Guadalupe Peak Climb & Lessons Learned 

I'm hiking this in a few days. Your video gave a lot of tips

Enjoyed your video and your adventure. Wednesday, will be my last year before I turn 70, and I want that same adventure but will take your advise. Thank you very much and God Bless.

They recommend a gallon of water per person for that hike folks.

So glad you are ok! Thanks for the story and cautionary tale.

Thanks for posting the long version of the story, and glad you made it all the way!

Thanks for sharing and it's a very good cautionary tale for any hiking situation, be very prepared.

It's so nice to see a video of an older person describing the hike. I'm 55, and every advice/reflections video on a strenuous national park hike are by people in their 20s and 30s. I remember what my stamina was like in my 20s (it was amazing) and compare it to what it is now (not amazing), with my very weathered knees and ankles. Every other video I've seen about this hike are younger people saying that even though it's 6 to 8 hours, they finished it quicker than that. And it took you, what, 12? There really needs to be more national parks videos meant for middle aged and elderly people.

Thanks for sharing and congrats on meeting your goal!

Stumbled across your channel planning our summer hiking trips 😁, great information! Hopefully we can still get there this year🤞🏼. Great video and channel sir 👍🏼!

Not sure I could do it myself, but it is on my mind. Glad you got water from a hiker, but they should have stayed with you or gotten help. Great report and it helps others.

Because of your cautionary tale we were prepared. Great climb!

A gallon of water minimum for me at 160#. If you weigh 200# bring 5-6 quarts. Never hurts to bring some electrolyte powder to mix into it. Layers! Relatively light layers - preferably quick-drying synthetics - that you can doff as you work up a sweat, or don when you get up high and it gets cold and windy. You don't have to keep your jacket on the whole hike, just because you brought it. I did Guadalupe Pk yesterday and the route is, well, interesting. Often these burly SW desert-mountain hikes start off gentle, then get steep. This is the opposite. The first one-third of the route is steep switchbacks winding among the cliff bands on the almost sheer mountainside looming over the trailhead. After that the climb gets more moderate. Complicating matters, like Big Bend, the lower switchbacks feature log and stone 'stair steps' planted frequently along the trail. They're great for limiting erosion. But they break my stride and make hiking too much like doing lunges. It's almost as if the lower third of the trail was designed to discourage the unfit, faint of heart and lazy.

Great tipping points👍👍👍

I climbed it in Sep. of 1972! I was 20 years old and in excellent shape! Nice view!

What a story! Keep hiking and thanks for sharing your story.

Watching this makes me actually relieved that I postponed my Guadalupe Peak hike for next time. Something came up with my camping partner which prevented this. I’ll get into better shape and learn from your experience for this next spring. The park and hikes I did do(devils hall and McKittrick canyon) were magical.

Next time you go on a 7 plus mile hike with elevation, start really early in the morning so the sun doesn’t kill you.

I hiked Guadalupe Peak about 10 years ago in hot weather. I backpacked there about 5 years ago. I plan on hiking The Peak next weekend with my daughter. I am not as good of shape as I was but I'm glad I watched this video to remind me of a few things.

Thanks for the video! That sounds pretty rough. Rangers recommend 1 gal per person/ day (about 4 Liters). I usually take 5 liters, and electrolyte powder (to mix with water) when hiking in Texas. Also, I always take an InReach Mini 2, which is a personal locator beacon with satellite connectivity. This device has an “SOS” button, that will call rescue. Never underestimate any mountain, and be prepared to spend the night if you have to! Safe hiking, all!

Glad you made it back down!

Great tips thank you

i did this hike a couple weeks ago. took about 4 hours. i did not bring food. i brought a 2 liter camelback and drank a little over half. it was a nice hike.

lol. My wife and I had exact same dehydration related symptoms on our 2nd day backpack hike at Big Bend past fall. Instead of coming down when our water was down to 16 ounces after 8 mile hike, we added summit up to Emory Peak. Coming back down 5 miles on steep trail without water was no joke while carrying with 30 lbs backpack. So many people passed us while my wife and I struggled each step. I must have drank like 3 16-ounces gatorade in a minute after coming down. Since then I overkill the water carry with 3-4 liters even 5-6 hour hikes.

cool video tech talk parris

Thanks so much for sharing this great story. I can relate as the first time I attempted to hike Mt. Whitney from the portal I got altitude sickness and had to retreat. It is obvious now but you carried way too much crap up the trail. I and a buddy are going to hike Guadalupe Peak in a few weeks. The only thing of any consequence that I am going to take is water and maybe a few granola bars. I will also take a head lamp. Also, I am getting in great shape for this challenge. Thanks again for this story. You are very mentally tough. Good for you!! "There are no coincidences, only the illusion of coincidence." --V from V for Vendetta

Dude loved your story. Chaotic stories are the best to tell but worst to live

Got a similar story with my little brother and I (and will have the accompanying videos up in the next few weeks). We thought we were prepared. Heh, not quite! Luckily we stuck by each other and made it back down in the dead of night.

I got dehydrated on my first hike and barely made it back to my car (5 miles). I didn't bring enough water and my energy tanked big time. There were a few people in the group that stayed with me until I reached my car. Also, a nice man gave me a bottle of ice cold water that really helped. Maybe I will go hiking again but not any time soon. You really have to bring enough water and food as if your going to be self reliant. Bring more water than you think you will need.

I’ve had it happen to me too lol😅

when backpacking can you camp anywhere along the trail?

A great story for future grandchildren.

You inspired me. I will climb tomorrow.

So how much water did you take with you and what is recommended?

Just did this hike and fell off one of the cliffs by the grace of god I didn’t get seriously hurt. But will definitely bring walking sticks next time 😂

What month did you hike it?

How much water did you bring?

Be careful out there

Maybe you should look at a keto regime where your body doesn't rely on the ups and downs of your energy levels when you consume sugary carbs.

My husband and I were there in February. He's an Eagle Scout and packed about 50 pounds of food and gear in his pack, way more than we needed. It was also much rockier and windier than we expected. My nervous stomach kicked in and six hours later, we're back at the hotel in Whites City. I definitely prepared badly! Glad you're ok.😊

In my old days we used to take a canteen of cheap rye whiskey and have small sips throughout the day when thirsty. Worked just fine probably better than water. It was also considered the line distinguishing child and man. The horses would get water. I remember riding up to the Guadalupe a few times, my father had a ranch somewhere in the vicinity and I would scout them mountains in the early hours of the morning. Point is, you seem to be a very young man compared to me and I think it is about time you and all the other men in your following start taking whiskey on your trips: it will strengthen your stomach and refine your senses

How do you get people to send you free stuff?

It's not a climb. It's a hike. Literally a walk.

Sounds like High Altitude Sickness.

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