View Full Version : Sociology and Thru Hiking
redefined
01-31-2012, 18:31
I have to do a project on a subculture in an intro sociology class. Obviously Ive chosen Thru hikers. I need to discuss, values, beliefs, norms, symbols, and language, attire,. artifacts, technology. How Thru Hikers contribute to cultural diversity. Of course I know everyone needs a pack and stuff like that but I want to know what hiking, on a deeper level, is for you.What it does for you. What hikers, as a whole, strive for. What sets us aprat?? What do we want from ourselves and the world??? If anyone could help out it would be very much appreciated!! Thanks!!!!
quilteresq
01-31-2012, 18:44
I don't have anything to add, since I haven't thru hiked yet, but I like the project! I hope you have time to head out for a few days to interview some thru hikers before the project is due!
hikerboy57
01-31-2012, 18:52
you could sat reading trailjournals which will give you a pretty good cross section of hikers. in my mind, thes 3 reasons for a through hike1-the challenge, 2- midlife crisis,3- absolutley nothing better to do.what do we add to society-addition by subtraction?
i think what sets us apart is the ability to live a simple happy life, to learn that the only possessions that really matter are a tent, pack, shoes, firestarter, and the confidence to continue onward, even when the going gets tough.
All hikers are nuts. Thruhikers are delusional nuts. Section hikers are in denial that they are nuts. Weekenders want to be nuts (but only on the weekend).
There's a start. ;)
Btw: The less we have to deal with societal norms, the better we like it. :D
One last thought - Since we're all different (and fiercely individualistic) I hope you have lots of time, ink, and paper. :)
RWheeler
01-31-2012, 19:14
Depending on when the project is due, you might want to consider heading to, say, Franklin, Fontana Village, or Hot Springs when the first batch of 2012 NOBO hikers would be heading through. They should have a decent set of experience under their belts at that time, and would probably be an amazing source of first-hand accounts. And many would probably be willing to share the story over a beer, or while being shuttled between the trail head and town. So you can help each other out ;)
MuddyWaters
01-31-2012, 19:37
awesome project
hikerboy57
01-31-2012, 19:40
plenty of books and dvds out there from barefoot sisters to awol.
when it comes down to it, we're all dog lovers/haters,hammockers/tenters, ulers, frame, frameless, knife/no knife ,bacon eatin', fun luvin' traveling wilburys, all on the road to find out..
ChinMusic
01-31-2012, 19:45
All hikers are nuts. Thruhikers are delusional nuts. Section hikers are in denial that they are nuts. Weekenders want to be nuts (but only on the weekend).
There's a start. ;)
Triple Crowners are certifiably insane.
hikerboy57
01-31-2012, 19:46
insane is good. its "normal" i worry about.and i dont worry too much anymore.
bamboo bob
01-31-2012, 20:02
you could sat reading trailjournals which will give you a pretty good cross section of hikers. in my mind, thes 3 reasons for a through hike1-the challenge, 2- midlife crisis,3- absolutley nothing better to do.what do we add to society-addition by subtraction?
i think what sets us apart is the ability to live a simple happy life, to learn that the only possessions that really matter are a tent, pack, shoes, firestarter, and the confidence to continue onward, even when the going gets tough.
Why do you need firestarter?
Cat in the hat
01-31-2012, 20:16
To commune with nature.
Jim Adams
01-31-2012, 20:24
All hikers are nuts. Thruhikers are delusional nuts. Section hikers are in denial that they are nuts. Weekenders want to be nuts (but only on the weekend).
There's a start. ;)
Btw: The less we have to deal with societal norms, the better we like it. :D
One last thought - Since we're all different (and fiercely individualistic) I hope you have lots of time, ink, and paper. :)
SO TRUE!!!! Good response Tinker.
geek
Jim Adams
01-31-2012, 20:27
BTW, I thru hiked totally for the social experience once I saw it. I hiked 1000 miles of the PCT, most beautiful place I've ever been but hated it compared to the AT.....no social life like the AT out there.
geek
hikerboy57
01-31-2012, 20:56
Why do you need firestarter?ive already been edited regarding my personal use of firestarter.lets just say i gave up drinking.:)
Sierra Echo
01-31-2012, 20:59
plenty of books and dvds out there from barefoot sisters to awol.
when it comes down to it, we're all dog lovers/haters,hammockers/tenters, ulers, frame, frameless, knife/no knife ,bacon eatin', fun luvin' traveling wilburys, all on the road to find out..
ewww! the barefoot sisters books are horrible!
hikerboy57
01-31-2012, 21:11
ewww! the barefoot sisters books are horrible!i wasnt reviewing them, just providing some ideas. for what its worth, ireally didnt care for awol either.walking with spring is still my favorite, followed by jus passing through.
ewww! the barefoot sisters books are horrible!
Thank you.
