Re: Hiking with 7 people
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 2:12 pm
Quick tale about hiking with an unknown crowd –
A few X-masses ago, I was roped into a holiday visit with my brother and a few other couples at his LA doctor’s house. Over a sumptuous feast his wife, knowing my Sierra exploits, inquired about the possibility of my leading a group of their friends on a Sierra, Mammoth to Tuolumne trip…Sound familiar? She stated that they were all somewhat experienced – many had been to a few HSC’s, all had been on some short overnighters…one had even done Half Dome as a day-hike. Since I had all the experience, they asked if I would put together a gear list for all, maybe find/plan out an easy enough route, and lastly, assemble the food. There would be 7 along in total. They wanted to go late July.
I initially declined but alas, too much great red wine made me reconsider, a fatal mistake.
The next day, I wrote to each individual, giving each a detailed requirement gear list – including some pack recommendations, sleeping bag ratings, importance of weight and conditioning, water filter, sleeping pad, stove, kitchen, and boots – the usual. I sent away for the permits on the first available day allowed and to my surprise we succeeded in grabbing a week permit that seemed to work for all – July 30. I then asked them if anybody had specific food requirements, allergies, anything I should know before buying all the stores. Being as they were all MD’s and well off financially, they said wanted the best for morning and evening meals – they said freezer bag dinners (boil-n-bag) were great (even named a few types that they had previously enjoyed) and also maybe some freezer bag breakfasts too and/or cereal with fruit. They said they would each take care of their own lunches, and said money was really no object (within reason), so I assembled what I thought was a good (and expensive) Freezer bag type menu. I would subsequently repack all intending to lose as much extra cardboard and weight as possible in the process. Much like stated above, I packaged it all up in 14 separate packages (7 dinner packages, each feeding 7) and the same thing for breakfast. I thought I was all set food-wise.
Two months before the trip, one of the couples dropped out but another single friend of my brother signed up – So I repacked all – now set for 6. One of the couples then mentioned they were allergic to peanuts – had bought a Tai peanut dish on a recommendation – soon repacked and replaced that with the famous (well-traveled) beef stew. Then someone mentioned they were lactose intolerant – lose the nido/cereal…repack again. Another person also mentioned something about being a Vegan. ARGH! Lastly, one lady said that she could not eat oatmeal and that dried fruit gave her hives.
Late June rolled around and another couple dropped out – go figure…so I repacked everything again for 4. Finally, the week before the scheduled trip, my brother decided he could not make it as something came up suddenly. The trip was now off…sorry Bro.
So there I was – money spent and not re-paid, packaged food for 7, er 6, now 4, permit for 7 in hand, and a party of one.
Been there and lesson learned.
...or why I am now self-contained and solo.
A few X-masses ago, I was roped into a holiday visit with my brother and a few other couples at his LA doctor’s house. Over a sumptuous feast his wife, knowing my Sierra exploits, inquired about the possibility of my leading a group of their friends on a Sierra, Mammoth to Tuolumne trip…Sound familiar? She stated that they were all somewhat experienced – many had been to a few HSC’s, all had been on some short overnighters…one had even done Half Dome as a day-hike. Since I had all the experience, they asked if I would put together a gear list for all, maybe find/plan out an easy enough route, and lastly, assemble the food. There would be 7 along in total. They wanted to go late July.
I initially declined but alas, too much great red wine made me reconsider, a fatal mistake.
The next day, I wrote to each individual, giving each a detailed requirement gear list – including some pack recommendations, sleeping bag ratings, importance of weight and conditioning, water filter, sleeping pad, stove, kitchen, and boots – the usual. I sent away for the permits on the first available day allowed and to my surprise we succeeded in grabbing a week permit that seemed to work for all – July 30. I then asked them if anybody had specific food requirements, allergies, anything I should know before buying all the stores. Being as they were all MD’s and well off financially, they said wanted the best for morning and evening meals – they said freezer bag dinners (boil-n-bag) were great (even named a few types that they had previously enjoyed) and also maybe some freezer bag breakfasts too and/or cereal with fruit. They said they would each take care of their own lunches, and said money was really no object (within reason), so I assembled what I thought was a good (and expensive) Freezer bag type menu. I would subsequently repack all intending to lose as much extra cardboard and weight as possible in the process. Much like stated above, I packaged it all up in 14 separate packages (7 dinner packages, each feeding 7) and the same thing for breakfast. I thought I was all set food-wise.
Two months before the trip, one of the couples dropped out but another single friend of my brother signed up – So I repacked all – now set for 6. One of the couples then mentioned they were allergic to peanuts – had bought a Tai peanut dish on a recommendation – soon repacked and replaced that with the famous (well-traveled) beef stew. Then someone mentioned they were lactose intolerant – lose the nido/cereal…repack again. Another person also mentioned something about being a Vegan. ARGH! Lastly, one lady said that she could not eat oatmeal and that dried fruit gave her hives.
Late June rolled around and another couple dropped out – go figure…so I repacked everything again for 4. Finally, the week before the scheduled trip, my brother decided he could not make it as something came up suddenly. The trip was now off…sorry Bro.
So there I was – money spent and not re-paid, packaged food for 7, er 6, now 4, permit for 7 in hand, and a party of one.
Been there and lesson learned.
...or why I am now self-contained and solo.