Overused trail names

[Marta]

is it just me who does not understand the need for a trail name ?

You might think that, but in 2006 most of the hikers around me were named Matt. Even overused trail names were more individualistic than that.

[Marta]

I was planning on going with Doc because it's the military nickname given to all hospital corpsman that serve with the marines and what I was called for 5 years, but since it's a popular one on the AT I'm rethinking it.

A fair number of people come to the Trail with an established nickname, either one they've had most of their lives, or if they work in a job where people usually go by nicknames--Sly, Mags, Doc… To me the main thing about the name is that it should feel comfortable.

[Tuckahoe]

I was planning on going with Doc because it's the military nickname given to all hospital corpsman that serve with the marines and what I was called for 5 years, but since it's a popular one on the AT I'm rethinking it.

A fair number of people come to the Trail with an established nickname, either one they've had most of their lives, or if they work in a job where people usually go by nicknames--Sly, Mags, Doc… To me the main thing about the name is that it should feel comfortable.

Naw, you shouldn't rethink Doc. It truly is a nickname that you earned and is much more meaningful than anyother.

[Doc Mike]

In my navy days we referred to the corpsman by a different name refering to a part of the male anatomy that they checked. It rhymes. ******checker
I usually go by doc but thats because of the M.D. I think I will pick something totally random for the thru hike.


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[bfayer]

In my navy days we referred to the corpsman by a different name refering to a part of the male anatomy that they checked. It rhymes. ******checker
I usually go by doc but thats because of the M.D. I think I will pick something totally random for the thru hike.


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Pick what you want, as soon as they find out your an M.D. their going to call you Doc anyway.

[mrcoffeect]

Any kind of walker....... sky, wind, cloud, trail, spirit....

[Lone Wolf]

or blister.........

[mrcoffeect]

I have never met anyone with the names above. that had received it from someone else.

[Pedaling Fool]

In my navy days we referred to the corpsman by a different name refering to a part of the male anatomy that they checked. It rhymes. ******checker
I usually go by doc but thats because of the M.D. I think I will pick something totally random for the thru hike.


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Yes, many of them are called ******checkers, but for the ones that serve as Independent Duty Corpsman, which requires special training http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmotc/...yCorpsman.aspx those are the ones referred to as Doc. It would be wrong to address any corpsman as Doc.

These guys are basically Docs on small sea commands and also deploy with the Marines.

[Lemni Skate]

Heard any of these before...my family has been section hiking with these names:

Tenderfoot - My wife went out after foot surgery
Web Sweeper - My daughter is up early has to lead the way
Blackspot Pete - My son's name is just a cartoon character name he liked.
Stats - (I had named myself a few different things but thru-hikers named me this at a shelter one night) I'm a math teacher and always seemed to know the slope, elevation or distance to the next road. I love numbers.

[WingedMonkey]

is it just me who does not understand the need for a trail name ?

I have often wondered when "weekenders" and other short term hikers started using trail names. Maybe about the time of online screen names?

I had a different handle every summer on Boy Scout camp staff, never used it on myself or as a signature.

Was in the local library parking lot some years back, on my way out, and kept hearing someone shouting. Finally turned and it was a young man that was calling me by a name from camp at least 25 years before.

[GoldenBear]

But I chose my trail name because I thought it summed up my basic identity quite well.

If someone will pay for a new visor
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/show...mageuser=13863
with a snail on it, I'll consider changing my trail name to Snail's Pace.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I have often wondered when "weekenders" and other short term hikers started using trail names. Maybe about the time of online screen names?

When Snacktime and I encounter other hikers, we always ask for their trailnames and introduce ourselves in kind. We've discovered that very few weekenders, even sectioners have names (of those we've met, anyway). Many seem to feel they're not "eligible" because they don't have thousands of miles under their belts, and many thought it was just silly. I found it interesting.

Snacktime and I chose names for ourselves knowing they'd never be assigned to us as we hike so little with others, but the choosing was important to our purpose of understanding the culture & society of the AT, and not just the trail itself or backpacking.

Anyway, we are who we are because the names are quite indicative of what we are.

[Foresight]

I was planning on going with Doc because it's the military nickname given to all hospital corpsman that serve with the marines and what I was called for 5 years, but since it's a popular one on the AT I'm rethinking it.

Might I then suggest Pecker Checker?

(USN, 86-92 )

[Foresight]

I was planning on going with Doc because it's the military nickname given to all hospital corpsman that serve with the marines and what I was called for 5 years, but since it's a popular one on the AT I'm rethinking it.

Nope. I'm sure we can do better than that. I am currently going by Billy Goat but I have only had that name for 2 days now and I am in my living room, so it isn't exactly tried and tested.

Since you're from Chapin.....Liver Nip

[Doc Mike]

Might I then suggest Pecker Checker?

(USN, 86-92 )

Yep thats what I was referring to.
(USN 83-89, USAF 10-present)


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[Foresight]

Yeah, I just caught up. I have got to start reading all replies first, lol

I got dubbed "Wobbles" by a 14 year old who told me I walked funny on the trail...still don't understand how I wobble but it fit for some reason. 0.o

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Based on your reply above, I think I've figured out your wobbling issue. But hey, at least the kid didn't name you "Two Cups" like i would have

[Toon]

Nope. I'm sure we can do better than that. I am currently going by Billy Goat but I have only had that name for 2 days now and I am in my living room, so it isn't exactly tried and tested.

Ever seen the walk movies? There is a pretty popular Billy goat out west. I would go with something else

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[Kraken Skullz]

Since you're from Chapin.....Liver Nip

Not quite sure what Liver Nip is. I have only lived in Chapin since 2007.

[Foresight]

It's a very localized food item.