HikeArizona.COM

How are things progressing this year? In keeping with the idea that you are only as good as the numbers you post, I'm up to 61,436' of elevation for the year and a modest 132 miles.

Added August 2019: Looking back 10 years later, I honestly can't think of anything more offensive or unhealthy to say about one's hiking, than the above statement. Thats was my OP in 2009. Hiking should never just be about the stats recorded.

January 31, 2023: Have at it.

Ok, I've stayed off of here because this year sucks for me when it comes to hiking--work work work. Anyway, I have a question: From which data do you guys get your AEGs? Does your particular GPS record it (because as we've seen, that would be highly inaccurate), or do you use a map, or do you use the data on this website? If you use the AEG on this site, then how do you figure out off-trail routes?

I have a GPS but am not very good with it, and I don't think it does AEG anyway. I have always figured a basic elev. gain, start to finish, using a topo map, but of course, if your trail goes up and down a lot then it won't be accurate.

If there is some way to easily keep track of this data I might be interested in trying to record it just for fun, but if it is a pain to learn how I probably wouldn't bother. I think I need a GPS tutor right about now.

i carry a GPS and then upload my track to TOPO software for all my hikes, that's how i get my AEG. the info from the unit alone is usually off by several thousand feet on any difficult hike

Yeah, see, that is what I haven't done yet. I don't have any maps loaded on my GPS yet. So I guess that is where I need to start with this. And, my computer doesn't have a DVD rom.

A couple people I know would be willing to load TOPO or other map program on my GPS for me. Once that is done, would I still need the DVD rom on the computer? I am so dumb about this stuff. Could I still upload the data from my GPS to the computer, and make maps and print them out, without having the DVD/WR, if I have the maps on the GPS??

Also, can you load more than one of those programs onto one Garmin 60cx? Like, TOPO and National Geographic, etc? Or would you use a different card for each program?

For the majority it's the program on your computer that counts. It has the DEM data for proper elevation.

Exception: Somehow rlrjamy runs his routes through a program right on his GPS unit. This is NOT the same program that you view your route live while hiking and gathering data.

I use the map for high/low points, then make note of additional descents along the way, and simply adjust the total gain... since my routes are usely up/down hikes it is pretty easy. On established routes I use the data in the route discription unless it just seems wrong. GPS seems to add 15%+ to the totals so I don't use those figures... on this most recent set of state high point hikes it was all pretty easy: Missouri had a paved trail for the 12' of elevation gain (you could roller skate to the top of their highest peak), Arkansas, the hard part of that 150' climb came from how much wine you drank at the lodge before you started the walk to the top. Lousiana, while the lowest of the three, had the most AEG with a couple hundred feet of climbing to reach that 535' peak.

imike wrote:Missouri had a paved trail for the 12' of elevation gain (you could roller skate to the top of their highest peak), Arkansas, the hard part of that 150' climb came from how much wine you drank at the lodge before you started the walk to the top

I gotta start doing some of these hikes.

I think I finally have an accurate handle on where I will end up this year. I'm currently sitting at 211,140, and I know I won't do anything significant between the 13th of December and the 30th. In the next few weeks I expect to hit Elden once and possibly twice, Humphrey once regardless of it having snow or not, the AB Young is something I would like to do, and then I'll do Morning Glory once more, possibly twice. There is the chance of me taking a trip next weekend, but nothing is set in stone and it might not have much elevation in it, so I'll include a generous yet conservative estimate of 1000 feet. Adding up my expectations I range from 12,540 addition feet at the high end and 9,370' at the low. This gives me an expected final estimate for 2009 of approximately 220510 to 223680. Not bad, I think, and it is more than my last estimate. Weather may be an issue and I could fall short, but I do expect to make it over 220,000' feet this year. I think that is pretty good.

jhodlof wrote:I think that is pretty good.

Eh, it's alright

I just pulled out the calculator and figured that I chalked up about 30,000 feet this year simply climbing the stairs to my 4th floor office everyday. (at least 3 daily ascents).

Does that count?

Only if you had posted a GPS Route on Jan 1st ;)
Offer is null and void for future years, except out of state residents may write their congressman by Dec 15th(not that it'll do any good).

In response to jhodlof:
I think that's FAN TAST IC, stellar, tight, wiki, crunc and juicy!

I have a confession to make. I was horrified to log on and find that after months in the #25 spot, I got bumped over the weekend. With my quick dayhike from Sunday entered, I barely am hanging on to it - but I find myself suddenly compelled to take a day off and log some miles to make my spot more secure. I'm so not the competitive type, either.

This site has changed me. I've become not only a hiking addict, but a competitive hiking addict. My name is Wendy, and I have a hiking problem...

Dr. Vetamadre(english translation...mother lode) is taking new clients for all sorts of afflictions.

Being suddenly struck with photography addiction, it is conflicting with my hiking addition. It's a constant mind game. "If I go to Red Rock Crossing maybe I can get some really cool shots....but that's not going to help me reach 100,000 feet of elevation gain by December 31st, is it?"

Nick caught up to me on elevation

If I get Humphrey 2 more times as planned I'll be over 230,000 for the year. If not, I'll be sitting pretty where I am now. I might not be able get Humphrey later next week, but I still hope get it on the 30th and in the evening/ night for the full moon.

jhodlof wrote:If I get Humphrey 2 more times as planned I'll be over 230,000 for the year. If not, I'll be sitting pretty where I am now. I might not be able get Humphrey later next week, but I still hope get it on the 30th and in the evening/ night for the full moon.

In any other year that would have given you first place... 2009 seems either a new pattern, or an oddity. Great year.

hippiepunkpirate wrote:Nick caught up to me on elevation

if work doesn't kill me first, i'll die trying to make 100k for the year. :bdh:

hippiepunkpirate wrote:Being suddenly struck with photography addiction, it is conflicting with my hiking addition. It's a constant mind game. "If I go to Red Rock Crossing maybe I can get some really cool shots....but that's not going to help me reach 100,000 feet of elevation gain by December 31st, is it?"

Yeah, that'll happen

azpride wrote: hippiepunkpirate wrote:Being suddenly struck with photography addiction, it is conflicting with my hiking addition. It's a constant mind game. "If I go to Red Rock Crossing maybe I can get some really cool shots....but that's not going to help me reach 100,000 feet of elevation gain by December 31st, is it?"



Yeah, that'll happen

it sure will. in the end the hiking addiction always wins for me. until i get hurt again, then i switch back over to photography.

nickfraley wrote:

azpride wrote: hippiepunkpirate wrote:Being suddenly struck with photography addiction, it is conflicting with my hiking addition. It's a constant mind game. "If I go to Red Rock Crossing maybe I can get some really cool shots....but that's not going to help me reach 100,000 feet of elevation gain by December 31st, is it?"



Yeah, that'll happen

it sure will. in the end the hiking addiction always wins for me. until i get hurt again, then i switch back over to photography.

Haha that works, you've got something to look forward to no matter what!