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Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: The Snow -- Hiking in the High Country
The Sierra Nevada Mountain range can be treacherous for hikers hoping to cross in early summer, when freezing temperatures and deep snow still linger. In this video, we bundle up, grab our ice axes, and brave the steep slopes of the Sierras. We find that melting snow, buried trail, and rushing rivers add a thrilling dimension to the breathtaking beauty of this mountain wilderness.
Filed under: Climbing, Hiking, North America, United States, Camping
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Catherine Feb 5th 2011 4:05PM
Let's see if this is going to be an easy process. hmmm.
D Jan 24th 2011 2:50PM
This is courage? WHAT ?!? Courage is when you give up your life for your country, your children, a kidney for your family member, bone marrow etc.
This type of "article" ( and I use the term verrrry loosely, angers me, and very few things make me angry. )
If one of them died because they are on their vacation, that would make them a hero?
Please AOL, stop putting this garbage on here !
A Jan 24th 2011 4:01PM
I think you may have your adjectives confused...Giving your life for your country could be heroic, an organ for a family member should be expected, a dangerous trek like this..yup I think it sound courageous enough..lol..What did you accomplish in life beyond propagating your own DNA?
J Jan 24th 2011 4:30PM
Let me guess you don't participate in outdoor activities. If you did then you would understand!
Relax Jan 25th 2011 7:08PM
Relax. It's an article. Don't read it if it gets you so upset, you're going to have a heart attack over an article. Chill.
Lance Jan 24th 2011 8:04PM
They averaged about 18 miles a day. Every day. For FIVE MONTHS. Climbing mountains, braving the coldest wind and rain and snow anyone could imagine. Wild animals are also a constant threat. Traversing long distances without water, and having to carry ALL food eaten, as well as pitch tents and put food where it would not cause them to be attacked by bears. Very few shelters, no long leisurely days to just kick back and rest...18 miles up and down mountains...for five months straight. That is no vacation...and it is most certainly an adventure, one which does require courage, and strength. Those who don't believe that are welcome to try it themselves. Armchair, Monday morning quarterbacks will always take the easy route, that which requires no sacrifice. Criticism is so easy.
Walter Williams Jan 25th 2011 7:01PM
It's wonderful to have the stamina to brave the elements and for that distance.
lars Jan 24th 2011 3:12PM
Yeah, very cool for them, but boring for everyone else, unless being a spectator does it for you. If nothing else, it should induce folks to get off their duffs and do something interesting themselves, rather than leave it to others. In that sense, way to go. Meanwhile...what am I doing today? Geez...not enough. I better get a move on.
r Jan 24th 2011 4:23PM
Gotta agreee with D....courageous feats are accomplished by making extreme SACRIFICE in ones life....this type of accomplishment (hiking in the snow), while it takes guts and bravery......could be construed by many to be an act of extreme stupidity. Have these folks really thought long and hard about what their families, children...etc would do without them if something was to happen to them. I frankly get quite upset when I see these amateur thrill seekers get their asses in a bind and have to be rescued....using public money and driving costs. Next time you run into someone getting ready to pull a stunt like this....ask them if they would still do it knowing that the local state government will do nothing to rescue them if there is an accident.....bet they reconsider. Not Courageous..........the word that comes to mind is "BRAVADO"......DEFINITION: Pretended courage...or defiant confidence.
Alexis Jan 24th 2011 4:08PM
Haven't you guys heard of that show I Shouldn't Be Alive!
Z Jan 24th 2011 4:41PM
Call it what you want. Doing this hike is a great challenge, it takes months of preparation and a lot of perseverance. They live their life to the fullest and they will have fond memories of this accomplishment. I think what they did is admirable, not stupid. I am quite certain that they would not reconsider even knowing that the local government will not rescue them.
jill Jan 24th 2011 6:09PM
Wish I could take the time and have the courage to walk away from life for 5 months...I envy them :)
Jakarejo Jan 24th 2011 5:21PM
What you meant to say is "I couldn't care less".
"I could care less" means you have the ability to care less about the subject than you do right now. So, therefore, you do care about the subject.
"I couldn't care less" means you do not have the ability to care any less about the subject because you are already caring as little as is possible.
Dino Ilioi Jan 24th 2011 5:11PM
Where are those freaking greazly bears when yoiu need them.
tyrebitre Jan 24th 2011 7:06PM
"greazly bears "----------------------- Greazly bears ? Would that be the ones who use tons of pomade and part their hair all the way down the center of their backs ?
Goob Jan 24th 2011 4:50PM
Whoopee. The rest of us schmucks have to go to work and aren't rich enough to go schlepping around the country. I hope they had a nice time, but I really could care less.
George Jan 24th 2011 5:03PM
Courage is doing the selfless, right, just or moral thing when you don't want or need to do so. Going on a risky vacation over harrowing terrain isn't courage. It may be hazardous, but courage involves taking risks you don't need to take for a reason - not for grins and giggles. I love the outdoors and have treked the Sierras many times. Ive also done some ice climbing. I found all that challenging and exciting. But a show of courage? Nah.
D Jan 24th 2011 5:13PM
Thank you for all of your comments. Even the very crude, unintelligent ones.
I'm glad I got you thinking.
In response to one silly comment about spreading my DNA , ( which I thought was hilarious) I am the mother of two children raising them alone since my husband passed away. Not to pat myself on the back, but I feel I have been far more brave and couragous doing what I do then these silly people climbing mountains.
My bravery has come in the form of signing the death papers at the hospital only an hour after my husbands passing while consoling my children as they say goodbye to their Daddy, while not shedding tears of my own. It has come in the form of keeping the three of us going hour after hour, day after day with food and a home, making sure their Christmases and birthdays are still happy occasions.
Our courage came as I watched my children pour their Daddy's ashes into the ocean. Yeah... I know what bravery andcourage is... and it has been far more then "spreading my DNA"
Jakarejo Jan 24th 2011 5:32PM
You go girl! You are 100% correct! YOU have shown bravery and courage. As an avid rock climber, ice climber and all around outdoorsman I can assure you what we do does not qualify as bravery or courage. We do it for the adrenaline rush, not because we have to.
Want to find a hero? Besides just our military, teachers and firefighters? Look at the moms and dads who build family units, stay together, love and respect each other, get up every day and go to work and raise children into law abiding, respectable, caring adults who repeat the process. Heroes are all around you all the time, they just don't advertise themselves like these hikers.
scott Jan 24th 2011 5:17PM
Go get jobs u slackers. Enlist to defend your country. Donate time and sweat to a charity. Now youre actually accomplishing something, not just a long ass vacation.