Long Distance Hiking... How do you prepare?
Discussion
My mate has just asked me if I wanted to do a non-stop 100KM hike for charity (Can't say which one cos of PH roolz)!
I've had a quick gander around the interweb, and apparently most hikers don't consider a hike to be long distance unless they've grown a beard
I'm not naive enough to think that I can just rock up with a pair of hiking boots and get through it, however, part of me is wondering how difficult it is to put one foot in front of the other
Think we have the choice of South Downs or the Yorkshire Moors, and it will be in the summer.
I'm reasonably fit but mainly concentrate on weights, so endurance isn't great. Any tips or advice?
I've had a quick gander around the interweb, and apparently most hikers don't consider a hike to be long distance unless they've grown a beard
I'm not naive enough to think that I can just rock up with a pair of hiking boots and get through it, however, part of me is wondering how difficult it is to put one foot in front of the other
Think we have the choice of South Downs or the Yorkshire Moors, and it will be in the summer.
I'm reasonably fit but mainly concentrate on weights, so endurance isn't great. Any tips or advice?
Biggest issue is likely to be blisters.
100k non stop is pretty tough, likely to get very sore legs, is their a time limit ?
Assume it won't be flat either, so the knees are going to get a pounding.
Won't bore you with my Hiking CV, but the best advice is to get several 20m+ days under your belt. Aim to walk about 10m in three hours.
Good luck
and take a pot of vaseline with you ......
100k non stop is pretty tough, likely to get very sore legs, is their a time limit ?
Assume it won't be flat either, so the knees are going to get a pounding.
Won't bore you with my Hiking CV, but the best advice is to get several 20m+ days under your belt. Aim to walk about 10m in three hours.
Good luck
and take a pot of vaseline with you ......
Edited by Gargamel on Monday 14th December 17:32
62 miles is a long way. I'm very fit (endurance athlete) and was knackered after a mountainous 26 mile walk. I'd be getting out onto the footpaths around wherever you live once each weekend and building up to walking all day - this will improve your fitness, get you used to the fatigue and break in the boots properly. Maybe add some longer cardio work (running/rowing/cycling/swimming) to your gym routine too.
Gargamel said:
Biggest issue is likely to be blisters.
100k non stop is pretty tough, likely to get very sore legs, is their a time limit ?
Assume it won't be flat either, so the knees are going to get a pounding.
Won't bore you with my Hiking CV, but the best advice is to get several 20m+ days under your belt. Aim to walk about 10m in three hours.
Good luck
and take a pot of vaseline with you ......
100k non stop is pretty tough, likely to get very sore legs, is their a time limit ?
Assume it won't be flat either, so the knees are going to get a pounding.
Won't bore you with my Hiking CV, but the best advice is to get several 20m+ days under your belt. Aim to walk about 10m in three hours.
Good luck
and take a pot of vaseline with you ......
I suppose that's for sore bum cheeks? Think you have to AIM for 30 hours. Not sure if it's a limit.
What will I need in terms of kit?
Depends on your size, how much stuff you will be carrying etc. I find on long hikes that it is my feet which let me down first, even in very, very good shoes/boots. I now have much better arch support though and it makes a world of difference.
But you need to get out and start doing day long hikes as already mentioned and keep at them. Once you can hike all day and not collapse at the end of it you should be able to manage 100k. I can now do 40 mile days and feel reasonably with it at the end, but only for about three days on the trot.
But you need to get out and start doing day long hikes as already mentioned and keep at them. Once you can hike all day and not collapse at the end of it you should be able to manage 100k. I can now do 40 mile days and feel reasonably with it at the end, but only for about three days on the trot.
ewenm said:
62 miles is a long way. I'm very fit (endurance athlete) and was knackered after a mountainous 26 mile walk. I'd be getting out onto the footpaths around wherever you live once each weekend and building up to walking all day - this will improve your fitness, get you used to the fatigue and break in the boots properly. Maybe add some longer cardio work (running/rowing/cycling/swimming) to your gym routine too.
