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Fastpacking: The perfect mix of running, hiking and nature

Posted February 23, 2009 at 02:09 PM by Amanda Black

Section: Gear & Apparel, Training

Have you ever wanted to fuse the beauty and surroundings of a hike with the face pace of a run? Well, if you did - then your in luck - because that’s exactly what the newest craze, called “fastpacking”, is all about.

Fastpacking is about taking as little gear as possible so you can travel greater distances in the wilderness unhampered. And what gear you do take with you should be necessary camping gear: (sleeping bag and tarp), food, cooking utensils, water, and everything should be durable and light. The total weight of your pack should be around twenty pounds or what you can comfortably run with for a long period of time.

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Tags: backpack, backpacking, fastpacking, gear, hiking, hiking-boots, mountain-hike, nature, outdoors, trail-shoes, trekking, trekking-shoes

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253 Responses to “Fastpacking: The perfect mix of running, hiking and nature” (Leave a reply)

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Fastpacking — a tiring-just-thinking-about-it blend of fast and backpacking — is also known as speedhiking.
August 14, 2008 at 05:16 AM
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Fastpacking is about taking as little gear as possible so you can travel greater distances in the wilderness unhampered. you can comfortably run with for a long period of time.
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September 11, 2008 at 04:18 AM
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I used to live in CO and me and my firends would do this a few times a year. We never had a name for it but I like fastbacking.
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September 13, 2008 at 09:37 AM
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September 17, 2008 at 10:49 PM
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Finished the rest. Very helpful article. In a word, take the must-have, lignten the weight of pack, make the best use of your gear.
September 24, 2008 at 12:56 AM
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It is a challenging and hard work for girls, if I could have a baby boy when I become a mother, I will persuade him to try.
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Wow, I never know such term like “fastpacking” before, this is great for people who doesn’t have much time, because they can travel to more places in short time
October 14, 2008 at 08:58 AM
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That’s right that the total weight of your pack should be around twenty pounds or what you can comfortably run with for a long period of time.
October 20, 2008 at 08:14 AM
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That sounds like a good idea except for on those occasions, when harsh weather will force you to stay in the wilderness for longer than you planned. Packing too light can be dangerous.
October 26, 2008 at 08:49 AM
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Fusing the beauty of the surroundings with the face pace of a run? It seems to be so fantastic. I love traveling, especially when carrying just a little luggage. Who is willing to travel with me?
October 27, 2008 at 09:26 PM
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Thanks for a good reminder. Now we know what gear we take with us should be necessary camping gear. It should be durable and light so it would be much easier to travel greater distances.
October 29, 2008 at 10:36 PM
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Now i know what fastpacking means. I really wanted to go hiking with my husband, but i just don’t have the time yet.
October 31, 2008 at 03:25 AM
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I love traveling, especially when carrying just a little luggage. Who is willing to travel with me?
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I used to live in CO and me and my firends would do this a few times a year. We never had a name for it but I like fastbacking.
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My husband and I used to camp along the Tennessee river all of the time. We boated some,camped and hiked to explore. It has been a couple of years since we have done this and I have gained almost 20 pounds I can not seem to get off. Since reading this article I think I know why. I need to get active again! My husband suggested a trip to Gatlinburg this Thanksgiving and it sounds like a Smoky Mountain hike might be just the thing to get us moving again! Thanks for the inspiration.
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This is considered lightweight packpacking! I don’t know how long I could briskly travel with 20lbs. on my back! Is this all a new thing..I mean “fastpacking” is this a new term?
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My buddies and I enjoy fastpacking more than anything… the girlfriends and wives are another story. We’ve tried a few times but usually end up turning back before dark.
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Ill be honest, I’m a pack crazy person, and too bad i do it when I hike too. But maybe I will give it a try next time, I sure wont miss the heavy bag on my back.
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I have a brother who trains like this for 100 mile runs. He carries just a little with him. He regularly runs the Leadville 100 and Wasche 100.
December 23, 2008 at 02:13 PM
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I got a valuable information from your site .Fast-packing is being able to cover more distance in a day versus traditional backpacking techniques. The major aim is to decrease the weight carried on the trail. When the weight decreases you can hike farther in less time, put less stress on your body, and enjoy the experience more.keep posting..
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Fastpacking is about taking as little gear as possible so you can travel greater distances in the wilderness unhampered.
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Speed hiking or fastpacking, it is still a great workout.
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