What to bring:
- Headlight for Day 3 (compulsory)
- Bright Waterproof light weight jacket (Compulsory in misty conditions)
- Whistle (compulsory equipment)
- Warm sleeping bag & sheet for the mattress
- Hydration System (Camel Back) (Compulsory equipment for Day 1. No less than 2L)
- Sunscreen
- Walking poles – recommended (some steep ascents and descents)
- Extra socks – might be a good idea to carry a pair of dry socks in your backpack. There are some river crossing on some of the days and it might be wise to change socks after these.
- Sense of humor :)
Any advice? Have you ever used walking poles?
Thanks and happy running everyone!
I like the last of the list: sense of humor!!!
ReplyDeleteI have never used walking poles but I think that you don't need them.
Congrats to SA and good luck in the Rugby World Cup.
Italy is out but the good news is that Mallet has gone! Ireland is stronger than Italy but our head coach planned a wrong defensive strategy.
Johann, I used to hate walking poles but on my JMT they proved invaluable. Still, I cannot imagine running with them unless you can stash them in or attache them to your backpack when you don't need them. I am not sure how practical that can be. Will you be carrying a small pack?
ReplyDeleteThey can be quite helpful when going up but I remembered when i trained with them, at first, I would get very tired.
Email me if you need more input.
No I havent, I interested if you get them and how you like them
ReplyDeleteSounds like another great adventure! No experience with walking poles. I see people using them and always wonder.
ReplyDeleteI've never used walking poles. I'm pretty sure they make them collapsible, though, so they'd be pretty easy to stash in/attach to your pack when not in use.
ReplyDeleteI've never used them but several people used them in the trail race I did last weekend. I think I'm too clumsy for them to really help. Guess it's probably just one of those things to try sometime to see if they help or not.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great adventure that sounds like! :) Looking forward to hearing if you tried the walking poles.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I'm wondering who is next for the friendship flag? :)
ReplyDeleteI recently started using these (http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/trekking-poles/distance-fl-trekking-pole) for adventure racing, and they make a huge difference for technical climbs and descents. Lightweight, easy to pack up. I'd definitely recommend them!
ReplyDeletenever used them. just imagine what the course must be like if you need them. yikes!
ReplyDeleteThe sense of humor part would scare me the most! Sounds like an interesting event!
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds like a great event. I see a lot walking poles being used here in Colorado but I have never used them.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Should you decide to use the poles after all, make sure you can adjust the length, longer for downhill and shorter for up. You probably won't need them for running though. Now Mt Kilimanjaro - well, that is a different story. I will be insanely jealous if you climb it. You have no idea how much I would love to summit it.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lot to carry Johann - wow! If you use the poles, I would guess you would want lightweight and possibly adjustable. Some of the light ones fold up and would easily strap to your Camelbak. Good luck preparing!
ReplyDeleteI used hiking poles when I did Mt. Whitney this summer and I am convinced they saved my bad foot as they helped me stay off it a little bit. I then went and saw Marshall Ulrich's "Running America" video and he used them for the first 20 or so days of his trek and I asked him why as I've never seen a runner on roads use them and he said they helped him stay off his legs more until they got accustomed to the torture they were going to be put through. He said they really helped cut down on the amt of leg time. Doesn't seem feasible but apparently this is the case! Hope you find some that work for you. I just found some cheapies at the local crap store and they worked just fine, but I think you can spend several hundred dollars on them too! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteNever used them, so I am of no help. My gut would be that if you aren't used to them now, don't add them. But--I also would defer to Ewa and it looks like she commented!
ReplyDeleteI've used them once on a walk with my sister. She gave them to me to try on the perilous, steep and gravelly down hill. They made a big difference in my balance and confidence.
ReplyDeleteHave you been doing training with the poles? I wouldn't use unfamiliar equipment in a race. All the best, though!
ReplyDeleteWalking poles are they similar to ski poles?.. Do you have skiing there? Are there snowy mountains for it? If you were here i would suggest getting some ski poles from a resale store. I know you'll find something good!
ReplyDeleteHow can you use walking poles during your challenges :) I really think you don't need them!
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful running weekend!
Never used them myself...but probably would if the race allowed it and the climbs were steep enough. Most people I know who've done big vertical races were glad they had pole.
ReplyDeleteI've never used them before, but they sound like a very useful tool. Good luck with your search!
ReplyDeleteNever used em. I once bought my mom a pair from backcountry.com. Good luck!
ReplyDeletecheating!
ReplyDeleteWalking poles - I read some UTMB race report and one elite runner said to use them in training to get a feel for them. You will use more upper body strength on the climbs with the poles. Also, not all poles are created equally (LOL) - His were light weight and folded, but broke halfway into the race.
ReplyDeleteSOunds amazing!
ReplyDelete