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ladyscarlett
Trad climber
SF Bay Area, California
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Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 19, 2015 - 09:19pm PT
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Well Folks, I know I'm gunna die...
but you guys still hold a vast wealth of experience and laugh-worthy lessons that a n00btastic Newbie like myself still needs to hear/read.
Looks like I'll be going solo adventure style this weekend, and although this is not my first time, I realize that my choices as a loner traveller into the Great Mountain Spaces are not the same as when I'm with The Crew. I look at different factors, asses situations differently and this doesn't even get to the climbing bit! From where I park, what I bring to eat, how much coffee to bring, all these bits are different when I go solo. Mostly due to personal preference, safety, comfort level, and adventure goal. I've learned a few lessons. Like where I'd camp alone is different than where I'd camp when with a climbing crew. How to make coffee in the back of my car (this configuration only allows one person inside the car, but it works!), and how a long drive is different when there's no one to help do half the driving.
And yet, I still know so little...!!
What are some tricks and tips you have for going Out There with your bad ass self? Do you go harder with no one around to scold you into some semblance of reasonable behavior? Do you end up being more conservative because the lack of shared resources that comes with companions?
I'll bet that y'all leave the guidebook at home when you're going out alone to a new place! ;)
Thanks for the shares all!
Cheers
LS
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Rick Vena
climber
SF,CA
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Aug 19, 2015 - 09:24pm PT
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I'm sure you may already do this but, make sure to tell someone where you are going and what your itinerary is.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Aug 19, 2015 - 09:29pm PT
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I now tend to wander off the plan more and am a bit lazier when alone. There were times when young I was alot faster alone. Regarding risks I don't do things differently. Have always been pretty strict about risk management ..I have no interest in getting injured solo or with partners. being in the mountains solo is something everyone should do occasionally. It's a whole different experience. I always find myself taking in and appreciating the environment itself much more deeply.
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T.J.
climber
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Aug 19, 2015 - 09:35pm PT
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I like solo adventures from time to time. I suppose a list is helpful without a second to bounce ideas,follow the previous post but more importantly, allow space for the reason you are going solo in the first place. The goal may be more fluid than with a partner.
Good luck! And get back with us!
Have fun!!
Cheers!
T.J.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Aug 19, 2015 - 09:40pm PT
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sounds like good fun.
do not loose the argument with yourself.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Aug 19, 2015 - 09:48pm PT
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Time Stretches when going lone.
[Click to View YouTube Video]
Solo FA - No Bolt Insurance 5.8ish
mtnyoung, found these gems in your acct. sweet shots, thx!
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susu
Trad climber
East Bay, CA
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Aug 19, 2015 - 09:54pm PT
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No dying yet. Have fun only.You get to do whatever you want whenever you want within means, so enjoy. So curious what you are considering doing.... solo aid, minitrrax, bouldering or maybe just hiking or....? Yes let at least a few people know where you plan to go and when you plan to be back.
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couchmaster
climber
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Aug 19, 2015 - 10:03pm PT
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Wow, just got my plans changed moments ago from doing a solo on a new route to getting invited to do a fa with some good dudes. So, on the solo thing, I do that on occasions. Love it. Having a backup plan, as noted above, by giving a competent partner the coordinates and the time you will return, with detailed instructions of what to do: is good advice. If you choose to change plans, make sure you leave a note on your car or someplace. The sheriff will be into your vehicle in short order after he/she pops the lock, you can leave it there. I use to head out and no one would know where I was. No one. No phone, no nutin. But I have loved ones who changed my mind about doing that. That and having an Aron Ralston moment on a cliff with a boulder trapping my leg while cleaning. Got lucky on that one as it went from bad to worse with a series of unexpected BS. (long story but the short version, I lived)
As I'm old - but still mostly competent, I am often the dude to keep both the secret spot secret and at the same time the dude who is charged with the body recovery task by my friends. What I do is put it on the Microsoft office calendar to check in. Ifn I don't hear back at the agreed time, I call you and if I cannot connect: drop everything and come a running. This can be both the suckist thing you ever do, but also the most rewarding. So pick that person(s) you want to lay this terrible burden on carefully, they may in fact be able to save your life if they have enough info, knowledge and personal juice. Or not. But make sure you don't screw them out of the info you need to toss over their way. They can come up with the personal juice themselves. Or knott.
The other bit of advice is this: have fun. I'm not joking, that's what it's about. That can get lost in the massive amounts of gear and the stress of the games we play, and it is even worse when we go out solo, but it's really the root of what we want, so play to that.
Lastly: go with your gut. If you don't want to do it, (ie, soloing up a new cliff with loose rock in the middle of nowhere, or walking a path being stalked by a cougar and you are concerned cause the hair is standing up on your neck) then don't push it. Follow your heart and your instincts.
