Imager, here's how I can equate it for you with an analogy. Since you were Army you know well enough your running ability; you don't know me but want me to go run a race with you. I've run before 'but not too far'. Now do you take me to the local 5k to check me out or do you take me to a 26k <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> The answer should be 5k, so you can observe my running style and see if we'll be compatable as running buddies. Same in backpacking, I need to observe your strengths and weaknesses, if any, with regards to 'trail life' before I invite you to join me on a trip that I know I am prepared for, but you may not be. I have lots of friends, but few who would go backpacking with me knowing my level of hiking vs their own. It's not that they can't hike my hike, their just not into being tortured <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> because I'm 'always ready to go' and rise before the Sun and set up camp frequently in the dark, not for the light-hearted or city types <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

You may end up the 'whipping boy' for all that goes wrong on this trip if everyone else is at the same skill level and you can't keep up. They know what to expect, you're going on a crap shoot IMO. There's nothing wrong with beggin' off a trip, I've done it for various reasons and I'm sure I'd do it if I felt uneasy about anything about a trip. 'Drinking buddies' don't necessarliy make the best hiking buddies, note to self.