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#152678 - 07/14/11 12:18 PM Your most profound advice?
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
What's the most profound bit of hiking advice you've ever been given?

Mine came in a backpacking shop,20 years ago, when I asked the salesman whether I should buy a headlamp to supplement my flashlight and candle lantern. He looked at me for a moment, then said: "When it gets dark, go to bed!" ("Idiot!!" was implied.)

That sparked a whole new approach for me, of really asking myself what constituted a "need."

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#152683 - 07/14/11 03:04 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
ringtail Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/02
Posts: 2296
Loc: Colorado Rockies
CLASSIC COMMANDMENTS OF MOUNTAINEERING
by Gerry Roach


1. Never get separated from your lunch.

2. Never get separated from your sleeping bag.

3. Never get separated from your primal urges.

4. Carefully consider where your primal urges are leading you.

5. Expect to go the wrong way at least some of the time.

6. Recognize that first aid above 26,000 feet consists of getting below 26,000 feet.

7. Never step on the rope.

8. Never bivouac.

9. Remember that Surfer Girl is not in the mountains.

10. Never pass up a chance to pee.

11. Don’t eat yellow snow.

12. Have fun and don’t forget why you started.

_________________________
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Yogi Berra

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#152687 - 07/14/11 07:58 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot.

Oh, wait, you said hiking.

Don't step on the wobbly one. You'll fall in.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

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#152692 - 07/14/11 11:16 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Originally Posted By Ron Grinder
It's really about the fun, not the miles.


That advice was actually given to me about canoeing the Buffalo River in AR, but I started having a lot more fun backpacking when I applied it to that too.

I've never read any books about backpacking yet. I think that's because I didn't really want outside influence. I never wanted to ponder someone else's reasons for heading into a wilderness, I had my own and that was all I needed.

I've learned a lot about what I did not need right here, from all of you, and that has actually been quite profound in how I've evolved with my backpacking trips. I supposed I could have learned some of that sooner from books, but I had a lot of fun getting here so I don't have any regrets.

I might read some Colin Fletcher one of these days though. I'm not likely to go any way other than my own now, but it's fun to read about where others have been and what advice they have as a result.
_________________________
--

"You want to go where?"



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#152693 - 07/14/11 11:44 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: billstephenson]
balzaccom Online   content
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
I think you'll like Colin Fletcher, Bill....at least if you read the Man Who Walked Through Time.

Best advice? Get out there and hike. That and the legendary advice from the temple of Apollo in Delphi:

Moderation in All things.

_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

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#152697 - 07/15/11 07:15 AM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: billstephenson]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
"I've never read any books about backpacking yet. I think that's because I didn't really want outside influence. I never wanted to ponder someone else's reasons for heading into a wilderness, I had my own and that was all I needed."

You'll like Fletcher - you've already captured the essence of his philosophy: books can help, but in the end it's all about what you want, not what "They" think you should want.

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#152698 - 07/15/11 10:26 AM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
Paulo Offline
member

Registered: 01/27/11
Posts: 158
Loc: Normally Pacific Northwest
Mine is in my signature.
_________________________
Without a doubt, the hardest thing of all in a survival situation is to cook without the benefit of seasonings and flavourings. - Ray Mears

http://theoutdooradventure.net

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#152717 - 07/15/11 05:25 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: lori]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Quote:
Don't step on the wobbly one. You'll fall in.


I've told myself that at least a hundred times, then ignored it, then fell in crazy laugh
_________________________
--

"You want to go where?"



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#152720 - 07/15/11 06:23 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
mana Offline
member

Registered: 06/16/11
Posts: 24
Stay on the trail!

A traditional piece of advice that I don't always adhere to and probably should haha

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#152726 - 07/16/11 08:28 AM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: mana]
oldranger Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
"You will never regret starting too early, you will always regret starting too late" - Gaston Rebuffat

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#152729 - 07/16/11 11:05 AM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: oldranger]
intrek38 Offline
member

Registered: 11/29/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Hesperia, Calif
Don't Panic !!!

