2005 Flags on the 48

The emphasis is about which day one can hike to their chosen summit. Some people just can’t hike on Sundays for many reasons, I’ve discovered this all my life. E.g those that live many hours drive out of state and have personnal tasks to finish before work Monday morning.

Stephen’s points above are well taken, noted, and I for one completely agree. I’m willing to take on more involvement. Next year is a special year, our 4th, one that we can take advantage of the dates by flying flags on two days — a weekend memorial! We are now experienced and I’m certainly not worried about hiking on either or both days. I want to fly flags on the 48… and beyond!

About the same thoughts as most of us.

I like two days of hiking to fly flags on the 48!

I agree with Jaytrek, especially since 9/11 still fails on a weekend next year. Also, I think a flag-flying weekend will add unneeded pressure to cover all 48 peaks on both days. I don’t think flying flags on 37 peaks one day and 42 peaks the next is as special as flying flags on all 48 peaks on 9/11…

Also, is it possible that this year was so successful, without any media coverage, because it was held on 9/11?

Finally, can we agree that 9/17/2005 is too far removed from 9/11 to really make sense? If so, I feel the only democratic way to resolve this is to poll it out.

I think only one day is appropriate, although anyone is welcome to fly a flag on their own on any summit at any time of any day. My preference is 9/11 for 2005. The question for the future is: how much do we allow the availability of hikers to affect the memorial? It’s a “9/11 Memorial Hike” … without hikers, it’s not much of a hike. Too far from 9/11, and its meaning is diminished.

Personally, I like the weekend because I come up the night before and stay the night after. I may even backpack again for the day before. But even if it were only a day trip, many people just don’t have that kind of vacation time available to them to take the day off. This is important not only for the participants carrying the flags up, but for those other hikers going up to witness the flags, who want to see the memorial.

And … school will have just started. A weekday will rule out attendance by anyone of school age.

With respect to my comment about keeping it nonconflicting with the VFTT Gathering, obviously the 11th is the 11th. It’s just that if we were choosing between the weekend before and the weekend after, a 50:50 decision, then keep VFTT’s weekend in mind.

Saturday, because I cannot hike on Sunday
Saturday, but I could do Sunday instead
Sunday, because I cannot hike on Saturday
Sunday, but I can do Saturday instead
Both days, I’d like to see a 2-day event

Yes, use this for a poll.

I’d like to see a two day event!!