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From Wd

Summing Up

Dan:

"I’ve now finished the camping trip through national parks, and I have waited for the comfort of a hotel room in Las Vegas to update the site with a few pictures. Our tents are now 500 miles away.

"The camping trip had 13 folk, largely from the UK. It was a diverse set of people, and a wonder that we all got on. After initial fears of camping in the rain and mud, it turned out better organised than cub camp, and even the food cooked in groups of three was better than Citigroup canteen.

"Naturally, I was not involved in such menial chores as cooking since I was (self) appointed as Assistant to the Leader! And to think I didn’t even know how to pronounce Yosemite before I arrived! (That was embarrassing.)"

Jinny:

I was best prepared for Grand Canyon (all those warnings of death, I think) and it was personally the most rewarding hike though not the best views (at least not until you get to the end-point). Kept my pace for all hikes and in general thoroughly enjoyed all activity. Even the stormy Monument Valley ride was thrilling. Hiking is the only outdoor activity I truly enjoy and I wish to someday become a serious hiker and conquer some difficult mountains. Most of the camping was in cool or cold weather and my whining notwithstanding, that's just how I like it. It adds a little something to the whole adventure. Plus I can't stand hot weather. (My friends wonder why, since I grew up in a tropical country. I guess I got de-tropicalized somewhere along the way!). I do wish I had hiked a bit more, but then that is best done by staying in one place and then I would not get to see so many places. Well then, if I want it all, I'll just have to find a way, won't I?!?

During this trip, my feet felt just fine (layers of socks, boots, gaiters), but my hands were abused like never before. My inner gloves got wet easily and all that work to set up and bring down tent, pack and unpack in cold weather did a number on them. After a few days they felt like dry leather most of the time (the hands that is). I was quite generous with the body lotions and moisturizers due to the cold and used sun block as well. Nevertheless, Nat and I decided that after the trip we needed a major spa visit as well as detox for all the over-eating. This was no organic food trip.

I am still a beginner at this stuff, but I did learn some valuable lessons on this trip. If you decide to go on a serious hiking trip, you don't need to read on. You already know what to do. For those like to dream they will do these trips some day: know that the weather can change dramatically from place to place and often in the exact same place over a few hours. We went through snow, rain, high winds, hot sun, sub-zero as well as pleasant weather in this trip.

• As Jeff says, "Take good care of your feet and they will take good care of you." (Actually, I am not sure those are his words, but they sound good, maybe I should take the credit instead.) In my case I should have taken better care of my hands as well.

• Take thin manageable layers of clothes instead of bulky clothing (unless you are hiking in minus 25, in which case why are you still reading my blog, don't you have better stories to tell me?).

• If there's one thing you need to remember about dressing up, it's layers, layers, layers—chiefly so you can de-layer easily and put things away when you warm up. It is worth spending the extra $ to buy clothing items from specialty stores. They also happen to look good on you.

• Discipline yourself about drinking LOTS of water well before you start the trip. It should become a habit before you leave home.

• Being shy about peeing out in the open is not an option.

• Stay with people—except when you are peeing of course, that is best done in private, the wilderness of it all notwithstanding—don't take unnecessary risks. It's not worth it.

• Take as many stops as you like on hikes, don't let anybody pressure you to go faster than you can. I read in the Grand Canyon that if you can talk normally while you hike, you are doing fine. But don't go slow enough to lose the adrenaline.

• Start early to lose the crowds (and avoid the sun).

• Learn how to stay dry in wet weather.

• Don't let your body overheat or overcool at anytime.
• And if you do well, come back and tell me how it went!

As for Vegas, it is the first time I went to a place known for gambling and had fun without gambling at all! It was a touristy trip, other than the show I just walked around and took pictures. Now I can say I have been to Vegas. Do I want to go back there? For the shows, definitely yes; otherwise not really.