Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

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Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Poll ended at Fri Feb 26, 2021 8:44 am

Yes
55
58%
No
19
20%
Depends (explain below)
20
21%
Other (explain below)
1
1%
 
Total votes: 95
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

mtnkub wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:18 am
ker0uac wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:04 am Humm interesting, I never met anyone working as a guide in CO and never saw anyone inconspicuously offering guide services here either.
Offering guide services here would be against the forum rules (and would thus likely backfire).
I have seen one guided party on North Maroon and two on Pyramid.
I saw a guide taking a party up Pyramid on rope.
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by Chicago Transplant »

The ones I know of are more bigger commercial companies and have a variety of offerings including various guided options or classes like AAIRE avy trainings. I haven't used any of them, my AAIRE 1 was through the community college, but they advertise a lot locally. Seems the jeep and snowmobile tours are the most popular with tourists, not sure how many guided hikes they really do?
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by Monster5 »

Unofficial guiding actually does happen often on this forum. I know a few respected members who accompany people up 14ers for money, if not roping up with them. So long as they don't misrepresent themselves or their capabilities (medical, ropework, etc.), it's not a big deal.

I rarely see commercial guides on 14ers though - sometimes Elks, SJs, and Longs.
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by daway8 »

I've encountered guides a few times on 14ers - typically it's a case where someone is uncomfortable on exposed terrain and wants an experienced person to help them rope up for safety.

Don't think I've ever knowingly spotted a guide on a peak like Bierstadt but you wouldn't necessarily know it by looking since the guides I've encountered just appeared to be some other person hiking with a buddy. Only found out one was a guide by striking up a conversation.

I think this kind of thing is where the forum sometimes goes astray - many folks on here are so experienced and comfortable on anything that the 14ers have to offer that there's a tendency at times to basically mock anyone who would feel the need for a guide (not saying that's happened here, just see that attitude pop up now and then). That kind of thing makes the forum less welcoming at times.

Everyone has different backgrounds, experience, comfort levels, etc. I think it's great that someone intimated enough by the mountains some of us see as trivial would take the initiative to hook up with a guide to tackle what they're not comfortable doing alone.
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by ker0uac »

Chicago Transplant wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:33 am The ones I know of are more bigger commercial companies and have a variety of offerings including various guided options or classes like AAIRE avy trainings. I haven't used any of them, my AAIRE 1 was through the community college, but they advertise a lot locally. Seems the jeep and snowmobile tours are the most popular with tourists, not sure how many guided hikes they really do?
I know of a lot of outfitters in WA, like the AAI and RMI, but not in CO, which is surprising to me as the mountaineering culture in CO is much greater than the one in WA. Even in NE, I know of EMS running lots of trips in the White Mountains such as winter ascents of Mt Washington. It seems like a missed business opportunity. Or maybe I am just clueless.
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by ker0uac »

daway8 wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:53 am There's a tendency at times to basically mock anyone who would feel the need for a guide (not saying that's happened here, just see that attitude pop up now and then).
There sure is, but it's hypocritical, coz I know a lot of people here had more experienced friends take them up the class 3+ peaks to finish the list. If there was a rule that to claim credit you had to climb solo, most finishers would lose their plaque. I have never hired a guide in the US, but I had a guide on all of my international climbs.

Also, this tendency hurts the business of guiding, so if you have a guide friend, maybe you should encourage others to hire a guide?
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by Salient »

Considering I just joined, I really hope it is welcoming to new members.
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by d_baker »

Salient wrote: Wed Feb 24, 2021 10:07 am Considering I just joined, I really hope it is welcoming to new members.
Welcome to the forum Salient!
Proceed to the thread looking for summer partners to get a taste of things! Hahaha
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by Salient »

d_baker wrote: Wed Feb 24, 2021 10:09 am
Salient wrote: Wed Feb 24, 2021 10:07 am Considering I just joined, I really hope it is welcoming to new members.
Welcome to the forum Salient!
Proceed to the thread looking for summer partners to get a taste of things! Hahaha
I've been lurking on the website for about a week and have seen a lot of how people act in various threads. So, yeah I get what you mean there.
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by jibler »

If you know phish message boards - you will get his comparison......


I wish 14ers was the phish.net of mountaineering but seems to be the phantasytour instead.

which means much higher levels of unrestrained sarcasm and subtle hostility. which once you know a life with those at a minimum - it is tough to accept anything else.
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by mtn_hound »

jibler wrote: Wed Feb 24, 2021 4:36 pm If you know phish message boards - you will get his comparison......


I wish 14ers was the phish.net of mountaineering but seems to be the phantasytour instead.

which means much higher levels of unrestrained sarcasm and subtle hostility. which once you know a life with those at a minimum - it is tough to accept anything else.
Sometimes after I climb a 14er I'm as smelly as a phish tour. Does that count?
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Re: Poll: Is this forum welcoming to new members?

Post by LeeWimberly »

Okay. I am a newcomer. Since the poll seems indicate that I will not get too rough a treatment as long I don't do anything too stupid!

I'll do my best.

I want to climb a 14er in a safe, intelligent way. I have scoped the Class 1 and Class 2 peaks in the front range: Grays, Torres, Bierstadt, Pikes Peak.

I will be conditioning with lower hikes as the snow melts. I hope to do my ascent in July or August. My fantasy (and it might be just that) is July 27 which is my 70th birthday.

I would like to maximize my safety by hiking with one ore more hikers.

Now's the time for you to tell me I'm crazy. My wife and a couple of friends have already let me know.

Thanks in advance for anyone willing to give provide a little security for this ol' guy!

Lee Wimberly
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