How Many is Too Many?

“When going on a trip into the wilderness, how many in one group, is too many for you? I am hiking a couple of weeks from now in the Sierras. Originally the group was going to be five. It has now swelled to eleven. I am having thoughts of dropping out but I have been planning this for six months.”

“i'd cut it off. if its on the trip page, make it private”

“I am not the organizer.”

“I'm with Crash. I wouldn't want any more that's for sure. At least not on a serious trip. I have been to a couple "traveling partys" and that is fine down here in flatland, but I'm not so sure I would want so many on real terrain.”

“Don't worry, only half will show up.
That's the rule of thumb for most TT trips.”

“Just one beside myself.”

“On one of the Ocala Reunion hikes we had 30 some hikers. That was a lot! But I wouldn't have traded any of them (well maybe one or two)!

I don't think 11 is too many at all. But it is my opinion.”

“Tango - this didn't ruin the wilderness experience?”

“I guess the question that goes through my mind is "What is meant by 'Wilderness experience?'" That is not only a very subjective phrase, but it has a lot to do with why we go out in the first place. When I want to be alone for meditative or spiritual renewal reasons, sometimes I myself am one too many. On the other hand, if I am out for the fellowship of other like minded people who enjoy the scenery and energy of hiking, bring it on. The more the merrier.”

“Sandyann, no, I hiked my own hike and everyone else did also, I hiked with my 4 best TT buds didn't see all the others till camp.

I did have to sit too far away from the campfire for my liking. Actually all of the Ocala hikes were really big (something about the northern hikers being down in FL in Feb.) Nope I loved them.

I was also at the Ithica NY car camping waterfall hike that had so many hikers and family we had to have 2 campfires. But that's car camping and it was great.”

“ask the organizer to consider cutting it off. remind them that anything much more than 10 is risking a very non-lnt group, and that there may not be campsites big enough”

“Iffin you're looking for "A TRUE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE"...then GO SOLO!

If ya ask me anymore than two is a party and that ain't always bad...but neither is going solo.”

“for a true wildnerss experiencee.... go solo, naked, and take nothing with you. eat and use only what you find out there”

“Okay what he said then!”

“Just start calling them and asking if anyone else is bringing a gun besides you.”

“That just might work!”

“I think it really depends with who you're hiking too.
Could be 2, 3 or 20...if they chemistry isn't there two are too many.

I hiked with a very large group before and it was great, and I hiked with another large group before and I felt out of place. It really depends.”

“Usually the group spreads out so the only time you have to play nice is during breaks and camp.

I second Gem's comment.”

“I'm definately in the small group/solo catagory - prefer less than six will bail if trip goes too high or if it looks like the wrong mix.”

“any trip with sticks is one too many

:-P”

“Yep, it all depends.

Once you need your own zip code, I dunno...”

“Don't you back out of the trip. If the people bug you, then be so obnoxious THEY back out.

I certainly wouldn't bail out of a trip to the Sierras I'd been planning for months.”

“Depends on the group.”

“I guess I will just have to see how it goes. Too much planning and logistics already. Maybe I will take the iPod.”

“umm... to me ipods and cell phones = bad wilderness experience. But to each their own.”

“Interesting - I can't see how an ipod could ruin anyones experience since only the wearer can hear it. However, listening to the incessant chatter of 12 people will certainly ruin it as will a cell phone.”