sayings and aphorisms heard on the trail

[Sarcasm the elf]

"got any extra food you dont want to carry?"

Years ago, I massively overpacked for my first ever week long section hike. After a couple of days of being crushed by the weight of my pack, I decised to drop weight by giving away about two pounds of pepperoni, oreos and other food to the thru hikers at Upper Goose Pond cabin.

Their response after I explained why I was giving away the food:

"Thank you, your mistake is greatly appreciated."

[atmilkman]

Aren't you afraid of bears and psychos? Do you carry a gun?

[Old Hiker]

How about "false summit"....very similar effect to the oasis mirage while trekking thru the desert.

I don't even bother looking that far ahead, as there are countless horizons or ridges you'll see above you on your way up that make it seem like the climb has "topped out" and you're nearly there...this of course is seldom the case.

Hump and Little Hump Mountains come to mind !!!

[Cookerhiker]

Room for one more[in the shelter]?

It's all downhill - piece of cake.

Your pack is too heavy. (I was told this by a fellow section hiker in Maine)

Can I see your map? (from the ultralight thruhiker who thought maps were too heavy and didn't think he needed them)

He's friendly; he won't hurt you (referring to his dog)

He's never done that before (after the aforementioned dog snaps at you and/or jumps on and/or bites you)

[fill in the blank] kicked my butt.

[Sarcasm the elf]

From last week's Georgia hike, while passing a fellow backpacker:

Us: Good morning, how are you?

Him: It's a good day, the ground's under my feet and not over my head.

[Son Driven]

"If you do not see the next white blaze, look up."

[SawnieRobertson]

Oops!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[mrcoffeect]

Is that m&m next to your foot yours? Or can i have it?

[Special K]

Even when your falling down, you're still moving forward.

[Special K]

Sheeesh...can't write today.. "Even when you're falling down, you're still moving forward."

[UnfamousK]

the mountains dont care....

[hikerboy57]

"that was a lot easier than the profile maps made it out to be."
"that was a lot harder than the profile maps made it out to be."
"these profile maps suck."

[johnnybgood]

Virginia is flat

[PMan]

It's just walking.

[mrcoffeect]

How's the water around here?

[Another Kevin]

"that was a lot easier than the profile maps made it out to be."
"that was a lot harder than the profile maps made it out to be."
"these profile maps suck."

+1. Got a lesson on that on the NY/CT/MA border last weekend. It wasn't so much that the stuff was steep as that it was slabby.