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c/backpacking-routes•wood.paigewood.paige•20d ago

My uncle told me to skip the switchbacks on a trail in the Sierras to save time

He said it was a local shortcut, but it just led to a steep, loose scree slope that was super sketchy. I ended up wasting more time and energy backtracking than if I'd just stayed on the main trail. Anyone else been given 'shortcut' advice that backfired?
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faithb78
faithb7820d ago
My own dad once told me to cut across a meadow to beat a rainstorm. Ended up waist deep in a hidden bog. Took me an hour to get my boot back. Family shortcuts are just a different kind of workout.
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blairwhite
blairwhite11d agoTop Commenter
Read an article about how old trails and shortcuts can change over time. What was solid ground for our parents might be overgrown or eroded now. Your dad's meadow probably had a firm path once, but seasons of rain turned it into that bog. Makes you wonder how many good tips just get outdated by nature.
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the_paul
the_paul20d ago
Man that sounds rough but honestly was it really that bad? Like a little extra hiking never killed anyone lol. Your uncle probably meant well, those old local tips are hit or miss. At least you got a story out of it, right?
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