Hiking without a Plan

[Wildhorse]

The Idyllwild TownCrier is reporting a rescue of two hikers between Hidden Divide and Caramba on September 8.

http://idyllwildtowncrier.com/2013/09/1 ... s-rescued/

The always moralistic TownCrier concludes the report with a reminder attributed to the Sheriff’s Department. Part of the admonition is to have a "well thought out travel plan" and to "share" that with family and friends. Hikers are also admonished to be "familiar" with GPS, maps and compass.

I have found that hiking without a "well thought out plan" is a lot of fun. Even better is to hike with friends who like to explore, and who together get into and out of trouble. I like to choose routes and destinations based on what I find interesting. It would be boring, even inhuman, I think, to hike in the predetermined way of the moralists.

Personally, I do carry GPS, maps and compass. I enjoy the navigational aspects of hiking. I also enjoy planning a tentative route. But many of the people that I most enjoy hiking with do not carry any of them. A GPS can distract one from seeing the land and from being focused on where one is instead of where one is going. It is not a good thing to see the earth as a grid, and the land as a route.

[Hikin_Jim]

I agree it's fun to hike without a plan and to explore as the mood or moment directs, but realize that it's a trade off. You are less safe. If someone comes out looking for you and they've got your "hike plan", they can look along your route which will greatly increase your chances of being found. If you're off Aaron Ralston like where no one knows, good luck.

It's like a lot of things though. It's a trade off. You just have to weigh the risks. They always recommend that people hike in a group of at least three. Well, solo hikes can be really good for introspection and reflection.

HJ

[Ulysses]

The always moralistic TownCrier

LMAO. Well said.

[climbant]

When I do go hiking alone I leave a copy of the topo map with my route on it for my wife. I will variate a bit off course, but nothing unreasonable, I will be somewhere along that route. I completely agree with Jim, you have to weigh the risks, but I'm not going to play into the fear of hiking alone. Also I realize that it makes it much less safe for rescue personnel if you deviate from plan or have none. I like having a gps to "document" hikes with my family, but nothing replaces a map and compass and the skill to use them, plus map and compass is quite fun. I will always take trips on my own, it's good for the soul.

[Hikin_Jim]

I will always take trips on my own, it's good for the soul.

Here, here.

HJ

[halhiker]

The average reporter has no idea about hiking; they are just parroting whatever the local authorities tell them.

I tend to hike without a plan. I call it adventure. It's fun but then I have some idea of what I'm doing.

Over the years I have learned to give a general idea to my wife of where I'm at if I don't show up. Once I did some exploring out in the East Mojave and ended up calling my wife for Primm, NV telling her I was getting gas and heading home. She wondered why I was there because when I told her I was exploring the desert she thought I meant locally. Oops. I guess the desert probably could be anywhere within a six state region or Mexico. Now, I'm a bit more specific. I try to narrow it down to the county I'll be in.

I enjoy hiking alone but always carry an extra light and fire starter and bring a brightly colored outer shell so if someone is looking for me I'll be easy to spot.

I, for one, never put too much faith in the veracity of any new story about hiking. I've yet to meet a news reporter who knew anything about it.

[zippetydude]

I don't actually know any news reporters, but I admit I have had a couple really good laughs from comments on this board about reporting in general and about a certain newspaper in particular.

With regard to "expert" advice, that usually just means "conservative" advice.

From what I hear, you should never go alone, you should never ever go alone at night, and unless you want to die a horrible death immediately, you should (to quote Taylor Swift) Never Ever Ever run alone at night. Apparently mountain lions just can't help themselves and eat everyone who runs at night by themselves. But (to misquote Mark Twain) the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. (Link for curious people: http://oupacademic.tumblr.com/post/4831 ... en-greatly )

I go off trail spontaneously like the rest of those posting here, but I leave several specific signs (not cairns hal) that no one would notice unless they are told to look for them. That way if I am somehow knocked unconscious and can't activate my SPOT they can still find me after the mountain lion finishes dinner.

z