2006 Wednesday Night Hike page

Wednesday Night Hike
Picture repository for 2006

*Sometimes the trails are steep - but don't worry, they can be long as well!*

About the Wednesday Night Hikes:

The Wednesday Night Hikes typically occur after work on Wednesday Evening from early June (when enough snow melts from the trails) through to the fall equinox (when there is too little daylight) with the group meeting in the parking lot at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon at 6:00 PM with coordination typically occurring on the UARC 146.62 repeater. Upon gathering in the parking lot, the group will decide on a destination for that night's hike. Occasionally, if there are major conflicts in schedules (or really bad weather) a "Wednesday Night Hike" may occur on a Tuesday or Thursday night.

While the destination is generally one of the forks of Big Cottonwood Canyon, a destination in Little Cottonwood or Milcreek canyon may be picked instead: For this reason, it is recommended that you monitor the repeater on your way to the parking lot in the event of a change of meeting places that would better accommodate that night's destination.

Remember: Anyone may come along on the hike. While it turns out that most of those going on these hikes happen to be amateur radio operators, this is definitely not a requirement. While some of these hikes may be somewhat strenuous they are usually within the realm of possibility for almost anyone. There are often three groups going up the same trail, keeping in touch via radio: Those that are fast, those that are not fast, and those that are half-slow. At the turnaround point (or somewhere in the middle, if a loop is being done) the group gathers, allowing those who aren't as fast to catch up. If you aren't in very good shape (which is, in itself, a pretty good reason to go) just do the best you can: After a few hikes, you'll be surprised at how much better you'll be able to do.

These "Wednesday Night Hikes" have been occurring for well over a decade now and consists of an informal group of people who have decided that they can tolerate each other for the duration of a hike. This group is not associated with the Wasatch Mountain club which often meets at about the same time in the same place.

If you decide to participate:

If you decide to participate in these hikes, there are a few things that you will need to bring:

You must bring water. Bring at least two quarts, preferably three. There's a 7-11 at the mouth of the canyon at which you can grab a couple of bottles of water if you forgot/don't have a canteen.
Bring a small snack. Sometimes you might get a bit hungry along the trail, or you might simply want to nibble on something while waiting for the rest of the group to arrive.
Bring a flashlight. Often, we get back to the cars in the dark. Make sure that your flashlight is a bit more substantial than a penlight - but it not need be as massive as a 6 D-cell maglight. It is common nowadays to use LED flashlights and/or headlamps.
Bring a jacket. At higher elevations, it is often windy and/or cold. While moving, you may be warm, but when you stop, you'll want a jacket.
Bring bug repellent. Most of the time, bugs aren't a problem - but sometimes they are...
Bring a pack of some sort. This should be something that attaches to your back or waist, like a "day pack" (resembling a book bag) or a "fanny pack." Carrying gear with your hands turns out to be quite a hassle, can offset your balance, and can be surprisingly fatiguing.
Bring rain gear. A poncho or a rain jacket works nicely. Sometimes we'll conduct the entire hike in a light drizzle/rain (which is usually fairly pleasant, if appropriately prepared) or we may be ambushed by a sudden storm.
Bring good shoes. Comfortable footwear for hiking is strongly recommended. Most participants hike in well broken-in tennis shoes or hiking shoes while others wear hiking boots. Whatever you do, do not hike in brand new shoes or boots!!!
If you have an appropriate amateur radio license, feel free to bring a 2 meter HT.

Make sure that you bring a flashlight as we often find ourselves hiking in the dark - even before the sun goes down...

Wednesday Night Hikes from previous years

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Unless otherwise noted, the above represent only those hikes that I participated in.