Extreme hikes

[Dave]

Hi everyone,

I have enjoyed the conversation on this board and have learned several things
from the hikers who frequent it. Here is a question regarding "extreme" hiking:

For 2012, I'm planning a day hike from Half Dome to El Capitan. Has anyone done this
hike? Also, is there any way to find out if there are any original hikes (ones that nobody
else has done) left?

I would hate to plan a hike, thinking that it was going to be something different, only
to find out that it had been done by everybody with a pack on their backs. Maybe there
is a place to read about some of the non-traditional hikes that may have been done and
how fast they were done, etc.

Thank you for your time. Dave

[balzaccom]

Hi Dave

These hikes are only limited by your imagination and physical ability. I don't think that many of us on these boards consider backpacking a competitive sport, but there are certainly hikes you can do that haven't been done before. That's not to say that nobody's ever been there, just that nobody has done that particular hike that particular way. Some would argue that you can never hike the same hike twice!

So if you are looking for information about any of the trails, or access to areas, this is a good place to get that information. The people here have hiked just about every trail in yosemite, and a lot of places where there are no trails.

But if you want to create some kind of world record hike by picking out an itinerary and hiking fast...I don't think you'll get many competitors here.

[Grzldvt]

To answer your first question about Half Dome to El Capitan, your elevation gains and losses are pretty severe. You need to plan on pretty much running the entire route to make it in a single day. That could be difficult as you are hitting two of the most popular trails off the valley floor, so they can get crowded, and that will slow you down. That is assuming you start and finish on the Valley Floor. A little more information would be helpful. Start, Finish locations, pace per mile that you normally run at, hydration/food plan, etc.
I have done a number of what some would consider "extreme" hikes.
As far as doing something no one has done before, good luck, I myself have hit every trail in the park, and have done multiple cross country trips, and have camping places that people have no clue even exist(I am a no impact camper, no fires, etc and you would never know I was even there and I keep those locations to myself so they don't get overrun)

[Dave]

Guys, thanks for your replys.

There is a hidden agenda at work here. I dabble in freelance writing and am hoping
to write a story about a hike that a newspaper or outdoor magazine might be interested
in. It has to be something that will grab the readers attention, so another story about the
Mist Trail won't cut it.

The plan is to start and end at Curry Village, doing Half Dome first (I've done it RT in
7 hours) and then going to see the Captain. Without a doubt, this has been done before,
so other spots might have to be included.

Also, there is a credibility issue at work here. I don't want to promote something as "unique"
or "extreme", only to end up eating those words.

This would be a solo hike, with nothing left behind but footprints. All food, water, etc. would
be in the pack.

Thanks again for your responses and have a safe and enjoyable time on the trails.
Dave

[AlmostThere]

I'm having a little trouble understanding the route you are planning.

You want to hike the most popular trails in the park and yet you want to do something unique. That sounds like a contradiction to me....

I'm also questioning what kind of shape you are in to want to do that kind of hiking - Half Dome is a 14 mile round trip and to also turn around and do El Cap from Curry, figure in another 24 miles or so, for a grand total of 38 miles with something like 10,000 feet of cumulative gain by the time you are done.

So really you are intending to RUN this route, or hike really fast (it takes a hardy and experienced hiker to do 3-4 mph on trails like these) for at least half the time for 24 hours, in order to get it done in a day. I've had people want to go on strenuous hikes with me before and they will quote HD as proof that they can do it. HD does not impress me much. I don't count it as a credential for hiking prowess unless you can also tell me you did it in 7 hours without blisters, sore muscles, dehydrating, or suffering in any way. People who have done HD six months ago and have not hiked since do not necessarily have what it takes to do the 10 miler I am planning - they frequently can't.

I hike weekly and usually something strenuous... I've done 24 miles with 8,000 feet of cumulative gain in 22 hours with 8 hours of sleep sandwiched in, carrying a backpack, not a day pack. I don't consider myself extreme - I am conditioned to hike all day, and I still refuse to do things I do not feel I am ready or able to do, or that just seem to be more effort than it's worth. I would not do what you are describing for two reasons: it's been done to death, as has any hike out of Yosemite Valley. And it's just pointless to me. It makes no sense. It may sound like some grand accomplishment to people who don't hike much (I'm sure it does, in fact, since so many newbie hikers and non hikers I've met also think of HD as some great accomplishment, which it is a nice view and so on, but PLEASE, everyone does it) but the truth is, it's just someone exercising on the trail. 38 miles? Did you enjoy them? Did you take pictures? Did you see any wild animals or flowers? Enjoy the views?

