WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 41
  1. #1
    Registered User KMaha's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-29-2006
    Location
    Stockbridge, Georgia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    45

    Question AT Etiquette and Unwelcome Company

    So a friend gave me the book "A Walk in the Woods" when he heard I was going on the AT. I've only just started to read and I see a possible problem.
    Now I don't mind the idea of socializing at shelters and what not, but is it common to pick up a "hiking partner" (one who just happens upon you and stays with you) while on the trail? If so, what is the general AT accepted rule for shooing them away? I tend to like to hike at my own pace and quietly reflecting. I don't wish to be rude but it happens.
    So what are some of the ways you have shrugged off unwelcome company? A buddy told me I should just start crying and that should make them go away. That actually sounded like a good idea.

  2. #2
    Registered User Skidsteer's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-25-2005
    Location
    Skitt's Mountain, GA
    Posts
    7,945
    Images
    361

    Default

    Tell them you prefer to hike by yourself. If they question why you would want to hike by yourself, tell them it's a condition of your parole.
    Skids

    Insanity: Asking about inseams over and over again and expecting different results.
    Albert Einstein, (attributed)

  3. #3

    Default

    Search and read the threads on AWITW here on WB. Then, remember the people hiking around you are people, treat them like people, not baboons. Start by being honest, respectful and tell them politely that you prefer to hike without them.

    If that doesn't work, wake up before them, tell them a guy with a cartfull of donuts just headed south on the trail saying he was gonna set up trail magic and that anyone wanting free donuts should just come on by. That'll buy you some time to make clubs. When he comes back upset from missing the donuts, whack him, take his shoelaces (ala Katz) and run!


    Oh, BTW to WB.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    08-11-2005
    Location
    Gainesville, Florida
    Age
    69
    Posts
    7,159
    Images
    1

    Default

    1. Introduce them to your invisable friend.
    2. Tell them your walking for all your HIV pos friends.
    3. If you're female, tell them your sex change operation is almost finished.
    4. If you're male, tell them your sex change operation is almost finished.
    5. If you have had a sex change, tell them so.
    6. Tell them about the space aliens.
    7. Tell them about your super powers.
    8. Tell them you're from NYC and they'd better fork off.
    9. Pull out your false teeth.
    10. Tell them you're John Gotti's daughter.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-20-2002
    Location
    Damascus, Virginia
    Age
    65
    Posts
    31,349

    Default

    look em' straight in the eye and tell em' to F CK OFF!

  6. #6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by KMaha View Post

    . . . but is it common to pick up a "hiking partner" (one who just happens upon you and stays with you) while on the trail? If so, what is the general AT accepted rule for shooing them away? I tend to like to hike at my own pace and quietly reflecting. I don't wish to be rude but it happens.
    So what are some of the ways you have shrugged off unwelcome company? A buddy told me I should just start crying and that should make them go away. That actually sounded like a good idea.
    I'm going to attempt to actually answer the question. It is not common, from my experience, to literally hike with a partner during the day, unless that's something you specifically plan to do. Most people I know have ended up with a partner or partners of sorts, but mainly because everyone has a tendency to end up close to one another at the end of the day, and some plan it that way.

    I can count the number of days I literally hiked with someone else all day on one hand.

    If you pick up a tag along, don't bother with the crying. Just tell the person you prefer to hike only with the rest of your group. It's a reasonable statement. You know you don't have a group, but it's slightly safer than saying you're alone and prefer it that way.
    Drab as a Fool, as aloof as a Bard!

    http://www.wizardsofthepct.com

  7. #7
    Hug a Trail volunteer StarLyte's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-22-2002
    Location
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Posts
    2,109
    Images
    1089

    Default

    You have every right to be concerned and ask this question. That could be a scary thought.

    However, there is no "general accepted rule". Too bad, eh?

    Don't use lies or unnecessary antics. Think sensible. You'll have a clearer head out there.

    If you feel threatened, you can think your way out logically, and if that fails use Jester's idea

  8. #8
    Registered User KMaha's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-29-2006
    Location
    Stockbridge, Georgia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    45

    Default

    My question was a bit tongue in cheek. The AT is very different, from what I am reading in the BB's and the book, from any other hiking you will do. Being a very communal atmosphere and having so many regulars I did not want to start off my trail experience by stepping on any toes.
    I am glad to hear that most others like the solitude on the trail.

