Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board To the speed-crazed fanatics - why the rush?

I'm not being sarcastic - I'm one of the people who loves to go fast. I'm just wondering if others like going fast and hard for the same reasons.

Why for me? Let's see . . .

1. I have a family, and I can't really take several weekends a year plus a couple of full weeks away from those I love most in the world. On the other hand, I love the wilderness so much, that I find myself yearning to answer its call.

So I run. I run to peaks near my home and arrive back home before breakfast. I run desert trails in the dark of night, and find myself spiritually refreshed from the rugged exposure to an environment so pure, yet unforgiving. I run because the highest point in my week is standing on one of my favorite peaks, preparing to leave, and knowing that I can be right back here, in this exact spot that I love, taking in the sights and sounds that restore my soul, in just another week if I like.

When I used to backpack, I had to plan 2 or maybe 3 trips a year. Each time, at the conclusion of the trip, I would feel a deep longing as I headed home, knowing that there would be much waiting in between before I was to return. I don't have that anymore. I go up my favorite trail in my favorite wilderness, take in the flavor, the pure sensations of being in an alpine forest, savor them for a while, then leave them quite contentedly behind, knowing that I can be back there the next morning if I need to (and sometimes I do), yet knowing that because it is freely available, that I can go much longer if I like, simply because the separation is not forced, and the place where I most naturally belong, high up in the wilderness, is available to me, whenever I should need.

Now, the keeping time and heart rate and all that, that's just a little fun hobby that goes along with it. People ask me if I'm training for something - like a triathalon or a marathon. The truth is a little backwards - I do those sorts of events to keep me in shape so I can be out here in the wilderness, stretching my abilities to explore new areas, trying to go long distances several days in a row because there is so much beautiful country to explore. But I keep coming back to that same thing.

Are there those of you out there that have totally different reasons for working to go faster and faster?

z

Zip,

I do a ton of trail running, especially peak bagging. I'm not super fast, but consistent. For me, I prefer to run the trails rather than walk for three reasons:

1. I love the challenge. Its fun to have a best time and then try to trim it down. Plus, I love being on top of things (yes, there's a joke there, and please leave it alone). I see a trail going up something, and I want to run to the top just to see if I can do it.

2. Time. I never have a lot of time, so I like to get as much done as I can. I still take time to smell the roses, so to speak, but some places which are a grind, like the switchbacks, are fun to just get behind you. I like to power up for a while, then enjoy the view while I grab some water. Repeat ad nauseum until the top is reached.

3. Staying in shape. There's nothing that will motivate you as much for a run as being surrounded by a bunch of beautiful peaks. Given my choice of a run around the block dodging baby joggers or a run on the trails, the answer is easy . . .

I also take my time sometimes as well, especially if I'm with other people. There's a time and a place for everything. E.g. I'm headed up MMWT this weekend with a friend and we'll be taking our time as he isn't a runner, and I'll have just as much fun doing it that way. But I'm coming back soon to see what I can do about lowering some of those posted fast times . . . Or at least take a shot at my own.

As for the double? No way. I leave that to the real hardasses, not posers like myself.

Hey, guys. You know how there are posts where you can't seem to resist posting something? This one seems to fit the bill for me.

I actually agree with both of you regarding the time issue. At the moment, I don't have someone to get home to, cook dinner for, etc. except myself, so every trip into the high country is my treat to myself. But time is definitely an issue when it comes to time off work, etc. I essentially take a financial hit if I go out a lot, since vacation days are limited and I try to save them for one big trip (up to two weeks) every year.

But on my trip up the MMWT a month ago, I met a number of people who made very interesting comments to me. One guy said that TC was a "moonscape" and "pretty boring". Now, while there are no trees or shrubs, there is plenty of grass and flowers around the lake, and exploring above the lake or over to Consultation Lake was really cool! Another guy had no idea about the vast variety of wildflowers blooming all over the trail. He told me he didn't like backpacking because it gave hime trouble looking up. Hopefully I was able to point out that looking down at the smaller things in life (when surrounded by the largest!) can be just as breathtaking.

