Fastpacking is not new, but its been getting more popular the last few years. In simplest terms, it just means going fast & light. "Packing" also implies a trip that's long enough so you have to make camp, with items you carry, and sleep. The Adventure Race craze is basically competitive fastpacking with a few skill tests thrown in. Today, a small but growing group of backpackers are going lighter than ever before and travelling major distances in short periods of time. 25, 30, even 40 mile days are normal for these ultralight hikers who sometimes run parts of the trail with their packs on. The energy saved from not being a human pack mule actually promotes a greater awareness of the beautiful countryside the trails wander through.

Whether or not a fastpacker has "food drops" or receives help from others is generally a matter of style choice. Those who receive no outside assistance and carry everything they need on their backs, from start to finish, are traveling "unsupported & unresupplied". Distance limits for the "unsupported & unresupplied" style are currently around 600 miles. Long hikes, like the Pacific Crest Trail, have never been done in this style.

For speed record purposes, this style also means traveling solo, because hiking with others provides emotional support.

Ultra running begins where regular running leaves off. The upper limit of regular running is generally considered to be the Marathon (26.2 miles). For most in this sport, Ultras begin at 50 miles. The most popular racing distance in the sport currently seems to be 100 miles, with 50 milers merely serving as qualifiers to enter the real thing.

There are currently (2009) about 55 organized ultra trail 100 milers held throughout the year in the U.S. A list of them can be found here. Many 50 milers and 50 K's (31 milers) can also be found, for those trying to work their way up to the 100's. For some reason, there are very few organized ultra "trail" events longer than 100 miles. While many 100+ trail efforts have been accomplished, they are generally individual efforts. In 2005, David Horton ran the 2655 mile PCT in record time, with tons of support from others. To read about Horton's and other great individual ultra efforts, check out FKT.

The major difference between Ultra Trail Running and Fastpacking is the level of support. In fastpacking there generally is none. Fastpackers are on their own from start to finish and that's the way they like it.

In ultra trail, the runners typically have support crews that meet them along the route. Organized Ultra Trail events also have aid stations along the route where participants can receive food, water, and other assistance. This enables them to carry much less while they run.

A second difference between these two "Ultra" activities is making some sort of camp. Fastpackers as stated earlier, make camp with items they carry. Even if you just pull out a bivi sack and light weight sleeping bag, and nod off for 3 or 4 hours, you are fastpacking. Ultra trail running is generally nonstop from start to finish. Runners have been known to take short naps at aid stations during really long events, but they don't pull something off their backs to make a camp so they're not fastpacking.