Rafe, you and I have to go hiking someday. I'm another engineer who does engineer-level plannng.
Me, too. When I can't be hiking (and my wife's not about), the next most fun I can have is debriefing the last hike or planning the next one!
But ... once I've got my route card together, I don't go quite to your extent on planning consumables. I kind of made the decision a while ago that starting out from a water source with 2 litres of water, starting with an extra few ounces of stove fuel, or starting a three-day weekend with an extra dinner and breakfast is an acceptable load. I'm also kind of lazy, and I'll often carry an extra litre of water to avoid descending to a water source and climbing up again. That's also engineer style: design in a safety margin and then don't worry too much about it.
Another example: I never make a campfire. Last trip I made two. The tinderbox I've been carrying for the last couple of years without opening it suddenly paid for its weight.
BirdBrain wrote:
It does make sense. I am sure a large percentage if people would hate hiking if they spent the time planning that I do. I just enjoy the planning. For me it is exciting.
Me, too. When I can't be hiking (and my wife's not about), the next most fun I can have is debriefing the last hike or planning the next one!
But ... once I've got my route card together, I don't go quite to your extent on planning consumables. I kind of made the decision a while ago that starting out from a water source with 2 litres of water, starting with an extra few ounces of stove fuel, or starting a three-day weekend with an extra dinner and breakfast is an acceptable load. I'm also kind of lazy, and I'll often carry an extra litre of water to avoid descending to a water source and climbing up again. That's also engineer style: design in a safety margin and then don't worry too much about it.
Another example: I never make a campfire. Last trip I made two. The tinderbox I've been carrying for the last couple of years without opening it suddenly paid for its weight.
I'm not lost. I know where I am. I'm right here.