As for speed, I'm a very strong hiker, I just don't perform my best above 2.5-3 miles/hour. I can throw that down on a day-hike, but listening to me wheeze and struggle isn't all that pleasant. I can carry big loads on my back and go for hours, just maybe a bit slower than others. Does that mean I'll never get the chance to pack the JMT from Tuolumne to Whitney? Perhaps. (Maybe next time I'm in between jobs!) But I'd rather slow it down a tick, truly soak in the experience, and allow myself the treat of being where not everyone can go.

Bottom line here, is that with hiking/trailrunning/packing, it's kind of like wine tasting. Everyone has their own taste and we like different things. And the best part about us (being mountain-outdoorsy types!), is that we generally don't judge each other based on performance. We admire and congratulate and pat each other on the back. That's something I love about it.

All the best as you get out there and enjoy!

-Laura

Zip, over the years, this issue has caused a lot of flames and arguments on this Board. It was a never-ending issue of "why rush so fast, you miss the beauty!" to the fast people refuting this, usually quite eloquently.

Here's why I hike fast:

1. I'm a fast person in everything I do. I talk fast, eat fast, think fast, etc. Hiking fast isn't a conscious choice, it's just my natural way. Unless I was hobbled by injury, I couldn't hike slowly, it would drive me nuts. Hiking to me means going as fast as you possibly can go for the longest possible time.

2. The challenge. I'm in my 40's now and have been hiking the same hikes now for 25 years. It's a great motivator to try to constantly best times I have had in the past. I think people get mentally stronger as they age, even if the physical side slips a little bit. You have to train harder at 40 than at 20, but besting times from the past isn't that difficult if you really push it.

3. Time. Every weekend from August-November I drive from So. Calif. to Mammoth and spend Sat. and Sun. hiking in Yosemite and the Sierras. I start hilking at 5:00 am and finish around noon to drive back home. Slow hiking wouldn't allow this.

4. The rush. I think if you are able to sustain a fast pace for 10-12 hours on a trail, then do it. The endorphin rush is more pronounced when you hike uphill as fast as you possibly can go.

5. Staying in shape. You stay in better shape by hiking hard and fast.

Hike your own hike. People who want to saunter and smell the roses should be able to do so and the ones who want to go at breakneck speed should be able to do so as well without judgment or criticism.

A group of us train regularly to hike the MWMT relatively fast and, primarily, to stay in shape. Ages are from 37 to 43. Last Friday two of us (ages 37 and 43) summited in 3:40. Having hiked the MWMT for several years, the way up at a srong pace is the enjoyment. We still get glimpses of the views, but really enjoy them on the way down. Great work out, spectacular place. As for training, with multiple children, we need to be able to hike Mt. Wilson and be home for soccer games at 9:00 am. You can't do that going slow.

Great topic--the title did make me nervous, though! Fast, slow, run, walk, hours, days, weeks: what's important is that you're out there.
While running (very slowly, I might add) on the trails around Mammoth, I've actually had people sort of angrily ask me "Why are you running?"
My friend had the best answer:
"Because I can."

Everyone has a natural pace (or range) and should follow it. Like others on this thread, I like to move along quickly. I hike mostly with my son, and he feels the same way only more so. Several posters have enumerated reasons that resonate with me. I'll keep it simple.

I did Whitney with my son in 2001, when he as 11. We took just under 6 hours to the summit. It was a great experience. We did it again last August, in about 3:50. I enjoyed it a lot more. For me, that's the bottom line.

Slightly off the topic, but HikerLaura posted something intersting about the mooscape and how some hikers dont like it. I myself get fascinated by the change in atmosphere when you get to the TC because the trail takes on a whole different atmosphere there. There are also parts that remind me of the Black Fortress from the movie Krull (yes I'm a geek for liking that movie =)

Anyways, sorry to take it offtopic like that...back to your regularly scheduled programming.

hike yer on hike

On my earlier Whitney hikes, usually when I reached trail crest, I reached a point where I despised the whitney hike becuase I was feeling awful. I always used to end my hike saying "I will never do that again". Now, after all the proper preparations, I have found the trail very enjoyable all the way to the top. So I do enjoy the trail more with better speed that my earlier years at a slower pace but feeling awful.

Just a matter of perspective