Day hiking vs. Going Long - moved from Q&A

[snowbird]

Day hiking vs. Going Long

Hi,

I've been thinking about my very different approach to longer backpacks compared to day hikes. When I day hike, I like a fancy pack with lots of time-saving pockets, a hydration system, good rain gear, waterproof boots (if it is likely to rain or there might be puddles). I like to wear a cute top, zip-off pants, and take yummy pastries, and fresh food for eating on the trail. I train at the gym ahead of time, and I often push myself quite hard on the trail, knowing that I can collapse somewhere comfortable afterwards. I often get a runners' high sort of euphoria that helps with the pain.

But when I backpack (for more than a weekend), I wear the same yucky wool top and nylon pants for as much as a week at a time, I carry the simplest lightest pack I can find, and use canteens. When I need something from the pack or to eat or drink, I just stop. I do not bother with waterproof boots or fancy rain gear because nothing is going to keep me truly dry if I am living outdoors in the rain for several days - I just make sure I stay warm. I take a lot more time, am far less goal oriented, and often find myself truly "in the moment" in my hiking. I train on the trail - starting slowly and working up to being "trail tough". And after a few days, I find myself comfortable pretty much everywhere.

Anyone else find that they do things differently?

 

[Double Bow]

I'll second that, except for the "cute top" part!

Those that know me know that I like to push myself harder and farther on day hikes. I'm usually looking to see what I can "tack on". This is the peakbagger and the athlete in me. Whenever I'm hiking solo, I try to to go harder, farther, and faster than I would either with others or when backpacking (though I stop for views and I break on summits). Sometimes, when going solo, I'll even set time goals for myself.

When I'm backpacking, it's completely different. While I move at a decent pace, I'm not trying to go as fast. I'm taking it much easier and it's almost like I'm in a meditative state. I really don't care about the time, my speed, or upcoming peaks since I'm gonna be out there for a long time anyway and I'll be going wherever the trail takes me. The only exception to this is if I'm racing against fading daylight to get to camp. I really try not to have to set up ccamp and cook in the dark.

I will say that for both times though, I try to stay dry and comfortable. The right layers and snacks are the keys to happiness!

 

[Rick]

You had me at "Cute Top"

I just lost my train of thought now.....
....course it might just be due to age too.

 

[cbcbd]

You had me at "Cute Top"

I was had at "zip-off pants"...


But I digress...
To me it's more about being alone vs. with someone and what kind of trip I want.

When I'm alone I usually plan or seek challenges. On dayhikes I like to see how much I can see and cover in a day and love to tack on the miles. On backpacks I like to start early (6-7am), and finish not too late (4-6pm), so it still gives me plenty of hours to cover lots of terrain at a good 2-3mph clip. My Summer backpack averages from 18-23lbs depending on food so it's easier to go long.

When I'm with others I just chill and focus on enjoying their company.

But, like I said, if I plan a chill trip for myself then I'll do just that - low miles, take a book, better food, etc.

 

[alpinista]

I'm sort of the opposite. When I'm on day hikes, I like to reserve my energy out of concern that I want to make sure that I'm able to make it back down. When I'm backpacking, I like to push myself _ figuring that if worse came to worse, I could always just pull to the side and I'd have to gear to set up my tent and take a snooze!

 

[trailbiscuit]

I have to admit that I'm a gear head and an athlete (in my head). So, when I'm either backpacking or dayhiking I like to have my gear dialed and I like to push it. But, in my mind one really helps the other. If my gear is light and dead on, I can go further and push my body further. (Then again, I usually injure something at some point, but it's a theory.)

Either way, like snowbird said, after a while, I find I'm comfortable anywhere...but, if I'm headed into the hills, I'm comfortable about 30 seconds in. Whether backpacking or hiking, there's no place better.

 

[Neil]

I like to day hike with as light a pack as possible and cover as much ground as I can.
"Start real early, finish late and don't stop". That's my MO.

I'd wear a cute top but my hiking partners would ridicule me in the subsequent trip reports.
As it is they have a hard enough time with me going bottomless.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

Dunno. Sometimes I go fast with a full pack, and sometimes I go slow. Depends on the mood.

Sometimes, with a big pack, I just can't go fast.

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/petepack1.jpg

Sometimes I go fast on a day trip, and sometimes I go slow.

And sometimes I get dressed up real sexy:

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/tmp/fashion.jpg

 

[Rick]

And sometimes I get dressed up real sexy:

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/tmp/fashion.jpg

You should have color analysis. I think you look better in Pinks, but I can also see an Autumn look going over well. Prhaps a Goretex pushup and a slinky outfit - Something in a silnylon?? I agree, though, You can never find a high heel in a stitchdown...

 

[Pete_Hickey]

....I think you look better in Pinks....

Like this:

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/tmp/fashion2.jpg

Hey! What can I say! You know what they say: "Clothes make the man."

It's hard to be modest wihen such cute, high fashion stuff makes me look so good.