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Camp or hotel for climbing trip?

Original Post
mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

I Am leaving in a week for a seven day trip around rmnp and joes valley. I am split between taking my chances with the cold and a tent or getting a nice warm hotel.

If I was to camp I would need to get a new tent and bag for the cold along with a few random supplies so the cost would be equivilant for both. I'm not a huge fan of the cold but I am considering it just for the experience. M

Would the mp community rather rough it in the cold and get the full experience or go back to a nice comfy hotel with a hot shower and warm bed after a day of bouldering?

LLubchenco · · Carbondale, CO · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 25

Go for the hotel, get a hooker, some booze, make it a night. Otherwise buy a bag and tent that will let you do it all again in a few months... Priorities!

Ray Lovestead · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 108

Camping is for large groups around the fire drinking too much and lying about their sends. When you camp alone it is boring and cold.

In the hotel it is boring, but warm, and you can watch episodes of storage wars and pawn stars.

marty funkhouser · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 20

Early October isn't what I'd consider cold.

Jonathan Marek · · Spearfish, SD · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 2,497

This thread just makes me feel super poor..

Either way, you must get an oreo doughnut from the food ranch, you will be glad you did (and even i can afford one).

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

Backcountry camping is for the scenery, solitude and experience. Car camping is to save money. Or because you have a wife and kids. Or because there is no motel nearby.

Get a motel.

Jordan Moore · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 60

My perspective would be when you're done with the trip you will have spent equal amounts of money but if you take the camping option you'll walk away with gear ussfull in the future. On top of that, as you put it, you'll get the full experience. Sorry to play devils advocate :)

mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

My main worry is buyyin all the gear and getting myself psyched up and then a cold front comes through. I have spent a lot of time outside in really cold weather but I feel like waking up in the low thirties is my threshold.

Jordan Moore · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 60

RMNP should be the colder of the two options and the forecasts show lows in the mid 30's. I see the dilemma of buying gear for the trip then regretting it part way through, but with those forecasts I doubt you'll get yourself into anything too uncomfortable.

Travkrack · · Alaska · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 5
LLubchenco wrote:Go for the hotel, get a hooker, some booze, make it a night. Otherwise buy a bag and tent that will let you do it all again in a few months... Priorities!
Haha, hear that man! That's a awesome post there! Kudos!
Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50

We backpacked into the Lumpy Ridge area in early Oct two years ago & woke up to frozen (solid) water bottles, so it can get cold this time of year. Even snowed a little....
I don't mind camping in the cold, but it's something to be aware of....

mbakerwh · · Gallup, NM · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 0

The girlfriend just said "30s? Are you joking? 30's is cold these days? That's stupid!"

Camping for saving money/getting new gear

AND buy a bottle or two of whiskey, or a couple 30s of PBR. Then search the campground for someone as cool as my lady to help keep ya warm!

mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

This is a solo trip but I'm not opposed to a little Rocky Mountain strange.

doligo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 264

Depends on what you are trying to accomplish and what your comfort level roughing it is. If you are trying to go all aggro and start early and climb all day day after day, it would be pretty hard to motivate in the mornings when you are tent camping. If it's cold and miserable and you are not used not having hot showers every day, you'll spend a lot of money on showers, restaurants and hanging out at coffee shops. Might as well get a hotel room.

Tom-onator · · trollfreesociety · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 790
mustardtiger wrote:This is a solo trip but I'm not opposed to a little Rocky Mountain strange.
Marmots are cute but do not take kindly to spooning
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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