|
Pace
Dec 28, 2017 14:03:31 GMT -8
Post by ku2007 on Dec 28, 2017 14:03:31 GMT -8
You all were warned I would ask dumb questions.....
So, what sort of pace do most folks keep when carrying a loaded pack? Yes, I know this will vary based on terrain, fitness, etc. I just want to get a general idea for trip planning purposes.
Me, I am in above average shape for a typical late 40's guy, probably a bit below average for the population here. Above average on the bike but admit I am not as strong when I'm on my feet. I'll be putting in more miles in boots in the near future. I used to do a fair amount of walking with an ex-girlfriend and we would do 3-4 mph on mostly flat ground, and that habit ended this past summer.
So, once I get the pack loaded and start heading in to the hills, what should I plan for time to cover say 5 miles?
Thanks for your input.
Tom
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,876
|
Pace
Dec 28, 2017 14:59:03 GMT -8
Post by zeke on Dec 28, 2017 14:59:03 GMT -8
On flat, even ground, unencumbered, I walk about 3.5 mph. I am 66, and in reasonably good shape. With a loaded pack weighing about 35#, on reasonable trails, I average about 1.5 - 2 MPH depending on how uphill it is. Been doing this sort of thing for about 45 years, give or take a few. Gear will be upgraded, and get lighter, as will your wallet. Most people take a couple of outings to begin to sort out what works for them and what doesn't. That goes for mileage, food, gear, and footwear. Best to luck to you.
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
|
Pace
Dec 28, 2017 15:01:51 GMT -8
via mobile
rebeccad likes this
Post by BigLoad on Dec 28, 2017 15:01:51 GMT -8
Well, as you noted it does vary. I walk 4+ mph on good pavement. Fully loaded on decent trail, it's more like two and a quarter, which slows to one and half or less on extra rocky trail, deep sand, or big uphill.
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
|
Pace
Dec 28, 2017 15:06:15 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by BigLoad on Dec 28, 2017 15:06:15 GMT -8
I'm also pretty conservative for planning purposes. Something always takes too long, whether it's packing up, treating water, or gawking at something. Counting on an average over 2 mph over the full course of the day is pushing it for me.
|
|
|
Pace
Dec 28, 2017 15:35:02 GMT -8
Post by ku2007 on Dec 28, 2017 15:35:02 GMT -8
Gear will be upgraded, and get lighter, as will your wallet. Most people take a couple of outings to begin to sort out what works for them and what doesn't. That goes for mileage, food, gear, and footwear. Best to luck to you. Thanks.... ya, planning to do some short trial and error trips to shake the bugs out. And my wallet can't get much lighter lol
|
|
|
Pace
Dec 28, 2017 15:36:19 GMT -8
Post by ku2007 on Dec 28, 2017 15:36:19 GMT -8
Fully loaded on decent trail, it's more like two and a quarter, which slows to one and half or less on extra rocky trail, deep sand, or big uphill. Thanks... that's kinda what I expected to hear. I also expected it'd be like float trip pace, around 1mph
|
|
cweston
Trail Wise!
Posts: 4,278
Member is Online
|
Post by cweston on Dec 28, 2017 18:20:03 GMT -8
I’m certainly capable of a pace faster than 2 MPH. I can sustain 3 MPH with a full pack on reasonable terrain for 3-4 hours if I have to, but I prefer not to—it takes a lot of effort to do so, and that eats into the fun to maintain that pace. At the end of the day, it’s hard to do any better than 2 MPH with a full pack, and there are a lot of factors than can slow the pace considerably below 2: quality of the trail itself, navigation challenges, elevation gain/loss, frequent water crossings, equipment adjustments, etc. Some days when I’m off-trail in rugged mountain terrain, it takes the whole day to cover a few miles. Or sometimes the terrain is just so spectacular that I can’t bear to hurry through it.
My trips are usually 5-7 days, and I find that I enjoy BPing a lot more if at least some of my days end early. I mostly do high-country hikes in the summer, so an intense afternoon storm is all but guaranteed, and it’s a heck of a lot more “fun” riding it out in my tent in camp than on the trail.
|
|
walkswithblackflies
Trail Wise!
Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
Posts: 6,926
|
Post by walkswithblackflies on Dec 29, 2017 6:22:59 GMT -8
On average, around 2.0-2.5 mph, but the range is between 1/4 mph and 4 mph. You just gotta roll with the terrain, weather, etc.
