Short and Steep or Long and Gradual

[colonel00]

Just a random discussion regarding your pack trips in and out of a hunt. I know there can be tons of variables that can affect your decision but let's just generalize a little. Would you rather take a shorter route up a hill on the steep side or a more gradual ascent/descent that is quite a bit longer?

For me, I am stubborn and I like to attack a hill and take the short route up a steep slope. Not always the best plan but as a creature of habit, this is what I usually choose.

 

[Jon Boy]

I prefer to take the long gradual route. I have an area that can be accessed either way. I can go up "heart attack hill" and be at a higher elevation or go through a different trail that will take me 2.5 miles through the drainage over looked by heart attack hill and then take a short jaunt up a pass to get to the same general area. Time takes a little more, but I feel it more going the steep route.

I will say I'll hunt it either way depending on the time of day. If I'm hiking in before light I'll go the long way, if its already light Ill take heart attack hill so I can get to a vantage point and be able to see a long ways faster.

 

[Beastmode]

Depends how steep but usually the short and steep route. It also depends how well I know the country. I have been in some bad situations at night where im crawling on all 4s with my pack loaded.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I think I prefer long and gradual. For sure I feel it less on my knee.

 

[Vance in AK]

Depends on the load. If I'm near max I'll take the long & gradual way. Going light give me steep & short.

 

[Ozz08]

I always seem to choose short and steep. And most of the time regret it. Last year with an already injured foot I chose a short and steep I had never tried before and it basically ended my hunt!

 

[focker34]

In my head I'm thinking, "the smart answer is long and gradual", but in reality I can't help but go straight up.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have always been a "shortest distance between two points" kind of guy, that's why I love using the GPS. However, anyone hunting with me generally has a different opinion after the 10th blowdown covered slope.

 

[60x]

Depends on the load. If I'm near max I'll take the long & gradual way. Going light give me steep & short.

^^^^^ this for me

I used to take hunters straight up loads and all but doing it would wear them out on the first day. If there is no rush I hunt smarter which doesn't always mean harder!

 

[Eagle]

I prefer to take the long gradual route. I have an area that can be accessed either way. I can go up "heart attack hill" and be at a higher elevation or go through a different trail that will take me 2.5 miles through the drainage over looked by heart attack hill and then take a short jaunt up a pass to get to the same general area. Time takes a little more, but I feel it more going the steep route.

I will say I'll hunt it either way depending on the time of day. If I'm hiking in before light I'll go the long way, if its already light Ill take heart attack hill so I can get to a vantage point and be able to see a long ways faster.

Aero Lakes and Skytop Creek? Need to get in there someday.

 

[Warren1726]

There's a "that's what she said" on order here, I believe!

 

[amp713]

Im known for doing the steep and long way.... I like to stay on ridges where i can slide from side to side and glass both canyons as i go.... However if i cant have a little cover i willl stay down the ridge about 1/3 of the way, but i rarely walk down in the bottoms of canyons.... Just my personal experience but i feel i get busted or see way less animals when in the lower area.