The outdoor guides at Fatpacking believe that you will lose substantial weight during their two week backpacking adventures. They also think you can kick caffeine, stop smoking, reduce stress and/or lower your blood pressure.

6-8 test subjects 20-50 pounds overweight are needed to participate in a backpacking weight-loss vacation on the Arizona Trail. The trip, which will be March 20 – April 4, will study the effects of backpacking on body composition, respiration, cholesterol level, and a host of other health related metrics.

Participants in the two-week trip will be met by a Fatpacking representative in Phoenix. A wilderness experience awaits them in which all food and gear will be carried in their backpacks. There will be no plumbing, except at the halfway point when we stay overnight at a cheapish motel.

While there will be no pay for this study, Fatpacking will endeavor to provide participants as much equipment as possible with the exception of size-specific items such as hiking boots and packs. Food will also be provided as well as ground transportation, however transportation to and from Phoenix will be the responsibility of the backpacker.

This trip will be led by Chris Marshman and Steve Silberberg, both who have wilderness experience dating back to the 70’s. They are also both certified Wilderness First Responders.

Participants will not be restricted to any austere diet or eating plan. Fatpacking believes that eating heartily is important in keeping your body in peak performance for the rigors of backpacking. We postulate that weight will still be dropped even if hikers eat all they want. We don’t know just how much weight subjects can lose, so we would like to gather some data to back up our anecdotal evidence of weight loss.

If you are interested in this trip, please contact us as soon as possible at either steve.silberberg@alum.mit.edu or 781-773-1115. Space is limited and future trips will require a greater cash outlay.