241 replies to this topic

[mwilson]

Maybe Chris can get me out of school, too. I'd love to be there!

[renate1]

John, on 28 February 2010 - 07:04 PM, said:

I'm doing my finger exercises (not the finger Bill007 is always using) so I can dial really fast to get my permit tomorrow morning. I'm asking Renate1 to make a reservation also so we'll have plenty of room on Thursday night. We have 6 already and we may have extras that want to join us.

For Thursday night I have John, Renate1, Hector, Strider, Ben, Phil, JFlo and Son.
For Friday night I have John, JFlo, his son, Hector, and Strider.

Please let me know ASAP if I missed you or you want to be added.

I will be in touch with everyone who is camping about gear, conditioning, departure times, etc.

THIS IS GOING TO BE FUN!!!

Got reservation for the 26th and 27th for 2 tent site. Only 20 minutes to get into system! Yipeeee!

[John]

I've been trying for almost 3 hours! First I get a recorded message saying "please hold and we'll be with you as soon as possible." Then it rings about 20 times, and then turns to a busy signal. Wish me success as I continue to dial!

[renate1]

John, on 01 March 2010 - 10:52 AM, said:

I've been trying for almost 3 hours! First I get a recorded message saying "please hold and we'll be with you as soon as possible." Then it rings about 20 times, and then turns to a busy signal. Wish me success as I continue to dial!

Maybe you should have started your finger exercises earlier! Good luck!

[John]

When you called, when did you get to talk to a live person: 1. after the first rings, 2. after the automated message, or 3. after the second set of rings?

[John]

Well, it worked! I've got a 3 tent site for Aug 26-27 at the Boulderfield PLUS Glacier Gorge 3 nights in June!

[hector]

John, on 01 March 2010 - 11:11 AM, said:

Well, it worked! I've got a 3 tent site for Aug 26-27 at the Boulderfield PLUS Glacier Gorge 3 nights in June!

Woo hoo! Now, to get into shape...

[John]

I am naming Renate1 as co-captain for The Boulderfield support team. She is highly qualified in that she loves Napoleon Dynamite even more than I do (which is saying something) and has gear to lend to our friends in need. Her husband Pedro has volunteered to carry the gear of anybody who gets tired (and to give piggyback rides if necessary). I am taking nominations for other leadership positions. Strider has been nominated for chief pot washer.

[renate1]

John, on 01 March 2010 - 10:49 PM, said:

I am naming Renate1 as co-captain for The Boulderfield support team. She is highly qualified in that she loves Napoleon Dynamite even more than I do (which is saying something) and has gear to lend to our friends in need. Her husband Pedro has volunteered to carry the gear of anybody who gets tired (and to give piggyback rides if necessary). I am taking nominations for other leadership positions. Strider has been nominated for chief pot washer.

Since they will be camping in the Boulderfield as well, I nominate Jflo and son to be in charge of Arts & Crafts to help us pass the time

[Marvman]

Nobody mentioned macrame and beading before. I'm in!

Marvman

[John]

I've been asked about conditioning and want to start people thinking and commenting about this important factor. The best way to train for anything is to do it. In other words, the best way to train for running is to run, for swimming is to swim, etc. So the optimal way to train for hiking to Longs Peak is to hike up and down steep hills on rugged terrain. Start with a mile or two and then gradually increase. Gradual increase is the key to avoiding injury. Dayhikers will walk 15 miles with 5000' of elevation gain. I would recommend working up to where you can walk at least 10-12 miles on the steepest most rugged terrain that you can find in your area. The trail to the Boulderfield is on dirt and gravel and rocks. It is a trail and really no problem for someone in good shape. From camp to the summit involves some sections of stepping and hopping from huge boulder to huge boulder. BALANCE is helpful and this can be practiced best by finding a place with boulders to hop around on. If you don't have an area like this, you can do things like walking on the curb of a street and trying not to fall off. Hopping UP like onto a stool from the floor would help. For indoor training a treadmill on a steep incline can work to get your legs and lungs in shape and machines like a stair stepper will help condition the quads and calves for the uphill. Lunges are a good indoor activity. For those that are going to backpack I recommend starting carrying a pack with 40 pounds in it (work up from 20 pounds gradually) starting about 2 months before the trip. Your shoulders and hips will appreciate the work you do to condition them ahead of time. If a person can walk uphill for 6 miles carrying 40 pounds in a backpack they will be ready to backpack to The Boulderfield. Of course we won't carry packs to the summit. The part that is most difficult to prepare for is the altitude. The better fit you are, the less panting you will do but the air is thin and I pant and my heart races no matter how hard I've worked out ahead of time. The earlier in the week you get to Estes, the better because the more days you spend up high, the more your body will adjust. This is why those who sleep at The Boulderfield will have an advantage over the dayhikers in my opinion. Of course there is a chance a person will get sick at The Boulderfield but the way I see it, if that happens, no way are they making it to the summit anyway. The moment you get to Estes, start drinking water. Plain water. Drink twice as much as normal. Drink until your pee has no yellow tint. Then drink some more. When I backpack in RMNP I often drive to Estes in one day (6500' elevation gain) and the next day hike to 11,000' or more (another 3500' elevation again). I have never gotten sick but I drink buckets of water and think that's why. It's also why I'm well acquainted with privies. :) I do get an altitude headache and for this I take Tylenol Sinus, two tablets, every four hours, until it goes away (usually within a couple of days). Other people can add their thoughts but this will get you started!

Edited by John, 06 March 2010 - 11:00 PM.

[Monica]

Thanks,John!

[renate1]

John, on 06 March 2010 - 09:49 PM, said:

I've been asked about conditioning and want to start people thinking and commenting about this important factor.

John all good suggestions. One I could add although it sounds a little odd is that I've started "crab-walking" down my stairs here and after the weather improves I'm going to try to find some bouldery areas - probably out by a lake nearby to practice longer stretches of that. I can't say enough how much hiking with Sandy O last year helped improve my boulder negotiating skills along with my confidence. Watching a pro such as herself and then following her lead really helped a non mountain goat such as myself.

Edited by renate1, 07 March 2010 - 07:36 AM.

[jflo]

renate1, on 02 March 2010 - 08:12 AM, said:

Since they will be camping in the Boulderfield as well, I nominate Jflo and son to be in charge of Arts & Crafts to help us pass the time

First, we'll make paper snowflakes, then we'll work on our pinewood derby cars to race from the top of Longs... (I'm open to suggestions) I will give a CPR class at the Boulderfield as well so whoever's closest to Bill can correctly administer chest compressions should the need arise...

I nominate John to be the food carrier/chaplain. I REALLY don't want to bring a bear canister!! And, he could lay hands on Bill...

[renate1]

jflo, on 08 March 2010 - 11:14 PM, said:

First, we'll make paper snowflakes, then we'll work on our pinewood derby cars to race from the top of Longs... (I'm open to suggestions) I will give a CPR class at the Boulderfield as well so whoever's closest to Bill can correctly administer chest compressions should the need arise...

I nominate John to be the food carrier/chaplain. I REALLY don't want to bring a bear canister!! And, he could lay hands on Bill...

I also think John should lead a class "Scenery Blocking 101" I can lead a class teaching people to fall in slow motion....a specialty of mine!