everyfrog Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 Are hikers really becoming more and more moronic???? This guy in the Olympics who tried to climb mt. baldy and left his compass and map at base camp? give me a friggin' break! if you have been hiking in the olympics for 40 years, you should KNOW how deep and confusing it can be! complacency is not an excuse! anyone, 40 years of hiking or 4 months of hiking should know better! and hiking ALONE? i understand wanting to get away to solitude and such but with all the reports of everyone missing for several days, coming up dead or not, should be a red flag in any outdoor enthusiasts mind! if you don't know how to use a compass and map, Frank Chopin at Olympic College teaches an excellent class on hiking safety and survival in the fall! i've been hiking for five years in the Olympics and just took the class and learned so much and feel so much better and more confident about hiking! it's just frustrating to read about these missing hiker stories that have been running rampant in the media for the past 18 months and people STILL GO OUT AND HIKE ALONE!!!!! And most of these people that return to civilization are quoted as "experienced hikers." If you're so experienced, then why didn't you take that goddamn compass and map with you!?!?!?!? AND STAY WHERE YOU ARE!!!! If the guy hadn't moved, they would have found him a lot sooner! there may be more of those who have a successful solo trip and of course, in the media, most of the time, only the negative is reported, but i'd like to think or at least hope, that people are thinking twice before stepping outside alone, and when they DO go hiking, leave a note with housemates, spouses, friends, family, etc. thanks for reading the rant, i'm just tired of it all but its not going to stop me from hiking. i just will never do it alone. i'm tempted but am way too smart to do that. I'd like to think that all the education I've gained the past year from experienced hikers has some merit to it. And that advice those experienced hikers have given me is the same stuff that rescue teams advise in the newspapers - take the 10, know how to use a map and compass and stay where you are if you're lost. Quote
olyclimber Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 i went out hiking alone without a map and compass once. scariest day of my life. Quote
archenemy Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 there may be more of those who have a successful solo trip and of course, in the media, most of the time, only the negative is reported, You are so right. I just can't remember the last time I read an article about a regular joe who took an overnighter by himself and came back safe. Friggen liberal media! Quote
archenemy Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 omfg! alone! Yes. All alone. You see, my friend went on a solo bikini wax adventure and had to be rescued. I told her to bring her MLU, but she wouldn't listen. And she ended up in the emergency room. She just never learns. Quote
TREETOAD Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 All mens misfortunes stem from their hatred of being alone Quote
kevbone Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 Me too. I couldn't find my way out of REI. That is because you are a girl..... Quote
wfinley Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 I bought one of those REI compass / thermometer keychains. It saved my life last week... I was about to freeze due to wind chill but then I looked at the handy chart on the back and realized it wasn't that cold. After that i felt much better. Quote
matt_warfield Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 The 11th essential- another person. And another one that I usually "forget". Luckily I'm still here. Quote
matt_warfield Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 Here or there. Sometimes I'm not sure. I guess I would be if I had my map and compass. Or another person. Quote
Stefan Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 Are hikers really becoming more and more moronic???? This guy in the Olympics who tried to climb mt. baldy and left his compass and map at base camp? give me a friggin' break! if you have been hiking in the olympics for 40 years, you should KNOW how deep and confusing it can be! complacency is not an excuse! anyone, 40 years of hiking or 4 months of hiking should know better! .... Do not trust the news media who gives you information. Quote
Dechristo Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 that's what you get for solo posting... you're lucky to have survived. fucking n00bs Quote
Mrs. G Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 Most of my hiking (unless it's an approach to a climb) is alone. My favorite overnight backpacking trip ever was solo and I've never had an epic. I took a map and knew exactly where I was. The scariest part about the whole deal for me is other people that are out there, but the stats for sickos attacking people in the woods is still probably lower than in suburbs. Quote
matt_warfield Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 I think Wayne enjoyed his solo "hike" up Mongo thoroughly last year. Perhaps even more committing than the Mt. Baldy in the Olympics. Quote
AlpineK Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 If you really want to go back to nature you should only hike with a spear and a loincloth. I suppose chicks could include something to cover their boobs too, but we might have to all vote on that one. Quote
Ducknut Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 If they are solo why would they need to cover up? Quote
Dechristo Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 If they are solo why would they need to cover up? Right. Particularly, if they're so low they can be tucked into the top of the loin cloth. Quote
Mrs. G Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 No need for a loin cloth. Haven't you heard about the naked hikers? Quote
matt_warfield Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 I ran into one once. Boots and hat, that's all. Mostly I was concerned because he was hiking alone. Quote
Mrs. G Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 Wow. I haven't been so lucky. I've only seen them on tv. Quote
olyclimber Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 Nude hiking with a partner is much more satisfying, but the rush of risking it all and doing it by yourself does have its benefits. Quote
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