    Space aliens or super powers.....hmmmmmmm

  9. #9

    Default

    Yeah, from my experience, a lot of people like being alone during the day, and the communal thing tends to happen in the evening, as we're all pretty much afraid of the dark.

    Except for Lone Wolf.
    Drab as a Fool, as aloof as a Bard!

    http://www.wizardsofthepct.com

  10. #10
    usually confused but never lost Fannypack's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-21-2004
    Location
    Highland Springs, VA
    Posts
    494

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by KMaha View Post

    Now I don't mind the idea of socializing at shelters and what not, but is it common to pick up a "hiking partner" (one who just happens upon you and stays with you) while on the trail? If so, what is the general AT accepted rule for shooing them away?
    the best thing would be to get on there and hike some weekends or longer on the AT and the solution will come to ya.

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-27-2005
    Location
    Berks County, PA
    Age
    62
    Posts
    7,159
    Images
    13

    Arrow Toes, toes, toes! Unprotected toes!

    Quote Originally Posted by KMaha View Post
    Being a very communal atmosphere and having so many regulars I did not want to start off my trail experience by stepping on any toes.
    The only place you're apt to step on any toes is at shelters. Unlike the A.T. proper, here you're more apt to have your toes bitten, or is that nibbled?

  12. #12

    Default

    Hike in front. Fart. Lots.
    Teej

    "[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.

  13. #13
    Registered User skyhiker2's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-11-2006
    Location
    Asheville NC
    Age
    46
    Posts
    79

    Thumbs up @#$% 0ff

    Quote Originally Posted by L. Wolf View Post
    look em' straight in the eye and tell em' to F CK OFF!

    Wolf,, I hope we meet on the trail someday. I think we may have a few things in common. (LOL)..........
    "LOVED OR HATED, BUT NEVER IGNORED"

  14. #14
    Registered User Bravo's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-30-2006
    Location
    Phoenix
    Age
    42
    Posts
    390

    Default

    Tell em you're hiking with Jesus and you don't want them to feel like the 3rd wheel.

    If they like being the third tell em you're picking up Buddha at the next shelter and 4 is too much of crowd.

    If all else fails then resort to LW's sage advice.

  15. #15
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-10-2005
    Location
    Bedford, MA
    Posts
    12,678

    Default

    There must be fifty ways to lose your hiker.

  16. #16
    Registered User briarpatch's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-22-2004
    Location
    Cumming, GA
    Age
    65
    Posts
    305
    Images
    10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jester2000 View Post
    Yeah, from my experience, a lot of people like being alone during the day, and the communal thing tends to happen in the evening, as we're all pretty much afraid of the dark.

    Except for Lone Wolf.
    The dark is afraid of Lone Wolf, uh er, I mean Chuck Norris.
    A bad day on the trail beats a good day most anywhere else.

  17. #17
    Registered User Bravo's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-30-2006
    Location
    Phoenix
    Age
    42
    Posts
    390

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by briarpatch View Post
    The dark is afraid of Lone Wolf, uh er, I mean Chuck Norris.
    Didn't you know that's why the sun rises again. The dark gets scared of the howl.

  18. #18
    Registered User
    Join Date
    08-11-2005
    Location
    Gainesville, Florida
    Age
    69
    Posts
    7,159
    Images
    1

    Default

    There's a bunch of Lone Wolf movies coming on turner classic tonite. Coincidence? I didn't know LW was really William Warren.

  19. #19
    Registered User Dances with Mice's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-20-2003
    Location
    North Georgia
    Posts
    3,974
    Images
    147

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by terrapin_too View Post
    There must be fifty ways to lose your hiker.
    "The problem is all inside your tent", she said to me
    The answer is easy if you take it logically
    I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free
    There must be fifty ways to leave your hiker

    You just pour out his Jack, Mac
    Then hide his boots, Roots
    Blow up his stove, Rose
    Leave the shelter real early.
    Walk through the snow, Flo
    Hitch into town now
    To go see the fuzz, Buzz
    And get an TRO.


    Slip out in the dark, Spark
    Take his shoe lace, Grace
    Slash his mat, Pat
    Just listen to me
    Jump on the Trail, Dale
    You don't need to discuss much
    Just mace him in the face, Ace

    And get yourself free

    You never turned around to see the frowns
    On the jugglers and the clowns
    When they all did tricks for you.

  20. #20
    Registered User KMaha's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-29-2006
    Location
    Stockbridge, Georgia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    45

    Default

    Dances...I do believe that is the best post by far. Congrats!!!

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •