As I mentioned in a "discussion" with Peg, I'm starting a hiking thread.
My first question is: Have you purchased hiking boots? What have you found to be the most important features of the boot? Are there features that you have since found unnecessary or uncomfortable?
I do plan to do some online research, but I always prefer the comments of unbaised users as opposed to the manufacturers.
I bring this up because I did go to EMS this morning. They told me that they are actually planning "clinics" in the next couple of months. An EMS staff member leads the hike. The salesperson told me that they are free, but that I should be aware that the staff will not allow me to join them in sneakers. I must have boots. Since EMS sells boots, my immediate reaction was, yeah, right, here we go.
On the other hand, I'm sure that there are very good reasons for having boots. I know Peg mentioned that she started hiking in sneakers and eventually purchased boots.
One of my nicknames is Mr. Frugal, but I also do not want to put myself at risk for the sake of money. If it's that expensive, I'll simply keep walking the streets of my town.
Okay. I'm veering of the trail here. I got distracted by a California cheese commercial. The cows are in the front yard and ringing the farmer's doorbell. He keeps coming to the door, and of course they're simply grazing. Then the cows start laughing hysterically. I must be either in a very silly mood or on the edge. I'm still laughing over this silly commercial.
Oh rats, Bill. I feel for ya. But you can't fight Ophelia! Perhaps this is all going as it should, with your back being compromised and all. Why does the plan have to be pushed off by a year, though? Why not try again in October? The mountain beckons! Whatever the choice, you are a real hiker now, and you will not be thwarted! Now, try the tarzan yell. Doesn't that feel good!
Hang in there!
Lynne
Posts: 1104 | Location: NH | Registered: February 28, 2005
Because we had a 48-hour cancellation policy on the motel rooms, a decision had to be made last night as to whether the hike would go forward. With Hurricane Ophelia coming, The Weather Channel was predicting rain with thunder and lightning for Saturday so we all decided to cancel the hike. Of course, this morning, The Weather Channel has changed that forecast to rain only, but I'm not up for being soggy all day. Although I know it's the best decision, I am very disappointed.
On the positive side, I know that the mountain will be there next year. I now have the fall and winter to continue training. Maybe I'll even have less weight to carry up to the summit.
Thank you all for your generous support and encouragement through this. I am going to continue to draw on the good feelings I've found through working at this goal. Maybe I'll even learn how to use a digital camera and figure out how to post things to a website so that I can share the trip with you all.
As I posted yesterday, I've just not been able to get here. This new semester at school is turning out to be much more work than I expected--and I'm actually working fewer hours in the classroom!
Peg and Lynne,
Yes, I'm seeing the sense to your words. I think that I have also just been so busy since my posting of my fears that I haven't had time to think about the hike. My life has had to become so compartmentalized due to time management issues, and I seem to be doing surprisingly well at thinking about issues only in their allotted time blocks. Oh, how I wish I could do this with food! (And, boy, do I need someone to mow my lawn.)
I did have a conversation with two of the other members of the party Tuesday night. The person who I consider to be the more "advanced" hiker of the group was expressing his doubts about this hike. He is looking at this as a walk in the woods with no particular goal. I also think he's trying to send subtle messages that he has no intention of going to the summit. I'll find out when we get there I guess.
I have to say that even though I am not at all happy about this change in attitude, I am okay with it. After all, they did sign onto this with the stipulation that if any one of us wants to turn back, the rest will honor the request. I will honor that stipulation. I'm assuming that he's just having his "cold feet" moment.
And, yes, Mt. Chocorua will be there next year. I suppose that if I don't make it to the summit this year, it will be a much sweeter victory next year. It's just that oh-so-close-and-yet-so-far-feeling I have.
You know, I haven't even made a list of the items I'll be bringing. I have no idea what to pack for lunch. I will be leaving my house at 5:45 a.m. to begin picking up the others. I'm estimating a three-hour travel time (I have to backtrack to pick up two folks.) So I will definitely have to think about seven or eight hours of "hold" time in the pack for the food. Since I'll be carrying at least 3 liters of water, I'd rather not have to pack cold packs. I suspect that my lunch is going to be KD's granola, pouch tuna, and apples. I've been told by two of the group that they're bringing French pasteries. It wouldn't surprise me. However, I'm not packing empty calories into the woods. And I have been told that one of our party (my roommate for the trip) has already purchased the beer. This had better not turn into a let's try to relive the college years weekend. I'm too old for that garbage (mentally, anyway; although my body no longer tolerates it, either).
I seem to be rambling so it's time to stop. Yes, I will give a report. It might not be until Monday morning, though.
I just want to say that even though I don't hike and there aren't any mountains around here I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread.
This is completely ot, but I have heard of groups that meet to work out problems. One person will present their problem and then the women will brainstorm solutions before going on to the next problem. It seems like that is what we have on this forum. It would be kind of neat to have a separate folder or thread just dedicated to ot problem solving.
The last couple of replys by Lynne and Peg were filled with so much wisdom and good advice. I feel like this is the place to come when I have a problem.
90 day goal: 4 days of cardio, 3 days of strength training each week.
