Alpkit interview

[Blackhound]

Just seen this via Twitter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVn4PSVFmNk

WRT / BB200 get a mention. Missed WRT11, looked a bit snowy;-)

[Matt]

Saw this when it was on Singletrack, nice little video and I'm in it :)

[didnothingfatal]

Parallels with alpinism??

[Bearbonesnorm]

Parallels with alpinism??

Me no understand ... seems to be a few parallels to me, fast and light, no tent just a bivvy bag, etc.

[didnothingfatal]

Alpinism is much more commited, yes it's fast and light, but that's the end of all comparisons. If bikepacking draws from anything it's the fastpacking scene, fast ultralight long distance trips, which in many ways can be likened to multiday Adventure Races, such as Primal Quest. Other than a few bike bags and bike specific gear, a lot of the companies selling the specialized ultralight gear being used by people on this forum eg GoLite, Z Packs, Trail Designs have backgrounds in the ultralight hiking and fastpacking world. yes i know Rab, etc. have a background in mountaineering and alpinism, but technical sleeping bags etc. are crossover from car camping to polar exploration. The only real comparison I can see is bikepacking events can kick your arse as much as a alpine route and leave you going home annoyed and plotting all assault on your return!

(steps down from soap box)

[Matt]

Don't they both require Snow claws?

[Ian]

Fastpacking is a reasonable comparison, but as it is a new term in itself (which I hadn't heard of until you linked it), I expect many people will probably be able to relate more easily to the term alpinism. Alpinism is more committed entirely due to the nature of the terrain, but that is not to say that bikepacker does not seek to maximise the remoteness of their trip and in doing so accepting a greater risk than they might encounter on a normal day ride.

Extract on Alpinism from wikipedia*:

Alpine climbing refers to a particular style of mountain climbing that involves a mixture of snow climbing, ice climbing, rock climbing, and glacier travel, where climbers generally single carry their loads between camps, in a single push for the summit. Light and fast is the mantra of the Alpine Mountaineer. The term alpinism contrasts with expedition style climbing (as commonly undertaken in the Himalayan region or other large ranges of the world), which could be viewed as slow and heavy, where climbers may use porters, pack animals, glacier airplanes, cooks, multiple carries between camps, usage of fixed lines etc

* other definitions on the internet are available

[didnothingfatal]

Don't they both require Snow claws?

No long stays in the mountains I took a Black Diamond shovel, was much easier to clear snow

As for fastpacking being new, according to Trail Runner the term dates back to 1988, but as you say people probably think they understand alpinism. But the fact the terrain is so much more unforgiving ends comparisons, why doesn't bikepacking get associated to backpacking, the backpacker seeks to maximise the remoteness of their trip and in doing so accepting a greater risk than they might encounter on a normal day walk. Simple, it sounds better and more hardcore to liken it alpinism than backpacking!!

In fact having listened to that video again, I'm left laughing about other crap in it! Utter garbage but then it was produced for Singletrack

[Bearbonesnorm]

I have to say, for me if bikepacking has a close relation then it does have to be backpacking ... the thinking on kit is pretty much the same and the whole ethos behind it is pretty similar too.

However I do think you can draw some parallels between bikepacking and ANY outdoor activity that promotes travelling between two or more places as quickly and efficiently as possible under your own steam. People have taken bikes to some pretty extreme places over the years, Nick Crane going to the High Atlas is one example that springs to mind.

I also believe that the lines can become a little more blurred when racing gets added to the mix.

[didnothingfatal]

Seriously??

Alpinism is about commitment with the potential to pay the ultimate price. So if the requirement for light gear is the basis for a likening to alpinism, it's feeble at best. Wild camping and backpacking is nowadays about light gear, guys like PTC have been talking of lightweight hiking for years. Check out Andrew Skurka people on trips like this are closer to bikepacking.

As Inaki Ochoa said "If you are not ready to pay a certain price (cash not accepted), then it would probably be wiser to stay home." to me that sums up Alpinism, not having lightweight gear A MYOG meths burner isn't going to melt enough snow to keep you hydrated on a alpine route!

[Matt]

I have to agree with Didnotfinish , bikepacking is more like Expedition Mountaineering than Alpinism really; My bike is my packhorse sherpa (but Taiwanese not Nepalese) and fast and light are two words that could never be used to describe me on a bike!

I'm also not prepared to pay the ultimate price!, I'm not even prepared to pay £150 for some new wheels! (still haven't collapsed but are very wobbly now and making some bad noises BTW)

Seriously though Ultralight Backpacking is the most similar for me and of the blogs (Wheres your's gone DNF?) I follow this is the community / gear / attitude that closest seems to fit. I think the difference is conditions, above 8000ft everything changes; cyclists and walkers don't really tend to go for a ride / stroll at that height. (some do but not many)

Some of the gear has a cross over (Beanie hat / hipflask / mug) but I don't think we should get too hung up on comparisons.

[griffdowg]

Why feel the need to box it in? Leave that the marketing folk

Go out and ride/bikepack/backpack how you want, wether you take everything with you or minimal/lightweight kit it does not matter... Its all bikepacking.

G

[Ian]

To put Alpkit's comments re: alpinism into its original context, they said that bikepacking has become a progression of normal riding/cycle touring once all the obvious challenges had been completed in much the same way as mountaineers eyed up the big walls and unclimbed north faces and became alpinists, followed by references to big snow bike races and things like the Tour Divide.

I don't really care what you call it, but given Alpkit's origins (clue is in the name...), and the support they've offered to some top level UK riders, I think they're well enough placed to make the comparison if you ask me.

[Ian]

bikepacking is more like Expedition Mountaineering

Only if you use a taxi

I'm also not prepared to pay the ultimate price!

That's the northerner in you, I expect (and the price of taxi's in mid-Wales)

[Aidan]

You should probably remember that one end of bikepacking does involve risk of serious injury or death.

On the Tour Divide, I was certainly not carrying enough kit to hunker down at high altitude if things went wrong. I relied on the plan of toughing it out and keeping moving instead of carrying extra safety equipment. But by carrying less stuff, I was more likely to be able to move faster.

On the Iditarod Trail, I fell through a frozen river at -20C. Perilous enough for you? As above, the kit I chose to take required my to keep going until I had chance to make a fire and dry my clothes.

In both races I blacked out for seconds at a time whilst riding my bike due to lack of sleep.

I don't think the kit you take has much to do with it. It's more the kit you leave behind. That stuff weighs nothing and costs nothing.