Fatpacking Frequently Asked Questions Page updated: 3/29/2009 |
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What is Fatpacking? Fatpacking is weight loss through backpacking. Come join us on a one or two-week backpacking adventure vacation. You burn off excess weight by carrying around all your food and equipment. Who would go Fatpacking? Anyone who loves the outdoors, wants to lose weight or hike slowly and has a week or two. You also may be interested if you are seeking solitude, trying to de-caffeinate, reduce stress, or stop smoking. Why don't the people in the website photos look fat? TV has conditioned us to believe that all weight loss programs are comprised of and appropriate for clinically obese individuals. Fatpacking is decidedly not for medically obese people and is targeted for the rest of us who are heavier or less healthy than we'd like to be, but are not in a range where our lives are in danger. Besides, what client wants an unflattering photo of themselves on our website? How much weight can I lose? Although results vary from person to person, we have found that participants lose approximately 5 pounds per person per week. However, Fatpacking is more about body composition change. One participant actually gained 0.2 pounds on a 1-week trip, however her body fat percentage plummeted from 37.7% to 31.8%, losing 6 pounds of fat and putting on about 6 pounds of muscle, thus increasing lean muscle mass. How fit or fat do I need to be? There is no exact answer. Who guides Fatpacking trips? There will be either one or two trip leaders. All trip leaders are either SOLO, Wilderness Medicine Associates, Wilderness Medicine Institute, or NOLS certified Wilderness First Responders. How many people are signed up? This questions is asked by almost everyone, but there's almost never a good way to answer it. Frustratingly, the first person who considers signing up for a trip usually backs away when they find out they are the first. But somebody has to be the first. So unless we lie about numbers, there are almost always a pool of a half dozen people waiting for others to sign up before they will. Where do we stay at the beginning and end of the trips? Fatpacking trips are bookended by hotel stays. We typically stay in the same lodging at the beginning and end of a 1-week trip. For 2-week trips, there are usually 3 or 4 hotel stays, but expect to stay in 2 or 3 different places. In every trip, we endeavor to make our final hotel stay in a place that has a hot tub, internet access and laundry facilities. Can I bring an extra bag or two? Yes, it's expected. After a trip, you won't want to shower in the hotel only to put your smelly trail clothes back on. Your extra bags are either placed in a storage unit, held by the hotel, or kept by the ground transportation company. However, please limit your extra bags to 2, preferably 1. Can kids or teens participate? Not at this time. Children present their own joys, but also their own challenges. Our trips are geared for adults, some of whom prefer time away from their own, and indeed other peoples' children. We will be planning parent/child trips in the future so please inquire if interested. Can I bring my dog(s)? No. Most National Parks and many trails prohibit them from the backcountry, so we must. Dogs also pose a challenge in transporting a van full of them to and from the trailhead plus there's no guarantee they'll get along with other dogs or backpackers. And then who carries a week's worth of their food? We are considering a dog-friendly trip, but have not as yet found an appropriate venue or worked out all the logistics. How much should I tip guides? Nothing. Tipping sucks. |
Why are there no difficulty rating on hikes? Every trip, even flat trails like Florida, are very difficult at least part of the time. This doesn't mean that you cannot successfully complete a trip, only that you should expect to exert yourself at least 6 hours per day in order to alter your body composition significantly. We hike as a group, struggle together, and triumph together (no, this is not like an Amway meeting). Any bathrooms or running water? Typically no, sorry. Fatpacking trips are wilderness experiences. Some trips may pass through a town or across a road where plumbing is available. Showers are even available once in a great while, but swimming opportunities are generally more plentiful. Some trails and campsites have privies or outhouses but in other areas, there are only trees (which are far preferable to some public restrooms I've seen). There's nothing to see on this hike! I guess that depends on your perspective. Some people find endless miles of trees, rivers, big skies, and solitude disquieting or dull. Others find that the amazing panoply of nature taps into long neglected facets of their being. Be honest with yourself. If you're likely to find mountains and lakes unremarkable, these trips may not be for you. There's nothing to do! That's actually one of the best features of a Fatpacking trip. Most of us experience continual stresses and stimuli from day to day. After a few days of hiking, the tranformation from daily anxiety to complete relaxation that participants experience is really quite something. What do we do at night when we get to camp? We spend time setting up tents, unpacking, changing clothes, cleaning up and eating. We are allowed to have campfires in some destinations and in others, there are opportunities to go swimming or on short bonus hikes without packs. However, many people who ask this overestimate their end-of-day energy level. Most participants (and guides!) are extremely happy to just sit, rest and talk after carrying 50 pounds for 10 miles. When darkness falls, your circadian rhythms quickly kick in and you'll find yourself sleeping dusk to dawn. But bring something to read in case you decide to self-caffeinate or have insomnia. I'm not enjoying myself right now Most participants will experience an occasional challenging time during a Fatpacking trip. This may be a result of a blister, insects, rain, snow, brush, blowdowns, mental fatigue, or physical exhaustion. Pushing yourself through these infrequent low points (with the support of a guide) may not only help you expand your limits, but will render the subsequent emotional highs that much more exhilirating. How much will this Fatpacking trip cost? It depends on the location and length of the trip. Currently, 1 week trips are typically around $1000 - $1200 and two week trips run as high as $1650. You are responsible for the cost of transportation to the Airport or city closest to the trailhead, size-specific hiking equipment (such as boots and backpacks), and incidentals on days off. I'm driving in. Where do I put my car while Fatpacking? This is one of our most difficult issues to handle. Generally, we are able to leave your car in the parking lot of our day 1 hotel, but we cannot guarantee any security for your vehicle while it is parked there. You may also have the option of parking your car at a trailhead or renting a storage facility at your own expense. Why aren't any trips listed for next year? While we probably need to do a better job of planning for the long term, we like to think that anyone who is interested in losing weight now isn't planning to be overweight a year from now, whether or not they participate in one of our trips. Interested? You should join us! |
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