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  1. #1
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    Default why do people have "trail names"??

    ive always introduced myself as alan. is that not cool?

  2. #2
    Registered User Raul Perez's Avatar
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    It's just a nick name you get on the trail for something silly you've done or something common you do apart from everyone else that you meet. You can even give yourself one it really doesnt matter.

    I got mine from falling into 2 lakes on 2 consecutive days and I can do a fairly decent monkey impression and climb trees.... "Water Monkey"

  3. #3

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    It also helps give you a unique handle. Say you start a thru-hike at the peak of the season, there could be 12 Bobs, 9 Johns, 5 Alans, and so on in any given small section of the trail. So, if you have your own trail name when someone says "Hey Alan", 3 heads don't turn around or you know they are talking about someone else and not you.
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  4. #4
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    You can answer to any name you choose.
    Order your copy of the Appalachian Trail Passport at www.ATPassport.com

    Green Mountain House Hostel
    Manchester Center, VT

    http://www.greenmountainhouse.net

  5. #5

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    Gotta admit - "Water Monkey" would be easier to remember than "Alan." Good name, but I think I've heard it before. I certainly haven't heard "Water Monkey" before.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by prsgtrman View Post
    ive always introduced myself as alan. is that not cool?
    I agree that it is not cool. I think it is cool to have a trail name. You certainly can introduce as alan. But a trail name can tell a little bit about you. IMO it shows your having a good time and not taking yourself too seriously.

  7. #7
    Registered User kayak karl's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TinAbbey View Post
    I agree that it is not cool.
    can't agree. my parents gave me the name KARL. if i meet people i say "Hi' i'm Karl Rothenbach and this is my dog Kaia, some people call me Kayak. I'm from Southern Jersey. Where are you from. " guess im not cool
    I'm so confused, I'm not sure if I lost my horse or found a rope.

  8. #8
    Registered User Grampie's Avatar
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    A trail name is not required. During my thru I met several thru-hikers who just used their given name.
    A lot of folks who partake in doing a serious thru take a trail name to more or less be totaly immerged in a new life style. That life style is the one of a hiking nomad, who has left everything behind and is embarking on a once in a life time adventure. You start that adventure as a new person, not the one you were, so you take a trail name to pepict who you want to be known to by fellow hikers.
    Grampie-N->2001

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grampie View Post
    A trail name is not required. During my thru I met several thru-hikers who just used their given name.
    A lot of folks who partake in doing a serious thru take a trail name to more or less be totaly immerged in a new life style. That life style is the one of a hiking nomad, who has left everything behind and is embarking on a once in a life time adventure. You start that adventure as a new person, not the one you were, so you take a trail name to pepict who you want to be known to by fellow hikers.
    With the advent and heavy use of "screen names" it seems now that even weekend hikers think they need a "trail name". Most often self supplied.
    The trouble I have with campfires are the folks that carry a bottle in one hand and a Bible in the other.
    You never know which one is talking.

  10. #10

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    I don't need a trail name cuz I don't act like an azz in town.

  11. #11
    lemon b's Avatar
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    anonymity is what this is about , we'll all equal on the hike.

  12. #12

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    trail names are useful in annoying those remarkable individuals that insist on knowing your real name

  13. #13
    Registered User Wobegon's Avatar
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    "What's your name?"
    "You should know who I am...." -- Ward Leonard
    AT '11
    Springer Mtn. 3/16/11 -------> Katahdin 8/24/11
    Stoveless and Slackless

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by lemon b View Post
    anonymity is what this is about , we'll all equal on the hike.
    Except, maybe if you're Bruce Springsteen.......

  15. #15
    Registered User Plodderman's Avatar
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    The trail name is my alter ego two weeks out of the year. What is your name? Plodderman What do you do for a living? Hike I enjoy those two weeks every year.

  16. #16
    Getting out as much as I can..which is never enough. :) Mags's Avatar
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    No trailname... I just use a nick name on trail and in 'real life'. Since I spend a large amount of time outdoors (Even for a weekend warrior), I don't feel the need for two separate names. Mags or Paul Mags is heard more often than "Paul" .
    Paul "Mags" Magnanti
    http://pmags.com
    Twitter: @pmagsco
    Facebook: pmagsblog

    The true harvest of my life is intangible...a little stardust caught,a portion of the rainbow I have clutched -Thoreau

  17. #17
    The internet is calling and I must go. buff_jeff's Avatar
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    I always introduce myself with my first name. There's no need for an "alter ego" or whatever.

  18. #18
    Registered User Bigbaby's Avatar
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    I introduce myself with my real name but trail names are easier to remember

  19. #19
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    I had a trail name for a week before I knew I had one. I never intended to get one, but it just happened. In the Grayson Highlands I had a front row seat to some pony on pony action, if you know what I mean. As luck would have it, my camera was in hand so I took a video. Later that day I showed it to a few people thinking it was funny, not realizing what would happen. A week later sitting around the campfire some people were talking about this guy named pony p*rn. Didn't think much of it until I realized they were talking about me. I then produced the video and everyone laughed for about an hour. Trail names find you sometimes. I quickly shortened it to Pony for obvious reasons, but I think I was in Vermont before people stopped asking if I was that guy named Pony P*rn.

  20. #20
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    And yes, Alan is fine.

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