Loading…
1
My buddy told me to skip the switchbacks on the PCT near Mount Hood
He said the straight line up the ridge would save an hour, so I tried it last fall. The slope was way steeper than it looked and I ended up sliding on loose rock, tearing a hole in my pack. It took me longer to get down safely than if I'd just stayed on the trail. Has anyone else learned the hard way to trust the built trail?
4 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In4 Comments
emma_rodriguez307mo ago
Ever wonder why those switchbacks exist in the first place? @rileymartinez is right, the built trail is almost always the smarter choice. I've seen people try to cut corners on scree fields in the Sierra and end up causing small rockfalls that could hurt someone below. The trail crews put in the work to find the safest grade, not just the fastest line. Your story about the torn pack is a perfect example of how a shortcut can cost you more time and gear in the end.
7
eric_adams116mo ago
Oh man, "smarter choice" is putting it lightly. I mean, my version of saving time usually ends with me sitting on my butt, sliding down a hill of dirt, wondering how I got there. It's like the trail designers knew about gravity and I just forgot. Next time I get that genius idea, I'm just gonna picture my wallet crying over a new pack.
2