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I'm taking a TN flatlander(LOL) to 'do Humphrey's' next Saturday, AM. When you've driven up to Snowbowl for your Humphreys summits, have you always just A. slept in your car, B. walked a bit down the Aspen Loop Trail and pitched your tent, etc. C. or pitched your tent elsewhere nearby or in the parking lot.

I want to have a very early start, perhaps even alpine start in the dark or just before first light.

Where in Tennessee does your friend live? If it's the eastern side and they hike around the Smokies, I'd say you're probably ok on altitude. But in general, it is just so hard to predict how people will react to higher altitudes than they're used to. Some never feel it, some do poorly, and I've seen reactions across the spectrum even among fit/experienced hikers and climbers. Keep hydrated and the calories going, and you'll probably be ok, but I don't blame you for erring on the side of caution.

Incorrect once you get above 12000 ft elevation.

Having taken a group of realtively novice hikers up to Humphries twice, my experiences were that with the overnight around 8000-9000 ft nobody got sick, whereas we had 3/7 people get altitude sickness when we drove up from Phoenix and summited all in one day.

I also do not attempt 14k summits before spending at least a day or two above 8k ft. It is noticeable to me.

DallinW wrote:

Jim_H wrote: Overall fitness, hydration, and morning food are probably more important for our incredibly enjoyable, very scenic, but still modest 12er.

Agreed. Getting altitude sickness on a day hike seems incredibly improbable to me. From what I understand, altitude sickness only happens after sustained time at elevation.

Hike Lava River Cave and camp next to it the night before. You will appreciate the open spaces and views from Humphreys much more that way.. Just sayin...

SuperstitionGuy wrote:Hike Lava River Cave and camp next to it the night before.

Great suggestion, though the FS website directs camping to be at least 1 mi. from the cave entrance:
http://tinyurl.com/gr9m2u3

@ddgrunning
While not uncommon ... not everything the FS says aligns with what the FS says!

I'm not sure if FR171B has a posted no camping sign, but it probably should.

However, FR171 is a designated camping corridor, where you may drive a vehicle up to 300 feet off the road to camp.

It should be noted that this FR171 designated camping corridor falls to within approximately 0.3 miles from the cave entrance. So I'm pretty sure it's ok there, even though it's not a mile away! :roll:

left hand right hand

Unfortunately my friend's best friend(I don't know him...) died tragically last night at 46 from a brain aneurysm while on a treadmill at the gym. As such he's not making the trip...

Anyone want to make a trip up early Saturday AM depending on the weather outlook(currently does not look good at all) as we get closer? I was so mentally into finally DOING IT and this calamity happened to him...

FYI because Friedlein Prairie is first-come first-serve it does fill up...although as we're at end of summer it might not be as much...I'd plan for a potential backup

Hey guys, I’m planning on doing Humphries peak soon, hopefully before the monsoon is on. I live in Phoenix and dont have experience with elevation above 9000’, and I was wonderig if it would be best for me to drive out from Phoenix, hike it, and return in a day, or to stay the night before in Flagstaff to acclimate to the higher elevation.

@Boulder119


just moved your post over to this topic as several replies on page 1 should help

the peaks are currently closed, the order likely won't be lifted until serious rain
[ 2018 Fire Restrictions ]

...nearby alternative
[ Kendrick Peak Trail #22 ]
[ Pumpkin Trail #39 ]

sbkelley wrote:Where in Tennessee does your friend live? If it's the eastern side and they hike around the Smokies, I'd say you're probably ok on altitude

Well over 99% of the people in Tennessee live in elevations less than 2,000'...here is a list of the 20 towns with the highest elevations-- most of these are itty bitty
http://www.city-data.com/forum/tennesse ... essee.html

Clingman's Dome -- the high point in TN -- is less than 6,700'
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/ ... nsdome.htm