Six Foot Track in 1 day???

[majmir1]

Hi everyone,

I am not an experienced bushwalker but a distance runner. I run mainly on roads and my long runs are about 20 km. I have been invited to do the Six Foot Track by a friend who wants to do it in one day. Everything I read says that its a 3 day hike. Has anyone done it in one day? how long did it take?

[clarence]

If you look up the "Six Foot Track Marathon" you will see all sorts of information on this organised event which is run every year along this trail. You will finds all sorts of information including reports and times for fast and slow runners. The distance is one issue, the large ascents and descents are what make it tough. Don't make this one your first marathon run. If you are fit and you travel very light, it is possible in a day at a steady walk.
Clarence

[majmir1]

Hi Clarence,
Thank you very much for replying. I have looked at the marathon but this is supposed to be a walk. I don't know at what pace do people walk on tracks? Sorry if this seems silly but I have no experience with walking. How long would this take and can someone like me do it? I can run for 3 hours or longer but does this type of fitness translate into being able to walk for lets say 9 hours? Thanks again for taking the time to answer.
Kara

[kanangra]

It is very feasible to walk it in a day. An early start is a good idea if you want to catch the last bus out of JC which from memory leaves at about 4:30. The distance is a tad over 45ks. 9-10 hours should be all you need provided you are conditioned and don't dawdle.

K.

[johnw]

Hi Kara,
I agree with Kanangra. I'm both a bushwalker and regular distance runner. I don't generally run more than 10 to 12km in a session but have competed in the past over longer distances up to half-marathon. I have walked the 46km Six Foot Track from Jenolan Caves back to Katoomba (the easier way in my opinion) in the "standard" 3 days, camping twice overnight. I have not done it but, just my opinion, I believe it would be possible in a long day, assuming you carry only a light day pack. The track is not particularly difficult. It is mostly firetrail, farm roads with some sections of bush track. Doing the J to K version there is one big descent down the Black Range and a decent climb at the end up through Nellies Glen. The reverse gives the opposite effect but I would think it still possible in a day, given your stated background.

[tasadam]

Walk... Run... Why not crawl, or jump? It's only six feet...

Oh, I see... Something over 40KM.
Someone's got pretty big feet!

Seriously tho, why's it called the six foot track?

[Allchin09]

It was originally a bridle trail which was specified to be 6ft wide for it's entire length so that horses could pass one another when travelling in opposite directions. It has since been widened to accommodate a fire trail for most of it's length but the original name has stuck.

[Turfa]

Yes is is definitely possible...... I have done it in 9 and a bit hours. That is a brisk walk all the way with short breaks for lunch & a couple of snacks. It is a very easy track to keep up a good pace. If you catch the bus out to Jenolan in the morning you can get on the track by 11am and get back to Katoomba just after dark

[majmir1]

Thank you everyone. Very interesting and helpful advice.
Turfa, it's great to hear from someone who has done it. I think the plan is to start in Katoomba. I am looking forward to it.
Johnw, I would love to run it one day but would definately have to include a few more hills in my training This time we will run the downhills and some of the flats but mostly just walking.
I think it's going to be fun and a change from pounding the pavement everyday. Can't wait...
I really appreciate your opinions and any advice is very welcome:)
Kara

[Onestepmore]

A friend of mine has run the marathon, but he trains on dirt roads and fire trails in Belangelo State Forest, not tarmac.
Let us know how you go!

[odnuas]

Johnw: I recall you managed 100km in a single go!

[johnw]

Johnw: I recall you managed 100km in a single go!

Thanks odnuas. Yes, last August in the Sydney Oxfam Trailwalker event (walking not running) over bush tracks, FT and some streets.
Bushwalking more or less non-stop for 31 hours without sleep isn't my usual thing, but was mostly rewarding in hindsight if somewhat fatiguing.
Reflecting on that, re-walking the Six Foot Track (in a day) now seems relatively straightforward. Might have to consider it.

[tom_brennan]

Sydney Bush Walkers does it as a day walk each year in winter.

[majmir1]

Thank you tom.

[majmir1]

Will definately let you know. Thanks onestepmore.

That's awesome johnw.

[Rob A]

Igor it. The Russian does it with a pram.

[majmir1]

Well, I did the Six Foot Track today with a friend. We completed it easily in 9 hours and enjoyed every minute of it. Katoomba to Jenolan caves. Would like to do it again but starting at the caves and running some of it. Thanks everyone for your advice and encouragement. We had a great day.

[jimmeyer176]

This depends on you really...43 kilometers is 27 miles, a marathon is 26 miles.

I'm an experienced long-distance hiker and have done many, many days in the 40-50 km range, with a 12-13 kg pack on. 43 kms IS NOT a 3 day walk, it's merely a suggestion for newcomers, most hikers with experience wouldn't take more than 2 days on this trail, unless the goal is to spend alot of time sitting in camp, or another activity other than hiking.

However, this is all based on past experience, I remember when I thought 20 kms was a long day...so if you have never walked 35-40 kms straight, I can see how this might appear intimidating. Also in my experience, long days are most difficult when planned, because I spend every hour counting the distance covered which is very mentally taxing. Most of my longest days (45 km +) have not been planned, just worked out that way, or I made a decision to do a big day after walking 20kms, so in my head it didn't seem that tough.

[jimmeyer176]

whoops I should have read the whole thread...sounds like you answered your own questions