Hiking partner's fitness not great

Is your buddy going ultra light? If so, I'd be worried. If not, that could make the difference. Get lighter pack weights, get them down to 15% of his body weight if possible.
Water is a big deal obviously. Are you following water, or will you be carrying lots of water? Go where the water is, and either filter it or, boil it over a fire. I've carried only one bottle of water at a time, when there is a definate water source.
What about trekking poles, they can take about 20% of weight off the legs. Ligher boots can make a huge diff as well.
For me, squats and the stairmaster can make a huge difference in my strenght, speed, and trail longevity.

I'm planning a trip with my brother soon. He is a bit heavy and smokes. We've never gone backpacking together. This trip is for fun, so not too many miles. But, a mechanical injury would be bad, no way I could carry him, he's 300+. My cousin may also go, he is 12 and plays basketball. I just don't know what kind of boots he'd be using. So, I know where your coming from.
You have to find out if he's prepared, and also do so without being the hardass. You might be doing an eaiser trip with this buddy.
 
I did some hiking at Carson pass south of Tahoe last week at around 8,000 feet. Be prepared for snow. They had a bad winter this year. Trail finding was difficult. Have fun and be safe!
 
foxx said:
Is your buddy going ultra light?
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Neither of us is going ultra light, but I have worked to reduce my pack weight. I'll be going with about 35 lbs. Unfortunately, all my efforts to encourage him to reduce his pack weight have met with resistance. He's still carrying 48lbs and thinks that's great because he used to carry 55lbs.

He's just got too much junk in there. But he's stubborn, and I can't seem to convince him that he just doesn't need that extra pair of pants or that 2 man tent.

foxx said:
If so, I'd be worried. If not, that could make the difference. Get lighter pack weights, get them down to 15% of his body weight if possible.
Water is a big deal obviously. Are you following water, or will you be carrying lots of water?
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There's tons of water in the Sierra, so we don't need to carry much. But if we go over this one pass (11,500 feet) then I don't think we'll see water until later in the day. Obviously we'll carry a lot more in that event.

With the amount of snow reported in the high country, I actually expect to find that the pass isn't doable. It could be a real blessing if the pass is blocked with snow, because it gives him an out while saving face.

foxx said:
What about trekking poles, they can take about 20% of weight off the legs. Ligher boots can make a huge diff as well.
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I use trekking poles. I have repeatedly tried to convince my buddy to use them, but he refuses to even consider it.

Basically, he's a stubborn SOB about some of this stuff. It's a big part of my problem. If we get up there and for whatever reason all we can do is find a lake and hang out, I'll be happy with that. But he's so stubborn, that might not sit well with him. Then I'll have an argument on my hands.

Basically, I should have stuck with my original plan of going solo.

foxx said:
For me, squats and the stairmaster can make a huge difference in my strenght, speed, and trail longevity.
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Oh yeah. Squats, lunges, stairmaster, leg presses, leg extensions, running, hiking up and down hills with a 50 lb pack, I've been doing it all.

Guess what he's been doing?

Nada.

I am a bit miffed about it.

foxx said:
I'm planning a trip with my brother soon. He is a bit heavy and smokes. We've never gone backpacking together. This trip is for fun, so not too many miles. But, a mechanical injury would be bad, no way I could carry him, he's 300+. My cousin may also go, he is 12 and plays basketball. I just don't know what kind of boots he'd be using. So, I know where your coming from.
You have to find out if he's prepared, and also do so without being the hardass. You might be doing an eaiser trip with this buddy.
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Well, I'd definitely be okay with an easier trip since that's what I wanted to do in the first place. :D I just wanted to see some of the high country. Most of my backpacking experience is in the relative flats and way down inside the treeline. And almost always solo. In many ways, this trip is going to be a real learning experience for me.

How do people find hiking partners who are well-matched to them, anyway? This has been one of the great mysteries of my life.
 
Detour said:
I did some hiking at Carson pass south of Tahoe last week at around 8,000 feet. Be prepared for snow. They had a bad winter this year. Trail finding was difficult. Have fun and be safe!
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Yeah, last weekend we were in the Sierra at about 6500 feet. Ran into some snow banks, but mostly it was a huge amount of dead fall obscuring the trails, and the trails we could find were soggy and submerged. (Goretex boots were a real plus.) Unfortunately, we had to turn back a day early because we needed to get across a creek, but it was running high and wild and we couldn't find a safe way across. It definitely isn't your average summer in California.
 
Take TWO vehicles. Use whatever excuse you have to but take TWO vehicles. That way, if he should have to cut the hike short, it won't cut your hike short. You may have to help him back to his vehicle but once he's gone you can continue/save your hike.

When I go hunting, that's what everyone in our hunting party does -- take their own vehicle so if someone gets sick/hurt, or has an emergency at home etc., they can leave without screwing up everyone else's time/hunt.

Another thing you can do is instead of planning a 100-mile hike is establish a base camp say 10-miles or so into the Sierras and making day-hikes from the base camp. That way, if your hiking buddy doesn't feel up to it, you can make a day hike while he rests in the base camp. Even if you go with a plan like this take TWO vehicles.

In case your buddy doesn't think to take any, take some over-the-counter pain medication so that there will be something on hand to possibly ease his discomfort in the evenings. Myself, I always have prescription pain pills in my kit whenever I'm out and about -- you just never know.
 
