A Cautionary Tale or "Why not to hike mountains in early spring"

[SouthernCross]

I'll second the recommendation of a walking stick :thumbup:

I've found a longer than usual walking stick (7 ft +/- ) comes in real handy when moving down a steep incline.

Glad to see you both stayed safe.


Kind regards
Mick

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Robert: Thanks for chiming in with your own story! Seems you know exactly what I'm talking about!

Mick (and others): We did make use of a simple walking stick that I quickly carved a sturdy handle for after grabbing it from the side of the trail. It proved invaluable crossing back and forth to keep us from taking a spill in the drink, but at the same time was a distinct hindrance at other times where we needed both hands to cling or climb. That being said I don't think things would have gone as well if it weren't for that stick!

And yes, the water bottle holder centers my pack quite nicely. Lauren has a black Lunada (but didn't have it with her) and the experience inspired her to want to assemble her own kit to carry (she hadn't wanted to bother before)! So I guess some good did come out of it!

 

[ilten]

Hi FortyTwoBlades
You don't happen to work in the store in Bar Harbor that sells knives on the right side of the store and jewelry on the left? Don't remember the name right now, but I'll be back in late August/ early September....
ilten

 

[hollowdweller]

Here's sort of an anus gripping tale also

http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/?eid=Articles/1998/12/00-winter_hike97.html

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Hi FortyTwoBlades
You don't happen to work in the store in Bar Harbor that sells knives on the right side of the store and jewelry on the left? Don't remember the name right now, but I'll be back in late August/ early September....
ilten

I do indeed! I'm the guy behind the counter who doesn't wear glasses.

 

[Will Power]

If I were a young man again, I might fancy a trip like that.Exc pix 42Blades, which pack is that exactly you are carrying? looks a really useful day pack. Thanks.

 

[texastonydobbs]

Great pictures ....

 

[ilten]

I do indeed! I'm the guy behind the counter who doesn't wear glasses.

Where you working last September, I guess around the 18th or so? The town was crawling with Germans, as the German cruise ship Aida was in the harbor. I was attending my best friends wedding in Otis, and drove to Bar Harbor one day. The better half was checking out jewelry and I some Spydercos...
Well, see you in September!
ilten

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

If I were a young man again, I might fancy a trip like that.Exc pix 42Blades, which pack is that exactly you are carrying? looks a really useful day pack. Thanks.

It's a Maxpedition Malaga gearslinger with a bottle holder and a few other goody bags tossed on. It's a great rig, and it's amazing just how much you can cram into it!

Where you working last September, I guess around the 18th or so? The town was crawling with Germans, as the German cruise ship Aida was in the harbor. I was attending my best friends wedding in Otis, and drove to Bar Harbor one day. The better half was checking out jewelry and I some Spydercos...
Well, see you in September!
ilten

I've worked at the store (Jekyll & Hyde) for...4 years now! And I tend to do 70-hour work weeks, six days a week, so chances are good I was there! Guess I'll see you then!

 

[beef]

Beautiful pics. But can I suggest bringing rain gear? Even just a couple of cheap ponchos would help keep the cotton clothing dry.

 

[statius]

Hi! Looks like fun. I guess my constructive criticism would be to rethink the clothing choices you made, which I'm sure you know. I think cotton was a horrible choice for where you were (and horrible in general). A twisted ankle and the need to spend the night outside in those wet cotton pants, tops, etc. and you would have had quite a night.

 

[MRpink]

sound like an exciting trip. Heck what is an adventure if you dont take risks.

Sasha

I agree. Looked like a great day out, wish I had more time to hike.

Good pictures by the way.

 

[mdauben]

Great picks, FourtyTwoBlades, thanks for sharing!

I started this thread specifically as a means of showing how things can go wrong both due to improper planning as well as unexpected conditions. Feel free to add constructive criticism--if I was afraid of it I wouldn't have put my mistake up for everyone to see!

I guess my first quesiton would be, what exactly where you carrying in your pack? It kind of sounds like you were not really as prepared for this trip as you might have been. I tend to bring this up whenever daypacks and such are discussed, but I am a big proponent of The Ten Essentials. Many of them are not as sexy as knives or other cool gear, but they can save your life is something goes wrong.

Part way down it started raining again, hard, so I pulled out a space blanket for Lauren to wrap up in (mostly to keep the rain off, not for heat, though it was welcome).

If nothing else, at a time of year when there both rain or snow could happen, and hypothermia is a real danger, rain gear is essential. I never set foot on the trail, without at least an inexpensive poncho tucked in my pack.

Some better hiking clothes for my lady are on the shopping list, for reference.

Definetly! You want to do everything you can to encourage a "keeper" like that and making sure she is comfortable, warm and dry on your treks is key!