Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board hiking with I-pods

since this was my first hike using - figured was good time to start a thread.

probably something that can be abused like anything else. I used when hitting the grind of the chute up to the notch - it helped but at the same time cannot hear the "rock" warning if turned up too loud. for the most part I like to talk with people I hike with - but there are times when we are each in our own zone.

curious what others have to say - did notice 3 other people on top and main trial using theirs on Sunday

I think an iPod would be great while descending that last 2.8 miles from the Whitney Zone to the trailhead while listening to Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir." JMO.

As much as I love to use music when I'm in the gym to motivate myself and/or guide my training (like during cardio on the hamster wheels!), I can think of nothing better to listen to than nature's own soundtrack when I'm out on the trail.

These noises, or the complete lack thereof, are completely wiped out where I live, and I cherish each opportunity to get back to them.

I would also worry that during more technical activities, like climbing, the iPod could serve as a distraction, heightening one's chances of injury. This was already mentioned earlier, in not being able to "hear the rock."

I was just reading John Muir's "The Yosemite" last night, and he has passages where he describes the different noises made by the wind between the needles of various pines, using that as a method of identification. Fascinating how far we've moved away from that.

If you need motivation, you might consider listening to the song before your race/climb/hike, and try to pull it into your head at the tough spots.

Why on earth would you want one while in the wilderness? I have two iPods and would not dream of bringing them with me. The wilderness is for peace and solitude. To enjoy, to escape.

When I was in college in the early 1970s, I ran 10 miles or so every day and dreamed of having music along. A few years later, Sony introduced the original Walkman (for cassette tapes -- a far cry from an iPod!). When it finally showed up in the US, I found I had no interest in it at all. I had grown to like the experience of the world around me as I ran. That is even more true hiking in the wilderness.

My son is 16. I got him an iPod Nano for Christmas. I think it's a great invention. He loves it, but he would never take it running, hiking, or biking. When we did the JMT recently, he didn't even want to bring it to listen to in the tent.

Great thing about this country is that we are allowed to disagree. Recently I have a hard time finding hiking partners. If your a people person like I am and like to talk "like I do" an IPOD is a good companion.

Zeppelin rules, I love my pod. I am a night owl, and I found most backpackers are not. So I enjoy plugin in after everyones cuttin some zzs. I even went out and bought a backup battery pack, so I never run out of juice. I also love the sounds of mother nature. Remember, variety is the spice of life.

I agree -- I am not telling anyone NOT to carry an iPod and no one is telling me to carry one.

I loved my MP3 player until it got stolen a couple months ago. I used it on all sorts of hikes and scrambles, and it made the tedium of grinding up a trail or talus field far more enjoyable. I also had time to listen to lots of new (to me) music I otherwise wouldn't have the time to hear.

I was sold on the idea when I spent a week in the Ruth Gorge in Alaska. When one of the guides pulled out his MP3 (which also had a radio) and plugged it into a pair of tiny speakers it made hanging out there a lot more tolerable. Yes, it's jaw-dropping scenery, but it's also lifeless.

Hearing Cartalk after staring for several days at nothing but snow and rock was a lifesaver for my morale. It reminded me how artificial the conceptual barrier between "civilization" and "wilderness" really is. As much as I love climbing, 99% of my life is in the domain of so-called civilization. Given that my wilderness activities take place within the context of the rest of my life, it doesn't seem contradictory at all to me that my time in the wilderness might include bits and pieces of that "other" sphere of activity. For me it's all about connection and integration.

I'm not an avid hiker. For me, it's just a way to get to and from climbs. Generally, I want to get that part out of the way as quickly as possible.

I also find that my primary way of experiencing the "wilderness" is visual, followed by scent, touch, hearing and taste. Music doesn't interfere with what is most important to me while walking in the mountains.

I carry an iPod when doing familiar local hikes along because the music helps with both my motivation & pace.

I considered it for my 7/30 solo whitney hike, and decided not to bring it because I find the conversations on the trail to be very entertaining. There are people from all walks of life up there and most of them have something interesting to say, especially on the long crawl up & down the switchbacks. Whitney is not a trail that I am often bored on!

I never thought I'd do this, but I took my iPod along for a weekend backpack trip with my 7 yr old. In the tent about 10:30 at night, when he couldn't let go to sleep, I pulled it out and let him listen to his favorite movie soundtrack. That did the trick and he drifted off to sleep. I've always been of the thought that electronics didn't belong in the outdoors. I don't listen to music when I run or bike ride. But, in this instance, having the electronic entertainment along was helpful. Now I'm thinking I might take it for the last leg of my upcoming Whitney summit. Maybe.

Agreed that music players can interfere with the nature experience but if for no other reason I'd take an I-pod just to listen to "Montego Bay".

Vernon's MG and the rum runners on the silver tray have carried me more than once through that last 2 miles that climbs like 20.

Everyone can hike their own hike. I would never use an Ipod while hiking because one of the beauties of hiking is the solitude. For me, the whole experience of hiking would be ruined with an Ipod. But if you like music in the wilderness, why not? You're not harming anyone else or disturbing the silence for others.

I would be a little concerned about the safety aspect, however. I used to run with a walkman, but only around the track, never on the open road. You need your sense of hearing to detect any danger. This is also true of hiking. If a mama bear with cubs is making bluff charge noises 5 feet from you, the Ipod would prevent for from hearing this, um, "necessary" noise.

I've taken my iPod on hikes before..but only to listen to books on tape just before I go to sleep. I've found, particularly when it is freezing cold, that laying in my warm sleeping bag it is better to listen to a book than hold my arms out holding up a book... I wouldn't listen to it on the trail though..I enjoy the sounds of wind and birds and stuff too much to drown it out with stuff I can hear everyday...

Regards..
Chris

i was up there on sunday as well, and saw 3-4 people with ipods. personally, and like candace said, i backpack/hike to get away from that kind of thing. i like the solitude. but again, everyone hikes their own hike.

-kevin

Just like a lot of other things, there's a time and place for the Ipod, even on the trail. I carried it in my pack during last year's one day Whitney summit, but didn't take it out once. However, on several 'training hikes' for this years Whitney adventure, I've plugged in the tunes, but usually only when hiking alone and on the descents. I’ll take it along again this year, and probably tune in for the last stretch below LP lake. After 10 hours on the trail, we all need a little diversion for those last miles. One suggestion for those who like listening at times, have the remote very assessable and press "Pause" when coming into contact with other hikers on the trail. As others have noted, we can all benefit from "trail dialogue' with fellow hikers on the trail. Don't cut yourself short (and act like a jerk at the same time)! Hike on. Rock On! To the top next Friday.

ipod is cool. i forgot mine this year but when i'm ski'ing june mtn. in feb. my ipod is on. i love music & i love the mtns. , a match made in heaven.

Laura, Where did you pick up that book? I checked Amazon.com and couldn't find it. Sounds like something I would love to read. Wes.

I don't use one because I prefer the sound of the mountains but it's a personal think, I guess. The only peeve I have with them is that it makes it impossible to communicate. I took a friend up to Langley, first time for both of us. Close to the summit I was trying to give my friend directions from afar but could not get his attention. You have to know when and where to turn them off.

again I do not use them. Why on earth would you bring them. better off left at home. We are out there (supposedly) get away from it all and enjoy the beauty. I own 2 iPods and they are not welcome in my pack...no time!