I think Bob Marshall sums it up this type of insanity pretty well.:

"In fact, it (speed hiking) would fit perfectly in a class with flagpole sitting and marathon dancing as an entirely useless type of record, made only to be broken, were it not that I had such a thoroughly glorious time out of the entire day."

Or maybe Bert Malcolm:

My answer is that it is thoroughly enjoyable and not really difficult, if you are in proper training. Dogs, birds, etc., seem to take a lot of exercise just for the joy there is in graceful motion. Why should not men and women get a thrill from using their strength just for the fun of it? There is an ecstasy in sustained motion among beautiful surroundings, in breezing over a mountain range seeing the whole gamut of views and lights and shadows in a single day, and coming in hungry and full of life at the end. ( in 1936, at the age of 51, after 2 Hut Traverses)

Let's see, add the Kinsmans and Cannon...or wait, no ....Bondcliff, Hale and Willey...then there's the 3 Carter's...

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