Competition on the trail?

imported
#1

I am curious, is there some sort of competition between the golite hikers to see who can cover the most distance per day? Is this acceptable on the AT and what do other hikers think about this, or do they simply don’t care? I also remember someone mentioning that the golite hikers get really bent out of shape if a shelter is full and expect a hiker carrying a tent to leave the shelter to make room for them.
Is this a problem or just an annoyance?

One more question, how many of the hikers would you classify as “moochers”, meaning they have no money and rely on the goodness of other hikers to survive the trail.

Thanks,

A lurker

WD

#2

I did experience some ultra-light hikers racing myself and some other hikers to shelters in order that they get the shelter and that we should have to tent. I have also not been offered space in a shelter when I got there even though there was probably room. Now that is rare and that was a particular group of hikers I am talking about. Most if not all thru-hikers will make room in a shelter. But these problems lessen the further up the trail you go. A lot of hikers brag about miles. But last year if you wanted to heat it up just start something about purist and slackpackers at a shelter one night. I DO NOT want to start that here. I know of one male and one female hiker that separately mooched a lot on the trail last year but I don’t think either made it to Maine. I only heard of both of them. But word of a hiker like that spreads through the grapevine pretty fast.

Two Scoops

#3

It’s mostly a carryover of our rat race world. People are so wound up that they compete on the AT like they were on the freeway. The backcountry is one of the few places in the world where they should relax. A few others are superathletes and racing around is what relaxes them. Other than that it’s silly. Wanna compete and run a rat race, go back to the city, I say.

No, never heard of GoLite hikers accused of this before. Sounds like one of the negative myths that gets thrown at GoLite by Gregory packers, lol.

:pimp

Pine Cones

#4

Racing on the Maryland part of the AT is becoming so much norm, they even have organized races on parts of the Maryland AT now. megamarathons or something like that. The Tuscarora trail has a race each year on it (not many use the Tuscarora trail, an excellent alt to the AT if you don’t like crowds). And many of us have heard of the Maryland Challenege or the Four state one day challenge.

I care less about what one hiker does. Those organized races though I hate. I remember day hiking around the Reno Monument when for like the next two hours, guys and girls with numbers on their backs kept running past me. That is BS. They do nothing but destroy the nature of the trail.

schikerbiker

#5

Obviously you know nothing about the joy of running, trail running specifically and ultramarathons. Your statement is BS.

Lone Wolf

#6

Actually I know quite a bit about them and they by far do more eco-damage then just hiking considering I run very often, just not on the AT or other hiking only trails. Don’t assume you know me, you don’t. Do you think that people having races wearing numbers on their back is good in the AT? However, I forgot,you are the famous Lone Wolf and you know everything.

:lol

schikerbiker

#7

What damage. Explain. With facts. The JFK ultramarathon is run every November in Maryland. For over 30 years. Only 8 miles of the AT is used. Yes I do know lots more than you about the AT. And no I don’t know you but you seem to be pompous and arrogant in your own right.:happy

Lone Wolf

#8

Once again, I have to agree with Lone Wolf, dam I hate that. They have run a race over Mt. Graylock on the Mass. section of the AT for many years. I defy you to find a better maintained section of the AT. Sorry Mr BIKER but you are in fact full of S–T.

Blue Jay

#9

Most hikers are courteous and honest but there are those few who carry a lot of baggage they should leave home. If you do not carry a tent then you can expect to sleep out if a shelter is full. A very indignant hiker expected 2 of us to leave a shelter in the rain simple because he only carried a tarp and we did have tents. We arrived there much earlier. Also there were some hikers stealing other peoples drop boxes. Either where they had access to just walk in or did not offer I.D. at the Post Office. They were without money and expected to be supported by other hikers. Not exactly the way to go.

Super Mom

#10

During my hike in 2001 with my wife, I experienced people racing for the shelters. My wife has a slow pace due to being short. It takes her all day to cover 15 miles. We would be a mile from the shelter or camp and be passed by groups of Goliters rushing to camp. When we arrived at camp all the good sites or shelter space was taken. This happened less the further north we hiked because all the fast hikers flew by us on the rush north from town to town.
The funny thing was we always caught the fast hikers in town where they seemed to take time off. The towns are nice but I hike the trail to get away from town and spend time in the woods.
I just don’t get it, why rush to finish the trail and go back to your job and city life. Try reading " As far as the eye can see" By David Brill or even " Walking with Spring" by Earl Shaffer. I think they both had a good understanding of thru-hiking. Golite but take your time and enjoy the trail. I have met many hikers at the end who wish they had taken more time on their hikes.

