View Full Version : Wierd hiking quirks
What are/were are some things that you do/have, rituals possibly, that make absolutely zero sense on your thru-hike? What silly some silly, non-sensical, stupid S#$% that you can't do without?
I heard of a GaMe guy 2 years ago when I was in around harpers Ferry section hiking, that carried a 5 pound welcome mat, and laid it in front of his tent every night.
warraghiyagey
05-06-2010, 19:58
I celebrate each morning on the trail by not wearing underwear. . . . which I never bring . . .
Gray Blazer
05-06-2010, 20:01
If you don't bring it ... how can you not wear it ... oh nevermind.
Not too weird--but I always carry an extra change of clothing (that I almost never use). I keep it double bagged and dry--"just in case it is needed". I also always carry an extra day of food. I have done this for over 30 years.
I will cut grams from my pack weight in so many ways--but these two things are my "security blanket" to avoid hypothermia and hunger--and I won't cut them out--even though intellectually I know that I have survived 30+ years of hiking without ever HAVING to use them. (I have used them a couple times--just because they were there.)
One of my hiking poles has a label from the manufacturer on it.
The pole with the label HAS to be the one in my left hand....
warraghiyagey
05-06-2010, 21:17
One of my hiking poles has a label from the manufacturer on it.
The pole with the label HAS to be the one in my left hand....
I have two sticks nature made. . . the taller one always goes in the right hand. . . . .
maicheneb
05-06-2010, 21:54
I *always* take a picture of the trailhead sign, whether I had been there before or not.
Lone Wolf
05-06-2010, 21:59
i gravitate toward blue-blazes
Old Hiker
05-06-2010, 22:36
I've started touching every white blaze I see as I move down the trail.
For some reason I like to leave my headlamp home, and try to get by with just a candle lantern. I probably falls more into the category of wreckless stupidity, but I must ensure you all that my motives are entirely quirky. My fashion sense is pretty quirky. Functional for sure, but largely quirky.
In terms of quirky behaviour, not too much. I do like to take a dip in really cold water when I get a chance, even in winter, but I think that is fairly common. I like to get myself lost at least once each trip, just for the fun of figuring my way back out again. I think that might qualify. I've even walked back in the wrong direction a few times after stopping for tea, but that wasn't really intentional.
I've been meaning to find my way into the midde of the woods and just see how long I can sit in one place, but I haven't actually done that yet, at least not more than 30 minutes or so, and even then with something to do or something to think about.
For the most part, hiking in itself is quirky enough for most folks.
warraghiyagey
05-06-2010, 22:55
For some reason I like to leave my headlamp home, and try to get by with just a candle lantern. I probably falls more into the category of wreckless stupidity, but I must ensure you all that my motives are entirely quirky. .
This post should have ended here. . . .
Just Jeff
05-06-2010, 23:37
Hammocks are quirky, but I take them on every trip anyway. Y'all shouldn't. People will look at you funny and expect you to wake up with a crooked back.
I ended up collecting Magic Hat beer tops- the sayings inside were pretty prophetic!
I have to fold all my clothes before I go on a trip, but only takes 1 change of clothes before I shove them in a stuff sack dirty.
When sectioning, touch the first white blaze on the trail with trekking pole or hand as we start and the last one as we leave the section we are doing.