Fastpacking, is a cross between Backpacking and Mountain Running. The defining characteristics of Fastpacking are: 1) Rapid, long-distance mountain travel, on foot, over multiple days, involving camps or bivouacs, and 2) Refined equipment choices and practiced skill sets that allow for both rapid movement and self-sufficiency in a remote mountain setting. Fastpackers share alpinists’ “light and fast” attitude for moving in the mountains. Fastpackers use gear selection, ingenuity, and a streamlined approach as primary tools for maximizing speed and minimizing overall effort, without overly compromising safety or comfort.
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move swiftly on foot. Mountain Running is a discipline of long-distance running that takes place in mountain topography. Mountain Running can be defined by two philosophies: 1) the appreciation of the joy and benefits of moving rapidly on foot through natural mountain landscapes, and/or 2) the athletic pursuit of the fastest possible speed on foot over a given mountain route, given considerations of risk and safety.
Fastpacking, also called Ultralight Backpacking, is a cross between Backpacking and Mountain Running. The defining characteristics of Fastpacking are: 1) Rapid, long-distance mountain travel, on foot, over multiple days, involving camps or bivouacs, and 2) Refined equipment choices and practiced skill sets that allow for both rapid movement and self-sufficiency in a remote mountain setting. Fastpackers share alpinists' "light and fast" attitude for moving in the mountains. Fastpackers use gear selection, ingenuity, and a streamlined approach as primary tools for maximizing speed and minimizing overall effort, without overly compromising safety or comfort.
Interested in what makes a good fastpacking trip? At Sage to Summit, we cruise around the Sierra looking for loops and point-to-point routes, to check out as many places as possible. Fastpacking is one of the quickest ways to check out the Sierra. At Sage to Summit we pioneer fastpacking trips and use our ultralight gear so we can get further - faster!
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Jackets/Vests
We have lightweight jackets for multiple purposes including rain, wind, and snow. We also carry down jackets by Montbell that are ultralight and warm.
Winter Running
Mountain Runners may use specialized crampons that work on lightweight footwear or a small aluminum ice axe for short snowy sections.
Fastpacking - see What is Fastpacking?
