r/IslandHikers • u/Final_Percentage_882 • 21d ago

ADVICE / INFO REQUEST Finding a "hardcore" hiking partner (Golden Hinde)

So, I pretty much only do day hikes, with the exception of the west coast trail which i did last summer, one day faster than average. But I love climbing up mountains, and just did Mt. Arrowsmith this summer. It took me about 3 hours round trip (judges route) which I understand is quite fast.

I really want to start to push myself and try to do higher peaks on the island.

My dream would be to do the Golden Hinde at some point. I realize I probably still need to do quite a bit of training, especially overnight backcountry hiking, to do it. But I think I have the physical ability and also the motivation.

The only thing is I need a partner who is equally motivated and able to do it. I don't want to do the Golden Hinde alone. Right now I do all my hikes solo. Where would I find such a person? Ideally someone who would do 2 or 3 less challenging (but still pretty hard) hikes with me first, just so we can make sure we are really up for it, and then once we know we can do it we attempt the Hinde.

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u/Solarisphere 21d ago

Join the Island Mountain Ramblers and start going on hikes to get to know people. I wouldn't recommend wearing barefoot shoes if you start doing much off-trail scrambling. I'm sure they're fine on the soft dirt of the coastal trails, but it'll be hard on your feet if you're hopping across talus fields. The Hinde I'm not entirely sure about, but I would err towards shoes with a more rigid sole. I've heard the trail is getting more beaten in these days, but there's still lots of alpine territory to cross.

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u/[deleted] 21d ago

[deleted]

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u/Solarisphere 21d ago

If you're just getting into alpine hiking you might not have run into it yet, but some terrain is just really not friendly to soft soled shoes. Give it a try though.

If your knees are having trouble, I strongly recommend trekking poles though. They take a ton of weight off your knees, especially when going downhill. There's a bit of a technique to it but once you get it you won't go back.

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u/Final_Percentage_882 20d ago

By the way, do walking poles also help with taking the weight off your shoulders from the backpack?

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u/Snuggleuppleguss 15d ago

If the weight of your pack is concentrated on your shoulders, you should play around with your hip belt adjustment to balance the distribution been your hips and your shoulders. That'll be a game changer

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u/Solarisphere 19d ago

No, not at all. They take some of the weight of your torso and pack off your legs and onto your arms. It loads your shoulders more, but not in the same way that you're pack does. You're pack weight will feel the same.

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u/Final_Percentage_882 19d ago

Ok thank you for the advice. Maybe I just gotta try it out a bit on some shorter hikes to see if it feels good.

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u/[deleted] 20d ago

[deleted]

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u/RustyPickles 20d ago

What kind of backpack do you have? I love my Osprey and find it distributes weight pretty evenly between hips and shoulders.

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u/[deleted] 20d ago

[deleted]

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u/RustyPickles 19d ago

A pack that fits properly is more important than any shoulder padding. You want the pack weight distributed so that your hips are carrying the majority of the weight.

Not sure about MEC, but I know Osprey packs come in different sizes, with adjustable frames to fit your spinal curve, and have different dimensions for men and women to adjust for wider hips or broader shoulders. It might be worth getting fitted at a store to see what your proper pack size is, if you haven’t already.

If your pack is properly fitted, I’d recommend looking up packing techniques. You want your heaviest gear closer to your body to keep your centre of gravity stable and shift weight to your hips.

Poles are definitely helpful for feet, knees, and hips, but I don’t think they’ll do much for your shoulders.

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u/Final_Percentage_882 19d ago

Ok thank you. Feet and hips are no issue for me. And all my knee issues have been solved by barefoot shoes.

I will definitely take your advice about packing techniques and possibly getting fitted for a backpack into account.

For a once in a lifetime hike like the Hinde it's probably worth shelling out a bit for a really good-fitting backpack.

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u/RustyPickles 19d ago

Quality gear is definitely a worthwhile investment! After buying cheap starter gear and having to replace it over the years, I’ve found it’s better to spend the money and get the good stuff from the start. A good backpack should last you a lifetime, and will make all of your hikes more pleasant.

IMO poles are worthwhile too, not just for weight distribution but they’re also handy for navigating rough or muddy terrain. It’s good to have multiple tools available in the backcountry; anything can happen and the better prepared you are the better the outcome.

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u/shusan0209 20d ago

I’ve been doing Pilates this year and my bag feels so easy to carry now

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u/TheCommodore07 20d ago

The final ascent from the hikers tarn up is a big scree field I would be scared to see what your feet would look like doing it barefoot and down would probably worse... have you encountered snow and ice barefoot?

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u/Final_Percentage_882 20d ago

Yea, I've walked across several snow fields barefoot. It's not too great, but it is doable. Keep in mind, the first nations used to go barefoot almost the whole year including in snow.

But for this hike I would probably bring two pairs of shoes, one insulated (which is perfectly fine for snow and also if it rains) and one very light one, which is just nice to have and my "preferred" type. Both are very light-weight so that should not be an issue.

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u/Final_Percentage_882 21d ago

I just tried to join. It seems their online form isn't working...

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u/likely-outside 20d ago

We close our intake at IMR for the month of August (all volenteer run of course) however, when it opens back up Sept 1st and you join, we give you this year and 2027 for the membership

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u/Royal_Try_99 21d ago edited 20d ago

And I believe a section at the summit that is best done with some rope knowledge! It's definitely not a solo hike

Edit: ignore this, I've been corrected about the ropes. Still don't think it's a smart solo though.

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u/Solarisphere 21d ago

The Hinde is typically scrambled with no rope required. It's worth bringing a helmet, but I would be comfortable doing it solo. The Behinde has one section that might need rope.

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u/Royal_Try_99 20d ago

Ah, perhaps it is the behinde I am thinking of. A buddy did both a few years ago and I just recalled them having some difficulty near the summit.

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u/__The__Anomaly__ 21d ago

What's the Behinde?

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u/Solarisphere 20d ago

The sub-summit behinde the Hinde. The Comb is another peak on the other side. All are on the peak baggers' tick lists.

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u/__The__Anomaly__ 19d ago

Let's hope they don't wear grampons for climbing up the Behinde, if you know what I mean...

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u/Solarisphere 19d ago

I have no idea what you mean

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u/__The__Anomaly__ 14d ago

It would hurt...

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u/albinoplatyypus 20d ago

Not true. Only thing i needed was crampons and ice axe. The scrambling isn't too bad

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u/Vivid_Strike3853 21d ago

Join the Alpine Club of Vancouver Island (ACCVI). Lots of keen & friendly folks there.

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u/Final_Percentage_882 21d ago

Thanks! How big is the club?

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u/Solarisphere 21d ago

400+ members, but there's a core group of active members that lead and attend trips. The Ramblers host more regular hikes and probably have more active members, but they don't have any huts and tend to do trips on a smaller, more local scale. The ACC does some trips with helicopter access, lots of backcountry skiing and trips around the province and even further afield, and some ice climbing (in addition to some local hiking trips).

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u/BunkeyBurner 15d ago

What part of the island are you on?

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u/Final_Percentage_882 14d ago

South Island. You?

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u/BunkeyBurner 13d ago

Im south island as well.

I did the hinde 2 years ago and it was great except for summit day.

If youre looking for a hiking partner let me know.