Straight uphill?

[Flatrock]

Just wondering what all of you do when you are at the bottom of a mountain and need to go up. Do you take the shortest route and go "straight up" or do you sidehill back and forth? I usually go straight up but am wondering if it would be smarter to sidehill it and not kill myself.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Attack!!!!

 

[Dinkshooter]

Beast Mode!!!!

 

[BOHNTR]

I usually subscribe to....."the shortest distance between two points is a straight line".

 

[Oak]

Straight up, but it's not too difficult when your legs are a foot and half long.

 

[Brentster7189]

Beast Mode!!!!

You nailed that one.

 

[the nikster]

I saturate the area with scent-kick them up-take it easy-bide my time, more often now that I'm over 40. and fat.

 

[2rocky]

There are game trails there for a reason....

 

[Randy49er]

There are game trails there for a reason....

Older, and wiser! In my case, still go little crazy now and then.

 

[huntRme]

One rule I always keep is to avoid the low routes, such as creek bottoms, ravines, etc. The easiest routes are usually up the ridges. The exception to this is if you are out in the Missouri Breaks...I found the ravines to be great places to walk...the brush is easy to get through and there are no accumulations of fallen trees and debris. I like the advice of using game trails, but animals can navigate some pretty ugly terrain and they may lead you into a tight spot. Another rule I use is if you want to get up. go up. And yet another rule, avoid clear-cuts unless you know a trail. Clear-cuts are full of left-over logging debris that make navigation really difficult or even dangerous. Clear-cuts may look inviting from a distance, but they will slow you down, leave you injured, and make you wish you had walked the extra mile to go around.

 

[StrutNut]

I too will follow the game trails.

 

[Much2hunt]

oooh,to be young again....and have such worries

 

[Randy11]

Straight up, but it's not too difficult when your legs are a foot and half long.

Amen brother. We can't fall very fall either.

 

[idelkhntr]

It all depends. I generally take it slow and work the area. Usually following game trails. If I'm on a mission to a good spot I go straight up. Like I said, it all depends on the situation and time of day.

 

[Brandenbowhunter]

I do a mix...but stay out of the creek beds and drainages..too much garbage to cross!

 

[huntbux]

Shortest distance to the top, although that also sometimes means the most breaks before the top lol.

 

[BuzzH]

I learned long ago how to read a topo map...and havent forgotten how.

 

[putm2sleep]

I like BuzzH, like topos. It depends on the wind really whether you go stright up or traverse around. Getting vertical, getting the pumphouse rockin', hanging onto trees and leaning against the mountain...when you are askin' yourself, 'why in the hell did i do this?' - it is kinda fun when you top out and take in the view.
Never gets old.

 

[Moosie]

When looking at contours... don't use google earth for final judgement, It always looks easier than it is