richardHiking With a Herd of Cats – Not Literally
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Every week, in Whatsapp groups, I see the same questions. "Who is driving from A?" "Who is driving from B?" "Where can I park?" and more questions. The same questions are asked every time. A decade or two ago I might have understood, but not in 2025.
For some hikes this makes complete sense. For hikes that are impossible to access by train, bus or other it makes sense to ask. For those that are on main train lines it's easy, especially today to check the departure and arrival times from the start point, if that is given, or the destination point if that is given instead.
Looking at the logistics for one hike I see that people are going from Lausanne, Gland, Nyon, Geneva, Ferney Voltaire and probably two or three more places. Nyon is hypothetical for now. I am waiting to see if I am accepted on another hike first, as well as waiting to see if I feel knackered on Saturday evening.
I could add to the noise, saying that I can drive from Nyon to Divonne, and then car share from there, but I don't want to add to the noise, and I don't want to commit until I know what I'm doing the day before, as well as the next day.
There was a time when I thought nothing of driving two to four hours per weekend but now I like the idea of catching a train, if and when I can, rather than driving.
Remembering the Past
In the past I was stereotyped as being one of the drivers, so when someone asked "is anyone driving from A" or "Is anyone driving from B" I would be volunteered to be the driver and it got tiring. I like driving, but when you drive others you need to plan how much earlier to leave, where to pick people up from, and more. For a long time we did this for free, for each other. I'm glad that in one or two groups it was "as much as you want to give" up to "70 centimes per kilometre". When people pay it covers costs.
Routing and Logistics
I have been doing group activities for years, or even decades by now. It's normal for me to look at the route, logistics and more for every hike.
Scuba diving had the most complicated logistics because you have a lot of gear, and you have to fill the tanks, and more. Hiking, climbing and other sports are simple in contrast.
If I knew for certain that I wanted to do the Sunday hike, then I would. The issue with that hike is that as soon as you drive in France you have péages. In theory it's 10 Euros to get from Geneva to Annecy via the French péage.
As I wrote this post I watched as people self-organised to car-share.
And Finally
The event I was looking forward to joining on Saturday is on Saturday, as I thought, but one week from now, not this week. The result is that whilst I was watching the herding of cats for a hike I don't feel passionate about, I missed the chance with another.
If no other hikes turn up I am tempted to do a solo hike with a difference. I would set off one hour after the main group, and see how long it would take to catch up.
If Only
If only it was allowed, I would look at the list that is full, and the wait list that has as many people, and I would suggest doing the reverse hike and meeting at some point. I would also be tempted to do a staggered start. The primary group goes an hour earlier, and the backup group goes an hour later. With at least one cycling group we did have staggered starts and it works well. We meet for a snack and drink and then continue.
#favours #hikers #hiking #logistics #organisation #questions
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