can change very quickly; you need to have the skills to take care of yourself and others before you head into the mountains and remote places. These include navigation, first aid, what to do in an emergency, river crossings, and an understanding of mountain weather, hypothermia and the effects of heat.
If you are not skilled enough to hike a route, then never fastpack it, since running increases your risk of an accident. Fastpacking presents unique challenges compared to hiking, since you will be in different footwear and probably carrying less equipment and clothing.
That said, some people have argued that going lighter and faster allows you to remove yourself from risks, like poor mountain weather, more quickly. This clearly depends on your experience and you should never compromise on safety when making gear choices. It’s a classic balance of your experience, the likely conditions, terrain and carrying the necessary gear to be safe.
Top tips
Start early each day. This provides contingency in case something unexpected happens, like getting lost or encountering poor weather.
Make sure you know what weather conditions are likely. Are afternoon thunderstorms common in the region you’re planning to fastpack in? Will there be snow and ice on a high pass? Ensure you know how to deal with these situations.
Build your experience by trying fastpacking on shorter trips before attempting long-distance routes. Learn as you go and build skills and confidence.
Fastpacking means going fast and light, but without compromising safety. Never omit essential clothes and equipment for the conditions, no matter how light you’d like your pack to be.
Take a charged phone and avoid using it apart from in emergencies.
Ideally, go fastpacking in company.
Leave your itinerary with someone at home. Make sure someone knows where you are going to be and when you should be expected to return, especially if you are travelling solo.
Plan for emergencies and have exit points planned along your route so that, if necessary, you can get out safely.
How to get started
It’s a good idea to start with a simple overnight trip, for example running a circuit close to home that includes an overnight stay, or an out-and-back route. You could take the train somewhere and then run back to your start. Short trips allow you to build up experience of back-to-back running days while carrying a pack.
The UK’s national trails are a great way to try fastpacking and generally these aren’t technically difficult or very mountainous. You could opt to use a baggage service to move your gear and this would let you get used to running longer distances over consecutive days, before carrying the weight of a heavier pack.
What to take
The contents of my rucksack for two weeks in the Italian Alps
Obviously, what you carry will depend on the type of trip you’re doing, whether you’re camping or running between accommodation, but the key principle in fastpacking is to travel as light as possible. A heavy pack will make it both uncomfortable and impossible to run. But you should never compromise on safety – you need the right gear to take care of yourself and to be prepared for the likely conditions. Carry exactly what you need to be safe and happy, and nothing more. A full suggested kit list is provided in Appendix B.
A word on weight
The weight of your pack is the number one and most crucial factor for enjoyable and successful fastpacking! This cannot be over-emphasised. Aim for a pack weight of 3–8kg. Anything above 8–10kg will be difficult to run with and increases your risk of injury. The rise in ultra-lightweight outdoor gear makes this much easier now, but it can be as simple as being ruthless about what you take and thinking carefully about your food choices. Some people even cut the straps off their packs and the handles off their toothbrushes to reduce weight – but there has to be a balance. Even when packing minimally, you should always have the right gear for the terrain and likely weather.
The weight of your pack is the most crucial factor for enjoyable and successful fastpacking
Backpacks
Your pack is your most important piece of kit and needs to be comfortable, fit well and hold all your gear. There is an excellent range available due to the growth in ultra-running, so it’s just a matter of finding one that rides well on your body and meets your needs. Here are some factors to consider when choosing:
Volume – when wild camping you will need 25–30 litres; for an Alpine hut-to-hut trip, 15–25 litres is probably sufficient; and for a UK national trail using existing accommodation, 10–15 litres is plenty
Comfort – choose a pack with a soft back-pad that moulds to the shape of your back
Stability – comfortable and stabilising straps around the shoulders and across the sternum are crucial. You should be able to pull the waist belt, shoulder straps and chest strap tightly to eliminate as much movement of the pack as possible
Rubbing – when running, there should be very little motion of the pack against your back, both horizontally and vertically. If your pack moves, it will make it hard to run and lead to painful pack-rub
Pockets on the waistband or straps are useful for quick access to essential items such as head torch, snacks, map and compass, and camera. With some packs, you can also buy map pouches that attach to the front of the pack
Camera access – invest in a specialist pouch that can be attached to your chest straps at the front, or waist belt, allowing easy access. If your camera is in your main pack, you are unlikely to use it.
Top tips
Before buying a pack, try running with it, loaded with some gear.
Women may find that many unisex packs don’t fit well, even with straps pulled tightly. In recent years, however, designers are paying attention to the need for a good fit on different body sizes, so the range has improved with women-specific packs available. Make sure you test the pack.
Keep your clothes, sleeping bag, and any electronic equipment dry by putting them in ultra-light waterproof stuff sacks or plastic bags. Freezer or Ziploc bags are ideal. In addition to this, a waterproof cover for your pack will prevent it becoming heavy and sodden in rain. Also watch out for sweat soaking into your pack from your back.
Sleeping bags
Your sleeping bag needs to pack down small without compromising on warmth. Much of your recovery happens when you are sleeping, so being comfortable at night is important. Down sleeping bags are lighter and pack down smaller than their synthetic counterparts; however, a good ultra-light down sleeping bag is not cheap. If your bag gets wet then synthetic will be warmer than down because feathers clump together.
Your sleeping bag will be a personal choice and what you take will depend on the expected conditions. You can also buy fleece liners or consider a silk liner for additional insulation. Your spare clothes packed into a stuff sack will make for a comfy pillow.