The social anthropology of a thru hiker is more what you asked for than the sociology - here is a quick definition of social anthropology:
Social Anthropology is one of the four or five branches of anthropology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropology) that studies how contemporary human beings behave in social groups (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_group). Practitioners of social anthropology investigate, often through long-term, intensive field studies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fieldwork) (including participant observation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participant_observation) methods), the social organization (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_organization) of a particular person: customs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_(norm)), economic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics) and political (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics) organization, law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law) and conflict resolution, patterns ofconsumption and exchange (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumption_(economics)), kinship (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinship_and_descent) and family structure, gender relations (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociology_of_gender), childrearing and socialization (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialization), religion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion), and so on.
Of course, your question embodies nearly everything on this site but I am considering going on and on and on and on but I'll leave that to everyone else.
fiddlehead
01-31-2012, 22:17
BTW, I thru hiked totally for the social experience once I saw it. I hiked 1000 miles of the PCT, most beautiful place I've ever been but hated it compared to the AT.....no social life like the AT out there.
geek
Just the opposite here.
The AT is way too crowded for me.
People talking on cell phones out there, shelter priority games, 7 hoses dipping into a perfectly good spring pump, pump pump. etc.
hell, some people don't even say hi anymore. Just too many of them.
Give me the west or the quiet jungles of Asia any day over that.
Wizard 2009
01-31-2012, 22:25
Everyones got their reasons and experiences it truly is HYOH; Lonewolf would say "its just walking", these are those who try to "find themselves", I was of the mindset of adventure and pushing myself beyond my limits.
check out the articles section of trail lingo
values; less is more would be a big one, simple living and enjoying novelty that most people take for granted in "civilization"...showers, blue jeans, and beer comes to mind.
artifacts-most everyone has a "good luck charm" or some other such trinket that they keep with them for no real reason...although there is usually an interesting story behind the item.
how thrus contribute to cultural diversity- we're counter-culture in alot of the small appalachian trail towns, both in the north and the south; hiker values may not mesh with the values of townies. Both sides have to accept that the other exists and find ways to co-exsist with one another (there have been faux paux's on both sides of this equation in the past).
I'm just kind of just shotgunning ideas out there, hope some of this helps...if you need/want more information just PM me.
People thruhike for 3 reasons imo - the challenge, to escape something, or in search of something. No other reasons. maybe duplicating another post above.
Jim Adams
02-01-2012, 10:06
Just the opposite here.
The AT is way too crowded for me.
People talking on cell phones out there, shelter priority games, 7 hoses dipping into a perfectly good spring pump, pump pump. etc.
hell, some people don't even say hi anymore. Just too many of them.
Give me the west or the quiet jungles of Asia any day over that.
fiddlehead,
Totally agree with your points too...I love solitude and go out of my way to find it but I also like the social aspect of the trail. On my PCT thru attempt, I hiked from KM to Yosemite and the only days / nights spent with people were with a trail crew for 2 days. Other than that, I hiked the whole way without any other interaction with people other than the occassional day or weekend hiker coming the other way...it was beautiful but I had no one to share it with.
As far as the AT, I never pump water and unless it is raining hard, I never sleep in shelters and everyone had cell phones on the PCT.
I have to make my own solitude on the AT but I like that because I can have it when I want it.
....jungles of Asia are probably great.
geek
blackbird04217
02-01-2012, 10:33
hell, some people don't even say hi anymore. Just too many of them.
Heh, I recently started walking around on the side of the road here, (Framingham, Mass), and besides being scared to death of the cars - I found it obnoxious when I simply said 'Hello' to someone in passing and immediately they look the other way and walk faster... I decided to ignore the instinct to say hello, and instead walk by with minimal eye contact - it seems the norm here... Though today will be the 4th consecutive day I walk the 2.5miles, making it a new personal best of consecutive days walking, beside the AT trip. (Last personal best was broken yesterday with 3 consecutive days...).
Thru hiking is sorta like traveling with the circus.
atraildreamer
02-01-2012, 12:48
All hikers are nuts. Thruhikers are delusional nuts. Section hikers are in denial that they are nuts. Weekenders want to be nuts (but only on the weekend).
There's a start. ;)
Btw: The less we have to deal with societal norms, the better we like it. :D
One last thought - Since we're all different (and fiercely individualistic) I hope you have lots of time, ink, and paper. :)
So...Tinker...why don't you tell us how you really feel about hikers! :D :banana
English Stu
02-01-2012, 17:35
I enjoyed the Barefoot Sisters book that I read. Takes all sorts I guess.
Old Hiker
02-01-2012, 17:41
Depending on when the project is due, you might want to consider heading to, say, Franklin, Fontana Village, or Hot Springs when the first batch of 2012 NOBO hikers would be heading through. They should have a decent set of experience under their belts at that time, and would probably be an amazing source of first-hand accounts. And many would probably be willing to share the story over a beer, or while being shuttled between the trail head and town. So you can help each other out ;)
Just be sure to sit/stand upwind.
Too much information to write down in one post. Send me an email with some specific questions. Most thru-hikers could talk for hours about the experience.