A small or large group?

“Do you prefer to backpack with a small or large group? I'm finding that a smaller group is more fun for me. I went out with a large group (18 people) this past weekend and it was too overwhelming for me.”

“I find with a large group, you need to be flexible with the trip plan. Things have a way of changing as you go.”

“I pefer a small group, like 8 or less. Also, in a small group it is easier for everyone to know what their goals are, or at least where they want to go.”

“It depends on my mood, there are times I just like to be alone to hear the wind in the trees, and the sounds of birds moving from branch to branch.

Other times I like company, but my group size starts to max out at about 5.”

“A large group (palooza) is a lot of fun, so long as you look at it as more of a social event. The group tends to separate by pace, on the trail anyways.

I mostly enjoy a group of about four to eight. It really depends on the type of trip, and experience level of the team. Sometimes just two is best.”

“I think the big groups are fun at camp. You can get to know a lot of people over a couple of days. The bigger groups I've been in haven't been a problem - everyone leaves when they want to, hikes how they want to hike, and don't expect people to wait for them. You don't have to hike with all 18 of them!”

“18 is a ton! like chiliedawg said, when i go on larger group trrips, i leave my mind open to any and all options cuz things rarely turn out like you invisioned they would. . on smaleer group trips, i like a more stable, regimented plan. gonna do a lil solo'ing this summer, then i can make or delay every decision(sp?).”

“Each (large group, small group, solo) has its own benefits and liabilities. I enjoy each for what it brings. Large groups do present a problem for backcountry management, but dispersal usually takes care of that with a central point for campfire/socializing.”

“I'm with Hodgeman. Ditto what he said.”

“i'd think that group size would be different from trip to trip

i could be wrong”

“A large group (palooza) is a lot of fun, so long as you look at it as more of a social event. Hodgeman of BC

I agree. But anything more than one is a large group.”

“Got to meet a lot of TTers, but was a bit overwhelmed by the numbers.
Have yet to go on a TT backpack, but high numbers should not matter if everyone hikes at their own pace. You should splinter into smaller groups due to the jackrabbits in front and the slow steady ones and photo bugs in the rear.”

“I think that hike location is the primary concern when considering how large a group should be. On the East Coast in a place like SMNP the number of tent spaces at any one campsite is the overriding factor. But on the West Coast in a place like the Sierra where you can spread out at a campsite it's not as important. Having said that I think that groups over about 8 in number get unweldy even if you know the people. Trying to get 15 to 20 people that don't know each other to try to hike together ....
Wow ... kinda like herding cats.
You have to go with the flow. Don't carry a lot of expectations or personal goals in. It's more of a social event.”

“I'd vote for 6 or less for any trip longer than a weekend.”

“I like both. But in the winter's I think I prefer a larger group because the nights are longer (and freeeeezing!) so it's perfect for sitting around a campfire and talking to everyone.

With warmer weather, I personally think four is a good number. But I also get the solo itch and need to that every now and then.”

“I like the bigger groups personally. Like smiley said. you get to know more people over the trip. Also, there are more jokes and stories to tell around camp.”

“i like a group of 4, too! i've never been backpacking in a larger group than that, but i wouldn't mind trying it.”

“Large hiking groups are more efficient.

Rule #1: Don't take any gear. You can hike farther and faster that way.

Rule #2: At night, beg fellow hikers for food and shelter.

Rule #3: Leave before everyone else wakes up...that way you don't have to help carry the gear.

Rule #4: Poop in someone's backpack. You save energy by not digging a cat hole.

Rule #5: Repeat.

Hope that helps. I always like to contribute my backpacking expertise to those weak minded individuals that are less fortunate.”

“i'd rather hike with a bunch of skinny people than a few fat folks

my limit is about 1000lbs”

“I like the bigger groups as well. I can only stare at one mug for so long :)

Seriously, I don't mind solo, or 20, as long as I'm outside. Now, some might suggest that big groups are a bad thing due to the impact on the trail, but we'll leave that one alone fer another time......”

“Actually, there was some late night snow shelter digging for those who showed up without tents this weekend. They left out the tent so they could fit more liquor in.”

“and to think - they shared the liquor, but no one let them in their tent.”

“I'll hike solo or I'll hike with a massive crowd. I've done both. Just realize the with a large group you will be doing a lot less miles than a small group.”

“The more people the better!!!!

Trail talk Rules!!!!!


8)”

“Either one. They both have pros and cons.

I usually camp with about 22-30 people anyway cause I'm a scoutmaster.”

“lyra...as far as I know...you've never been backpacking at all!

Troll...... :)”

“All group sizes are good.

Big groups are great fun but only occasionally. Wouldn't want every trip to be a crowd of 20. But, like SG said, even when we had 18 people at Jordan River, you didn't know all 18 were there until evening came around. The group was really spread out on the trail.

I enjoy the intimacy a smaller group affords me.

The smallest crowd for me has been myself and one other person. That was fantastic too...except that one other person was also female and we had a very bad run-in w/ some creepy drunk men.”

“6 is a big group for me. 1 is not a group.”

“I've hiked with a group as large as 20 at Abiqui(sp?) to the top of Kitchen Mesa. It was more of a social time than anything and getting to spend most of it chatting with someone who has summited Everest was well worth the group scene.

I prefer solo since I cherish the time alone to relect on my life.”

“I've been out with groups as big as 12 before and that was fine. It might just be the group that makes the difference.”

“Fritz, you little...!! i'll show you...i'll go backpacking with you sometime, and THEN you'll be sorry.”

“Yeah Fritz, you'll really be sorry if she brings along her friend who is missing her butthole!”

“LMAO! that's going to be a novel idea for quite some time, isn't it? i just don't know how i could've not known...i mean, i hung out with the girl for at least a year, and i never saw hide nor hair of a bag full of...it.”

“See the interesting things you learn when you have a big group?”

“LOL! Lyra, that story had to have been the funniest thing I've ever heard on TT! The fact that she is somewhat kinky makes it even more hilarious. But hey, just because someone is missing a butthole, why shouldn't they still have some fun?”

“that's the spirit! :-D

ARGH.”

“Careful lyra, you could be the butt of your friend's joke:
"Since I don't have my own butthole, I brought lyra." : )”

“LMAO @ aero!!!!”

“LOL!”

“HA!! get bent.
;-)”

“Oh Oh, I going to get turned into a Newt!”

“a fate worse than death...

”

“I like hiking in smaller large groups, but larger small groups is OK too.”

“I'm HIDEOUS!”

“I'm always solo and prefer it that way..have enjoyed sharing camps with others on occasion, however..”

“How far are you from Rice Lake? I have a friend that live there.”

“I agree with pathman, 6 is a big group. I prefer a small group but enjoy an occasional big group camping trip.”