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Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 10:02 pm
by peter303
It was well forecasted that the last weekend of of July was going to be a terrible weather weekend. I even remarked about that in one of the 14er threads. I have the fortune of living in Colorado where I can just cancel trips on such weekends. Better weather will come. Out of staters may have to be more deliberate about changing pricey trips.
Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 6:28 am
by viejo
Based on posts so far, mine will not be a particularly welcomed reply, but feel it important to be expressed.
This was a planned night out with a known forecast of rain. To have spent such a miserable night and having to abandon gear to get out in the morning was not due to a series of unexpected mishaps. This was a lack of basic back country skills and preparation. Having the gear and ability to get dry and stay warm is a fundamental requisite to being in the outdoors. If things got this bad in a planned situation, imagine what might happen in an unplanned emergency.
The preponderance of good weather we're blessed with in Colorado can lead to a complacency in skills development and preparedness. The back country becomes relegated to the status of personal obstacle course, without getting the respect it deserves for even simple objective hazards such as wet weather. Accumulating a few dozen peaks on "the list" in good weather can lead to feeling experienced, when often it is only one or two experiences repeated on multiple walks.
Please consider putting together a list of appropriate skills to "check off" before going too far with peak lists. Weather preparation, emergency shelter, gear to keep warm and dry, navigation skills, route finding skills all might find a place on the list. The trend towards internet trained, paint-by-numbers hikers in the hills will results in just these types of avoidable situations.
Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 8:07 am
by nunns
viejo wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 6:28 am
Based on posts so far, mine will not be a particularly welcomed reply, but feel it important to be expressed.
This was a planned night out with a known forecast of rain. To have spent such a miserable night and having to abandon gear to get out in the morning was not due to a series of unexpected mishaps. This was a lack of basic back country skills and preparation. Having the gear and ability to get dry and stay warm is a fundamental requisite to being in the outdoors. If things got this bad in a planned situation, imagine what might happen in an unplanned emergency.
The preponderance of good weather we're blessed with in Colorado can lead to a complacency in skills development and preparedness. The back country becomes relegated to the status of personal obstacle course, without getting the respect it deserves for even simple objective hazards such as wet weather. Accumulating a few dozen peaks on "the list" in good weather can lead to feeling experienced, when often it is only one or two experiences repeated on multiple walks.
Please consider putting together a list of appropriate skills to "check off" before going too far with peak lists. Weather preparation, emergency shelter, gear to keep warm and dry, navigation skills, route finding skills all might find a place on the list. The trend towards internet trained, paint-by-numbers hikers in the hills will results in just these types of avoidable situations.
I don't disagree with you. The main purpose of posting my experience was to let people know that just because someone has climbed a bunch of peaks doesn't make them immune to things going wrong, especially if that person has holes in their outdoor survival resume, which I clearly do. You have presented your point in a respectful manner, which I appreciate.
Sean Nunn
Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 8:38 am
by LifeIsGood
None of us were actually there on scene, which makes it so very easy to criticize others through a keyboard.
It takes some guts to post a mistake publicly.
For myself- I’ve backpacked in for many peaks, probably over a hundred times, and try very hard not to get wet. With just scattered showers, I will sit under a tree and wait it out.
For more persistent rain, I may scrap the plan to camp- sleeping in the car at the trailhead then starting the hike at 3:30 or 4am as a day trip, as the morning hours are usually more calm and clear.
If I’m really actually hiking in rain, I’ll wear just the rain jacket and rain pants, with no clothing underneath, because it’s all gonna be soaked.
And lastly- we should all have the skills to start a fire to warm up and dry out, even when the forest is damp.
Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:47 am
by mtree
I think its great Sean posted his story. It shows everyone how a situation can spiral out of control without realizing it at the time. We generally react and make decisions without understanding the long term consequences of our short term actions. Even the most experienced and prepared hiker can make a mistake. Its just a different mistake. Such is life.
Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:51 am
by CaptainSuburbia
mtree wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:47 am
I think its great Sean posted his story. It shows everyone how a situation can spiral out of control without realizing it at the time. We generally react and make decisions without understanding the long term consequences of our short term actions. Even the most experienced and prepared hiker can make a mistake. Its just a different mistake. Such is life.
I'm glad he posted his tale as well. I'm assuming there were more than a few other not so pleasant experiences the past 3 or 4 days that we won't hear about or learn from.
Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:42 am
by SkaredShtles
One thing that I've *always* made sure of with regards to backpacking shelter: ALWAYS full cover rain fly, ALWAYS full bathtub floor. Won't guarantee you'll stay completely dry, but improves the odds significantly, in my opinion.
Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 12:03 pm
by timisimaginary
quality gear matters. a cheap walmart tent may suffice 99% of the time, but that 1% of the time it doesn't could lead to some unpleasant or dangerous situations.
don't underestimate the backyard test. the next time a big storm is in the forecast, practice setting up the tent in the rain for the practice, and you'll know whether the tent/rainfly are easy to set up during a storm and effective at keeping you dry. better to find out in the backyard then 10 miles from the nearest car or dry shelter.
Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:12 pm
by highpilgrim
Only if you want to stay warm and dry.
Or look stylish on them thar hillz.
Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 3:22 pm
by painless4u2
highpilgrim wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:12 pm
Or look stylish on them thar hillz.
I thought I spotted you, Comrade.
- fat hiker.jpg (42.33 KiB) Viewed 1926 times
Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 3:25 pm
by SkaredShtles
painless4u2 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 3:22 pm
highpilgrim wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:12 pm
Or look stylish on them thar hillz.
I thought I spotted you, Comrade.
fat hiker.jpg
Cargo shants?!?
Color me intrigued...
Re: A cautionary tale
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 3:39 pm
by nunns
timisimaginary wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 12:03 pm
quality gear matters. a cheap walmart tent may suffice 99% of the time, but that 1% of the time it doesn't could lead to some unpleasant or dangerous situations.
don't underestimate the backyard test. the next time a big storm is in the forecast, practice setting up the tent in the rain for the practice, and you'll know whether the tent/rainfly are easy to set up during a storm and effective at keeping you dry. better to find out in the backyard then 10 miles from the nearest car or dry shelter.
That is a GREAT idea.
Sean Nunn