Hikers vs Campers: A Poll

“You said it prosecutor, when I can hike and fish on the same trip, I'm in my element. Hiking is just my way of getting to the stream!”

“I like the hiking and the route planning. I like poring over maps and scouring guide books. Then I like to see where the paths will actually go. Then, I like seeing unique things.

I, generally, do not like the camping part that much. If I can hike 12 miles in a day, it's better than hiking six each day with a pack.

Also, if I could eat egg salad sandwiches all day long, I'd do it. I don't need elaborate food when I'm hiking.

I guess I should stop posting on the board. But, I do get out for overnights occasionally. And I dayhike constantly.”

“I love to chop down tree and make big bon fires!”

“i think hikers are really just flipped out cavemen that were born in the wrong melinium....”

“I'm in it to peal my velcro ass off the couch and be outside! 8)

I enjoy car/camper camping nearly as much too. Just kick back and relax!”

“think i'll take the boys to the upper buffalo wilderness are tomorrow.....maybe dayhike downstream and carcamp”

“I dig the walking part more than the camping part.”

“If the opposite were true, I guess we'd call you "campindude"...lol...”

“i like the eating part! :-)”

“Whether hiking, backpacking, camping, or exploring, I do it in the eternal hope that one day I might meet Marvin Gardens. Yes, there is inherent risk in this. It is true that I could blunder into meeting bacpac, but I believe the risk is more than acceptable.”

“coming late to this, but i'm mostly in it for the hiking & the snack breaks at dazzling viewpoints. camp is kind of an afterthought, something i have to do if i don't want to go back to the car.

although, when i'm carrying my son on my back i have to admit that camp starts looking better & better.”

“i dislike campfires and i dislike other people, but i like the time after setting up camp, the best.”

“Following this thread has me laughing out loud--not good when I'm supposed to be in the lab! (Gonna get busted, I am!)

Is this some sort of trick question?

Wouldn't a similar poll ask; Do you like eating or going out to lunch?

How about: Do you walk to work, or carry a lunch bag?”

“i actually like the eating part more than the blister part but the blister part more than the bear part. During the blister part, i like to be camping but during the bear part, i prefer running.”

“You might change your mind if you happened to blunder.”

“LOL @ Bitpusher!”

“I'd rather hike, camp to means meals and sleep, not much else.”

“I just do it to get away from my wife”

“The bride and I have discussed this topic for eons. Backpacking and trail camping doesn't apopeal that much...too much stuff to be responsible for. We hike together, and we love day hikes of about 9-12 miles, but we have been known to do longer day hikes...22 miles up Gorgonio and back...and about the same to the top of Santiago along the Hrding truck trail...BORING!!!....living in So Cal is the best for day hikers, and within an hour or two I can be in the middle of some of the most spectacular scenery in the west.

I'm not into carrying anything much more than a plastic bag of trail mix, a couple litres of water, some basic medical supplies, a knife, a compass, a watch, sunscreen, hiking pole, a hat, an extra pair of socks, a digital camera, and a few pieces of fruit.

Rain or lousy weather is rarely an issue, and I have yet to have to use insect repellant hiking here in the west. Word has it the Sierras can get mosquitoish, but we don't go there much..last hike Horseshoe Meadow the first of June, but no bugs.

Want to head up to the Trinity Alps. Anyone have any words of experience about dayhiking NE California?”

“mountainmaster2003, your post was so depressing.

I fell in love with backpacking, because it allows me to be self sufficient. I can put everything I need on my back and start walking.”

“Geez, why is it so depressing? We love it.

I'm going to be 60. I have tented my way across this country twice, boated the Kennebec River in Maine for decades, fished for trout in Maine, Idaho, Wyoming, California, New Hampshire, Canada, and Montana, skiied the East, the West, and Europe. Freedom and self sufficiency were attained years ago.

Now, the bride and I like to drive to an area, lace up the boots, hike for 12 miles or so, return to some burg like Lone Pine, or Yucca, or Three Rivers, or Joshua Tree, or Tombstone, or Winslow, or Wilcoxx, or St. George, or Moab and hoist a few at a local bar, grab some chow, and hit the sack on a mattress. No tents, no boiling water over a Pepsi can, no sleeping bags, but I have to tell ya, we're entertaining thoughts of buying a 4 X 4 pick-up and hitting some of those dirt roads we see all over maps of the Southwest...might even buy a tent and some sleeping bags..;)”

“keep on truckin”

“a bad day camping is better than a good day in town”

“I really love the hiking. Getting to stop and enjoy the surroundings. Slowing the mind down. Tuning into details.

The only reason I wanted to start backpacking was so I could stay out in the woods longer. I don't really get a kick out of slogging a heavy pack around. However, I always sleep really, really well while on a trip. Even if its only for a few hours. Its nice and quiet and my body is so worn out from a day of backpacking that sleep comes easily.

This winter, there was a great deal of thrill and sense of accomplishment that came with the sheer physical challenge of the trips.

However, day hikes are still my favorite. Got to get the pack weight down!”

“Dayhikes are good. Two day hikes are better. Three day hikes are invigorating to body and mind. Four day hikes and you begin to drop the daily concerns. Five day hikes, and a state of bliss begins. Six day hikes, and you wonder why people live in the "civilized" world. Anything over six days and Nirvana.”

“i came home about half past four, that key of mine wouldn't fit the door














MOVE IT ON OVER!”

“strat...what happened?

I like the camping part of backpacking best...cooking, hiking, chatting, etc.

I carry that heavy pack just to get up on the mountain and have that feeling of self sufficiency. I like the scenery when I hike, but not the discomfort of the pack.

I have been going lighter the last year and that has helped. I think by next summer I will be a "lightweight" packer. Not sure if I will ever make it to the ultralight category. Getting that packweight below 30 lbs. does increase my enjoyment.”

“I mean I couldnt really sit down and enjoy camping without the satisfaction of the effort i used to get there and the sights I ooohhhhed all the way...not to mention if you don't hike to a campsite that pretty much puts you in SUV-ville or some other man made campsite that use to be a parking lot. I like the adventure of being farther away from the accesible.”

“dunadan was talking about 4, 5, 6, 7 day trips....i was just thinking if i did a solo for 4 or 5 days the locks would be changed when i got home......





bad idea........”

“The bride and I are walking out the door to do a five mile run from Canyon Vistas to Top of the World in Laguna Beach...we will probably be back out in the San Gabriels for day hikes next week. One hour drive, twelve mile RT hike, pizza at San Biaggio's in Upland, the one hour trip home, mix up some vodkas and habenaro stuffed olives, take a shower, then download trip pics to webshots. Mt. Pacifico, Baden-Powell, Ontario, Cucamonga, Hawkins, Islep, Little Jimmy...great hikes and very little mid-week hiking traffic.

That's our idea of a day well spent. BTW...if anyone wants info on hikes or pics of hikes around So Cal, please let us know.”

“The heavy loads have kept many from enjoying bp'ing. With light good gear from small co's getting lower in price, many will, when they finally believe how much fun 18-20lbs loads can bring.”