30 Signs You May Have Taken Ultralight Backpacking Too Far

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
15. You’ve begun referring to yourself as a “fastpacker” – which is ******-speak for someone who thinks they’re a bit special because their pack is lighter, and they cover a few more miles than most other hikers.

30. You use a fanny pack. That’s all I’ll say about that.
 

Taz38

Thru Hiker
My colleagues avoid asking me gear questions...my family also...in the same way I avoid asking my son anything about starwars, my daughter about pokemon, or the OH...anything (he likes to give very long detailed answers) ;)

I'm guilty of a few things on the list. Skimping on food isn't alway bad, I lost at least a stone on a 5 day trip which didn't do me any harm.
 

Ally

Ultralighter
My colleagues avoid asking me gear questions...

I was watching a DOE group leaving the school a few days ago from the kitchen while telling the totally uninterested 64 year old dinner lady standing next to me why the length of a compass lanyard and layering in winter was so important. Followed by how to properly fit a rucksack and theirs where all a disgrace...she just looked at me bless her lol
 

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
15. You’ve begun referring to yourself as a “fastpacker” – which is ******-speak for someone who thinks they’re a bit special because their pack is lighter, and they cover a few more miles than most other hikers.

30. You use a fanny pack. That’s all I’ll say about that.
Guilty on both charges.... :couchpotato:
 

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
I was watching a DOE group leaving the school a few days ago from the kitchen while telling the totally uninterested 64 year old dinner lady standing next to me why the length of a compass lanyard and layering in winter was so important. Followed by how to properly fit a rucksack and theirs where all a disgrace...she just looked at me bless her lol

I watched both daughters and sons DoE groups getting ready to set off ……... and wading in like the bossy mum I am, and adjusting a couple of very poorly fitted packs.
They have to work as team - one uncomfy member will hold the whole group up.
Why don't their supervisors teach them how to "fit" a pack properly ??? :sour:
 

Foxster

Section Hiker
Why don't their supervisors teach them how to "fit" a pack properly ??? :sour:
As someone who goes along on all our school's DoE hikes, I'm fairly certain that it's because the supervisors don't know any better.

The school is glad to have warm bodies willing to give up their time. Expecting them to know much about hiking is expecting too much.

I walk for the first day with the kids doing their first Bronze practice hikes and pass on what I can about packs, feet and such but you have to work with what you have on the day. I've had kids in their school shoes, kids with huge old ex-army packs weighing many kilos, kids wanting to carry extra stuff in carrier bags, kids with no water and/or food, kids with not-waterproof waterproofs...Don't get me started on the lack of any navigation skills.
 

Ally

Ultralighter
As someone who goes along on all our school's DoE hikes, I'm fairly certain that it's because the supervisors don't know any better.

The school is glad to have warm bodies willing to give up their time. Expecting them to know much about hiking is expecting too much.

I walk for the first day with the kids doing their first Bronze practice hikes and pass on what I can about packs, feet and such but you have to work with what you have on the day. I've had kids in their school shoes, kids with huge old ex-army packs weighing many kilos, kids wanting to carry extra stuff in carrier bags, kids with no water and/or food, kids with not-waterproof waterproofs...Don't get me started on the lack of any navigation skills.

Pretty much what I saw some kids dressed to go to the south pole and some wearing school blazers and trousers.

Their is another school in my area that I go in and out of where i am friendly with a PE teacher who has a fair bit of out door experience, winter climbing, arctic crossing and high altitude. We have done a bit of winter climbing and snow holing together. He takes out DoE groups sometimes and has similar stories to yourself, guess it just the luck of the draw in each school.
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
Guilty on both charges.... :couchpotato:
I was sat having my lunch by a couple of marshals who were a checkpoint for an ultra event my wife was doing. I couldn't help overhearing their conversation during which one of them described the Spine Race as a walking holiday with sleep deprivation. Hardcore fastpacking! :thumbsup:
 

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
As someone who goes along on all our school's DoE hikes, I'm fairly certain that it's because the supervisors don't know any better.

The school is glad to have warm bodies willing to give up their time. Expecting them to know much about hiking is expecting too much.

I walk for the first day with the kids doing their first Bronze practice hikes and pass on what I can about packs, feet and such but you have to work with what you have on the day. I've had kids in their school shoes, kids with huge old ex-army packs weighing many kilos, kids wanting to carry extra stuff in carrier bags, kids with no water and/or food, kids with not-waterproof waterproofs...Don't get me started on the lack of any navigation skills.

