It all goes wrong on a TT hike!

“Maybe it's time to rethink how a TT hike evolves. Ideas:

1. Keep it on the "trips" page. I don't know how it's done or not done, but keep names and terms on that page from showing up as links for search engines (*IF* that is a problem from here)

2. Keep trip planning to the beloved "secret e-mails"

3. Perhaps not EVERYONE and his/her brother can just go on EVERY trip as desired. Just maybe there needs to be a reasonable limit on the number of people on any given trip. Respect nature. Respect the rights of others on the trail, which a group of 30 or 40 might have a hard time doing, especially in camp.


4. If you really want to meet TT'ers, plan a logical meeting place (say, like a bar in Nashville?? lol)

5. I don't know..... I guess I can see why people might be concerned over TTers. Sure we're nuts and have fun here, whether or not that is accurately reflected on a trip, for better or worse. Perhaps our reputation precedes us, like a bad Rainbow gathering.....

6. Maybe we've got some thinking to do here..............”

“I think those are valid points. Todays implosion had three causes.

First, folks called the rangers directly a time or two too many. They evidently didn't glean it off the net.

Second, we found out a campsite is closed that put things in a tizzy.

Third, On the thread I repeatedly said what the max group size was. I should have posted that on the trip page too. That problem lies squarely on my shoulders.”

“Well, I have to disagree on number 5 as the rangers at CGNP called the rangers at BSFNP when we applied for a permit for TC3. After speaking with those rangers, they issued the permit with no further questions or comments.

I tend to think that all in all we are pretty respectful in our actions.

What happens is that a Natural Resource department starts getting a dozen calls from all over the company from people coming to the "big group hike".

I can see where they get a little nervous over that. Howver, if one person coordinates and explains the situation to the department, then the fears seem to dissolve.

I don't think this principal is limited to hikes, I actually thing it is sound management philosophy.

Dayhiker seems to have his hike under control in this regard.”

“Group hikes are a goatphuck.”

“Yo got thaaaaaaaaaat right, Nigal”

“Nigal, this wouldn't have anything to do with why you don't want to come to Sipsey would it? 3 bombs dropped today and it's no fun being the guy behind the elephant with the big shovel.”

“Don't get me wrong, I like going on them if they are small but setting them up sucks. The thing I don't like about the trips page is most trips get dogpiled.”

“the problem does NOT lie on your sholders.

This started out as a small trip, it grew larger and you tried to manage it.

Managing so many diverse personalities is impossible.

just post it up, this is where we will be, this is what I'm hikeing, come or don't come...whatnever.

My only concern is getting to collins west, and making sure that I don't get a parking ticket or towed. thats all. well...the rain too, but, if you can do something about that, then you truely are a wizard.

and Lizs...I think you are right on the money...set size, then when they are reached, pull the trip and close it down.

thank god, no one wants to come on any of my trips with me, that isn't usually a worry...LOL...my trips always suck anyway.”

“im not trying to criticize (okay, i am criticizing, but its CONSTRUCTIVE criticism), but trip leaders need to consider what is the maximum number of participants possible before it becomes the aforementioned "goatphuck", then cut it off when it reaches the limit.”

“It does seem nuts to me that I'll be hiking with 30 people in Ocala.

I don't have the "have to meet people" bug like a lot on here... although once I hit the Nashville event (NOT a TT hike!), I discovered how is can certainly be fun. Buffalo National River, too.

Also, I can understand someone wanting to call a ranger and get the info for himself/herself. Some people are like that. Stikkie is like that. I'm like that. If I want to know something and know it now, I don't necessarily want to wade through 300 posts of jokes (although when I'm in the mood, I'm posting a good 50 of the 300)

I can understand not wanting everyone to call the ranger.

Actually, I don't want to point fingers... but will... lol! If you're gonna share some information that affects a group hike and will make people go crazy, perhaps it is best shared in a private e-mail or phone call to the trip organizer and NOT as increasingly paranoid posts on the thread.”

“LOL, I agree with Nigal. Setting up these things can be a drag.”

“And as I increasingly sound like bacpac, that was aimed at embear. You're forgive, but live and learn from it.”

“That's where I dropped the ball a bit. I kept saying 24 on the thread but not on the main trips page. I should have put this in big bold numbers. Today, I find out it's 21, but that's neither here nor there.

stikmon - did you see my note about the email address issue and getting you directions?”

“your as bad a slugburz.

I'm not paranoid...I'm trying to help myself and not get lost with a strange woman in my car...it don't make a differenc to me, if I make a wrong turn, but with wetstinkysocks in the car, she might raise the stress level.

sheesh...”

“I really think embear did us a service. She gave us a heads up that there were issues with a campsite and that the Rangers were getting nervous. The paranoia took it from there.”

“your phone wants to ring!!!”

“STikkie, that was meant for embear. I don't know her and I'm sure she thought she was doing good in WARNING everyone about potential problems. But with each of her posts she just got people more excited and upset. That's what I saw as I was reading it.”