Darth pacman

#11

2 NOBOS left Damascus yesterday at 4:00 in the afternoon, snowing, with plans to 15 miles to a shelter. I asked why and they said cuz we want to hike Virginia in 25 days. Not my cup of tea but more and more AT hikers these days are in a rush it seams. Hmmm.

Lone Wolf

#12

Can you do BIG miles and still have a fulfilling thru hike ? The one thing with the AT is that it is so darn busy ! We are loving the trail into oblivion. My motta is… bring a tent , tarp, hammock… something for heavens sake. That is called being independent. I find it astonishing that someone would expect me to leave a shelter cuz I had one . WHATEVER !! The Pct…there are’nt many shelters…you had better love your tent. I love that trail… so much space. Anyhow, most Western trails are quite a bit more remote then the AT. Don’t get me wrong I loved my AT hikes. They gave me courage for the other ones. But, if I would do it again … SOBO baby !!.. the only way to go next time.:slight_smile:

sarah dooley

#13

Hey Sarah have you ever seen one of those goliters get to a shelter and bum hot water and a tea bag cuz it’s damn cold and they have no stove? It’s pretty pathetic. Where’s that Ray Jardine guru to boil em up some water?8)

Lone Wolf

#14

Shikerbiker, I’m sorry but you’re wrong about the JFK 50 ultramarathon and trail running in general. These “megamarathons” called ultras are great events and runners actually inflict less damage than hikers on the trail. First of all, few runners use hiking poles or heavy lugged boots. They also pass through areas more quickly. Typically, the longer you stay in an area, the more of a trace you leave. At JFK, runners are courteous to the hikers they meet on the trail, they do not knock them over. With over 1000 runners, it’s definitely one of the largest ultras and there’s bound to be gu packets or something left behind after all that, but race sweepers go out cleaning up after all the runners. So if anything, the trail is left cleaner than when the race started. Trail runners are a less-competitive, more-friendly and very environmentally conscious bunch. Trail running is an awesome experience, so is hiking. The key is to enjoy yourself and not worry so much about what others are doing. The trail will never become a race as long as you are not racing. Hike (or run) your own hike. Happy trails! :cheers

Sweeper

#15

Thank you Sweeper. I’ve run 5 50milers the JFK being one of them. Every thing you said is right on. BTW the Mountain Masochist 50 mile Trail run is an excellent ultra for a first timer. Go to www.extremeultrarunning.com for info.

Lone Wolf

#16

I ran MMTR last year for my first 50, and JFK as well. I like Horton’s Masochist MUCH better. PS, congrats on some good times at Masochist!

Sweeper

#17

Yeah I was much thinner then. What were your times? I think my fist run was 8 hrs. 49 mins. at MMTR and 8 hrs. 12 mins. at JFK

Lone Wolf

#18

at least for me going ultralight isn’t for the sake of packiing in miles, but putting in 20 miles a day really isn’t that difficult with a light pack. i take a lot of breaks and sometimes i put in sub 10 mile days. the reason i go ultralight IS to have a more rewarding and enjoyable experience, not to cover more ground.

in my opinion, with a lighter pach you are able to enjoy the experience more, not having a huge distraction on your back, plus taking ONLY the bare minimun means more of a connection with your surroundings.

i just wanted to add this because of the ultralight slagging. not all of us are doing it to cover tons of ground quickly-we do it because we like it!

also i’d like to state that just because your ultralight dosen’t mean you suffer. i have everything i need and would NEVER not carry something to lighten my load in hopes of bumming it off another hiker. that’s just lame!

have fun!

scott

outdoorjunkie

#19

For those of you that like trail running, there is a great race on the Superior Hiking Trail every year. I beleive they limit the number of participants each year. Usually takes the runners a little over a day to complete.

Pushing Up Daisies

#20

I ran 8:46 at Masochist and 7:53 at JFK. Had some difficulties with ITBS in both and at JFK, my eye-balls froze and I could not see very well on the last 8 miles! Pushing up Daisies, thanks for the info, I want to do that run sometime. Lone Wolf, are you planning an ultra comeback?

Sweeper