Fitpacking Frequently Asked Questions

Sign Up Now!
- Sign up For a Trip

Upcoming Trips

2010
- Mt. Rainier National Park, WA
  We've been awarded 1 of only 5 permits Mt. Rainier NP issues
  ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT
  Sep 4-11, 2010 - $1150, ★★★★
- White Mountain National Forest, NH
  Day Hiking / Fall Foliage / Stay in a Lodge
  September 26 - October 2, 2010 - $1350, ★★
- Pine Barrens / Batona Trail, NJ
  New Fitpacking Destination!
  Oct 9-16, 2010 - $1000, ★
- Cumberland Island National Seashore, GA
  Nov 6-13, 2010 - $975, ★
- Israel National Trail / Shvil Yisroel
  New Fitpacking Destination!
  Dec 5-20, 2010 - $2750, ★★
- Florida Trail / Ocala National Forest
  January 15-23, 2011 - $1000, ★
- Cumberland Island National Seashore, GA
  Details TBD
  February 19-26, 2011 - ~$1000, ★
- Big Bend National Park, TX
  Details TBD
  March 5-13, 2011 - ~$1050, ★★★
- Superstition Wilderness, AZ
  Details TBD
  March 19-27, 2011 - ~$1175, ★★★
- Canyonlands National Park, UT
  Details TBD
  April 2-10, 2011 - ~$1250, ★★★★
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC/TN
  Details TBD
  April 23 - May 1, 2011 - ~$1100, ★★
- Shenandoah National Park, VA
  Details TBD
  May 14-29, 2011 - ~$1750, ★★
- Mt. Rushmore / Black Hills / Wind Caves, SD
  New Fitpacking Destination! Details TBD
  June 4-12, 2011 - ~$1250, ★★★
- Redwood National Park, CA
  Details TBD
  June 22 - July 4, 2011 ~$1700, ★★
- Olympic National Park, WA
  Details TBD
  July 9-17, 2011 - ~$1250, ★
- Yosemite National Park, CA
  Details TBD
  July 23 - August 5, 2011 - ~$1750, ★★★★
- Appalachian Trail / 100 Mile Wilderness, ME
  New Fitpacking Destination! Details TBD
  August 13-28, 2011 - ~$1750, ★★★★
- Mt. Rainier National Park, WA
  Details TBD
  September 3-11, 2011 - ~$1250, ★★★★
- White Mountain National Forest, NH
  Day Hiking / Fall Foliage / Stay in a Lodge
  Details TBD
  September 30 - October 6, 2011 - ~$1450, ★★
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Primer / Intro, GA
  Details TBD
  October 15-23, 2011 - ~$1000, ★★★
- Hot Springs, AR
  New Fitpacking Destination! Details TBD
  October 29 - November 6, 2011 - ~$1050, ★★
- Difficulty Ratings:
  ★ Easier (but not easy)
  ★★ Moderate (difficult at times)
  ★★★ Moderate to Strenuous
  ★★★★ Strenuous (much of the time)
- Please note that difficulty ratings are deceptive. The easiest day of a 4 star trip may be less strenuous than the hardest day of a 1 star trip. We have little control over how mountains form, where trails and campsites are located and weather, so difficulty varies from day to day. These ratings just reflect overall impressions.
- All Prices include at least 2 nights in a hotel, all food eaten on the trail, ground transportation to/from trailheads, guides, and permits. Prices quoted are Per Person Double Occupancy (Hotel Sharing), but single supplements are available.

Quick Links
- Fitpacking Home
- How Fit or Fat Should I Be?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Testimonials
- How Much Weight Can I Lose?
- Will I Finish?
- Sign up For a Trip
- Pay For a Trip
- Release Form
- Cancellation Policy
- Equipment List
- Sample Menus
- Who is Fitpacking?
- Want to Be a Guide?
- Frequent Hiker Program
- Trip Evaluation Form
- Suggestion Box
- Facebook Page
- Notify Me About New Trips
- Blog
- Previous Trips
- Press Kit
- Reality Show
- Contact

What is Fitpacking?
Fitpacking 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 Fitpacking?
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 like those seen on The Biggest Loser. Fitpacking 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 of fat per person per week. However, Fitpacking is more about body composition change. You may lose fat, but put on muscle. For example, one participant actually gained about a quarter of a pound overall 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 and taking inches off her frame.
How fit or fat do I need to be?
There is no exact answer.
Who guides Fitpacking 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 question 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?
Fitpacking 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.

What difficulty rating is right for me?
Every trip can be very difficult at least part of the time, even flat locations like Florida. On the other hand, the most difficult trips may have days that most anyone could do successfully and comfortably. It all depends on mileage, terrain, and even things like climate.
We rate trips on a perceived overall average. Even our most difficult trips are attainable by people who are out of shape. In order to insure success for everyone, we hike as a group, struggle together, and triumph together (no, this is not like an Amway meeting).
What time should I plan to arrive / leave?
Although arrival and departure times can vary slightly from trip to trip, you should plan to arrive between around Noon - 3PM. Hotels generally won't let us check in before Noon, but we have a lot of things to do as participants arrive. For instance, we want to make sure we have have time to go to the store to pick up essential items you may have forgotten. However, if you can save several hundred dollars on your flight by showing up at 11AM or 4:30PM, then do so.
Trips are officially over after the dinner / awards ceremony on the last night. Most people plan to leave around 9AM the next day, but earlier or later is certainly fine. Sometimes people plan to leave after dinner and forego the final hotel night. This is especially popular on West Coast trips where people take a red-eye back East that departs around midnight. People who drive in also sometimes decide to return home that night. Note: Showers are still available for you if you decide to leave early.
Any bathrooms or running water?
Typically no, sorry. Fitpacking trips are wilderness experiences. Some trips may pass through a town or across a road or frontcountry campground where plumbing is available. Showers are even available once in a while. However, 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 Fitpacking 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 Fitpacking 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 follow much more exhilirating.
How much do Fitpacking trips 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 $1700. You are responsible for the cost of transportation to the Airport or city closest to the trailhead, personal hiking equipment (though we can provide some items for a nominal fee), restaurant meals, and incidentals on days off.
I'm driving in. Where do I put my car while Fitpacking?
This is one of the 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 details of all trips listed?
While we need to do a better job of planning for the long term, we like to think that anyone who is interested in losing weight or getting fit now isn't planning to be overweight and out of shape a year from now, whether or not they participate in one of our trips.

What do I do about snakes / spiders / scorpions / alligators / bears etc.?
All sorts of animals live in the wilderness and you may not be completely comfortable with every one of them. While other participants may consider bears a joy to behold, you might fear them. And although this fear may be completely natural and warranted, wild animal encounters are rare and attacks are almost unheard of. That's precisely the reason such incidents make the national news, whereas people who die from say, heart attacks don't. Although statistics mean very little for such a deep seated emotional issue, you are statistically in far more danger anytime you drive a car or enter a bar.
Is it Fitpacking or Fatpacking?
It's whatever you want it to be. Not everyone likes to tell their friends they're going Fatpacking. Yet people consistently click on Fatpacking twice as often as they click on Fitpacking. So although we may someday differentiate the two for differently targeted trips, they are currently one and the same.
Interested?
You should join us!
Sign up for a trip!

Fitpacking

Sign Up Now!

Upcoming Trips

2010

2011

Quick Links