and photos in for a chance to win! Top two point grabbers will take home a $25 REI gift certificate…

Photo courtesy Feather Down Farm Days.

Here’s yet another new camping trend: farm camping. While farm camping is a pretty far cry from glamping, it’s certainly something that more and more families may consider as gardening and urban farming trends continue to sweep the US. Campers stay in rustic, furnished “tent cottages” that feature a stove, bedroom(s), and in some cases, even flush toilets (though most do not have electricity). Depending on the farm and location, campers may find themselves collecting eggs from the chicken coop, milking cows, or harvesting fruits and vegetables.

Die hard campers may not view farm camping the same as a trip to the local state park but it’s similar in many ways. Camping is all about simplicity and farm camping allows families to reconnect with common activities from simpler times. For many of us, camping isn’t about a tent or sleeping bag - it’s about being outdoors and spending time with the family. Farm camping certainly makes that possible.

The idea for farm camping got started in the UK but there are already a few farm camps set up here in the US from Iowa to New York state. A four-night stay for a family starts around $800 and includes fresh linens and firewood. While that may be a little pricier than a typical camping trip it’s a steal when you consider the price of a stay at a ranch or hotel. Besides, the experience of milking your own cow is priceless!

Via Springwise.