I guess I am not in your demographic - the article you are expecting to write would have me rolling my eyes and putting the magazine back. Hiking and backpacking is in my view not about such accomplishments. It is a personal journey and I enjoy reading about other people's journeys. You may feel accomplished coming off the trail but it's not the sort of thing where you get a medal or prove yourself better or faster than anyone else. You're really only able to measure your journey against other things you have done - I feel it's been a successful hike when I am feeling as able and ready to hike the miles coming off the trip as when I started, AND, I was able to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the wilderness without being cold, hot, tired, hungry or sore.

Of course, your goals definitely vary, as everyone's will. Hike Your Own Hike. But I thought I would give you a few thoughts I had upon reading your posts, as a potential audience for the article in question.

You also have me thinking I want to write my own article - about why I feel like rolling my eyes when someone publishes an article about "first woman to hike [some long trail]" or "I ran the JMT in five days." Just to find a way to represent those of us who love backpacking and hiking for non athletic reasons.

[balzaccom]

Or as we say on our website: Sure, you can hike the John Muir Trail in six days. But you'll have to do a lot of that at night, when you won't see anything at all. It's a bit like having sex as fast as you can....it kinda misses the point.

[Dave]

I was hoping this forum would provide some feedback about the subject of extreme
hiking, and it certainly has. Thanks to all who have chimed in.

I only get to experience Yosemite once/year, if that, so I try to squeeze in as much action as
possible during that one visit. Speed hiking is a good way to push ones own limits, but also
might cause the hiker to miss some of the fabulous sights and sounds that bring people to
Yosemite in the first place. Perhaps doing one monster hike, followed by a couple of the
slow and steady variety would provide the best of all worlds.

[orion]

fart in your hand and sniff it. go write that story: that is what you and your audience is looking for.

[balzaccom]

It would seem that you have already done that for him.

No need to be ugly about this. There's enough ugliness in the world that we don't need more of it here.

[AlmostThere]

I would prefer to see an article on how to actually enjoy hiking safely than another one demonstrating how to do it wrong... but it doesn't sound like the article will be written by a hiker, so.

Yosemite SAR does multiple callouts per day already. Please don't encourage the tourists to follow suit. I know of three cardiac events on the trails this past year, and don't doubt there were others.

[orion]

the wilderness is not some obstalce course, unless of course you are merely reflecting upon yourself and grandstanding for the sake of others. "extreme" whatever is the ugliness intruding upon the wilderness, no need to bring it there. no need to bring it here.

[Grzldvt]

I have to go along with the others, writing up extreme hikes can be risky as you are potentially sending people on a hike that they think they can do, but in no way shape or form are they actually capable of doing.
I had someone in his mid sixties contact me about he and his wife wanting to do Half Dome. They are both about 30-40lbs overweight but have been working it off doing walks and local short hikes. I told him that was not good enough, that he needs to get out and get at least 10 miles in a local park that has some serious hills in it(Henry Coe) I spent hours with him, getting him prepared with the sheer logistics.
I warned him that HD is one of the most strenuous hikes in the park and he better do a couple of practice hikes before attempting the real thing. I was very concerned about someone at that age in that physical condition having a serious cardiac event, that may have proven to be fatal.
He came back to me after doing his first practice hike, and told me it was one of the most difficult things he and his wife have ever done, and they got just beyond Nevada Falls. Second practice hike, 3 weeks later got them as far as the junction. Wife bailed on the idea and he tried one more time, 4 weeks later and got as far as the cables and backed down due to the angle and heights.
This is your potential audience, boomers that think they still have the physical prowess to accomplish the same thing they could do 40 years a go. You need to make sure they are aware of the difficulties encountered.
While I don't necessarily agree that extreme hiking has no place, it is something that has to be done with a lot of disclaimers and up front discussions about the difficulties of the particular trails taken and the need to be in excellent physical shape.

