How do you plan your trip?

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hikerduane
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Re: How do you plan your trip?

Post by hikerduane »

They reminded me of the ones we sold in the dime store.
Piece of cake.
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markorr
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Re: How do you plan your trip?

Post by markorr »

Glad to hear that I'm not the only Luddite that doesn't own a GPS. From the way Backpacker mag is written you'd think we'd all be lost without one. I do however use my altimeter watch quite a bit in conjunction with a topo. The compass is pretty much reserved for settling disputes over the names of various peaks. As for trip planning I use the _Trekking California_ guide by Paul Richins as a starting point since it includes a lot of off trail suggestions and then look at the maps to see what else is cool in the area. This will only be our third summer in the Sierras so we're still hitting all the known favorites.

Speaking of Backpacker mag, what are people's thoughts on it? I used to really enjoy it, now I find it pretty sophomoric, other than the recent "lifelist trips" issue. Even the annual Gear Guide was a letdown this year. I'm thinking of letting my subscription expire.
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TehipiteTom
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Re: How do you plan your trip?

Post by TehipiteTom »

After all my planning is done and I arrive, as often as not the planned route is discarded and I wing it.
I'm a compulsive planner, and I take a lot of pride in my planning, so my general inclination is to do the trip as planned.

Of course, I can wing it if I need to. I still remember the time in 1997 when I found out at the ranger station that my planned route couldn't be done because of a fire in Monarch Wilderness, and I had to come up with an alternate route on the fly with my trip members looking on.
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oldranger
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Re: How do you plan your trip?

Post by oldranger »

The person I'm most like is Markskor. The longer my trips the more likely I am to wing it after the start. I do spend all winter planning and was pretty sure what my schedule would be until last week when I read the snow survey results and decided that it is likely to be as close to "normal" as it gets. That ruled out my proposed early season trip to a lake in a north facing cirque a little below 10,000. Instead I have opted for a first trip just after memorial day out of Hetch Hetchy into the Pleasant Valley and Saddle Horse, Irwin Bright, and Table Lakes. The only problems with this trip is I have had mixed reports about whether Saddle Horse and Table Lakes have fish and I am concerned about crossing Piute Creek during what is likely to be close to the peak runoff. I'm also not crazy about the 4,200 feet of vertical climb up Rancheria Mtn. If anyone has any advice please lay it on me. So any number of things can make me change my plans. My planning involves my past experience--I seldom do something that doesn't expand or link to a past trip ( I think that is more coincidence than plan). I also pay attention to this board and the experiences of the members. Finally, I scrutinize maps and google earth to make sure that my crosscountry travel will not involve bonefide class 3 terrain where if you slip (however unlikely) you might die and are likely suffer a significant injury. I'm just not that sure of myself.
When in the field I rely on my topo and eye for the terrain. I carry a compass but have never used one to navigate in the sierra (I have in oregon when caught in the fog and the forest all looked the same). I generally hike solo which eliminates arguing over route selection. Even when my daughters revolted on our last cross country trip, I selected the alternate route and rejected their proposed route. The only time I would accept someone elses judgement when I disagreed is if I thought the route would work but would be more difficult than the route I would choose (generally this occurs when they see an "easy route" ahead but didn't "read" the map carefully for the unseen portion of the route. I'm not beyond saying I told you so. Once when correcting the mistake didn't take much effort I allowed my companion to take us to the brink of a cliff. Probably why I hike alone!
Anyhow it is good to read how others plan. Oh GPS? My oldest daughter gave me one that fits on my wrist. I use it all winter and spring when skiing and day hiking. I kind of keep track in my head distances and elevation gains and how long my ski trip or hike takes. I use that to help me decide how far and how much elevation gain I can handle on my Sierra trips. The GPS stays at home when I'm in the Sierra. I think there is a quote in Zen and the Art of Motocycle Maintenace about the mountain selecting your pace (much more articulately, though). I generally just kind of wander down the trail or cross country. The topo and its little brown lines are my friend!

Keep planning, less than 3 months to HH day!

Mike
Mike

Who can't do everything he used to and what he can do takes a hell of a lot longer!
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windknot
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Re: How do you plan your trip?

