HikeArizona.COM

It's the Friday before New Year's. For some inexplicable reason some people have to be at work which is almost entirely pointless this entire week.

So let's discuss a favorite HAZ topic!

Apparently the 2016 Self-Propelled Cyclical Totals thread got locked after going off the rails so I'll post this question here. Try to keep it civil and on-point so hikebot doesn't get an itchy trigger finger on the lock button.

Would anybody like to propose an informal estimated formula/multiple for miles hiked with a backpack versus without?

For example, if Donald* hikes 100 miles of day hikes with never more than 5lbs on his back, but Bill* hikes 75 miles with a 35lb pack shouldn't his 75 miles be "weighted" more? Maybe a 25% weighted-mileage increase? I don't think that Don's miles should be diminished, but I definitely put a different level of appreciation on Bill's achievement.

I'm sure there can't be an actual consensus here on the weight of weight miles, but it's interesting to consider that some people rack up huge miles carrying nothing at all, while others are primarily backpackers hauling big packs all the time.

*I made up the names. These people aren't on HAZ and don't exist. Don't get butt-hurt.

@chumley
Very true. At some point your pack weight/spaces crosses a threshold where counting pounds no longer matters. It's just gonna suck.

Not a real hike unless 45 pound pack up 900 feet per mile grade... and there should be major credit for being old...

The Hiking Science formula posted by lindaagm using calories burned seems like a good way to measure effort.
Of course there are so many variables to consider -
Distance
Elevation Gain
Altitude
Bodyweight
Sex
Age
Pack Weight
Percentage Body Fat
Resting Heart Rate
Heart Rate Range
Wind Speed
Direction of wind speed in relation to movement
Temperature
Terrain conditions
Speed of Travel
Duration of Travel
Trekking Poles
Desirability of Goal
Hiking Partner(s)

Creating a formula that uses all of these (and weighting them properly in an equation) could be a Masters Thesis for someone.

I think this line of thinking breaks down a little when you consider some people like to pack as light as possible AND backpack long continuous miles.

I'm more impressed by someone who backpacks thousands of continuous miles with a 25 lbs pack (including multiple days of food, and water) vs someone who backpacks a couple hundred miles with a 50 lbs pack. When you're pack is lighter you are relying more on yourself than your gear and a bunch of contingency "what if" or "this makes me comfortable" items.



While more effort is expended with a heavy pack, I don't see it as meaningful effort in all cases.

I agree with Dallin here. Lack of "Meaningful Effort" can be demonstrated most weekends at Horton Creek with the boy scouts and their 50 lb packs for their 1 night trip.