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,666
|
Pace
Dec 29, 2017 9:49:13 GMT -8
Post by rebeccad on Dec 29, 2017 9:49:13 GMT -8
Averaging in photo stops, rest stops, etc., I only expect to do 1 mph over the course of a day. Reality is that the trail speed is faster--up to 2 mph when fully loaded, depending on the grade, etc. On the last day, mostly downhill, with a burger at the end of the trail, we can hit 3 mph
|
|
|
Pace
Dec 29, 2017 13:48:14 GMT -8
Post by ku2007 on Dec 29, 2017 13:48:14 GMT -8
a burger at the end of the trail, Dang it! I was just telling my coworkers how I'm craving a good burger lol And ya, good advice. I actually found a book, The Backpacker's Field Manual, that has a formula for estimating time. Basically puts it at 2 mph with a five minute rest stop per hour, and adjusts for elevation gain. Happy trails..... Tom
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,876
|
Pace
Dec 29, 2017 14:43:38 GMT -8
Post by zeke on Dec 29, 2017 14:43:38 GMT -8
10 minute rest after 50 minutes of walking. Breaks up the hour just fine, and allows for more enjoyment. 2 miles per hour, plus another hour for every 1000 ft of elevation gain. 30 minutes extra for 1000 foot of loss.
|
|
desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291
|
Pace
Jan 13, 2018 7:38:30 GMT -8
Post by desert dweller on Jan 13, 2018 7:38:30 GMT -8
I divide walking into three basic ingredients.
1. Pace 2. Stride 3. Gait
Pace is the "number of footfalls in a given time". Stride is the distance between two footfalls (one step). Gait is the "manner" of walking and varies with the individual.
I'll start with gait. When I was first being exposed to backpacking my buddy, we were both in the Army, explained that the best way to walk was with a foot strike that begins with the heel contact first and then as the momentum continues as the mid-foot takes on the weight to the push off with the ball and toes. This process is completed before the next foot touches the ground. Between every step, there is a short "rest" period for the foot/leg that is still in the air. This type of gait works best for level ground and is modified as the terrain changes. Most of us walk this way and are unconscious of the movement.
Stride also varies with the individual and terrain. A long stride is possible on level ground. The length of the stride changes with uphill and downhill situations. I find on uphill the stride is reduced and the gait changes to where the forefoot touches the ground first. (Imagine going up stairs. You don't put your heel first on the next stair.) Going downhill, the stride length is usually reduced and the gait changes to a mid-foot strike where both the heel and ball touch the ground at the same time. (This process also changes with how the individual walks.)
Pace is the biggest variable, for me. It changes depending on terrain, motivation, strength and ability. Pace determines how far you want to go for the day and how fast you want to get there. On level ground, I set the pace (usually at about 3 miles an hour), use the full heel to toe footfall (gait) and the full stride (usually about 3 feet between feet for me). As the terrain changes, uphill for example, I try to keep the pace the same but lessen the stride and change the gait to fit the trail conditions.
The next question is, "What is the best way to use your manner of walking that will get you to your goal without bonking?"
Here is my way. When backpacking three main things come into play. Heart, lungs and legs. Legs represent your strength and will depend on conditioning and fuel. Lungs represent how many breaths you're taking to maintain the pace you've set. And, heart is, of course, how many beats it takes to keep everything going. I try to keep the pace to a point where I don't get out of breath. If I do get out of breath, I'm going too fast. When I stop for a short pack-on break, I only stop long enough to slow down my breathing and not let my heart slow down.
That's how I do it. This process allows me to do a full day of backpacking without killing my self or feel depleted at the end of the day. Each individual is different.
|
|
cweston
Trail Wise!
Posts: 4,278
Member is Online
|
Post by cweston on Jan 13, 2018 9:01:06 GMT -8
Wow, Desertdweller: that was very detailed!
I (a person who overthinks everything) haven’t broken it down quite that throughly, but I do regulate myself somewhat strictly. Almost all of my breaks are standing, pack-on breaks. I usually only take a pack-off break for lunch (which might happen over the course of 2 or even 3 stops on a long day), at major arrival points (like the summit of a pass, etc), or if I have to for equipment adjustment, changing shoes for water crossings, etc.
I find that a good rule of thumb for pace is that I’m not out of breath just hiking, but if I converse while hiking, I might be a little short of breath. There are times, though, where I (and any hiker, I assume) will be breathing hard: hauling a full pack up a long, steep climb, difficult bushwhacking, etc. if I went slow enough to not be breathing hard under those circumstances, I’d never get anywhere.
One nice thing about off-trail travel is that it usually involves regular short stops for routefinding; so there’s really no need to worry about rest stops much.
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,666
|
Pace
Jan 13, 2018 17:38:56 GMT -8
Post by rebeccad on Jan 13, 2018 17:38:56 GMT -8
One nice thing about off-trail travel is that it usually involves regular short stops for routefinding; so there’s really no need to worry about rest stops much. Photography can serve that purpose as well
|
|
cweston
Trail Wise!
Posts: 4,278
Member is Online
|
Post by cweston on Jan 13, 2018 17:47:08 GMT -8
Photography can serve that purpose as well Absolutely. I like to make a good pace during the less spectacular miles, so that I can take my sweet time and take as many pics as I want in the more spectacular parts.
|
|