High Sierra Topix

There is a nice Spanish expression that came up during my hiking of the Camino Primitivo to Santiago de Compostela. I thought I'd post it here and see what you think:

“Si quieres ir Rápido, ve Solo.
Si quieres llegar Lejos, ve Acompañado”

If you want to go fast, go solo.
If you want to go far, go with more people.


The first one is a cardinal rule of hiking: the speed of a group of hikers is inversely proportional to the number of hikers in the group. When one person stops to tie a shoe, another readjusts their pack. At which point another chooses to find a bush and answer a call of nature. And what was a ten second stop becomes a ten minute stop. Repeat ad infinitum.

But the second one?

Thoughts?

Perhaps it is about "share the load", aimed more at the psychologic load of motivation, getting through the low points, comradery. On long hikes, such as the PCT the "trail family" seems to determine who finishes, in a lot of cases since a lot of folks doing it are extroverted. Very few people nowadays have even spent a day let alone weeks without others. The Spanish culture is quite extroverted so this may be even more important to them. An extrovert receives energy from a group; energy is depleted by groups if you are an introvert. Being social animals, all humans at some point need some companionship. More rarely, some just can do without for longer or get companionship from dogs, or wildlife or just need short infrequent encounters with others to keep going.

There is also the practical aspect of sharing the weight of group gear, but I do not think that was what the saying intended.

Wow I’d like to hear more stereotypes from other cultures…please go on.

In my experience, the first sentence, "if you want to go fast, go solo", should really read "If you want to go at your own pace, go solo". Your own pace may in fact be faster, or it may be slower. One of the things I really enjoy about my solo backpack trips is that I can stop at any moment for any reason (mostly to admire something or take a picture) and not worry that I am holding up someone else or needing to catch up with someone else.
-Phil

ironmike, I will stand by my statement, perhaps wording as "community oriented" would sound better to you. It is well known that our culture historically emphasizes the individual. I do not think it is stereotyping to say that other cultures have their own general emphasis. It certainly is not negative. The sayings itself could be read as stereotyping. All sayings are.

Categorizing communities/races/nationalities in a statement of fact is distasteful. If those are your opinions, then say so.

Some people are just looking to be offended. On high alert.

Holy thread derail Batman...

In a group there is always someone that wants to push on.
Plus if you are conversing with people as you hike you do not realize how tired you are.

The two sayings (nice Spanish expressions) presented as "hiking philosophy" are stereotypes in themselves. So do they also offend you? Personally, I think the sayings come for a culture that is very social, gregarious, accepting, loving, and group-oriented and in all endeavors "go farther" with company. I am sorry it offends you. I hope this is just a failure for us to communicate.

How about exactly what YOU think that second saying means as a hiking philosophy?