What does "yogi" mean on the trail

[Malto]

Here's a great example..... Out in the middle of nowhere in NoCal on the PCT. came to a gravel road and a truck was passing by. They stopped and asked if I needed water. I told them and mentioned we were in a bit of hurry to get into town because we were short of food. Mthe driver told junior to reach back and get us the bag of chips and a few bears. Yogi at my finest. I would describe it as the art of turning folks into trail angels without them even knowing it. Or another example, you pass a couple on a horse. You remark "it sure must be nice having a horse carry all your food." Often you find out just how nice it is.

[Rasty]

Here's a great example..... Out in the middle of nowhere in NoCal on the PCT. came to a gravel road and a truck was passing by. They stopped and asked if I needed water. I told them and mentioned we were in a bit of hurry to get into town because we were short of food. Mthe driver told junior to reach back and get us the bag of chips and a few bears. Yogi at my finest. I would describe it as the art of turning folks into trail angels without them even knowing it. Or another example, you pass a couple on a horse. You remark "it sure must be nice having a horse carry all your food." Often you find out just how nice it is.

So, it's manipulating others into being better people? I like the concept.

[Lone Wolf]

it's just beggin'. in a round about way

[Lone Wolf]

Yogi is passive-aggressive bumming and it is an art.

Example: You want to get to town and some dayhikers start talking to you. You mention that you need to get to town but it's a long way and you'd rather not walk. Then they offer you a ride.

one time in SNP i walked up to some folks in a Winnebago at an overlook and asked to buy a couple slices of bread. the buffet was brought out

[jrwiesz]

... what does it mean?

It means BooBoo can't be far behind!

[sliderule]

I told them and mentioned we were in a bit of hurry to get into town because we were short of food. Mthe driver told junior to reach back and get us the bag of chips and a few bears. Yogi at my finest.

Just curious, Yogi…what did you do with the bears?

[mcstick]

To Yogi is an art. To Mooch is not. To Yogi is to allow other people to feel good about offering you something -- food, a ride, a place to stay -- that doesn't really cost them anything but that you, the hiker, would value greatly.

Mooching is just begging, which is not cool.

Then its a con.

[wcgornto]

I didn't yogi much, but I did it in epic fashion at PenMar. I could have hiked straight through there in three seconds flat. There were just too many group cookouts going on. I spent time at the overlook talking to people and I gradually made my way closer and closer to the most inviting pavilion. I ended up being invited to join an AA group out for a fine cookout. Burger, hot dog, chicken breast, plus baked beans and cole slaw, plus soda (no beer ... it was an AA group after all). I decided to be polite and not double up or triple up on everything. I didn't want to spoil things for other forlorn thru hikers that might amble by.

[JAK]

Nothing wrong with taking something as long as you are giving back same place or some place else. We all take from some place. Money is not the only currency. We all give back, here and there. Some more than others. The Big Guy Upstairs is keeping track even if we ain't. Cheating people through business and politics is no better than stealing, or begging. It's all the same.

[JAK]

Pack light. Live simple. Help others when you can. Those you love or those that need it the most.
And try to go easy on the environment. We really are ****ing things up.

In the grand scheme of things, what's a little yogi here and there? Depends on what you do with it.

[JAK]

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.
To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
and clouds and storms, and all the weather,
through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water;
she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you brighten the night.
He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,
who feeds us and rules us,
and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you;
through those who endure sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace,
for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whose embrace no living person can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those she finds doing your most holy will.
The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks,
and serve him with great humility.

[Jefe]

To steal a pick-a-nick basket from an unsuspecting day hiker. Usually by sliding down a rope from above while the day hikers go about their business. Preferably wearing only a hat, collar and tie and nothing else.

[jesse]

I would not include bumming rides as yoging.

[sliderule]

The Big Guy Upstairs is keeping track even if we ain't.

Just to help you stay in good standing with The Big Guy, you could send a weekly payment to my recreation fund. I will even put in a good word for you, directly to TBG.

[Another Kevin]

Hmm. The connection between Saint Francis's Canticle of the Sun and yogi-ing isn't immediately obvious. (Although it let me aside into a contemplation of the relation between the Italian poem, Psalm 104 and the Great Hymn to Aten. I won't try to advance the argument that Akhenaten's hymn - of which Moses would surely have been aware - was a foreshadowing of the revelation on Mount Sinai, because that would surely be drifting the thread even further.

Returning to the thread, the lines are blurred between yogi-ing and begging (at one end) and gratefully accepting a gift from new-made friends (at the other). Is it still yogi-ing if you don't start with an intention to get something out of the contact (beyond the human contact itself)?

[jrwiesz]

... Is it still yogi-ing if you don't start with an intention to get something out of the contact (beyond the human contact itself)?

No, it's called "survival of the fittest".

[sliderule]

Is it still yogi-ing if you don't start with an intention to get something out of the contact (beyond the human contact itself)?

"Intent" is a necessary element of the offense, whether present initially or at some later time.

[treesloth]

37 replies for a simple question where one or two would have sufficed. That's how it's done here on WB!

[TheYoungOne]

37 replies for a simple question where one or two would have sufficed. That's how it's done here on WB!

Actually it helps a lot. I checked on Urban Dictionary and there was no hiking related defination for Yogi. Someone from WB should put an entry in.
Going by what the cartoon character did, I originally thought it was outright stealing other hikers food and stuff when they were not around. Since we had another thread running on theft on the AT, I figured I ask.

[JAK]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.