[pct-l] Hiking Speed - The Data

Thu Dec 6 12:03:34 CST 2007

I carry the Garmin Foretrex 101 (the 201 uses a rechargeable battery, if
that's your preference)

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=260

Less than 3 ounces, and has all the things I need in a GPS (I carry
paper maps, I have NO idea how anyone could usefully read the maps that
some GPS units display...): average speed, odometer and altitude. I
never need to know "time to destination" (the walk IS the destination!),
velocity (never figured out how this is useful information), or even my
long/lat coordinates (although I've gotten off track before, I've never
been truly "lost" where I didn't know which direction I need to go to be
where I need to be).

Hot tip: Wrap the wrist strap around your hiking pole, just below the
grip. The minimal weight gets transferred to the poles and off your
body, effectively keeping it off your overall base weight, and you can
read it quickly by simply turning your wrist on the up-swing of your
stride!

________________________________

Michael Saenz 
Associate Partner

MVE Studio, Inc. | Architecture 
Irvine + Oakland + Honolulu 

1900 Main Street, Suite 800 | Irvine, California 92614-7318 | T
949.809.2700 | www.mve-studio.com <http://www.mve-studio.com/> 

  <http://www.mve-studio.com/> 

________________________________

From: Ken Powers [mailto:kdpo at pacbell.net] 
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 9:37 AM
To: Mike Saenz
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Hiking Speed - The Data

good post.  I am going to remember your reason for carrying a gps. I
think I fit into that same reasoning, but couldn't figure it out on m
own.

Ken

	----- Original Message ----- 

	From: Mike Saenz <mailto:msaenz at mve-architects.com>  

	To: PCT MailingList <mailto:pct-l at backcountry.net>  

	Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 9:00 AM

	Subject: [pct-l] Hiking Speed - The Data

	As some of you know, I carry a GPS on my trips. Not for
navigation, but for the "Trip Data" it provides.

	My trips fall into two categories- My solo PCT walks and my
"destination" hikes (peak bagging, finding place with special
significance and returning to my favorite spots, etc.). When I'm walking
the PCT, I usually do this solo for a couple reasons- my "destination
trip" hiking buddies turn their noses up when I suggest hiking through
the desert or burn areas, and more important- I'd much rather walk at my
own pace, stopping when I want to and lingering at a spot for as long as
I like. I find that if I hike with others, I feel like I should stay
together with whoever I'm out with. For me, keeping together means I'm
either trying to keep up, or deliberately slowing down. Both exhaust me
quicker than if I'm walking my own pace.

	When I walk the PCT, I go UL because I want to walk all day.
When I'm out with others, I take my "luxury kit" because I know I'm not
doing big miles and the campsite scene is one of the goals in itself.

	Here's my consistent data:

	When going UL, My average walking speed is 3 MPH and 2 MPH on
steep climbs (descents vary wildly for some reason).

	When I have my heavy pack, I'm hiking 2.5 MPH and just a tad
under 2 MPH on climbs (again descents vary)

	A half-mile and hour is a big difference over an eight hour day!
On climbs, I tend to just head-down and grunt uphill, so I think the
very slightly less speed is due to the extra weight causing me to stop
and rest a bit more often.

	So going UL definitely increases speed (at least for me, though
I suspect I'm not the only one). But the experience isn't noticeable
different. I can't tell the difference in how the scenery goes by
between 2.5 and 3 MPH. For me UL allows a more leisurely "walk" verses a
strenuous "hike". One's not any better or worse an experience for me. I
enjoy just being out there no matter what the goal is at the end of the
day.

	My two cents.

	-cheers

	Oilcan

________________________________

	Michael Saenz 
	Associate Partner

	MVE Studio, Inc. | Architecture 
	Irvine + Oakland + Honolulu 

	1900 Main Street, Suite 800 | Irvine, California 92614-7318 | T
949.809.2700 | www.mve-studio.com <http://www.mve-studio.com/> 

	 <http://www.mve-studio.com/> 

	mailgate1.mve-architects.com made the following annotations

---------------------------------------------------------------------
	The information contained in this e-mail message is confidential
and is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named
above. If you are not an intended recipient or if you have received this
message in error, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution or copy of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have
received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify us by return
e-mail or telephone if the sender's phone number is listed above, then
promptly and permanently delete this message. Thank you for your
cooperation and consideration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

________________________________

	_______________________________________________
	Pct-l mailing list
	Pct-l at backcountry.net
	To unsubscribe or change list options (digest, etc):
	http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

mailgate1.mve-architects.com made the following annotations---------------------------------------------------------------------The information contained in this e-mail message is confidential and is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not an intended recipient or if you have received this message in error, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copy of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify us by return e-mail or telephone if the sender's phone number is listed above, then promptly and permanently delete this message. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/attachments/20071206/e6c9a9ee/attachment.html 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/gif
Size: 3744 bytes
Desc: image001.gif
Url : http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/attachments/20071206/e6c9a9ee/attachment.gif 