Lessons learned the hard way

Wiz · Post by **Wiz** » Dec 04 2002 6:24 am

I thought this might be fun: things we have learned the hard way. Here's a couple to get things rolling:

- Clip your toenails before going down the Grand Canyon.
- Bring a variety of food. Never try a several-day trip with nothing but power bars.
- If your toe feels funny, stop and put on a moleskin before the blister forms. Afterwards is way too late.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Dec 05 2002 8:42 pm

ok...

falcon guidebooks suck
cactus make poor handholds
puncture resistent bike tube is an oxymoron
"Do I look fat?" cannot be answered successfully

olesma · Post by **olesma** » Dec 05 2002 10:45 pm

evenstarx3 wrote:Wile E. Coyote, and it's "I LOVE the way that rolls out."

I have it on video - and it's "I like..." (While he's filling screw-top carots with Nitro Glycerine)

Do not mess with me when it comes to Warner Brother's cartoon quotes - I WILL win. :twisted:

kurthzone · Post by **kurthzone** » Dec 05 2002 11:49 pm

olesma wrote:
...While he's filling screw-top carots with Nitro Glycerine

Just curious, are those ACME screw-top carots?

olesma · Post by **olesma** » Dec 06 2002 11:20 am

Actually - that particular scene doesn't have any ACME products - just a big red jar labled "Nitro Glycerine"

But he does utter one of my all-time favorite phrases:

"GAD! I'm SUCH a genius!"

Wiz · Post by **Wiz** » Dec 06 2002 11:26 am

Who said:
"Are you IN, genius? IN-sufferable? IN-scrutable? IN-..." etc.

jmzblond · Post by **jmzblond** » Dec 07 2002 12:33 am

I have three I just learned today...

ONE... Always double check the seal on your ziploc bag of trail snacks!!

TWO... Denim does not protect you from cactus spines!!

THREE... Always wear your good underwear, even when hiking (you just never know!!)

Abe · Post by **Abe** » Dec 07 2002 5:24 am

1} Always, always, carry a compass.
2} Put fresh socks and your shoes on at the trailhead. I wear my dandy Teva' sandals in route to the trailhead.
3} Rotate a pair of socks everytime you break on the trail. Let the pair you pulled off air dry.

Nighthiker · Post by **Nighthiker** » Dec 07 2002 8:13 am

You can't stare down a rattlesnake, they don't have eyelids.
Stay away from missile silo's and gunnery ranges.
Spending the day with an elk herd annoys hunters.
Spending the day with an elk herd while the bulls are in rut annoys the bulls.
Before entering cliff dwellings, check for bear.
Red ants have toenails.
Do not walk upon a search and rescue team lost in the woods at night.
Do not walk upon a search and rescue team lost in the desert at night.
After reporting finding humain remains, be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time with the law enforcement folks.
The best place to find water in the desert is to take it with you.
If you enjoy nighthiking, don't park in day use areas, some one will report you lost.

Snick33 · Post by **Snick33** » Dec 07 2002 8:24 am

Never call anyone bigger than you "barefoot and stupid"

Remember that Death is natures way of telling you to slow down

Never shake hands with a Dolphin

Never date a women with more than three cats

Always remember to date within your own species

arizonaheat · Post by **arizonaheat** » Dec 07 2002 9:04 am

I also learned three lessons yesterday

1. Always check the seal on your zip lock bag of snacks

2. Denim won't stop cactus spines

3. Blue is usually my favorite color, but yesterday it was PURPLE with lace!!!!!!!!!!! ( I had to hike on
my hands and knees to get to a point where I found this out)

Cakewalk · Post by **Cakewalk** » Dec 07 2002 11:31 am

Lessons learned:

1. Soft sand eats cars

2. Cactus spine induced wounds hurt just as much the second time.

3. If you see an albatross, its likley time for a snack and a sip of water.

jmzblond · Post by **jmzblond** » Dec 07 2002 1:19 pm

Yes, I did read that, and I'm sure that everyone in the group that hiked West Boulder Canyon yesterday has plenty of stories to tell, especially about me!!

Sufice it to say, it was a fun adventure and we all had a really good time!!

jeremy77777 · Post by **jeremy77777** » Dec 07 2002 1:37 pm

-Just because you can hold alot in your pack doesn't mean you should.

-GPS in your friend.

-Dead batteries aren't.

-Don't hike through Usery Park on a 30-mile cross country trip with a loaded fire arm.

-NEVER go down a raod that has a red flag flying and has a sign that reads, "Artillery Training in session when red flag is up".

-Tank shells are loud.

jimmyrio · Post by **jimmyrio** » Dec 07 2002 2:20 pm

1-bring a poncho
2-bring a poncho
3-bring a poncho

and oh yea.....don't forget the poncho

jeremy77777 · Post by **jeremy77777** » Dec 07 2002 4:59 pm

Yeah.

Wiz · Post by **Wiz** » Dec 07 2002 6:44 pm

jmzblond wrote: THREE... Always wear your good underwear, even when hiking (you just never know!!)

I don't suppose you'd like to share the story that must go with that one?

jmzblond · Post by **jmzblond** » Dec 07 2002 7:10 pm

Wiz wrote:
jmzblond wrote: THREE... Always wear your good underwear, even when hiking (you just never know!!)
I don't suppose you'd like to share the story that must go with that one?

Its just a simple little lesson I learned that stems from a prickly pear cactus attack on me when I wasn't paying attention!! Read Arizonaheat's write-up on our hike yesterday (Carney to First Water via West Boulder Canyon)

Which reminds me of another lesson learned... Always watch where you're walking instead of getting mesmerized by the incredible views surrounding you, especially if you're still walking or trying to look behind you!! STOP first, and then look around.

I have a tendency to forget that one every time. It gets me into trouble... stumbling, tripping, falling, walking into things I shouldn't walk into like bushes, trees, cactus, fellow hikers, cactus (oh wait, I already said that one

)!!

Sometimes conversations distract me, too. Lets just say, another lesson that should be learned by all... never let me lead!! You never know where you might end up, or what you might find yourself stuck in, or attacked by when I'm in front. Although a lot of memorable moments and laughter-inducing stories come from my "blondeness" (and buying me a beer, but thats awholenuther story!!)

Cakewalk · Post by **Cakewalk** » Dec 07 2002 7:32 pm

Im glad you cleared up the underwear story, I was a little concerned, but afraid to ask

Read Arizonaheat's write-up on our hike yesterday (Carney to First Water via West Boulder Canyon

Very entertaining read by the way!