Bill_Simpkins Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 Last week I went for a hike up Mt. Pilchuck. I wore tennies, climbing pants, had a day pack and and ice axe. Was wearing Glacier glasses. I ran almost the whole way cause I got bored with walking. Took 2.5 hours RT. On the way up there must have been about 4 groups coming down. Most wearing jeans, hiking boots, and no axe. In two groups the boyfriends were carrying one small pack and the girlfriends carried nothing. No sunglasses, despite the snow everywhere. No one else had an axe, despite some moderate snow slopes. Consequently, when I passed these people I felt like I was prepared for Rainier or something. I felt like someone with a bigwall rack climbing Bunny Face. From climbing a lot I prepare for what I usually encounter, so when I go on a normal hike, especially on a mountain, I have trouble packing like a person who JUST hikes. Question is: Ever go on a hike feeling over-prepared when you pass the families, couples and other hikers that are wearing jeans, cotton shirt, no pack and are carrying a bottle of Pepsi for drink? Please tell your stories. Quote
erik Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 when i go for a hike i dont take anything really. cuz i'm just going for a walk. Quote
Sphinx Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 Yes, but usually it's the other way round. On the other hand, sometimes I've bailed people out, them nearly getting sunstroke since they didn't have a hat, or getting dehydrated since the didn't have any water, or getting hypothermic because they wore cotton and got wet. Quote
Sphinx Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 Oh, and at Smith one time, I watched a german couple climb Zebra-Zion. They made fun of Americans with huge racks (no, the other kind), then proceeded to climb. The guy led the second pitch, placing little pro since he didn't have much, and as he climbed, he proceeded to pull many of his nuts out, zipper-style. In this case, I'll be happier to load up on enough pro to lead safely, instead of emulating the aforementioned nutcase. Quote
Bronco Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 Bill: No matter how much crap I bring, I know that somewhere out there, theres a guy topping off his 70lb pack with jumars to do the South slope of Adams. I think that Mount Adams may be the best place to see the contrast between over and under prepared. Quote
Bill_Simpkins Posted June 10, 2003 Author Posted June 10, 2003 I have a friend that carries about every piece of gear he owns on rock climbs...just incase. Like jumars and aiders on Banana Peel. Quote
texplorer Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 I can't believe I read this entire post. For what's its worth I don't like to take very much of anything except aliens.. . .lots of aliens. Quote
Bill_Simpkins Posted June 10, 2003 Author Posted June 10, 2003 Texplorer said: For what's its worth I don't like to take very much of anything except aliens.. . .lots of aliens. Even on hikes? Quote
thelawgoddess Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 i've passed people on the way to muir in a t-shirt and sandals and no pack whatsoever. talk about UNprepared!!! damned tourists ... Quote
texplorer Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 I don't go on hikes unless they lead to climbing. Quote
erik Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 texplorer said: I don't go on hikes unless they lead to climbing. Quote
catbirdseat Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 If I am on a hike, I don't have any goal in mind other than getting some excercise and maybe enjoying the views, so I don't care if I am "over prepared". So what if my pack slows me down a tiny bit? Who gives a shit? I'd rather have the extra water or binoculars or whatever to have an enjoyable day in comfort. Compared to humping overnight gear or a full rack and rope, a few pounds of extra clothes feels like nothing. Quote
Bill_Simpkins Posted June 10, 2003 Author Posted June 10, 2003 Sometimes it's the journey, not the destination, that matters most. Quote
Bill_Simpkins Posted June 10, 2003 Author Posted June 10, 2003 Gallon jugs of water and family-sized cans of ravioli at Camp Muir (Dan? ). Quote
wdietsch Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 some years back a friend of mine wanted to go do "an easy" so I suggested Daniels from Peggy's Pond. I'm guessing it was mid-july ... anyhow, we went light with bivis, light bags a little food we each brought an axe but no crampons ... needless to say the traverse from the East Peak to the West Peak was a complete sheet of bullet proof ice and neither of us was up to chopping steps all the way across. Should have brought crampons. On our way back out to the car we pass this dude just loaded with a ton of shit, he was leading a group of 4or 5 with this monsterous 60+ lbs mule complete with 2 dozen wands, full gore-tex, 11mm ropes, you name it. When I asked which way they were headed, he says "thru Peggy's Pond" ....... ohh the irony hindsight : wish they had made lightweight alum cramps back then Quote
ScottP Posted June 10, 2003 Posted June 10, 2003 thelawgoddess said: i've passed people on the way to muir in a t-shirt and sandals and no pack whatsoever. talk about UNprepared!!! damned tourists ... Did your feet get cold? Quote
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