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What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

outsideonline.com

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Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#21

Post by dasil003 »

bootload wrote: post #7
justinator wrote: post #2

I've done quite a few very strenuous, multi-week races on bike, including riding the Colorado Trail in 7 days [0], and riding to, then summiting all the Colorado 14ers in 34 [1] - as well as participating in the Tour Divide [2] twice. I would call my fitness before these races as "peak", but I wouldn't call myself anything but near, "onset of over training syndrome" afterwards. The only thing I experienced similar to…

"One thing that stuck out with me is that they only hiked for 8 hours/day. That seems like a light day! compared to these races," Really. Carrying a 20kg pack for eight hours over rough terrain is less strenuous than bike riding? Do this for over 500 miles? Ever done this before? Hike on foot with 20kg packs on consecutive days? Make camp, make food, rest, break camp. Everything on your back. This is a lot more stren…

Over the same distance sure, but have you ever raced mountain bikes? The broken terrain thing applies as well. And the increased efficiency just translates into more speed and distance. You might think descending 10k feet on a bicycle is cake compared to hiking, but packing that elevation drop into a tiny fraction of the time leads is actually a fairly intense upper body workout.

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#22

Post by handedness »

Johnny555 wrote: post #16
handedness wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Things do tend to be needlessly complicated, don't they? But the data provided in the article is a nice contribution.

I think the complication comes in trying to balance exercise with everything else you want to do. Not everyone has the interest or the means to go on a 30 day hike.

Completely agree. But while I usually find overly-distilled things unhelpful, for the vast majority of people it really does come down to consuming fewer, better calories, and moving more (i.e, burning more).

But I agree that the overthinking comes when people are trying to fit 27 hours of daily activities into 24, and also when people are pursuing results without burning more and/or consuming fewer calories.

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#23

Post by chrismartin »

baddox wrote: post #19
stuckagain wrote: post #3

Secrets to fitness revealed! 1: Stand up 2: Go outside 3: Walk around a lot

4: Be restricted in your calories by having to carry everything on your back.

Not really because you choose foods that are calorie-dense (i.e. foods without water weight, and fatty foods).

3000-4000 calories per trail day was typical during my 1,900 PCT miles. I never had to restrict intake due to weight concerns. Also binged on burgers and ice cream at every opportunity in town.

This is what one of my larger resupplies looked like, 31,750 calories for a 7-day stretch:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cmartinpct/14501624495/in/phot...

I gained 5 pounds overall, but started in decent shape without much to lose (125 lbs).

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#24

Post by chrismartin »

justinator wrote: post #2

I've done quite a few very strenuous, multi-week races on bike, including riding the Colorado Trail in 7 days [0], and riding to, then summiting all the Colorado 14ers in 34 [1] - as well as participating in the Tour Divide [2] twice. I would call my fitness before these races as "peak", but I wouldn't call myself anything but near, "onset of over training syndrome" afterwards. The only thing I experienced similar to…

The conditions of a race are very different from a thru-hike done for enjoyment. I got the best sleep of my life on the PCT. 8-9 solid hours each night (sometimes I would wake up to eat), and an hour nap after lunch every day.

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#25

Post by cpncrunch »

So the question is: at what point does this kind of long-term exercise turn from beneficial to burnout/overtraining?

https://www.outsideonline.com/1986361/running-empty

And can you reliably predict it beforehand?

Having suffered from burnout/CFS, I would be very careful about doing something like this, and I'd be on the lookout for early warning signs such as elevated heart-rate, anxiety/depression, excessive fatigue/pain, oversleeping/insomnia, etc.

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#26

Post by somethingsimple »

How does one get started doing this kind of thing? Ever since moving to the US, and specifically to the PNW, I've been wanting to hike, but I don't know where to start. People here seem to grow up used to it, but I don't know what equipment I need, what food to bring, how to get to the trails (do I drive? what if there's no parking?), etc.

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#27

Post by busterarm »

somethingsimple wrote: post #26

How does one get started doing this kind of thing? Ever since moving to the US, and specifically to the PNW, I've been wanting to hike, but I don't know where to start. People here seem to grow up used to it, but I don't know what equipment I need, what food to bring, how to get to the trails (do I drive? what if there's no parking?), etc.

Seconded, but in NY here.

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#28

Post by arkitectual »

somethingsimple wrote: post #26

How does one get started doing this kind of thing? Ever since moving to the US, and specifically to the PNW, I've been wanting to hike, but I don't know where to start. People here seem to grow up used to it, but I don't know what equipment I need, what food to bring, how to get to the trails (do I drive? what if there's no parking?), etc.

Take a look at your local Sierra Club chapter or outdoor goods store (REI for example). There are a ton of "Beginner Hiking/Backpacking" type classes.

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#29

Post by ucaetano »

somethingsimple wrote: post #26

How does one get started doing this kind of thing? Ever since moving to the US, and specifically to the PNW, I've been wanting to hike, but I don't know where to start. People here seem to grow up used to it, but I don't know what equipment I need, what food to bring, how to get to the trails (do I drive? what if there's no parking?), etc.

A good way is to sign up for group hikes and camping trips from REI and other places. You can also look for hiking clubs and ask for help, or find people at work/school who hike. Finally, you can start doing research by yourself and learn by (sometimes painful) trial and error.

My first major hike (9 days at Torres del Paine, solo, I was 19) was hell, shitty gear, overweight backpack and so on, but was amazing and I learned a lot.

It is far easier to hike in groups, there are major gains in weight (stuff for 4 people weigh far less that 4X stuff for 1 person).

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#30

Post by nether »

somethingsimple wrote: post #26

How does one get started doing this kind of thing? Ever since moving to the US, and specifically to the PNW, I've been wanting to hike, but I don't know where to start. People here seem to grow up used to it, but I don't know what equipment I need, what food to bring, how to get to the trails (do I drive? what if there's no parking?), etc.

Meetup.com is great for just getting into hiking, just search "[your city or metro area] hiking." Equipment couldn't be easier, wear comfortable walking shoes (sneakers are fine) and bring sunblock, snacks, and water. If you start hiking a lot, you may want to invest in dedicated hiking shoes, a hydration pack, trekking poles etc. But you don't need any of that to get started in easy hikes.
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