Fastpacking is a combination of trail running and ultralight backpacking.
Fastpacking involves covering a considerable distance over several days with a pack, which requires both mental and physical strength. Established, well-traveled long distance trails are used because "with minimal extra food and clothing, getting stuck in the backcountry for an extended period of time can quickly become a dangerous proposition".
Routes
Fastpacking makes use of long distance trails including: in the United Kingdom the South Downs Way, Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk and the West Highland Way; in Europe the Tour du Mont Blanc, the "Alta Via 1" in the
Dolomites, and the Alpine Pass Route;
in the US the John Muir Trail in California and the Appalachian trail. In
New Zealand world-famous routes such as the
Milford Track,
Routeburn Track, and Abel Tasman Tracks that take hikers several days to walk can be covered by fit fastpackers in one or two days.
Equipment
On a fastpacking trip luxury items are left at home. In addition extra straps can be cut and items made to serve more than one purpose. For example, clothes worn during the day can be worn at night for extra warmth, allowing for a lighter sleeping bag to be carried.
Backpack
Backpack are commercially available in weights ranging from eight to fourteen ounces (200–400 g)
and can consist of not much more than a sack with shoulder straps, a return to the simplicity of the rucksack. Some fastpackers make their own "ultralight pack".
[Ray Jardine (1992). The PCT Hiker's Handbook. LaPine, OR: AdventureLore Press. .] A good pack that is suitable for fastpacking needs to be particularly secure and comfortable when moving more quickly at a running or jogging pace. For this reason, many fastpackers choose packs that are designed for trail running or even specifically for fastpacking, so it will fit snugly and will not sway, shift around and rub when running.
Footwear
Lightweight footwear is essential because it is estimated that "every pound on your feet equals on your back", so that reducing the weight of boots by rather is equivalent to "removing from your pack".
[Chris Townsend, The Backpacker's Handbook 2005, p. 39] Most fastpackers wear
running shoes or if traveling on trails and uneven terrain, will choose to wear lightweight trail running shoes which are designed to be lightweight and provide off-road grip in wet and dry conditions.
Shelter
A
Tarp tent provides the lightest type of shelter as it can weigh or less, and can be strung from a tree, or propped with branches.
Ten Essentials
The
Ten Essentials that are recommended to all hikers:
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Also recommended– whistle and Mobile phone.
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Basic first-aid kit.
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Fire: Matches, or fire starter in waterproof container.
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Food: Dry food is preferred to save weight.
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Headlamp, or flashlight, batteries. LED bulb is preferred to extend battery life.
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Insulation: Jacket, hat, rain shell (and when necessary gloves and thermal underwear).
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Map in waterproof container and compass
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Pocketknife and duct tape.
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Tarpaulin: See section above.
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Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.
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Water: 2 litres of water and a method of storing and purifying water.
See also
