The Ghost Hiker

[desert spirit]

When I'm hiking by myself, which is most of the time, every so often I swear I hear footsteps behind me. I whirl around, but there's no one there. This has been happening for a long time. I used to think it must be something rattling in my pack, but it also happens if I'm just out walking in the desert with no pack. It happens often enough that it doesn't even scare me anymore.

Is this a common phenomeon? I've never heard anyone else mention it, and never really wanted to bring it up. Am I just nuts?

On a somewhat related note, I also have a recurring dream of the "Ghost Hiker". In the dream, I'm driving along a deserted road somewhere in the boonies. Visibility is low, maybe because it's dark or foggy or dusty. Up ahead, I vaguely see a hiker crossing the road. He turns and looks at me plaintively as he crosses, as though he wants to ask for a ride, but then he disappears into the mist.

[azbackpackr]

"Welcome to the Hotel California..."

Ok, I have heard the footsteps, too. I came to the conclusion it is something about my gear. I haven't heard it in a long time, though, and I do dayhike alone most of the time.

[Jeffshadows]

Probably has something to do with exertion causing your mind to play tricks on you; I get the same thing, from time-to-time...

[desert spirit]

Aha! So I'm not the only one!

[mapit]

its only scary if the sounds include bells ,then its those hare Krishna ghosts ,the apache also saay if you are near dance grounds you may hear ghost dances.

[JimmyLyding]

If you want to see ghosts you need to go to Hawai'i. There ARE ghosts there.
I often think I see something...or hear something when I hike. Sometimes it's a deer, sometimes it's nothing. It frequently works out because it will turn out to be something interesting to see and photograph, but usually it's nothing. "Hunter's eyes" is what I've been told it is though I was never much of a hunter back in the day (before I traded in a rifle for a camera).

[Al_HikesAZ]

Might be that your Guardian Angel has put on some weight and you are hearing her footsteps. Sorry - I probably shouldn't joke about your Guardian Angel.

Up on the Rez you might hear or see Skinwalkers. But sometimes you don't hear them unless they want you to hear them.

[hippiepunkpirate]

It's possible you could be hearing the echo of your own footsteps off of rocks or something....but while we're talking about ghosts, anybody heard of Able Gable's cabin on the San Francisco Peaks? It's a story that every 6th Grader in Flagstaff hears at Camp Colton.

[desert spirit]

If you want to see ghosts you need to go to Hawai'i. There ARE ghosts there.

Was over there just this past spring ... are you talking about the menehunes?

Up on the Rez you might hear or see Skinwalkers.

Aren't they evil spirits? I don't want nothin' to do with them!

It's possible you could be hearing the echo of your own footsteps off of rocks or something

As good an explanation as any, I guess.

At least, you all were nice enough not to say I'm nuts

[PaleoRob]

Up on the Rez you might hear or see Skinwalkers.

Aren't they evil spirits? I don't want nothin' to do with them!

Oh goodness, a whole thread alone could be devoted to skinwalkers, stories relating to, history of, etc.

[azbackpackr]

Oh, yes, Hawai'i! I used to live there. I am not one who has had ghost issues, but my husband has told me some very hair-raising tales, particularly regarding the archaeological site known as the Canoe Sheds which is somewhere off Kapoho Road in Puna, on the Big Island. There he saw the lanterns--what looks to be people carrying lanterns. The locals say if you see that, if you see the lanterns you will die, (and these are NOT the menehune, these are the ali'i--the royal class). Well, he didn't die, but ran off and left all his camping gear. When he told locals where he had been, they were horrified.

Then there is the story about the guy who said that the volcano goddess, Pele, came to visit him right before the big Kapoho eruption in the early 60's, when the town of Kapoho was obliterated by lava. Pele told this guy to put a bottle of whiskey at each corner of his property, and it would be protected. He did this, and the lava split into two streams and ran around each side of his property, leaving it intact.

I was talking to an actual archaeologist at an archaeology meeting one day, who had also lived in Hawai'i. She said, "Oh, Hawai'i is evil!" My husband and I knew exactly what she meant, but others overhearing our conversation were sort of surprised to hear this scientific person say something like that!

[JimmyLyding]

Not the menehune, Desert Spirit. azbackpackr is right about it being hte ali'i. I actually saw them marching downhill from my aunt's deck. The funny thing is it really did look as if the lanterns were floating in mid-air.
I saw plenty of spooky stuffs in May. I saw a few things inside Haleakala Crater that I wouldn't even take pictures of. Of course my room in Kaanapaali (hate that part of the island...) had a nice view of a cemetary. Hawai'ian spirituality is a big part of my family history.

[azbackpackr]

ooowee, you saw the lanterns! Makes my skin crawl. You from Maui?

[JimmyLyding]

I'm not from Maui, but my mom was born-and-raised in the islands. My aunt & uncle live on Maui (Kula). I try to get there as often as I can. Hiked in Haleakala twice this year (hike & photosets on this site).

[big_load]

I don't hear footsteps, but sometimes a terrible odor follows me. Unfortunately it doesn't appear to have supernatural origin.

[Jeffshadows]

I don't hear footsteps, but sometimes a terrible odor follows me. Unfortunately it doesn't appear to have supernatural origin.

I'll second that one!

[SuperstitionGuy]

I don't hear footsteps, but sometimes a terrible odor follows me. Unfortunately it doesn't appear to have supernatural origin.

I'll second that one!

I discover that odor about the third evening of every backpack trip as I get into my sleeping bag. The only solution I know is to take a water bottle shower between 1 and 2 PM in the afternoon while it is still relativly warm outside regardless of the current weather. It's often tough to do but it's the only answer.

Maybe thats why nobody liked to backpack with me and I had to go solo so much!

[djui5]

As good an explanation as any, I guess.

I'm 99% sure this is what your hearing. When you hike in the mountains the sound bounces off all the rocks and walls around you. Sometimes this can reflect back to your ears from behind you sounding like someone is following you I've heard it before too. Scared the crap outta me the first time

What's really scary is climbing into a small cave, barely big enough for you to fit in, and seeing a rattle snake if your face.

[Nighthiker]

Its your clothing. Have friends that wear the nylon type clothing while hiking and as this cloths rubs against itself or your pack they told me they thought someonewas walking behind them. I have noted it as well, Sportiff brand apparel.

[desert spirit]

When you hike in the mountains the sound bounces off all the rocks and walls around you.

Yeah, that makes sense. Except that it's happened out in the open desert, too.

Its your clothing.

Maybe this is why people hike nude!