I do a run every October, Toulumne Meadows to Cathedral Pass, over the top of Clouds Rest and down to the Valley floor. I think it is approximately 27 miles. We start at 9 Am and finish up around 5-6PM. I also do one from Mono Pass to the top of Koip Peak and back, or up Lyell Canyon out to Vogelsang Pass and down Rafferty as part of my fall marathon training. No way could my friend accomplish these, but he wanted to try.
Having said all of that it also depends on where you get published. Places like Runners World, or ultraRunning you would be fine, the audience understands the risks and the need to be in physical shape. Backpackers magazine, not so much. I can't even begin to tell you how many overweight and out of shape people I see on the trails that scare me to death. Talking to them they saw the trip in Backpacker's magazine and wanted to try it. Scary stuff...
Plus and take this in the spirit it was meant to be, your knowledge of the park seems very limited. The two places you mentioned are probably the worst places in the park to try this.
I would suggest you do research on trail running in Yosemite(hint - irunfar.com) and look at those articles and the audience they are geared towards.

[AlmostThere]

You're not talking extreme, by the way. You aren't using a hiker's standards.

You don't get the extreme title from me until you have dayhiked the California 14ers - that is, all the peaks over 14,000 feet. Try 9,000 feet over 30 miles on for size. Mix in extreme elevation. Repeat 15 times. Do multiple 14ers in a single day. Throw in class 2 -3 segments. Plus, you have to drive to and from the trailhead the same day from home. Then you can claim it's extreme.

And yes, people do that. Think you need to have a different perspective on this hiking thing - there are people who hike, and there are hikers who make a lifestyle out of it, going out every week, every month, year round, wearing through multiple pairs of shoes in a year. Extreme is a bar that moves along the scale of easy to strenuous to extreme, and what's extreme for you is nothing to some hikers who drive, hike 30 miles with extreme gain, get back to the car and drive home. I can name two hikers who do this - you can do your own research, I found their websites while doing mine, looking for hikes I haven't done yet.

[Dave]

A couple things....

Calling a particular hike "extreme" might be a bad choice. The word will mean different things to different people. Point taken.

As far as promoting such a long hike - that wouldn't be the point of such a written story. Each reader will make their own call about attempting such a thing. We've all read stories about bunjee jumping or climbing mountains, and we all decided if these things were our
cup of tea. Besides, I couldn't promote something that I was unable to do, and that might be the case with a hike this long. I can't wait to find out though.

[Grzldvt]

A couple things....

Calling a particular hike "extreme" might be a bad choice. The word will mean different things to different people. Point taken.

As far as promoting such a long hike - that wouldn't be the point of such a written story. Each reader will make their own call about attempting such a thing. We've all read stories about bunjee jumping or climbing mountains, and we all decided if these things were our
cup of tea. Besides, I couldn't promote something that I was unable to do, and that might be the case with a hike this long. I can't wait to find out though.

Exactly, calling any hike extreme is up to the individual. I could give a crap what one person thinks is extreme over another. Means absolutely nothing to me. My point, is you have to prepare your audience for the difficulties of taking a particular hike if it is beyond the capabilities of the "normal" hiker. I don't do my "hikes" to impress other people, I do it because I enjoy it, as torturous as some of them can be. With the exception of a couple I do in Death Valley, mine, in Yosemite, are all done in one day, including a 4 hour drive to the park, and a 4-5 hour drive home, so F'ing what, for me it is all part of the day.
A good friend of mine lives in Napa, we meet in the Bishop and do a 35-40 miler in preparation, as pacers, for another friend of ours that manages to get into Western States(100 mile run from Squaw Valley to Auburn), almost every year. It is more than just the run, it is the camaraderie, the enjoyment of each others company sitting around a campfire at the end of the day, or yukking it up with a few beers outside the hotel room enjoying a balmy evening. Did he spend the next 10 hours driving home, no, was it an extreme hike, maybe, 99% of the people in this world could not do it.
So you have intrigued me. If you decide to do something in the park that does not involve the Valley, let me know, I would be willing to accompany you. You can PM me, or use this post.