lori

About your friend. I too have a friend who insists on taking a couple of the small 8 oz sealed water bottles because they are safe, but no canteen or anything. She always wears black even in hot sunny summer days. She thinks she is very smart. I do not hike or camp with her anymore. Its not worth babysitting and carrying extra stuff for her.

And Lori, you are such a silly paranoid goose - why carry all of that etra stuff? You could take a book bag also.

I've seen many a tough hiker totalled by Nevada Falls. Gee lets take the SLR and all of the lenses and the big binoculars to enjoy the view from the top. I think its 22 miles round trip with like 6,000 feet elevation change going up Half dome. Could your friend hike 22 miles in a day where its flat? Does she live at sea level?

Maybe you should trell her that you're not hiking with her anymore unless she changes her ways. She could get you in trouble trying to help her.
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.