Off-trail hiking

Post Reply New Topic

In a little over three weeks, I'll be attempting my first off-trail hike in the Great Smoky Mountains,ascending to the summit of Mt. LeConte via one the streams that drain from its slopes. It's going to be a very challenging pursuit, but a rewarding one, I'm sure, if I'm successful.

I was wondering if anyone else in this forum has tried off-trail hiking. If so, I would love to hear from them.

Hiking in the mountains is my favorite thing in the world. I mostly hike in British Columbia in the summer. The Selkirk Mountains, the Rocky Mountains, that area, but I've hiked in Arizona as well, and a few other places. Mostly I hike on trail, but sometimes I go off trail. Sometimes there's an easy route where there's no actual trail. Some of my most fun hikes have been (for me) very difficult off-trail hikes.

However, I almost never hike alone, and when I do hike alone I stay in very familiar and very easy terrain. Since none of my friends hike, this means I go to hiking lodges where guides are provided as part of the package, or I hire a private guide. I prefer a private guide because then we hike at my pace, so I often hire a private guide even at a lodge. Hiking alone is more dangerous than hiking with other people because if something goes wrong (twisted ankle, e.g.) you've got help. But I know that some people really find inner peace hiking alone.

I presume you know what you are doing and are properly prepared for your hike. I hope you enjoy it as much as I think you will. The mountains are so soothing, so calming, and the exercise is so much fun.

P.S. My avatar is a picture of me on a steep slope with fixed ropes. There's some exposure, which makes it scary, but it's loads of fun. Most of the hike is trail, but this one section is just a route with ropes fixed in place.

I have, but only with others. Specifically others who are on a volunteer search and rescue team. I don't think I'd try it otherwise.

My reasoning goes something like this:
-It is better to get injured in the middle of nowhere with people who already have the right medical equipment in their packs
-It is better to get injured in the middle of nowhere with people who will carry you out and know the right way to do so
-If you don't know the area intimately, it is better to get stranded by a storm in the middle of nowhere with someone who already knows where to safely retreat to and knows all the shortcuts out
-If it's a snowy landscape or otherwise difficult landscape, it is better to go out to the middle of nowhere with someone who already is familiar with whatever landmarks are available, because waiting for sunset or sunrise when you're thirsty or injured or lacking food or whatever just doesn't sound like fun

That's a great photo, daniel1948. I've done most of my trail hiking alone, I must admit. Since I started, I just haven't had the chance to meet many people to hike with. Last year, I became acquainted with a woman who lives in North Carolina who has over 30 years of bushwhacking experience. I've did a short bushwhack with her when I was down in November.



BetwixtBetween, following a creek bed I don't have to worry about navigation, so I won't get lost. Could I get injured. Sure, that's a risk. Unfortunately, my friend won't be available to hike with me that week. I probably won't get back until September, so I'm going to go ahead and tackle the challenge alone. I'm very fit, prepared, and have acquired quite a bit of knowledge about off-trail hiking and the region in which I'll be hiking. I'm willing to accept the risks.

I'm very fortunate that in my old age I can afford to hire a guide. Added benefits (in addition to simply having someone along in case of emergencies) are that: The guide knows the region and can select the trails/routes that best fit the kind of hiking I want to do and the distances and elevation gain I want; the guide is trained in first-aid and emergency procedures; the guide carries emergency gear so that I only have to carry my own day pack with food, clothing, and water; the guide is always more fit than I am so I can set the pace.

It's always good to have someone along for added security, but I do run into a lot of hikers who hike solo like myself. My off-trail hiking friend frequently bushwhacks alone. She's a very independent sort.

Once, on a geology field trip, we the students were supposed to take a trail to the top of the mountain, but the TAs decided this would take too much time, so instead we were forced to walk/climb up the side of the mountain without the switchbacks. It was difficult, and I thought I was going to fall off the side, and also it was the hardest to breath I ever felt, and also my legs hurt more than ever before or since. This is not nearly as advanced as summiting a mountain up a stream in the smokies, but it was an interesting eggsperience.

Last November, I started up a pretty steep ridge with my friend after going up a fairly easy man way. We were on our way to Mt. Cammerer (about 5000 feet). Unfortunately we didn't get too far before my hiking partner suffered an injury (dislocated knee) and we had to abandon the effort. It did give me a taste for just how hard off-trail hiking can be. It was a matter of grabbing at brush, logs, etc. while crawling and digging in your feet. (There was snow so we had microspikes on our boots.) My calves were so tight, they felt like they were about to cramp up a few times.

Well, I completed my first off-trail hike to the summit of Mt. LeConte last Monday. It was quite a challenging experience and has me hooked on bushwhacking.

What did you use to whack the bushes?