Post by windknot »

Hey Mike,

I haven't read that book in a while, but that quote did stand out. I couldn't remember Pirsig's exact words either, but I did a little hunting around and I think these might be the lines you were referring to:

Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here’s where things grow. - Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Matt
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oldranger
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Re: How do you plan your trip?

Post by oldranger »

Matt

Thanks for looking up the quote. Gives me goosebumps!

Mike
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Who can't do everything he used to and what he can do takes a hell of a lot longer!
quentinc
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Re: How do you plan your trip?

Post by quentinc »

I'm with the free spirits here. I don't own a GPS or even a compass, and have never tried Google Earth. I go to the wilderness to escape technology, not to import it. :)

I'm also down with the spur of the moment philosophy. Last summer I planned on a North Lake (via Lamarck Col) to South Lake trip, but ended up turning around in Evolution Valley and heading down the Muir Trail in the complete opposite direction, eventually winding back cross-country through Bear Lakes Basin, Feather Pass and Puppet Pass. And it was absolutely wonderful (although a bit too hard for the 7 days I had available).
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hikehigh
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Re: How do you plan your trip?

Post by hikehigh »

and have never tried Google Earth.I go to the wilderness to escape technology, not to import it.


Are you crazy???? You are missing out. Even if you aren't planning a trip, Google Earth is fun stuff!!!

To me planning is half the fun. :D

I think traveling off trail and having to navigate with a map is the best part of the adventure.
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markskor
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Re: How do you plan your trip?

Post by markskor »

We are not saying that "we" do not plan... (I consider myself included in the afore-mentioned "free spirit" society...thus the “we”)...I plan the heck out of all my trips. Agreed, there is something special about the winter, Pre-trip ritual: the visits to REI, the ordering the 7.5 Topos, agonizing over route selections, checking Secor, Google maps, guide books, weather patterns, the snow depth…the whole enchilada…just an anticipatory adrenalin rush.

The planning, the dates when to go, checking with the wife; the ordering of Wilderness passes, the anal check lists of gear to bring, the continual upgrading of any weak links…always something new to be considered or something else discarded…just talking about it here make me giddy. The backpack brought out months in advance, packed and re-packed… (Mine is right here – gear strewn everywhere beside me now as I type), the fishing lures to buy…what’s cheapest and where…eBay and gear swap…all the forums, the great pictures examined and the long web searches eavesdropped continuously for any hidden, secret beta.

The letters to those experienced who would know, (or might know), where the hidden treasures are, and lets not forget our home forum…HST, where it all comes bubbling out from all our great friends. (All except Hiking Mike who refuses to divulge the “hidden springs” location…but that’s OK as he does take great photos.). The mail stoppage, the sprinklers, the lawn, maybe talks to a local gardener…the damn daily paper; changing the oil in the Jeep – all things to carefully consider ahead of time.

The menu, food to bring…breaking out the dehydrator…making jerky, cleaning out the platypus…tasting for a new extra virgin olive oil, replenishing spices…new fishing line…picking out the perfect single malt, buying new batteries, and the dreaming – all things to prepare wisely for.
Heck yes, we all plan.

Funny though, somewhere about ½ day after the first trailhead steps, or maybe at that first night in the backpacker’s camp, or maybe at that first night’s campsite, or perhaps because of some great fishing, or the plague of mosquitoes, maybe because of the weather…something always comes up…best to remain flexible. You are all packed for a 10-day trip, and all the plans go out the window. The 10-day trip north now turns 11 days south.
“Serendipity hiking”…yep, it has a nice ring…like it. The end result is doing a different route, but always thankful that you did.
Mountainman who swims with trout
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BrianF
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Re: How do you plan your trip?

Post by BrianF »

I am with the old school crowd - give me paper maps, Secor and word of mouth. I have most of the Tom Harrison Maps (lovely things) to spend hours poring over, as well most of the USGS maps down the Muir Trail. I have a tremendous backlog of trips I want to take and I know them all by heart, but that doesn't stop me from checking out new routes and changing my priority list. This forum is a great place to hear of new and wonderful places to visit. And no GPS for me either, there is a compass that lives in my pack in case of whiteout, but it doesn't see light for years at a time.
The direction you are moving in is what matters, not the place you happen to be -Colin Fletcher
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