[pct-l] quick question on my hiking performance

[Mark Hudson]

I have wondered the same thing all year.  I have been really working to get 
in shape all this year so as a result I always wondered where I fit in with 
the through hiker crowd.

I still don’t know the answer to that question but I can tell you what my 
wife, my 13 year old son and I average now.

We each carry about 10-15lbs on day hikes each.  We average around 15 miles 
on hikes with more and more days going over 20.

We are usually above 7K with hikes going to 10.6 K  Most elevations are 
between 7500-9100 I would say.

we usually encounter around 3000 feet of elevation gain in a given day, with 
some days reaching 5K.

on a recent 20 mile day with elevation gains in the 5K range I averaged 2.5 
mph.  on a recent 15 mile day with 3K elevation gains I averaged 3.3 mph

I use a gps to measure my speed for my own purposes, as I want to see how I 
have progressed over the summer.  Our goal is to hike the JMT and TRT next 
year and to fit that into our vacation schedule we need to hike over 20 
miles each day, so that’s what we are training for.

My brother in law is a pct grad and he makes me look like an old fat man 
when he hikes with us...so long story short, I have found I have to hike my 
own hike, but I still like to know how I measure up... so I responded to 
your post as a result.

As an aside, I wouldn’t use this as any sort of step or or step down 
measure, I would simply decide what my hiking goals where in terms of miles 
per day, then decide what average length of time I wanted to hike each day, 
and do the math on mph.  then train for that goal.  that’s all we are doing.


-----Original Message----- 
From: John Abela
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 6:09 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] quick question on my hiking performance

Hey All,

I know the issue of "hiking speed" is not one of those issues that is really
an issue... so please do not think I am all hung up on this issue - grin.

And, I know that there are a ton of factors that go into this issue, this is
just me trying to get a feel for what most of you out there are able to do
on a daily basis.

Basically what I am looking for is thoughts on whether my performance is
where it should be or if I should "pick it up" a bit more... you know... man
up and all that.


Just to be clear and honest... the vast majority of my hiking is between
zero elevation (lots of trails under 100 feet here in the Redwoods) and 2000
feet.... so, pretty much all sea level hiking at this point... kinda woosie
in that regards.


What I have been doing is 10-12 mile trips - with a total pack weight of
12-18 (water dependent) - and I have been doing 4 miles per two hours with
an average of 1000 feet elevation changes.


So anyway, just wondering if that is decent or if that is really pathetic
and I need to suck it up some more and push myself a bit harder.

Thanks.
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