Backpacking decline

“How about ItsNotGem??”

“zac--

Personally I think the Loj makes the HP region entirely too accessible and brings in a lot of inexperienced and uninformed tourons. Shutting down that road and the ropad that access the fire road from the other side of Marcy Dam would significantly reduce the numbers/impact.”

“That would probably help, nogranola. Unfortunately the ADK Loj is privately owned (Adirondack Mountain Club) and the road is a town road, so the State really doesn't have much influence on that particular trailhead. Personally when I hike in from that side (I actually prefer the Tahawus trailhead or AMR) I like the fire road better; it isn’t used as much pulse I don’t have to pay $9 a day to park my car.”

“Thanx Marko I thought I was okay but now that you have clarified it for me I can sleep tonight.”

“my guess would be that all the baby boomers are getting older, their sense of adventure is a hotel.”

“Increasing transportation costs and decreasing discretionary income?

A cultural shift resulting in an increasing percentage of youth with no concept of the outdoors and wild areas.”

“Around here people like to be outdoors and in the woods; in the winter it's on snowmobiles and in the summer they park their big fat white a$$es on ATV's.”

“Natural selection will quickly eliminate those who choose off-road vehicles.”

“I'm afraid of the illegals that grow marijuana in all the parks.I don't go where the pot seeds grow.”

“I'm with you, preferring delivery myself.”

“In the latest MEC catalogue they mentionned that long trips are declining, but day trips, including extreme climbing - fast and light - are on the rise.”

“I'd much rather backpack for a week than a weekend.”

“so would I but those week long trips are harder to come by than weekend trips”

“Oh yeah very true. But I'd honestly rather only go out for two one week trips a year than 12 weekenders.”

“I have taken far less trips in the past few years just because of family. I can not take a week or two weeks off like I did when I was single.

Big Star made a comment how kids don't want to go and the parents don't want to be around the kids. I think that is totally false statement. Kids do want go. I have not met a kid yet who would not want to go camping.”

“Is part of the fun of longer trips in the planning?

For a two nighter it's easy to just throw things in the pack. With a week-long trip, there's alot more planning. Especially for food.

But then I dehydrate the meals.”

““Oh yeah very true. But I'd honestly rather only go out for two one week trips a year than 12 weekenders.”
humanpackmule
8:45:28 PM
6/15/06

Given the option, I'd probably pick the weekend trips. I like the weeklong trips just as much as the weekend trips, but I get very cranky if I can’t get out at least a few times every month. I don’t think anyone would want to be around me if I had to wait 6 months or more between trips. Now if I got more than 2 weeks paid vacation time every year, maybe my story would change.”

“I do very much enjoy the planning of big trips. So much opprotunity and possibilites to explore.

I (actually Treebait does it for me) either dehydrate foods or just hit the grocery. I don't do freezedried that much any more.

But weekends (I define a weekend specificly as a two night trip) usually don't do it for me. I don't really relax. It always feels like I just barely get started and it's time to drive home. On weeklongs, I can get into the swing of it and relax.

For me 3-4 nights a acceptable.

Yep, family makes it harder to get out but my daughter loves to go camping so I need to tone back my trips so they are fun for her.

But seriously I'd easily give up all weekenders to do more weeklongs. But oh what trips they would be.

Yeah Zac, 2 weeks a year is theivery. Not too long ago I decided that 2 weeks of vacation time a year was not acceptable and that I will not settle for that anymore. I figure 4 weeks is my minimum (1 week per season) and in the interview process I tell anyone interested in me that I WILL be take 4 weeks off a year regardless of their policies but I will be sure productivity does not suffer for it. If they want me to work there then they need to accept and accomodate that. Funny thing is that I've noticed when you demand more than the average guy, employers sit up and take notice. The last three places I was at had no problems with giving me that time.

I dunno, I guess I'm blessed.”

“I generally get in two or more one week trips a year as well as about 6 or more weekend trips a year. I would go much more often if the wife would allow me to. Gotta give them their time as well. My kids come with me on some of my eastern trips. I hope they always will they love camping, and I've only backpacked with them in the east. I've promised them a backpacking trip in the west though. They dayhiked and mountainbiked with me in and near RMNP last year and loved it. I'm afraid that after their first backpacking trip in the Rockies they will demand only western trips. I'm going to need more vacation time.

Like HPM said planning for big trips is fun as well. Laying it all out on the floor deciding what goes and what doesn't hypes me up to no end. I get a little excited even when shopping for food.
last edited: 6/16/06 9:55:37 AM”

“I know Indiana nearly killed their park system a few years ago when they doubled all their prices
DeadNBloated
4:23:20 PM

Dude! They are doin' it again! I can't speak for all the parks, but the one nearest to me, Turkey Run, Has raised their rates to $5/car on weekends, and $4/car Mon-Thurs. Not only that but they now will be charging year round instead of only in summer. At the same time though this park could use some time off too. It is heavily used. No one is allowed off the trails etc. It is a pretty small park though, and has no "back country".”

“a better park close to turkey run is shades state park. they have a small backcountry area and lots of neat little gorges”

“when I have kids, they will go backpacking and they will like it!”

“Only been to Shades twice. once hiking w. my daughter (yes EarthNsky, it was just like that) and another time by way of canoe on sugar creek from Crawfordsville to the west side of turkey run. The hiking trip was disasterous, and would be better if I hadn't spent the time fighting w my (then) 6 y/o.”

“Ya know, if you just take extended trips of, say, no less than nine months, the argument would be resolved cuz you'd be doing both and all would win. Hear that Washington and all you hateful tt'er's?”