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!

Related posts:

1. Running the Appalachian Trail
2. Hiking trail maps posted
3. Snake Safety for Hikers
4. Backpacking Colorado Canyon Country
5. Tips for hiking with your dog

Tags: appalachian trail, fastpacking, fourteeners, trail running

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 at 10:33 am and is filed under backpacking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.