Writing related questions...

[purplerabbit]

First, does anyone have an idea of how long it would take a seasoned hiker to cross something like the Sierra's in a time before roads or other modern conveniences? Say how long to walk from where Sacramento is now to where Reno is, say five hundred years ago?

Second, any cunning linguists out there? Truly, I have asked a couple friends for help, but am wanting multiple spellings on some names I struggle to pronounce, let alone spell. The first six come from three different language groups, with a fourth set to come. Though not of our world, they do have their parallels. If you would be willing to listen to me try to pronounce them and then write down best spellings, that would help. Thanks Bat and Maragaret for help so far in this one.

Comments

[bdot.livejournal.com]

i could write them in IPA-international phonetic alphabet. then use that to transcribe them to english... just a thought

[purplerabbit.livejournal.com]

Let's talk about that in the morning. See ya then.

[princeofwands.livejournal.com]

Not less than 2 weeks. More likely 16-18 days.

Should one assume any of the following?
(start at assuming 15 days)

That said seasoned hiker is
1) traveling alone?
(add a day)

2) reasonably healthy, rested, fed, and provisioned when departing?
(if not add 5 days)

3) hiking to a someplace in particular (rather than just "to get to the other side")?
(add a day)

4) not on previously trailed routes?
(add 2 days)

5) have any mapping reference?
(subtract 1 day)

6) already familiar with the terrain?
(subtract 2 days)

7) reasonably unencumbered by weather?
(if not, add at least a week)

Conservatively - 10 to 15 miles per day (likely on the low end between elevation and hunting concerns). Take a day of rest for every 5 days hiked. Assume it's about 160mi (maps.yahoo.com reports ~135mi, but one assumes that experienced but inexpert hiker (particularly traveling alone) won't make the best rate path and will lose time and distance to being diverted).

Let me try to be more detailed...

[purplerabbit.livejournal.com]

Three people, all very healthy, but two are from a tropical area and therefore not use to cooler temperatures, rocky climbs or altitude. Then add no provisions but hunting and foraging along the way - knives, arrows, traps, spears -- nothing "modern." No map, no advance weather information, never been there before. Finding natural shelter and supplies as they can. Only direction knowledge is that they are going to the other side. No trails that they are aware of -- might find deer trails and other such small trails, but any such trails are not geared toward crossing the range, only navigating within.

Now what do you think? Weeks? Months? A year?

Dawn

Re: Let me try to be more detailed...

[princeofwands.livejournal.com]

I think that may stretch it to as much as a month in good weather; not more than 2 in anything but the winter worst. In "the cold season" it sounds effectively impassable. Better to wait around a month or two and make the faster later trip (and likely not lose much total elapsed time getting to the other side).

I still expect that if things went their way, 3 weeks wouldn't be astounding. But I'd hedge it to 5.5+/-1weeks depending on weather.