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#152737 - 07/16/11 05:56 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: intrek38]
balzaccom Online   content
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
I believe the traditional way to write that is;

DON'T PANIC followed by at least five !!!!!
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

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#152750 - 07/17/11 01:03 AM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
time your breathing with your steps going uphill for aerobic aid. Probably one inhale per 2 steps and one exhale per 2 steps.
Jim smile
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#152754 - 07/17/11 12:27 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
aimless Online   content
Moderator

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3292
Loc: Portland, OR
I can probably scrounge up a fair number of pieces of good or helpful advice, but when I examine them none of them seem especially profound. On the other hand, my most profound experience while hiking was spending three straight weeks solo hiking on the PCT and hearing nothing but natural sounds the entire time (I arranged my resupply so that I never left the trail).

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#152755 - 07/17/11 04:36 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: aimless]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
So, "silence is golden"?

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#152756 - 07/17/11 05:08 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Quote:
"silence is golden"


Sounds good to me!

My favorite, which I've probably posted here before: Occasionally turn around and look at your back trail. It's especially important to do that at trail junctions and any place where the trail seems obscure. This will pay off when you are on your way back!

Besides, you otherwise will never know if something is following you! laugh


Edited by OregonMouse (07/17/11 05:09 PM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#152762 - 07/17/11 06:32 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
Glenn
If I was to make a profound statement or two - lets see:
You could be severly injured by a flying object getting down food stuck in a tree. frown
Stand erect and in balance like you were walking down a sidewalk when on steep rock, and keep your weight on the balls of your feet.
Only try the difficult things after much practice. smile and get training befor doing things that could kill you. shocked
Never thrash smirk
Keep your dog on a leash thanks

Frankly however, other than the potential for death or disaster and avoiding them, there's nothing really profound about hiking or camping other than the view and nature where you go. We're talking about walking in the woods with some gear - its not rocket science and we're not trying to save the Earth - well maybe some of us are, but thats another topic.
Jim smile
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#152763 - 07/17/11 08:26 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Jimshaw]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
I guess "profound" could be either an "aha!" or "aw, crap" moment.

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#152777 - 07/18/11 08:57 AM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
Banjopickin Offline
member

Registered: 02/14/10
Posts: 58
Loc: NC
Profound? no...but its always been helpful for me...

When you hike set a pace you can keep all day:

If you start out like a shot your likely to be wore out when you get to your destination. If you push too hard your also more likely to injure yourself. Take your time.

Every once and a while stop and look around:

Its important to help keep your bearings. Also you can miss some really beautiful and amazing things if your staring at your feet all day. It also helps keep me alert which is important if your backpacking solo.
_________________________
Climb the Mountains and get their good tidings...
-John Muir

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#152778 - 07/18/11 09:10 AM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Banjopickin]
GrumpyGord Online   content
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 945
Loc: Michigan
Do not obsess over gear. Use what you have or can borrow. Just get out there and replace it when you can afford to replace it. Make sure that this is something you enjoy before you become too committed.

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#152780 - 07/18/11 09:18 AM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: GrumpyGord]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
"Do not obsess over gear."

Now, that's just plain cruel!! ("Hi, I'm Glenn, and I'm a gearaholic...") grin

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#152798 - 07/18/11 03:26 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
wandering_daisy Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/06
Posts: 2865
Loc: California
Standard saying from the old days at NOLS
"If you are hungry, cold, hot, tired, or otherwise miserable, you are doing something wrong. Hungry? stop and eat a snack Cold? stop and put on a layer Hot, stop and take off a layer, tired? slow down the pace, Otherwise miserable? Why not stop and camp- a good nights sleep does wonders." These are not the exact words, but you get the gist.

Another one "rules are for fools" judgement trumps rules any day

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#152866 - 07/19/11 06:21 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: wandering_daisy]
skcreidc Offline
member

Registered: 08/16/10
Posts: 1590
Loc: San Diego CA
This probably only applies to the guys...

Never pee into the wind. Especially remember that during hurricane strength winds.


Other than that, my dad always told be to be alert at all times and listen/pay attention to my surroundings.

My mom used to say "I don't want to know where you are going, I don't want to know what you are doing, just make sure you come back. Her saying that made me more careful.

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#153045 - 07/24/11 12:14 PM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: skcreidc]
rellot Offline
newbie

Registered: 07/24/11
Posts: 9
respect the mountain

plan ahead

doesn't matter how light your pack is if you left something home you needed

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#153161 - 07/28/11 12:36 AM Re: Your most profound advice? [Re: Glenn]
thirsten1 Offline
newbie

Registered: 07/28/11
Posts: 1
Hi Glenn!

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