And have fun:-)
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johnboy
Trad climber
Can't get here from there
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Aug 19, 2015 - 10:03pm PT
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When solo roped climbing I stay in a comfort zone well below my limit. Getting there and coming back I'm terrible about keeping up any pace. I tend to look over one to many ridges checking out every vantage point, looking down every draw, making sure I get the most value per mile. Even on day trips I pack a stove and water and find a nice secluded place to sit back and enjoy a cup. I figure in this snail pace when given out my be back time.
Your on your own time, enjoy it to the fullest.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Aug 19, 2015 - 10:18pm PT
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start with a relatively easy adventure around some familiar ground
as you get more used to being solo, you can start to amp up the adventure, and also move off to less familiar and eventually unfamiliar ground
you got a lot of years ahead of you, you don't need to rush the solo adventures too fast.
I love going solo, but there are real risks, even relatively minor injuries become a bigger challenge when you have to deal with them on your own.
Also, maintaining the focus for the usually long hours of a solo adventure takes some time to get used to... having your mind wandering off the task at hand isn't something you want to happen.
have fun
climb safe
report back here!
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ladyscarlett
Trad climber
SF Bay Area, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 19, 2015 - 10:49pm PT
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Oh my Gawd guys...
Telling someone where I'm going and rough estimated time of return didn't even occur to me until I read your responses...
for super realz.
Garsh...! See what I mean about n00btatstic? Seems like I need you guys to keep sharing!
Cheers
LS
ps - susu, I'm thinking of it all except for the solo aid - I don't have the rack for that! heh. But yes to the rest! Gonna see what the clouds tell me and go from there ;)
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Aug 19, 2015 - 10:50pm PT
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Absolutely leave arrival, departure, and route plans with someone and also in your car.
The west is pretty dry now. You'll want to be sure you can find water sources or will be carrying enough water.
If you are going someplace where there is cell phone service, bring your phone and a good backup battery. If there is no cell phone service, and you are going places where it will be really hard to find you, I'd consider renting a Spot personal locator beacon gadget ($34 for a week at http://www.satellitephonesolutions.com/rental/sps-rental-program/sps-spot-rental.htm ).
I know, seems like overkill, but I know someone who didn't do this, sprained his ankle in the backcountry, and triggered a massive missing person search, which was in the wrong place because he had deviated from his original plan.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
climber
/ ne'er–do–well
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Aug 19, 2015 - 11:12pm PT
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Nice little solo there Rob.
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Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
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Aug 19, 2015 - 11:38pm PT
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I prefer the socially irresponsible approach. That way no one even thinks about looking for me. I can follow my whims and fancies without schedule or obligation. My focus stays in the present. That's why I go.
Totally misanthropic,I get it. But that's what I do.
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Aug 19, 2015 - 11:49pm PT
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In the search and rescues that I often read about, where the person left info about where they are going and when to launch a rescue if they haven't been contacted,.....there is often a delay, because the adventurer didn't leave the phone number of WHO to call (which would be the National Park, or the Sheriff of the county where you will be). Direct numbers is best.
911 likely will go to CHP call center in Barstow, and they will take some time to connect your caller to the right agency.
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susu
Trad climber
East Bay, CA
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Aug 20, 2015 - 12:10am PT
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Be able to downclimb if ever soloing. Play Hansel & Gretel games. .. I mean play them better than they did. Don't get too lost. I know you are mighty, but about bite size for a mt. lion, so what are you going to do about that? Or a rattler? Ok, would you like to borrow The Spot? Thing about it... if ever having to rely on one, still prolly wish not to have to... and best to doubt their reliability.
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
I'm James Brown, Bi-atch!
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Aug 20, 2015 - 12:38am PT
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leave the keys in the car so somebody else can enjoy it,
don't write any notes, if you break a femur, the lions will finish the job,
carry a suitable sidearm in case you run into the cartel way down under,
just take shoes, ropes will only slow you down,
smoke weed and get real paranoid, because...
yer gonna die!
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Aug 20, 2015 - 01:08am PT
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What a pure-D difference from the Supreme witch of recent memory you are, LS. It is a matter of class.
Let me urge you not to speed, to take it slow, in fact; and to ride low when cruising to your destinations.
Enjoy your coffee, too.
How is your selfie technique? Got a stick? :0)
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Captain...or Skully
climber
Boise, ID or the fricken Bakken, variously
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Aug 20, 2015 - 04:18am PT
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Some good tips here already....just don't do anything stupid....or if you do, don't cop to it.
I've done a bunch of things alone & I ain't dead yet. ....yet. Have fun!
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Aug 20, 2015 - 04:33am PT
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Solo works okay it's dealing with other people that's hard.
Making coffee/breakfast to watch the sunrise with, then a multi pitch free solo, then a bolt anchor replacement on one of my routes. Then I'll swing by my buddies camp and see if he wants to rope up somewhere.
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