I’m planning a trip for the summer (hopefully) to climb mount fitzwilliam. its about 3000 meters short. i’ve never tried this before but i’m going to be as well prepared, as i can be physically and mentally. and with a guide. It’s a difficult hike. but this is no small feet. So any advise from those who’ve attempted to summit a mountain. would be helpful.
p.s. there shouldn’t be so much snow when i hike up there.
Did you say “hike”? I only ask, because in the picture, I don’t see any “hike”, I only see dizzying vertical climb that makes me think “oh god, oh god, we’re all gonna die”.
I’ll come with you next time… just make sure you pick ones with elevators.
but at least there’s very little chance of exploding
To me right now anything you do with one foot in front of the other is a hike, starting my rock climbing courses next week. besides it looks a lot friendlier without the snow and ice, which should be mostly gone when I make my attempt… gulp :eek:
…this, from someone who has a skull-&-bones for an avatar… heheh :eek:
I’m with you on this one. I’m sure it’ll be a rush though and who knows maybe you’ll love it so much one day you will stand on the top of the world, Mt. Everest.
Sure.
#1 it’s hard to breath at elevations over 9,000 feet (especially when you lived most your life at sea level. 3,000 probably won’t be bad. Are you in good shape?
#2 Try to avoid the ones where people shoot at you because that means a lot of running up or down the mountain. Probably not an issue where you are climbing.
You’re climbing a mountain of your own free will? I have no advice for you then. I don’t like even looking at mountains. They make my bones ache—I snapped my ankle on one after blowing up a Bouncing Betty. Honestly, I’ve never seen the attraction of climbing a mountain, but, sincerely, the best of luck to ya! Let us know how it goes.
Do you run, hike and other wise exercise a great deal. Even walking about a steep slope can do you in. Get the heart ready and be in good condition before going up a mountain. Oh and the next day be sure to keep walking. My husband and I made the mistake after walking down a few hundred stares and then walking through cave back toward the top with steep slopes to drive home the next day. The first time we got out of the car we could hardly straiten our legs.
Good luck.
Nickname Boomer -questions
1- Is this a technical climb (with ropes and gear) or rock climbing or a hike (walking) ?
2- 3000 meters right? (To us metriclly challenged = 9,900 ft)
I’ve done some high altitude hiking in Nepal, but no climbing or rock climbing.
My advice is to get your cardio stamina as strong as you can beforehand. If it’s a hike, then it’s best to simply walk up and down hills - a lot!
There’s no predicting how you will react to the altitude, but you will definitely be feeling its effects at 9000 ft.
A few… 
Run…lots, and if you can, run up hills. Take some time before-hand to adjust to the altitude. From Florida, I have gotten altitude sickness, it is awful, avoid it at all costs. Have a group, be safe, but most importantly be mentally ready. As long as you are in decent shape, the only thing that will hold you back is yourself.
OK, technical climbs are (mostly) out of my expereince, but my advice still applies.
Here on the east coast we have the Presidentials of the Northern Appellation Trail. In my youth I climbed many of them. I think I’ve hiked Mt. Washington 4 or 5 times by now. Also climbed in the Seara-Nevadas once, which is probably more like what you’re climbing.
Anyway, from what I gather about the hike here (and what they’re talking about is a hiking trail, not rock climbing), it’s possible that it isn’t as scary as it looks.
(What concerns me is that you’re taking rock climbing lessons, so you may not be taking the route they’re writing about.)
If this is indeed just a “Moderate” hike (see the last paragraph under hiking here), there could be some hands and feet scampering over some steep rocky/rooty parts (beware leaning back too far, your pack’ll topple you backwards), but more tramping up moderate inclines on switchbacks and ridge lines. Not much danger to fear besides fatigue and slipping on the ever present loose rubble.
Oh, and Grizzlies. (Don’t forget to make lots of noise.)
So, some general stuff about hiking:
The weight of your pack should be primarily on your waist strap, not your shoulders.
Wear layers. Be prepared for warmer and colder than you think.
Blisters suck! Get good hiking boots and break them in early and often.
Wear thick socks.
Bring moleskin to cover baby blisters before they become monsters.
And wet socks make blisters. Bring extra socks.
Don’t forget to hydrate. Running water trail side is usually very drinkable, and delicious.
Finding the perfect hiking stick is part of the fun. Do this before exiting the treeline. It gets the first notch once you’re back at base camp.
And look around. It’s beautiful. And it smells good too.
That’s just a sampling…
Boxy, did I leave out anything important?
I would actually recommend a thin pair of “liner socks” then on top of that a thick pair of wool socks. Also most water should be purified, it dosent have to, but its usually a good idea to clean it. A hiking stick isnt nessicary, and some don’t like them. Blisters suck, Very, very much.
I’ve hiked Mt Washington too, a long time ago. About two months too early in the season…ice, swollen rivers, thick snow…wearing sneakers.
Do not wear sneakers. As was said, get good quality hiking boots and BREAK THEM IN well beforehand.
Don’t forget some compact, high-carb snacks/food (granola bars, ‘trail mix’, etc) to keep you running.
Research the mountain well and make sure you are taking a trail that is within your limits!
And since I’m always reading about people who fail to do this and get themselves in deep: Make a hiking plan, and give it to someone you know who is NOT on the hike. Set an overdue time/date so they know when to start worrying. Bring a cellphone with a fully charged battery. (Yeah, this is disaster-insurance thinking, but a little planning ahead means not having to gnaw your own trapped-in-a-crevice arm off later!!)
Agreed on all points. Forgot to mention the double socks. Key.
Usually you can ask about the water at base huts. Maybe it’s an east coast thing, but we always had clean water on the trail, but better safe than parasity…
And yes, walking sticks can be a pain in the (sorry Barb), especially when both hands are needed, but if used properly they can test for loose footings and support you mid slip. I didn’t bring mine on all hikes, but that gnarly, barkless at the top staff I had, I notched even if it didn’t make the trip with me. It was a nice memento/conversation starter. (drilling through the top and running some nylon or leather chord through like a ski pole allows you to let it drag if you need your fingers)