Backcountry Fitness Challenge 2009 SIGNUP

HillbillyHkr wrote:Hey if trail work is worth 3 miles and day hiking is counted the same as backpacking..a good bushwhacking trip should be counted 2 per. :-) Can't blame me for trying.

HBH

HBH, I actually did think long and hard about this before I posted the rules for this year. I too am a bushwhacker; in fact, some of my fondest memories involve me tromping around off the trails in the Mark Twain National Forest as a youngster.

I know how difficult "bushpacking" is, so I initially thought about doing something like what you suggested, such as adding mileage. I decided to allow 8 miles per day maximum for bushwhacking for three reasons: 1.) 8 miles a day while bushwhacking is pretty fair. 2.) While I personally enjoy bushwhacking (and support others who do), I don't want to "promote" it by encouraging others to do it. In order for there to be bushwhackable places left, folks need to stay on the trail. And 3.) There's no way to know exactly how many miles a bushwhacker traveled in a day's time, as opposed to a trail.

I hope you don't think I'm trying to be political or anything, but I did want you to know that I'm sure not trying to penalize bushwhackers, but I am trying to keep the competition as fair and simple as I can.

I know you weren't really worried about this. I just wanted you to know I care.

I am in! Trail Monkey and I are ready to kick some tail!

Jay,

I was just harassing you about extra miles. I hike for the enjoyment and the personal fulfillment. I bushwhack for the added challenge of map and compass skills. I typically do not carry a gps and when I do I just use it for a reality check on my map location. The mileage for my last trip I pulled from the National Geographic Buffalo river west half map. I added two miles for the side excursions up the side creek drainages.


HBH

I used to do a lot of bushwaching. I wish that I still could. Because of my knee conditions I just don't feel like I could anymore. More power to you guys that can!
Go for it, you desearve and extra pts. that you get!!

OH

I guess I should elaborate on my statement above. For those that don't know I had a complete knee replacement of my right knee a year and a half ago. I used to do a lot of off trail stuff back in the 70's and loved it! I just don't feel confident getting of the trail at this time. i feel like if I lost some weight I would feel better about it. But I do now a lot of trail maintance and love doing it! I plan on getting out more this year, challenge or not! It just take time!

OH

OH,

You are definately an inspiration to all of us! Keep up the good work!

Colt,

My goal, don't know if it will happen this year, is to hike at least 50 miles. I would like to hike from the Queen Whilimena State Part to the Talimena State park in OK on the OT. That is a little over 51 miles. Then I would like to do a thru hike of the OT.
Lofty goals but some day I will do it, at least before I need another knee replacement!

OH

OH, That is the exact section I hve been looking at doing for some time now, only reverse. I have already bought the trail hankies and everything. Oh well, maybe we both can do it this year.

Dewight,

If you start at queen whilimena you will go DOWN Rich Mountain instead of going UP it, quite a elevation gain! Hey maybe some time we can look into doing it together?

OH

I know, but that is part of the fun . Amanda and I really want to get out more this Spring and Summer. I will let you know if we make any plans. To keep on subject with this thread, my goal is around 200 miles this year. I do not kow if I can do it, but I already have 3 down, 197 to go

Dwight,

I don't remember much about my solo hike from Winding Start (in OK) to the lodge but I do remember that hike up Rich Mnt.! Although I know that there has been improvment to the trail. I don't have a mile figure that I want to do but I want to do more than I have in a long time.

OH

Ok.. Colt and I have been talking. Bushwhacking, Backpacking, Hiking and Trail Work, What about Trail Running. Seems to me as long as its dirt or a gravel road then it should count. When the days get longer I hit the trails but to run. Herb Parsons is a great lake around here thats about 6 miles long. I usually run it twice on either a Sat or Sun. Weather your walking or running it should be about the same as a day hike.. actually at 12 miles it prob would be out of most peoples "Day Hike" criteria lol. Colt said the same thing as me, at that distance as long as its not a paved trail, as in a jogging trail or running lap, then it should still count. As long as its wooded and you work your ass off. Anyone doubting the work out is more than free to join me on either loop

TM, I have Fayetteville Lake trail that is 5 or 6 miles too, but 1.5 miles of it is paved, the rest is dirt trail through the woods, is that ok? The whole thing is fitness, and just getting out. I am taing my neighbor on the Old Butterfield this Sunday evening and Monday. I hope to take him on some other trails and make it a bit longer hike than the 15 miles of the regular Butterfield. I will have to post back how many miles we log.

As you guys know, many trails (especially the longer ones) utilize existing roads as part of the trail. One part of the Womble Trail follows probably a half mile of a major highway. It all counts.

If it's an actual trail with verifiable mileage, it counts. Everything else would probably have to qualify under the same rules as bushwhacking. It's the only way I know to keep things fair and simple.

Yep thats kind of what I thought too Jay.. lol

I'll be heading out of town tomorrow for work stuff, but I will still be posting the teams tomorrow night.

Last chance to get signed up!

Hey gang...I'm sending this from my phone.
I'm sick that i havent had internet access where i am and havent been able to post the teams yet...i know ur all excited to find out! I sure am!

I'll have some free time tomorrow, so im going to find internet access and sort it all out. I had an outside party draw names for us tonight and will post the results tomorrow.

Sorry again for the delay guys.
Jay

Count me in! I'm going to Caney Creek with OH for some maintenance this weekend.
Let's get hiking!

Mark

Hey Trailrelic! Glad you're on board for the challenge...

This will make things interesting, but in order to keep the teams even, I need to put you on my team (Trail Stompers).

I added bostonmntman to the other team last, so I have to alternate.

So, now you have to keep going on trips with OH so he won't get ahead of us! I'll add you. Remember to post your mileage in the correct forum!

Hopefully I'll get to hike with you soon.

Jay,

He is probably on his way to my place. We are going in to EARN those miles/points in the morning. I will tell him either later in the night or in the morning. You guys are lucky, he guides trips for the Dallas Sierra Club. You got to get back into Caney Creek to see what we have accomplished!

Tom

I'm really excited to see what you guys have accomplished so far out there. I felt like we put a good dent in it out there, but it's a never-ending job; that's for sure.

It sounds like we certainly are lucky to have trailrelic on our team. I didn't know he was a guide, or I would've been sending him boxes of chocolates with little notes begging him to be on our team!
Guess it worked out pretty well, huh?

Hello-

I just joined last night but I would love to get in on the Challenge for 2009! I would like to be on the trail stompers team if possible!

Let me know when I can start racking up the miles!

Lea-

Hi Lea... glad you could make it here. Guys Lea lives here just outside Memphis and is a member of the Memphis Hiking Group that attended the Tarp and Hammock Clinic last year. I am proud to call her a freind and look forward to her post here. OH and for all of us Hammockers... Shes got the bug as well. A great woman and a HAMMOCKER hahahaha gosh guess that makes her about as perfect as you can get. Damn makes me feel kind of left out now Naw.. I do tarps too hahahaha

Hi Lea, welcome to AB!

It's great that you're going to take part in the challenge! Welcome to the Trail Stompers. Hopefully I'll get to do some hiking with you soon.

I'll post an "official" message to let everyone know you're on our team.

Again, welcome to AB and if you have any questions or anything, feel free to PM me.

Lea,

Welcome to the site! I have been out doing trail work on the OT so missed you coming on board.

Welcome!

OH (Tom)