NEW Pemi-loop speed record (unofficial)

[cbcbd]

Originally Posted by amf

And the point of this was????

Feeling of accomplishment... to challenge oneself... to push your limits... to improve your endurance... to feel alive... overcome adversity... train for an adventure race... had 7hrs to kill... just felt like running

What is the point of this forum?

[Mike P.]

OF the forum? Just to share ideas & feelings related to hiking. As I mentioned, perhaps unclearly the key to happy hiking is to hike your own hike.

If hiking the whole pemi loop in 7 or 8 hours makes the person happy doing it, great

I wish I had the time to do it in two weeks meandering & looking at little things I have over looked before, sitting on the open peaks for hours & wandering around the summits looking at the little things, I don't have that kind of time, heck it's hard finding time to mow my lawn.

[amf]

Originally Posted by cbcbd

Feeling of accomplishment... to challenge oneself... to push your limits... to improve your endurance... to feel alive... overcome adversity... train for an adventure race... had 7hrs to kill... just felt like running

What is the point of this forum?

Not that I don't give credit to the accomplishment, but it brought to mind my experience with an adventure race that I provided support and strategy on in West Virginia last year. I heard more than one team remark "this area is great... I'd love to have the time to come back". I enjoy a personal challenge as much as the next nut case, but just can't get worked up about racing thru life.

[cbcbd]

Originally Posted by amf

Not that I don't give credit to the accomplishment, but it brought to mind my experience with an adventure race that I provided support and strategy on in West Virginia last year. I heard more than one team remark "this area is great... I'd love to have the time to come back". I enjoy a personal challenge as much as the next nut case, but just can't get worked up about racing thru life.

I understand where you are coming from, especially seeing your experience with adventure racers. Many times when I see adventure races in exotic places it does seem like nature is more like a second thought or just an obstacle to conquer. But it doesn't always have to be like that. This reminds me of that guy who was going for some record around here (possibly the NE 4000s speed record)... not only did he accomplish his goal, but he really knew the area and was very in tune with his surroundings - I wish I could find the article or thread talking about it, but it was good to see that he really appreciated the area he was speeding through.
Plus, adventure racers will age pretty fast and be forced to slow down soon enough

[David Metsky]

The folks who generally go for these speed hiking records or adventures (Cave Dog, Tim Seaver, StinkyFeet, Frodo, etc) also know this area of the world pretty intimately. They also hike slowly, taking in the scenery, flowers, geology, and bushwack around these peaks in summer and winter.

Having hiked with a few of them (at a much slower pace) they have as great an appreciation of the hills as anyone I've met.

-dave-