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I'm fine with the antennas, antennae for my non-American brethren (http://grammarist.com/usage/antennae-antennas/); my objection is with those who MINDLESSLY seek out the peaks in the first place. The notion that "bagging" a peak is a worthwhile endeavor just "because it's there" is INSANE. I could care less whether or not they've bagged the Colorado 14ers, or any other arbitrarily compiled list, for that matter. That said, I might be persuaded to temper my "peak bagging" rant, if there's anybody out there in HAZ land who has "bagged" the Colorado 13ers who objects to my comments. BTW (computerese for "By The Way"), when did hiking transition from a recreational pursuit to some goal driven compulsion?

SAMBA wrote:There is no better hiking in the whole world than in Utah.

I did Grand Gulch via Collins Spring. Nothing but a bunch of boring old Indian stuff.

chumley wrote:Not me. I only hike for the recognition I get from other people. I actually hate hiking. But I need people to "like" my comments, triplogs, and photosets. Hiking is only a means to that end. Please like this comment so I can sleep peacefully tonight. Thanks.

So then are the number of Rangers consumed before sleepytime inversely related to the number of likes you receive throughout any given day? It all makes sense now! I'll start flooding you with "likes" from now on- that is, unless I want some company at Boulders/Flanny's that evening.

When I was young I wanted to kick butt, then I wanted to go to new places, then I wanted to make more and better photos. Now I am just darn glad I can put one foot in front of the other and prefer the path less traveled but it's all good. Peaks, canyons--2 miles to 70 miles it's still all good.

Utah----did my second ever backpack in Hackberry Canyon years ago. Before it was the Grand Staircase Escalante wilderness. Zion Riverwalk--think I was like 14 years old the first time I walked up river for a ways, my parents waiting patiently for me. They did it again about 40 years later. But does it matter?? No it does not. To me only in the ever overfull memory bank.

rlrjamy wrote:

SAMBA wrote:There is no better hiking in the whole world than in Utah.

I did Grand Gulch via Collins Spring. Nothing but a bunch of boring old Indian stuff.

Thank you rirjamy. Your "Indian stuff" comment was the slap in the face I need. "Boring old Indian stuff" makes "bagging peaks" seem worthwhile to moi. Me thinks my semi-controversial opinions on "peak bagging" may just have been the rash, impulsive (redundant?), thoughtless (more redundancy?) rantings of youth speaking.

"Mindless Competition"... hmmm. sounds like exactly the right description for my favorite orientation... competing with myself! I can celebrate both winning and losing every time out...

SAMBA wrote:I guess it's time for me end this discussion with this one question. Have you ever hiked in Utah? There is no better hiking in the whole world than in Utah, and that statement is incontrovertible. But there are no peaks in Utah south of I-70, yet Utah hiking is the BEST.

I love Utah too, but saying there are no peaks south of I-70 is a gross inaccuracy. Ever heard of the La Sal, Abajo, or Henry Mountains? How about Navajo Mountain? I'm sure you were just making an exaggerated point, but I think you are coming off as very pretentious here, seemingly claiming that hiking a peak has no merit, and that your choice of hiking locals is the opinion that is the most valid. We all have our own cup of tea, and this forum and website in general seems to be accepting of everyone's personal opinions, preferences, and choices. There are some subjects that get posted here that I have little interest in, but I refrain from ranting about how my interests and preferences are superior to those of others, because I do not believe that doing so is right, or is in the best interest of our community that is so delightfully inclusive.

...this topic has been mostly tongue in cheek, right... not foot in mouth? ;)

@chumley

chumley wrote:I need people to "like" my comments, triplogs, and photosets.

You claim you hike for noble reasons, but we can see through your charade. We know "It's all about the Babes". It's so obvious the babes go gaga over guys in hiking boots, trekking poles, hydration bladders, and all that "hikin' stuff".

For me...If someone had pointed to the Four Peaks, two years ago, and told me that I would be standing on top of one of them, I would have told them that they were nuts! Last spring I was "nuts" and went for it, and succeeded. It's not about numbers, accolades, recognition...It's about personal fulfillment and satisfaction. The Killer Views didn't hurt either....

I am not a "Peak Bagger" per se, I do it all and want to do more. Short, Long, Tall, Deep....To think that here I am, almost 50, and accomplishing physical feats that I probably never would have considered when I was 20. Looking back up the Chute at Browns, after getting down, and marveling at the fact that I actually went both up and down that without killing myself or the friends that were with me, was an awesome feeling and told me that I can do this stuff.....Not only that, but I enjoyed the h*** out of it. It was a physical challenge that I overcame and conquered. There is no greater satisfaction than that for me and it is the only reward I need...

Am I competitive, well, yes I am, and have been for most of my life. It's always a nice feeling to know that you're not the worst at something. But that competitiveness in me only comes out within myself when it comes to Hiking. I push myself to do better, not to better others. Is it so strange to want to improve yourself physically? (And mentally, for that matter) And as many people know and understand, the only way to do that is to take on something harder, more challenging than before.

As far as numbers go, well I don't "compare" my numbers to anyone else. This site allows you to get a take on your accomplishments, which is something that I probably wouldn't have had the discipline to do otherwise. And I can look at my "numbers" and realize that I really did something this year and it makes me feel good. What is wrong with that??? Nothing, in my book.

Personal satisfaction, photography and solitude are just a few of the reasons I do what I do. To each, his own, and I will applaud it all and never judge until I have walked a mile (or bagged a Peak) in their shoes....

Just my

SAMBA wrote:It's so obvious the babes go gaga over guys in hiking boots, trekking poles, hydration bladders, and all that "hikin' stuff".

absolutely!

hippiepunkpirate wrote:There is no better hiking in the whole world than in Utah, and that statement is incontrovertible

@hippiepunkpirate
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictiona ... rovertible

SAMBA wrote:Have you ever hiked in Utah? There is no better hiking in the whole world than in Utah, and that statement is incontrovertible.

I've hiked a bit in Utah. It definitely has some great hiking, but I would stop a little short of calling the best hiking in the world. (I'm a dyed-in-the-wool controverter).

SAMBA wrote:

hippiepunkpirate wrote:There is no better hiking in the whole world than in Utah, and that statement is incontrovertible

@hippiepunkpirate
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictiona ... rovertible

Can I be the first to dislike this?

Patrick L wrote:There is no better hiking in the whole world than in Utah, and that statement is incontrovertible

@big_load
Yo BL,

Ya got me! So I'm a little given to hyperbole. Are you going to hold that against me? Even Mitt Romney has been know to stretch the truth a bit now and then.

Patrick L wrote:Can I be the first to dislike this?

Not an option yet, but if we like your dislike, it's a dislike for us...huh?

Guess it's time to buy some hiking boots

Patrick L wrote:Can I be the first to dislike this?

@Patrick L
Most definitely!!!!

It might be difficult to see all of the huge mountains in Southern Utah when you don't have a peak to stand on.

coanbru wrote:Not an option yet, but if we like your dislike, it's a dislike for us...huh?

Something like that.

@SAMBA
Utah is the only place in the world where you can stop to check the map and realize you're blocking the entrance to the Sundance Institute.

It appears that this thread is "on life support" at this time. I'd like to thank all of yooz guys for participating in the discussion. My hikin' buddy, Mr. Tumamoc Hill (aka MrBadBern) has labeled me a s@#t stirrer, and judging from all your great replies, MBB may be more prescient than I ever realized. Ergo (I apologize, but I can't resist the temptation to use that word), I've found the whole afternoon's palaver to be a whole lotta FUN. Thank You.

Why bag peaks? Because they're there!!