What sort of resistence do you recommend for longer cardio and what sort of heart rate should I be aiming for over extended periods?Bloody hate long cardio sessions, mumble mumble
Nevin said:
Depends on your size, how much stuff you will be carrying etc. I find on long hikes that it is my feet which let me down first, even in very, very good shoes/boots. I now have much better arch support though and it makes a world of difference.
But you need to get out and start doing day long hikes as already mentioned and keep at them. Once you can hike all day and not collapse at the end of it you should be able to manage 100k. I can now do 40 mile days and feel reasonably with it at the end, but only for about three days on the trot.
Might do one of the local trails at the weekend. Think the Saxon shore way starts near me But you need to get out and start doing day long hikes as already mentioned and keep at them. Once you can hike all day and not collapse at the end of it you should be able to manage 100k. I can now do 40 mile days and feel reasonably with it at the end, but only for about three days on the trot.
ETA: I'm a short arse, I'm 5'6" and built like a box
Edited by KingRichard on Monday 14th December 18:26
Halb said:
KingRichard said:
Think we have the choice of South Downs or the Yorkshire Moors, and it will be in the summer.
I'm reasonably fit but mainly concentrate on weights, so endurance isn't great. Any tips or advice?
Anti rapery kit and werewolf bite antidote?I'm reasonably fit but mainly concentrate on weights, so endurance isn't great. Any tips or advice?
KingRichard said:
Nevin said:
Depends on your size, how much stuff you will be carrying etc. I find on long hikes that it is my feet which let me down first, even in very, very good shoes/boots. I now have much better arch support though and it makes a world of difference.
But you need to get out and start doing day long hikes as already mentioned and keep at them. Once you can hike all day and not collapse at the end of it you should be able to manage 100k. I can now do 40 mile days and feel reasonably with it at the end, but only for about three days on the trot.
Might do one of the local trails at the weekend. Think the Saxon shore way starts near me But you need to get out and start doing day long hikes as already mentioned and keep at them. Once you can hike all day and not collapse at the end of it you should be able to manage 100k. I can now do 40 mile days and feel reasonably with it at the end, but only for about three days on the trot.
ETA: I'm a short arse, I'm 5'6" and built like a box
Edited by KingRichard on Monday 14th December 18:26
But whatever you are wearing, break them in hard before you go for the big one.
KingRichard said:
ewenm said:
62 miles is a long way. I'm very fit (endurance athlete) and was knackered after a mountainous 26 mile walk. I'd be getting out onto the footpaths around wherever you live once each weekend and building up to walking all day - this will improve your fitness, get you used to the fatigue and break in the boots properly. Maybe add some longer cardio work (running/rowing/cycling/swimming) to your gym routine too.
What sort of resistence do you recommend for longer cardio and what sort of heart rate should I be aiming for over extended periods?Bloody hate long cardio sessions, mumble mumble
62 miles in one hit? Thats going to be hard going. I have been doing a few local walks at 10 to 12 miles in about 3 hours.
I have been looking to do the Hadrians Path next year. Think I have settled on the 44 mile mid section with overnight stops.
http://www.scarpa.co.uk/Products/Product.asp?Produ...
I have been looking to do the Hadrians Path next year. Think I have settled on the 44 mile mid section with overnight stops.
Nevin said:
Also helps to know what the paths are going to be like. If its good well surfaced paths and forestry commission tracks etc, then I've found that a good pair of walking shoes works much better than a pair of boots.
I have been using a pair of Scarpa Enigma XCR. They seem very good but the insole seems to be working back up the heel creating a gap between the toes and front of the shoe. I am thinking of changing insoles and perhaps glueing them down lightly to stop them moving http://www.scarpa.co.uk/Products/Product.asp?Produ...
