In your opinon, what % of enjoyment does the anticipation & planning of a trip contribute to your hill/mountain experience overall? Do you enjoy arranging the travel, route, your rucksack almost as much as the hike itself? Your thoughts, please? Thanks in advance 
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| Edited: 17/01/12 15:44 |
Personally it is low for me. I just want to get out there doing. However I haven't really done any trip that is truly special. If I was planning a canoeing trip in the Canadian wilds then planning would take up more of the pleasure quotient than just a week in the rough bounds of Koydart. Guess I'm saying it depends how special the trip is... trip of a lifetime or a long weekend away because the weather forecast looks good!!
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I'm enjoying my planning at the emoment, though occasionally it gets the better of me. Gear fever... conflicting reviews... indecision... you can help me by taking a look at my article on which waterproof to get.  I've never planned a proper trip before so I can't comment on how it compares. Sitting in my living room with a cup of tea staring at pictures of expensive jackets will be more comfortable though, I'm sure.
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.jpg) Depends on how much you like "reading"maps and comparing the
results of each alternative route. It's better than Tele.
Cheers.
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I really e njoy the planning. Reading the guidebooks, poring over maps and using the forums to find the best routes for us, gives me a real sense of anticipation. That said, it's not a patch on actually being there. Planning our first trip to Skye at the moment and enjoying sending my pal alarming pics of some of the routes
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I like the planning too and love pouring over maps. In fact, it's often whilst idly 'reading' a map before going bed that I get the idea for a route or a walk. As for the journey- travelling north on the M6 never fails to give me a thrill. The anticipation of the well known landmarks once you get past Birmingham (Pendle Hill, Grit Fell, the first view across Morecombe Bay to the southern Lake District, the first view of the Pennines, the Howgills, the North Lakes and points further North if we're heading to Scotland) is wonderful!(not to mention stopping off at Westmoreland to raid the farm shop and eat one of their wonderful pies).
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Thanks for all your responses.
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| Edited: 21/01/12 16:54 |
I love the planning even though I don't usually have a plan. I choose the area pore over the maps and when I get there decide what I want to do as sometimes ending up in a place by chance can be a great experience. I do enjoy the night before planning, preparing the gear etc. And I agree with Sam, it's been a while as I live in France but when you get to the Northern part of the M6 it's a great feeling.
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 I like to think that planning is half the fun. At any rate, it's a useful exercise to try and figure out if everything you want to do is actually possible, given the restraints of time, funds, experience and stamina. However, even if I have a firm plan in place, I won't hesitate to alter it or even abandon it completely if better options present themselves on the trail.
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 When younger I used to love planning, packing and gear buying. Most of my trips were longer back-packing or hitch-hiking trips requiring some planning.
These days I still love looking at maps and reading up on routes though most of my ventures are one or two day trips without sleeping under canvas so don't need much planning.
I should really be spending more time on the exercise bike than behind the pc or with a guide book!
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| Edited: 22/01/12 15:53 |
 I love planning! I've always enjoyed studying maps from a very young age and still do. Planning routes, day and multi-day, is especially good for getting me through periods when I haven't been able to walk long distances cos of injuries. I may never walk those routes, but that doesn't matter, it let's the imagination loose and eases the longing for the hills (there's got to he a German compound noun for 'hill-longing'!)
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 For UK trips I plan enough for safety i.e. to let people know where I/we are and have a safety net kit wise for unexpected weather condition/unforseen extensions. 90%+? of the kit I take says the same for each trip.
Foreign trips or trips while abroad can be fun planning but that'll be more of a 'team' effort with local knowledge as I don't tend to go alone.
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 Plotting / Planning / 'Mapdreaming'. Like Kate I've always spent lots of time pouring over maps envisaging routes and 'how do you fit those bits together' type plans. It's kept me up late many a time I should have gone to bed!! I just wish I had the time to carry out all those ideas. Sometimes it makes me very wistful and frustrated at not being able to do as much as I want.
The actual planning of a real trip is much more prosaic and I invariably have to get the rest of the family 'on board' with the planned route etc. and then pack for me, 2 kids and all the food, tents, and everything except hubby's personal kit. Then make sure we are out of the door and on our way early enough to achieve our target.
I'm negotiating for some time this year to get out solo. Fingers crossed for my fitness and some convenient good weather.
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