what bugs you on the trail?

[Praha4]

from talking to many hikers on the trail, I'm curious what bugs you most from your encounters with other hikers? kind of an informal poll as I begin this AT hike next week

a. Know it all attitude from another hiker who won't shutup
b. Snoring in shelters
c. Boasting about how many miles he hikes each day... the arrogant "uberhiker" who thinks he's superman
d. Hogging shelter space from gear explosions
e. other? (behavior, attitude)

I can ignore most of the above with a good set of earplugs. I'm just a simple caveman, and curious how modern hikers think on this in 2010

[Lone Wolf]

a simple caveman wouldn't sleep in a dirty wooden box

[Johnny Appleseed]

bugs bug me.

[Graywolf]

hikers who set there tents up in shelters takin up space

[redmarbleshoe]

judgment.

I hate the judging eyes or comments murmured as they see a plus size WOMAN hiker approaching them, or pulling over so they can pass (which I do immediately as they approach).

And BUGS! nats to be exact. Although B12 shots prior to the hike helps tremendously when reducing bug bites. I don't get bitten at all, no bug spray most of the time otherwise a homemade version. But the nats...near my face. A common occurrence for all I'm sure.

[lucky luke]

drunk hikers, yelling around. that was pretty much the only think i hated on the at. happened twice and i just moved out of sight and earshot as fast as i could. all the rest, like mice, bugs didn´t bother me at all.

happy trails
lucky luke

[elray]

kids and dogs

[Invictus]

I really dislike rude people.

[DAJA]

You have no control over anything or anyone outside yourself.. The only thing you can control is how you choose to respond to situations presented to you, whether it's the weather, bugs, people, etc... So if your being bothered, you can only blame yourself for responding poorly...

[Ender]

bugs bug me.

Exactly what I was going to say.

judgment.

Agreed.

[johnnyblisters]

Bugs and litterbugs. Same thing really.

[double d]

a simple caveman wouldn't sleep in a dirty wooden box

Haa good one LW, but they would sleep in dirty little caves!

[Adayak]

Aside from the creepy crawlies (Bear Grylls term), I think it's generally just when some people don't want to leave you alone. A lot of us like to hike alone and don't mind the company of nature only.

[Cookerhiker]

Those who like to brag about their gear unsolicited: "let me show you this cool (fill inthe blank)" If I'm interested, I'll politely and respectfully ask but don't push it on me please.

[Jaybird]

a. Know it all attitude from another hiker who won't shutup...Ditto!

b. Snoring in shelters..CANT STOP IT!

c. Boasting about how many miles he hikes each day... the arrogant "uberhiker" who thinks he's superman who cares!...hike yer own hike!

d. Hogging shelter space from gear explosions...i HATE that!

e. other? (behavior, attitude)
skip the pompous attitude!

i'll be section-hikin' Clarks Valley, PA NOBO to Greenwood Lake,NY
Apr 24-May 8
w/ "Jigsaw"

maybe we'll see some of you WHITEBLAZE folks out there!

[Jonnycat]

Psychopathic tendencies.

[Fiddleback]

Noise.

Noise that violates the quite, natural setting that I seek. Loud people, loud dogs, music/music instruments, etc. As you might imagine, I never stayed at a shelter when I was on the AT.

Now I'm in western Montana with a much lower trail population density. Few if any people, few if any barking dogs, no radios/mp2 players. But every once in a while I'm required to spend the night in a NP campsite. The last time I did there was a group of eight 30-40--something buddies on their annual get together. They were louder than I wanted but tolerable. What wasn't tolerable was the slamming of the privy door every time it was used. And given the group of eight, 30-40--something guys, it was used a lot.

After that, my biggest peeve is trash. Trash left by the outdoor lovin' recreationists and professionals... While I consider the Atlantic Seaboard area to be more littered I unfortunately conclude that's another function of population density. The slobs are out here, too.

FB

[Deadeye]

You have no control over anything or anyone outside yourself.. The only thing you can control is how you choose to respond to situations presented to you, whether it's the weather, bugs, people, etc... So if your being bothered, you can only blame yourself for responding poorly...

Ok, to a degree, or as we accountants would say, "within a relevant range." I'll agree that my personal response to natural stimuli is up to me entirely, i.e. I can let the bugs/rain/cold/heat bother me, or I can take it in stride. However, the behavior of our fellow humans can sometimes cross the line. To say it's my fault for hiking the same trail as drunken boors or worse is pushing it. People need to behave reasonably in public places, including the trail.

[sherrill]

Being told my gear is wrong.

[joeyt1291]

You have no control over anything or anyone outside yourself.. The only thing you can control is how you choose to respond to situations presented to you, whether it's the weather, bugs, people, etc... So if your being bothered, you can only blame yourself for responding poorly...

i agree completely