Wise words, Peg. I totally agree. And as I read what you wrote, I was thinking that maybe Bill's injury happened for a reason, you know? So you have the logical excuse to do this hike with care and a little conservatism. Hmmm. Never know!
Lynne
Posts: 1104 | Location: NH | Registered: February 28, 2005
I hope your hike goes wonderfully but even if you don't finish the whole thing, think how much you've learned, how much equipment you've purchased/prep (which I think is one of the more onerous tasks) and how well you've positioned yourself for a full season of hiking next year if you choose. I always try to remember that these places aren't going anywhere so Mt. Chocorua will be there again next year if you don't make it all the way this year.
When I first started hiking, I was OUT OF SHAPE! It was really the first exercise I had done in a number of years and frankly I was fat and unfit. I picked some really ambitious stuff in those first couple of years. Funny, the times that I LEAST enjoyed the hiking was when I pushed myself beyond what I was comfortable doing. One memorable hike was one I planned (I always hate when I manage to do things like this to myself) with the work gang. Most of them are (or at least at that time were) in much better shape and many of them are a decade younger than I am. I picked what I ultimately learned was one of the hardest trails in the nearby canyon. I drug myself up and down that mountain and to this day I have a bad taste in my mouth about that trail.
All of that is to say, it would be soooooo much better to turn back and enjoy your hike than to push yourself beyond reason so that you never go back again. This is definitely a case where perfectionism could really do a lot more damage than spoiling one day's hike. Not to mention that it becomes extremely easy to hurt yourself once you become over-fatigued and with a relatively recent back injury, I encourage you to error on the side of caution.
You will be great! Don't get all nervous because what comes, will come and who knows, it might not be you that pulls the plug. If you've got yourself so set on doing this, you might try to persuade someone to go beyond their bounds so just go with an open mind that whatever you accomplish will be great!
I can't wait to read the full report. BTW, I am tackling an ambitious hike on Sat. too. I am telling myself a lot of the same things because my hiking friends on this one might not make it and it's a trail that's been on my list all year.
All those feelings are totally understandable. You had a little setback (get it? bad pun) and you feel like you lost some ground (uh oh, another one). But really, look at all you have done already! So, one week went differently than you thought. Your head is ready. Your equipment is ready. And if it helps, I'd suggest you walk through your fears and answer the what if's. Like, what if you have to turn back short of your goal - well, there are several answers, but at the end of the day, you get to pick how you will choose to handle it. I had similar fears about my race. What if I get off the bike? I answered that this way: then I will lose time and get back on as soon as I can, and I will forgive myself. The answers to the questions, when you let yourself go there, put everything into a more comfortable space. There is going to be an aspect of this that is unknown, because you can't plan for everything. If I were you, I'd decide what I can plan for, and trust that everything else will be either fun or a learning experience! You are going to be fine, bud.
Lynne
Posts: 1104 | Location: NH | Registered: February 28, 2005
After losing a week's worth of practice hiking (and a subsequent 5 pound gain from not exercising due to the back issues), I'm really very nervous about this weekend's hike up Mt. Chocorua. I know that my hiking friends will support me if I have to turn back, but I am so determined to do this that I'm afraid that I'll crumble into a sobbing mess if I have to turn back. I'm assuming that a lot of this is just pre-event jitters, but for goodness sake! I wasn't this nervous on my wedding day!!!
Originally posted by grrlscout: LOL! We just got back from our backpacking trip to Havasupai Falls -- with 13 y.o. boychild (who spends most of his waking hours watching TV and playing his PS2). Even with a 30lb pack, and in 95 degree heat, he practically sprinted the 10 miles to camp, and STILL was bouncing around, ready to swim, while his ma was yacking and I was limping around pitifully trying to find some water for her. Ahhh... youth.
LOL!!! My man/boychild kind of moped and dragged his feet for an hour early on and said, "Well, This is easy for YOU!!! YOU'VE been exercising... I've been sitting on the couch all summer!!!"
I told him he needed to pick up the pace a little... and kind of work on his attitude (which he did!).
When we saw a sign 3.2 miles to Park Headquarters (and campstore), he took off, doing 15 min miles... I thought I was going to die... "Jamie! <pant, pant> Next fallen <pant, pant> tree... please stop <pant!>... I need.... wa-ter... PLEASE!!!"
We stop and I hand him the water bottle and he drinks it ALL...!
Denise
Posts: 8722 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
Originally posted by GoingSkiing: If you are a 13 year old boy... and you are sitting on the couch minding your own business and playing X-Box and your slacker mom throws a fleece jacket at you and tells you to pack for 2 days camping...
LOL! We just got back from our backpacking trip to Havasupai Falls -- with 13 y.o. boychild (who spends most of his waking hours watching TV and playing his PS2). Even with a 30lb pack, and in 95 degree heat, he practically sprinted the 10 miles to camp, and STILL was bouncing around, ready to swim, while his ma was yacking and I was limping around pitifully trying to find some water for her. Ahhh... youth.
__________________________ DUM SPIRO, SPERO Check up on me!: My Sparkpeople Log
Posts: 1427 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: March 11, 2004
Yesterday, I went to REI and exhanged my boots for a slightly larger size. However, I changed from a wide boot to a regular. The boots are not as comfortable at the moment, but I can tell that they're getting better.
