Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Any Mountaineer in Same Predicament - Laid Off

At first a hiking buddy was laid off early Aug, and now I became another statistic, and also first time collecting unemployment benefit. Whow the amount is really small! To stop the bleeding of my bank saving, I had to limit my hike to backyard hills. I am just curious how many mountaineers have been laid off from their job due to the economy?

Sorry to hear about the job situation. On a positive note I seem to know a lot of mountaineers laid off--they refer to them self as "fun..employed" as they spent their "interviewing" time in the mountains.

I have owned my own company for years so unfortunately I have to work--no unemployment check for me

I'm climbing Half Dome with the "Fun Employed" in October. The problem is they never want to go home...

I advise you take advantage of this time and climb like a true dirtbag.

bj

Ah yes, what to do.I was let go in april.I decied to go hikeing.1st was a 3 day to YNP just to get the blood pumping.Saw lots of bruin and did the 4 mile trail, killer trail.Next was back to YNP for a half dome summit, again just great but a tough 1 day via the mist trail.Still unforgettable.Next was a car camp with my wife to Devils Postpile.Awsome, caught tons of trout and much hikeing.Then le pis da resitance was a 6 day to Evoultion Valley with the boys.Needless to say i had a great summer and wish i could stay out longer but i need a job.i'm in limbo and outa money outherwise i would plan another trip.
D7

There was an article on the front page of the Wall Street Journal just yesterday about the number of unemployed people seeking solice in the mountains. The article said there was a 40% increase in the number of thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail this year, with most of them being unemployed folks.

Good luck with your search for a job.

hikerneil

Yea, something has to be done. Not sure when it's getting better. I own a business too and didn't know how lucky I was when the economy was going well. I had several people that bought from me go out of business and take my money and my inventory. It sucks. But, it will get better and you wouldn't believe how well you can get by on less. That will be very helpful when the economy turns around. If you can, take some "personal" hikes and try to figure your situation out. I did one today. You will be in all of our thoughts. Keep us informed. JQ

Maybe a pow wow for us out of work, start our own company...not sure what that would be since hikers come from varied backgrounds and abilities.

I was laid off on June 23, right before our trip up the Whitney trail. We still did the trip and I just for a job two weeks ago.
Keep the faith - it will find you!

and I just got as great deal at REI on a tent, at their 1/2 price sale!! yee haw!!

I know there were lots of people looking for rides here and there..thru hikers, people needing to pick up rental cars at the InyoKern airport and such. There's one opportunity. And lots of people visiting National Parks..from all over the world. Prolly not too lucrative, but then again, might supplement the bank roll and be able to hike while you're riding the unemployment train. Kinda late in the season now, though...how about "Fall Foliage guided trips"? Not too late for that :-)
Looking at the big picture: might consider some Ultra light backpack ideas you can patent and maybe farm out. I have a friend who is designing light-weight, 1-2 person "overnighters" trailers that you can haul with your average car. Tough times call for innovative thinking. Not to make light of the situation by any means. The company I work for just had it's second major Reduction in Force (they like to call it "RIF"!), this year, and much more is planned.