Both my kids were on Scouts/Guides organised DoE. And they had a kit shake down week before the event - so I've no complaint about wrong/inappropriate kit - they all looked to be "about right". I know one of the supervising Scout leaders is a frequent hiker/bothier/ backpacker. So why did checking that packs were adjusted properly not be part of their preparation ???

I'm much in awe of the volunteers who give their time so freely :thumbsup:.
Maybe it should be written into the DoE kit list - "How to make it fit" not just what to put in it.
 

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
I was sat having my lunch by a couple of marshals who were a checkpoint for an ultra event my wife was doing. I couldn't help overhearing their conversation during which one of them described the Spine Race as a walking holiday with sleep deprivation. Hardcore fastpacking! :thumbsup:
I wonder if the sleep deprecation is only for the fast (aiming for top tier) and the slow that are not prepared enough to have practiced long days (equally in darkness) or are not used to just getting a tarp/tent and bivy out and sleeping for a few hours soundly regardless of weather, location. I've seen pictures and heard horror stories of those trying to catch sleep in aid stations or public toilets :banghead:. There's those that are in groups when it comes to rest points... It can't be easy getting any kind of rest, when there's banter and moans lol
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
I wonder if the sleep deprecation is only for the fast (aiming for top tier) and the slow that are not prepared enough to have practiced long days (equally in darkness) or are not used to just getting a tarp/tent and bivy out and sleeping for a few hours soundly regardless of weather, location. I've seen pictures and heard horror stories of those trying to catch sleep in aid stations or public toilets :banghead:. There's those that are in groups when it comes to rest points... It can't be easy getting any kind of rest, when there's banter and moans lol
If you do it in 150 hours and average 2 miles and hour you get 20 hours sleep. That's 5 x 4 hours. I've asked a couple of people I know who have done it about the Spine but they are not very forthcoming. I think it is horrible but pig pigheadedness gets them through. I know one man who did it and turned around and ran back.

Double Spine
 

Taz38

Thru Hiker
I've seen pictures and heard horror stories of those trying to catch sleep in aid stations or public toilets :banghead:. There's those that are in groups when it comes to rest points... It can't be easy getting any kind of rest, when there's banter and moans lol

I wondered about that. I'd rather bivi in a field/ park etc.

DofE...my son took a dvd player...learnt the hard way :D
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
DofE...my son took a dvd player...learnt the hard way :D
I feel sorry for DofE groups when I see them carrying 3kg rucksacks with a 20kg base weight in them. They don't seem very appreciative when you tell them the way to get lightweight kit is to work hard and get a good job ... for some reason. I missed the tact and diplomacy module myself.
 

Balagan

Thru Hiker
I feel sorry for DofE groups when I see them carrying 3kg rucksacks with a 20kg base weight in them. They don't seem very appreciative when you tell them the way to get lightweight kit is to work hard and get a good job ... for some reason. I missed the tact and diplomacy module myself.
"18. You give unsolicited gear advice to hikers with heavier packs than you. You are subsequently puzzled when they tell you to **** off."
Spot on! :D
 

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
If you do it in 150 hours and average 2 miles and hour you get 20 hours sleep. That's 5 x 4 hours. I've asked a couple of people I know who have done it about the Spine but they are not very forthcoming. I think it is horrible but pig pigheadedness gets them through. I know one man who did it and turned around and ran back.

Double Spine
What about the time it takes, for aid stations, kit changes, foot care etc... 2mph overall and 20 hrs sleep wouldn't cut it and then it's a fail...?
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
What about the time it takes, for aid stations, kit changes, foot care etc... 2mph overall and 20 hrs sleep wouldn't cut it and then it's a fail...?
I don't think they get 20 hours sleep. Hallucinating is the order of the day for the last 30 miles. I know nothing about this really. I've just taken an interest and ask about whenever I see any of the Spine runners I know. Same thing with round completists. They probably think what's that fat old git asking us all these questions for :)
 

Michael_x

Section Hiker
I feel sorry for DofE groups when I see them carrying 3kg rucksacks with a 20kg base weight in them. They don't seem very appreciative when you tell them the way to get lightweight kit is to work hard and get a good job ... for some reason. I missed the tact and diplomacy module myself.
Well, while there is a lot to be said for working hard and getting a good job, though I think they abolished the latter in the 80's, truth be told it's all about not buying expensive hot drinks.
 

Ally

Ultralighter
Well, while there is a lot to be said for working hard and getting a good job, though I think they abolished the latter in the 80's, truth be told it's all about not buying expensive hot drinks.

Add to that mortgaging yourself to the hilt with a five bedroom house for two people, leasing a 60K Audi that you cant afford to put petrol in......but looks nice in the driveway of the house that is crippling you financially.
 
Top