First off stop being miffed about it. Take a breath and relax. :D The best thing you can do IMO is continuously say how much you're working out training for the hike. Hopefully by mentioning it in every email he'll get the hint. If he doesn't then you just need to suck it up and enjoy what time out there you get.

Finding a good hiking partner is a huge PITA. I have the opposite problem as you. I hike slow. Everyone I've hiked with seems to be in a hurry to get to the end.:rolleyes:
 
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It is never easy to find good hiking partners (with "good" I mean that are similar in shape and general philosophy about hiking - including walking speed and uphills and crossing rivers and so on).
That's why it's always a good idea to try a new partner on short hikes and see how it goes.
Quoting De Niro in a movie of some years ago, "whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt".
If u have hiked with this person before, I think u already know if u can do that trail with him or not...altho this might be hard to accept. To me, it's better to hike solo, or not hike at all, than hiking with someone who ruins ur trip.
Personally, I think u should take the subject openly before u start. Hints that might be very clear to u, might not be clear at all for him.
Good luck!
:cool:
 
I've found that hiking with partners is a little like being married:

Rule 1: If your partner is miserable, you'll be miserable. Aggravation sets into complaining, complaining to nagging, nagging to depression, etc...and it spreads. You'll get sick of hearing it and pretty soon your trip will turn into something that Clark Griswold would meltdown over.

Rule 2: A marathon hike is no place to discover to your fitness limitations. He might want to know that. Blisters and sore feet suck. They suck worse when you're as tough as grape jelly.

Rule 3: There is no such thing as 50/50. Both partners should be giving it 100% or it ain't gonna work.
 
late to the party, but I wouldn't hesitate a bit to tell someone they better be getting their butt in shape for an upcoming hike, hell I even tell that to my wife! :eek: :eek:
 
So via email he tells me that he's walking his dogs every night on a circuit that's a couple of miles long and gains a total of 500 feet. He said that he's started to wear his pack when he does that.

That ought to be good enough, if he does it every night.
 
bulgron said:
Basically, he's a stubborn SOB...
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Then you'll just have to let him eat some humble pie. I would suggest the two vehicle idea and I would hike your own hike. I generally go with two of my buddies and only two of us really have the same pace. One of the guys is a faster hiker than us and he either slows his pace or he hikes on ahead and we all eventually meet up for lunch or what not. I can understand your concern, but I would suggest that you decide and make your plans clear before the hike, that way he won't feel like you "left him".
 
I'd just send a friendly reminder to stick to the fitness plan - throw in a story about how hard you are finding it, but that you know you need to do it or something. Reverse psychology.

Then be sure to pack your PLB and some aspirin / other meds for when he ignores all that and has a problem.

You're not his mother, nor are you responsible for his actions or safety. As cold as it sounds, just do what you need to do in order to clear your own conscience, and then pack what tools you need to deal with the aftermath. :/
 
lambertiana said:
How brutally honest can you be with him?
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Over beers some night when you are just relaxed and enjoying the club scenery, just drop the line.....'When I see an old middle age guy bent over and panting, it really gets my rocks on......' ;)
 
i figure that the weakest member of the hiking party is backup food :) plan accordingly...

i've lost a lot of weight, and am far more active than i have been in years, but realize of course, that attempting something like the above, without a training plan, is just plain redonkulous. perhaps that's wisdom. dunno. however, i would cancel a trip myself if i realized my partner was not up to it, or plan an easier trip (or multiple trips), and get them in shape subversively :)
 
Walking is a fine way to slim down te excess weight. Although, walking weighted, depending on the load, is a quick route to a hernia. :) I know from experience (back in kindergarten).. You might also suggest multi-vitamins, as well as a healthier diet.

B2D..
 
bulgron said:
I'm seriously thinking about starting a backpacking club for middle aged people. Think of it as Boy Scouts for old farts. Everyone should meet twice a month throughout the year to discuss their physical fitness routine, and to practice camping skills. Do a weekend trip at least once a quarter all year long. And one good week long outing every summer.

The only problem is finding 3 - 5 other people who are interested and willing to commit the time to do it right.
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I would freakin love it if there was a legitimate Man Scouts group in my area, that had scheduled meets and hikes on a regular basis. Although I do enjoy hiking by myself most of the time, sometimes it's nice to have someone else there to share it with, or to help push you a little harder. Sorry this doesn't really have anything to do with the original topic.
 
I am 65 years old. I know how stubborn us old farts can be, and how we can sometimes refuse to face up to reality. This is no time to beat around the bush. Had you rather hurt his feelings or deal with cardiac arrest in the wilderness? Tell him you are concerned about his fitness level and that you don't think he is ready to go. Bow up and show some tough love.
 
MikeH said:
I am 65 years old. I know how stubborn us old farts can be, and how we can sometimes refuse to face up to reality. This is no time to beat around the bush. Had you rather hurt his feelings or deal with cardiac arrest in the wilderness? Tell him you are concerned about his fitness level and that you don't think he is ready to go. Bow up and show some tough love.
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^THIS^

I hope you have some CPR and other wilderness medical training. It would be a tough thing to explain to his family at his funeral.
 
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