Solo and winter ascents

[bergsteigen]

As long as you’re not writing some self promoting book, or desiring some stupid “title”, you’re fine.

Monthly 14ers.com burn of the good doctor. Check.

Never Forget!

[CheapCigarMan]

After doing a couple of these now I formed my opinions on this subject.

I almost always start solo but many times I'll hook up with others. If I depend on them for route finding, support, etc. through the crux/s of the route I won't claim I did it solo even though I started and often ended alone.
If it's a Class 1 or 2 per se, I might still consider it a solo even though I joined others. Because it's not a big deal, I'm just walking a path. For me the solo box is about navigating through areas at or above my skillset alone. Hiking / climbing alone beyond my comfort level.

I won't check the Winter box unless it Falls within the Winter calendar months regardless. However, it's more important to me that I'm in snow and Winter conditions. It's what I enjoy. I'm more interested in camping and climbing in snow than I am worried about checking off the Winter box. Though, I'd prefer to climb in the Winter with Winter conditions.

[Mtnman200]

Keep it simple:

Solo = Ascend and descend by yourself as one party
Winter = Typically defined as calendar winter

^This^

[pvnisher]

Seriously? No one has gotten all equinoxy and Merriam Webster on this yet?
What if you begin before the equinox but summit after it? Is that a regular ascent but a winter descent?

What if you don't stand on the summit block, but you do touch it, but someone else is nearby, and you can't find the summit register but it's not the highest point anyway??
Is it a solo summit, a summit, or none at all?!

Tallgrass, where are you?!

[daway8]

Thanks all, I think I'll go with XterraRob's response as that is the most straightforward one but kudos to Scott P for most creative reply.

Quick follow-up variation: if someone helps me change a lightbulb while I'm studying the route description but I ascend and descend on my own, does it still count as a solo? Sorry, still getting laughs out of the lightbulb thread - that was so classic!

[mtree]

If you're hiking with others, but don't talk to them are you hiking solo? What if you're not alone, but feel alone? Can you hike solo and still be alone even if you think you're with others? What if you reach the summit, but don't remember? Does it still count as a summit? What if its calendar winter, but you think its summer because there's no snow so you strip down to your skivvies and finish after calendar winter? Is it really a winter ascent? These are all difficult questions to answer. What if you forget which peak you're climbing and check off one at random, is it still a summit? Face it. Hiking on 'shrooms complicates things.

[Garrett]

Is it solo if your dog is with you? And has anyone solo’d all the 14ers with a dog?

Could be a book deal in that.

[myfeetrock]

[hokiehead]

one of the FKT guys addressed the solo piece on their webpage (30 seconds of googling didn't find it, not sure if it's Hamilton or someone else). the criteria was setting out by yourself and not getting help in the form of gear transport, navigation, etc... from anyone else. They used an example of passing a descending climber who, unsolicited, says "you're almost there -- it's about another 1/2 mile to the summit" and takes the position that even w/ this exchange of information, it's still soloing.

[Yikes]

Did Ralston explain his opinion on what "solo"/"alone" meant? I did some searching and didn't stumble into a direct quote. I'm going to assume he crossed paths with at least a few people and didn't create a parallel trench when one already existed.

[RichH]

Is it solo if your dog is with you? And has anyone solo’d all the 14ers with a dog?

Could be a book deal in that.

Apparently yes (a dog has climbed all of them).

http://14ercanine.com

[CheapCigarMan]

hokiehead, "....passing a descending climber who, unsolicited, says "you're almost there -- it's about another 1/2 mile to the summit" and takes the position that even w/ this exchange of information, it's still soloing."

Stating you're 1/2 mile away and your almost there is not aiding in route finding, aid in walking up a trail, or assistance with cruxes.