Thanks Rod,
You are right, I resolved myself to the fact that getting my hiking buddies in on this trip would be anything but easy. Hell, it is hard to get 6 people to agree on dinner plans
. This is one reason i am researching early, and gathering information well in advance. I have a feeling the more details i give the more likely some may back out, but i have until February it seems to get an idea of a solid number.
It is hard to get people to commit to a training plan, let alone the $15 per person permit reservation fee. If you get permit space for 6 people, expect one of the people in the group to back out in the last month due to unexpected events. Keep your list as small as possible and keep a "waiting list" if people get summit fever at the last minute (but be careful about letting untrained people into your group).
As noted in
Day Hike vs. Overnight Hike, a backpacking trip will probably be harder for your first trip on the trail, so if you have some free time between now and then, consider getting a day hike permit cancellation and hiking up to Trail Camp and back.
