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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 14, 2015 11:33:07 GMT -8
RedDoug got me thinking about what he has been saying in his trip reports. The usual M.O. is to agree where to meet up at the end of the day and each person gets there on their own time. I like that. Never occurred to me on a hike to do that. My main hiking buddy is just fine with hiking with me as he likes the company. I don't mind the company at all either as long as the hike is enjoyable however I think I am always going to suggest it to give "whomever" the option of surging ahead, falling behind or some version of either. This past weekend's solo trip really allowed me to enjoy going at my own pace.
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desert dweller
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Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
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Post by desert dweller on Dec 14, 2015 11:45:26 GMT -8
My mantra has always been, "There is no hurry."
I tend to take my time and will stop often to enjoy the view. With the high mountains around here that may mean, "catch my breath". One group I'll do day hikes with is organized by a person who insists that we all stay together. I can understand that because many of the participants are not routine hikers and not familiar with the area. But, I stop and take pictures and she wants to press on. I'll mostly comply because when I do these hikes, I accept her premise. If I didn't I would choose to not go.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Dec 14, 2015 11:50:51 GMT -8
I don't mind getting separated a little. As long as i can catch a glimpse of my partners from time to time, or meet up at lunch. I guess I would be OK with just meeting up at camp, as long as there was a set spot well within everyone's capabilities.
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balzaccom
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Waiting for spring...
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Post by balzaccom on Dec 14, 2015 12:02:56 GMT -8
My wife and I hike together. That doesn't mean that we hike at the same speed---I hike faster, even with a heavier pack. But I stop very so often to make sure we're on the same page, and the same trail. So I try to keep her more or less in visual contact--and always stop at every junction (and most stream crossings, etc.)
plus I am the photographer, so that's another reason to stop.
Hiking with her is one of the really wonderful things.
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RedDoug
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Trail active, stand back.....
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 14, 2015 12:10:16 GMT -8
My wife and I hike together. You are blessed. I wish my wife was able to backpack. I don't know of a hiking arrangement that could compare to hiking with my wife. That would change all rules, at least for me.
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RedDoug
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Trail active, stand back.....
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 14, 2015 12:21:35 GMT -8
Also, for this to work you assume your hiking partners are all accomplished solo hikers with route finding skills that will keep them on the trail. In the U.P. this summer I backpacked with a fast walking newbee. I gave him strict orders about hiking ahead, where and when he was to stop and wait, still almost lost him. For awhile I have him stay between me and Coolkat.
It's natural for me to assume others have the same level of trail skills that I have when I am out backpacking.
What I recommend when hiking with others. Select a meeting place for the night based on realistic and doable daily mileage for the slowest hiker. Then let everyone go at there own pace and arrive at that location whenever. It works for me. On the JMT all daily goals were about 10- 12 miles. The JMT via Horseshoe Meadows was about 235 miles or so. 10 miles a day would give you 23.5 trail days. Todd was going to be picked up by his wife on a certain day at Happy Isles, Yosemite. He didn't want to get into Happy Isles until the day before at the earliest. with that understanding we set realistic daily goals and had no problem meeting them.
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 14, 2015 12:24:26 GMT -8
Good advice on several sub-topics. Thanks for the input.
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Post by hikerjer on Dec 14, 2015 13:37:15 GMT -8
My cousin is one of my most frequent hiking partners but we have totally different styles of hiking. He's a put your head down and just walk util the end of the day. I'm more of a stop and smell the roses kind of guy. We usually set a place to meet at night to camp and that may be the only time we see each other. Other times he'll stop for lunch or a break and I'll catch up with him. Seems to work fine for us.
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sarbar
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Post by sarbar on Dec 14, 2015 14:25:41 GMT -8
It depends. Family stays together mostly. If it is with friends, we hike our own pace and have set places we meet on the trail. Sometimes you hike together and talk....other times hike alone.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Dec 14, 2015 14:26:01 GMT -8
Consider 2-way radios to allow you to split up but still be in touch. I've backpacked with some guys out in Yosemite who use radios all the time, and I was dubious about how useful they can be until I was out with them. Allows them to split up but still be totally flexible to change plans and coordinate while miles apart.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Dec 14, 2015 14:44:40 GMT -8
I (we) hike off-trail on our hikes. Hiking solo and then meeting up at the end of the day is not a good idea in our situation. In winter, we've had a few people start to get confident enough to drift off to the side of the "trail" from the group...which turns out to be a major delay for the whole group as we track them down. If they had a clue how to navigate, it would be a different story. Often, there are only one or two in the entire group who can actually read a map and navigate off the trail and we are smart enough to stay together. We go at the pace of the slowest in the group. There are too many dangers for us to separate. On-trail, I get it...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2015 14:57:16 GMT -8
My wife and I, on trail, will start out together. If the trail is new we will stick together. If we are familar with the trail we may seperate or stick together. A rule we have is that, even on familar trails, at each trail junction, the one in the lead stops and waits for the other to arrive. Another rule, is that if we seperate and we stop for a potty break we leave our packs at the side of the trail.
When we are off trail we stick together
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Post by hikerjer on Dec 14, 2015 15:11:35 GMT -8
I agree with Tigger and Ohm. While hiking on trail, separating from the other party is no big deal. Off trail, it's much better to stay together.
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Post by Lonewolf on Dec 14, 2015 16:08:05 GMT -8
I've done so much solo that if/when I am with a group, I much prefer the "hike your own hike". Set places to meet for lunch and maybe a few others but more likely "where's camp gonna be?" and we all get there in our own time. However, better be sure your trailmates know what they're doing because it could get bad if they don't.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Dec 14, 2015 19:05:01 GMT -8
I'm more of a solo hiker, but I do enjoy company too, especially if it's my wife. I adapt easily to a variety of hiking styles, including separating and meeting up. That one adds some complications, though. I like to discuss in advance how long of a separation to expect, what to do if expectations aren't met, etc.
I don't have the gumption to put down the whole story now, but I got separated from a group in the Sawtooths one afternoon and didn't reconnect with them until the middle of the next day. By that time I'd hiked at least an extra ten miles looking for them, maybe as many as 12.
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