62m without stopping at all? that's serious stuff- i walk quite alot no dartmoor and holiday in the lakes. reckon on 1hour for 1,000ft of ascent and 3 miles in an hour (add the two together if necessary). Longest i've done in one day cross country is 26 miles on a easy summers day.
Did 10 tours seniour route (55 miles) when i was 18 and extremely fit, and even that involved 7 hours of sleep at tor 8- so just 12 miles the next day.
Really depends on the type of terrain you are crossing- whatever you do make sure you have boots that are well broken in- leather boots will take at least a week (well they do for me anyway)
Did 10 tours seniour route (55 miles) when i was 18 and extremely fit, and even that involved 7 hours of sleep at tor 8- so just 12 miles the next day.
Really depends on the type of terrain you are crossing- whatever you do make sure you have boots that are well broken in- leather boots will take at least a week (well they do for me anyway)
bonsai said:
Erm, you mentioned how this is for charity, so is it one of those regular things that that many amateurs regularly do, it think it sounds pretty damn near impossible.
its definitely not impossible- google "marathon des sables" if you want to see "impossible"- went to watch this year- totally nuts. its the 62 miles non-stop that is a worry. Although its not unknown for infantry patrols to manage 60 miles in one day- certainly P Coy, Ghurkas and a couple of other do it regularly.
pugwash4x4 said:
its the 62 miles non-stop that is a worry. Although its not unknown for infantry patrols to manage 60 miles in one day- certainly P Coy, Ghurkas and a couple of other do it regularly.
Yep but that is still 62 miles from somone who I assume is not a Ghurka or forces. So if an infanty patrol can do 60 miles in a day. How do they expect a regular joe do 62 miles? Walk though the night? over what terrain?
I have done a couple of self navigated 50 milers in under 24 hours, (you usually end up doing about 55miles in total due to poor navigation)
You can't train for a fifty, but do walk over 20+ a couple of times, and make sure your feet/knees and groins can handle the load.
Yes Vaseline for the arse, you will get chaffing and some wet wipes are a good idea too.
Kit wise - clearly you can't carry enough fuel - so work out whats provided at check points and what you will need. Train using the things you will actually eat. My advice is to have some savouries too, 24 hours on sweets cakes and mars bars is pretty tedious towards the end. Peanuts, cashews and macademians are all high calorie foods. Bananas, malt loaf, flapjacks, mini pork pies are all good.
I drink flat lemonade 50% with water - and a pinch of salt. A couple of bags of crisps are a good idea especially if it is hot. You will probably have some emergency gear, map, whistle compass, knife, first aid kit, good head torch, spare battery, rucksack, water bottle (ideally a camel back - 1.5 litres is plenty.) Survival bag (if you are going high)
Footwear - I too am a convert away from leather boots, for years I wore boots, I dubbined them, wore them in the bath to break them in, all sorts. These days wild horses couldn't get me in a pair. Lightweight brahsers is the way forward or saloman or Hi-Tec all good. Take a couple of pairs of clean socks -
Clothing - obviously layers , wicking t-shirt, thin fleece, outer fleece and a waterproof, I prefer walking in shorts and never in waterproof trousers, but each to their own. Get your team mates to take one thing each that is totally useless for the walk but a nice to have - hip flask of rum, camera, stick on heat pads, fancy chocolate - bit of luxury to lift the spirits.
Tips
So imagine - you've been yomping all day, chances are the sun is fading, you are only about half way thorugh, spirits have flagged, things ache morale plummets. Find a good spot, about an hour before dark, take a fifteen minute break. Boots off, feet into cold water, any lake or stream. dry off, check your feet carefully for blisters or sore spots, put on a fresh pair of socks, take a couple of aspirins and some food (as much as you can face)
Pissing around in the dark looking in rucksacks and trying to sort your feet out is draining, takes far longer than you think and annoys your comrades. do it all as a group in the light and set off into the dark feeling sorted.
Finally - try not to stop to much, stopping even five minutes every hour makes a big difference - try to keep going even at a slow pace whilst eating drinking, mapping or anything else.
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