“I have a T1”

“I'm assuming you're trying to call me. Is that correct? It occured to me that you might be trying to call lizs”

“Dayhiker-

"Nigal, this wouldn't have anything to do with why you don't want to come to Sipsey would it?”

No, it’s group size and driving time.

Far bringer (heehee)-

“but trip leaders need to consider what is the maximum number of participants possible before it becomes the aforementioned "goatphuck", then cut it off when it reaches the limit."

Someone ALWAYS ends up pissed. It’s a damned if ya do and damned if ya don’t thing.”

“It will work out.
Be calm....”

“Yeah, it'll all turn out and you'll have a great time...especially if ya leave sticky home. j/k”

“lizs - that is a bit misleading thread title, but that is todays journalism. ;)
The hike hasn't happened yet, so how can everything have gove wrong?
The planning just hit a snag. A solution has been planned.
Stikky got his feelings hurt. He's a big boy and can dish it out as well as take it.”

“Crap I am glad 30+ people don't sign up for my trips! There is no way that the places that I like to go could handle that many hikers.
I can't imagine tryng to organize a trip for 30 people in the white mtns. we would over run every camping area.”

“I feel that it would take away from the experience.”

“Nigal - my tongue was planted firmly in checck with the Sipsey comment

stikmon and I just hung up and everything is cool. Everything is set.”

“Someone ALWAYS ends up pissed. It’s a damned if ya do and damned if ya don’t thing."
Nigal

are you poo-pooing me again?”

“I think he's poo-pooing the whole board. He's not far off the mark either (no-pun). Everyone is busting it to get off on Friday and just too much tension. I can almost feel that tension melting away with the miles come friday morning. Doesn't that feel better?”

“actually, its a running joke”

“That joke is running like your nose will be this weekend.”

“i'm not reading all this crap!!..just the first 5 post or so...

and i'll say this...

i'm just gonna happen to be in the area when other of my friends are...

and liz...do you even freaking hike, what is your contribution???...some pple...good intentions aside...need to keep their noses pointed in directions that concern them...are you going on this trip...NO..this isn't an ambulance to chase..this isn't tommorrows cover story...move along..nothing to see here *chief wiggum*”

“hahahaha

I like that "chief wiggum"

that's a good one.

Hey Opie, how you likein Nashville - I lived there a few years back and thought it was nice.”

“OPIE, are you bringing the Viking horns on this trip?”

“oh and on another note....when has the # that said they will show up at a hike ever been even close to half when it came down to "game-time show your #&%!$ at the trailhead and put one boot in front of the other"??????”

“Nashville rocks...#1 reason why..it'll let me hike more..expect to hear more reports and gear reviews from me...i do more than talk...i walk..with a pack”

“For future reference, just how big or how many is a goatphuck?”

“just how big or how many is a goatphuck?"

one goatphuck = two clusterphucks = more phucked up trailtalk ducks than you can shake a stick at”

“I just love how embear's getting blamed. What ever happened to Not Shooting the Messenger?”

“Yeah opie, I could tell lizs was stirrin' the pot here! Shame shame! LOL!

I wasn't makin' fun of ya storm. You're a great guy....FOR ME TOO POOP ON!!!

I keed!”

“I like to know all the details. When I prepared to go to TC3 I had quite a few questions. First I tried calling Barb since she wa somewhat in charge of the trip. I then called the park and just asked some simple questions about the park and never alluded to going on any "big group hike."”

“you are all doomed!

DOOMED!!”

“I just read the thread...what a clusterphuck! If the ranger gives you problems just remember...his gun only has 13 bullets...he can't take you all. The 57 that don't get a flesh wound can tackle his ass, cuff him with his own cuffs, and then party on.”

“Another reason I often hike with just my two dogs.”

“yam - I don't like it one bit. To blame embear it TOTALLY wrong and shows you have absolutely no concept of what's going on or what the issues are. Whoever did that needs to STFU right now. embear did the trip a SERVICE. She did NOT create these problems. She merely helped them show up now instead of when the 20+ TT'ers show up and are attemtping to register. Lizs, or whoever blamed embear owes her an apology.”

“I went back and looked and lizs directly said she was pointing finger. Now I see why OPIE jumped so hard on her. That was wrong to point the finger at embear. Plain and simple.”

“What's up with the Savage Gulf trip?
I missed something.
Is it cancelled?”

“It's still on. embear was nice enough to alert us that our campsite for Saturday night is having pine beetle damage and no campfires are allowed. There were some misunderstandings along the way but everything is fine now. The thread title is a bit on the alarmist side. Yes, it refers to this trip past tense, but it's still on and was never in danger of not happening. I'll see you on Friday.”

“HUGS Embear....”

“Let's create a new city in the wilderness! LOL
I've only hiked with three other TT'ers on a group hike, so I don't know what the "big" ones are like. However, if Lizzy's #3 point is honored, all will be well.”

“I agree Dunadan. This area has a limit of 21. I thought the limit was 24 and folks kept signing up.”