HST Good Loops for Backpacking Mid March?

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Tom_H
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Re: HST Good Loops for Backpacking Mid March?

Post by Tom_H »

AlmostThere is absolutely right. Jes is a young person who's enthusiastic about our sport, but has no experience. He and I have exchanged over a dozen PMs and I am helping him decide what gear he wants to buy. Currently he has a pack, and a sleeping bag (which he says he now realizes is not adequate for backpacking) and that's it.

For someone to say rely on yourself and yourself alone is highly irresponsible. I will give that writer credit for also saying as long as you know your limits. The thing here is that the young man, while enthusiastic, doesn't have enough background knowledge to know his limits. AlmostThere is not trippin', and is absolutely right to call out irresponsible advice.

Russ, I am glad to see you are changing your point of view a little too. In another thread where some other inexperienced person asked about going in mid-winter, after I said one needs specialized training, you replied to that person saying he did not need specialized training. I also remember when someone asked about curriculum for a high school class. WD recommended the NOLS textbooks. You quite angrily jumped all over her saying she was wrong and that the teacher should just take the kids and go have fun. Your point of view was not only incorrect, you were really rude to WD.

Eight people dead in 18 months is enough. Those of us with experience have a responsibility to give sound advice. This macho rugged individualism attitude is fine if you know what you are doing, but when a neophyte comes along and one of us tells him to just get out there and do it, that person is simply acting like a teenage smart-aleck. Grown-ups have a responsibility to act like grown-ups.
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sparky
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Re: HST Good Loops for Backpacking Mid March?

Post by sparky »

Oh brave new world with such creatures in it!
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The hermit
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Re: HST Good Loops for Backpacking Mid March?

Post by The hermit »

Sorry if I mis represented my style of solo hiking or advice.I say start slow and gain experience, on trail.
Be prepared. Rely on your own preparation, experience and equipment (clothes). In an emergency someone may or may not be there to save your life.
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The hermit
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Re: HST Good Loops for Backpacking Mid March?

Post by The hermit »

Nothing against anyone who posts on here.welcome one and all.its about education I learn every time.a few sticky notes on the basic skills can't hurt.(bear safety, LNT, solo travel, first aid, navigation, ul hiking)I would brush up on those topics year after year.
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Jes
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Re: HST Good Loops for Backpacking Mid March?

Post by Jes »

Thanks all, I mean it! I needed the thrashing and the help has been great for those that have been pm'ing me and those that have not. It's a lot of knowledge you guys carry and I'm trying to soak in as much as possible. I have compiled a good list of gear for summer weather and almost done with it, with much needed help I received. I do have one question though, as it is late and my spring break coming up soon, I have decided to go to Death Valley…. But I really, really would like to do the Grand Canyon, but the to fax over a permit request and wait is to long for the amount of time I have till I want to leave. I was wondering if you guys would know if I can obtain one walking in, I mean I know I can, but in Mid March would I be likely to get one or would it be a waste of a drive. Or should I just do numerous day hikes? Also I am going to get a new sleeping bag, but for now it depends one which trip I do as Death Valley weather is at about 40f at night right now and Grand Canyon is at around 20f, I'm sure they will change come March somewhat but though you guys could give me some advice on the permit issuer I'm facing towards the GC?
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oldranger
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Re: HST Good Loops for Backpacking Mid March?

Post by oldranger »

My experience, though many years ago is that if you choose one of the less used trails you should not have a problem getting a permit. Call up their permit office to confirm.

By the way, wise decision to put off the Sierra until this summer.

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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Mike M.
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Re: HST Good Loops for Backpacking Mid March?

Post by Mike M. »

My experience, though many years ago is that if you choose one of the less used trails you should not have a problem getting a permit. Call up their permit office to confirm.
Especially if you enter on a weekday. Monday through Thursday is best.

Mike
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Jes
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Re: HST Good Loops for Backpacking Mid March?

Post by Jes »

Ah Thank you @ old ranger, and Mike M. I will be calling the office out there, although I tried before and got a busy tone. I found a new number to call today and will be calling tomorrow. I planned on a Monday so this is great new Mike :) Thank you both again.
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hurricaniac
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Re: HST Good Loops for Backpacking Mid March?

Post by hurricaniac »

My son-in-law is a senior member of the SAR team here in Seattle. Their motto is "We don't rescue smart people."
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rlown
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Re: HST Good Loops for Backpacking Mid March?

Post by rlown »

Tom_H wrote: Russ, I am glad to see you are changing your point of view a little too. In another thread where some other inexperienced person asked about going in mid-winter, after I said one needs specialized training, you replied to that person saying he did not need specialized training. I also remember when someone asked about curriculum for a high school class. WD recommended the NOLS textbooks. You quite angrily jumped all over her saying she was wrong and that the teacher should just take the kids and go have fun. Your point of view was not only incorrect, you were really rude to WD.

Eight people dead in 18 months is enough. Those of us with experience have a responsibility to give sound advice. This macho rugged individualism attitude is fine if you know what you are doing, but when a neophyte comes along and one of us tells him to just get out there and do it, that person is simply acting like a teenage smart-aleck. Grown-ups have a responsibility to act like grown-ups.
Umm. Have you checked out NOLS costs lately? Might be nice to run a survey here to see who has taken NOLS classes and who cares. I've changed nothing in my approach to common sense.

It's great if you want to be coddled, and follow the leader. Most don't and most haven't.

I've never wanted to harass the SAR gods. I hope I never have to.

People die doing this stuff. For different reasons other than not taking a NOLS class.

If something smells wrong, I turn back. If the weather is bad, I don't go. If i'm already out and the weather is bad, i hunker down (always carry extra food). I don't need to pay a NOLS semester to learn that. In fact, I didn't and I'm still here. Bet most on this board have the same experience, barring medical mishaps.

You need to tone down the death part of this..

We teach if they ask. We didnt have that option before the internet unless we met someone, but all the new people need to know is the gear and the timing. Not force them into a curriculum.

Russ

PS: with the recent storm, Mid March is off w/o skis and winter knowledge.
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