The !st installment of I HEARD IT ON --------

[BobP]

I heard it on Piestewa today.

We'll hike untill we either run out of water or make it to the top.

Mom to young son: Don't drink my water now that you've finished all yours.

Does that cute pink lizard bite?

At the .25 mark, we're halfway there and I'm not even sweating.

And me, I love it when it rains here. Oh your from Seattle.

So, what have you heard on hikes(not that we eavesdrop or anything)?

[Jeffshadows]

I don't see that many people

I would have figured as much. You're doing something right.

Exactly. This whole thread should be titled "I heard it on ... the wrong trail"

I hear people say stupid sh*t everyday. That's why I go hiking. I don't want to see or HEAR anybody!

I refuse to surrender the front range of the Catalinas, the entirety of the Tucson mountains, and most of the Santa Ritas just because there are other people there. If I were to do so all I would be doing is denying myself opportunities to do what I love in some of the closest and best places to do them. Those dingbats have just as much right to be there as I do...as hard as that fact is to accept, sometimes. You know what else? About 95% of the "other" people I ever encounter make it about 1 to 1.5 miles in on most of those trails and stop. I walk right past them and never see them again. The others are moving so slowly that I usually literally lap them on my way down. They really don't affect me all that much, most of the time. Instead, I get to overhear their banter which makes for great fodder on forums like this one.

I understand your argument; population statistics and hard-earned experience dictate that about 20% of the people you will encounter in any given situation, be it a trail or otherwise, are probably criminals, emotionally disturbed, or otherwise undesirable. The emotionally disturbed ones seem to be frequent visitors to the wilderness and generally usually fit into two categories: "Super tough-guy" (STG) and "Self-deprecating amateur" (SDA). The STG is a guy that huffs and puffs and tries as hard as he can to keep up with you or not let you pass him even though he weighs 280#. He's the guy along the Romero trail that is proud that he beat you to the Pools wearing basketball shorts and carrying no pack only to have his pedestrian achievement dashed as you keep right going to the Pass while he tries to cease hyperventilation on the rocks, below. He usually thinks his football experiences ten years ago will translate into speed on ascent and will rationalize the fact that you blow right past him with a remark about how he could beat you up...if he can catch his breath. STG-types are found anywhere there are likely to be young female hikers and along the first one to two miles of trails near population centers.

The SDA is usually a woman or lone male who wants acknowledgment of his or her efforts. He or she is usually past his or her prime, or is very out of shape and wants someone to recognize "How hard" it is for him or her. The SDA is usually found on trails that guide books call "Moderately Strenuous" because the "Strenuous" trail is a label that frightens. You find a lot of them on or near "Cardiac Gap" along Esperero. He or she will usually hero worship you after asking where you were or are going. Followed by a story about how the once hiked up [Insert random trail here] and how hard it was. These people will eat up a lot of your time getting their issues worked out, but at least you have an excuse to take a break. Another added bonus is that they frequently have lots of nice, new gear to check out that has hardly been abused. A lot of them frequently believe that they will be able to hike farther or faster if they have better pants, etc.

I don't know what it is about the mountains or the wilderness that makes people unload their issues upon them, but I could probably write an outdoor recreation psychology book based on some of the oddball stuff I've run across.

[BobP]

I refuse to surrender

That's my train of thought also. If I'm training or don't have a lot of time, I'm part of the crowds. But I definitely pefer solitude.

[writelots]

"Super tough-guy" (STG) and "Self-deprecating amateur" (SDA).

Ohmigawd, you're so spot on! But, what about "Stupid Arrogant Youth" (SAY)? They're a mainstay in the canyons like Sabino, Pima and Bear... Under 23's who drive out of the dorms to hit the trail because their buddies think that hiking is cool, and they want to look cool, too. Always in groups, usually mixed, lucky to have a single bottle of water among them, usually have bling on their sun glasses and try to hike with as little clothing on as is possible. They smell of coconut oil, have very expensive, brand new hiking shoes and whatever backpack is vogue on campus (currently those light weight sacks with two thin strings for shoulder straps). They move fast, but are frequently distracted by photo ops, never follow trail ettiquete (meaning share the trail), and generally laugh at you as you walk past for your tragically unhip duds and big floppy hat. They hike about once every two years and nearly exclusively to water-holes.

I don't mind people on the trail - I rarely have negative encounters with them. I've even met some very nice people who provided me with useful and fun conversations. These people were almost always on the reaches of the trail beyond that 2-3 mile mark, though. Out in the backcountry, I find most of the folks are pretty simatico...

[JoelHazelton]

Haha, I was once part of the "SAY" group. We didn't meet all of the qualifications, though. We were all conservatively dressed and went to more than just waterholes. I just remember going to Peralta trail once, and with us was two acoustic guitars, a bongo, a couple sets of dreadlocks, 1 person sporting flip-flops, and likely some tie-dye . Maybe we were "Dumb Hippy Kids" (DHK) ? Come on, we can't all start out on top...

I'm so embarassed...

[Jeffshadows]

Oh yea, I forgot about them. As you pass the female variety they look down their nose at you and reply to your "Good morning" with a weak-hearted "Heeey." Then they talk about how much you smell while trying not to drop their Starbucks cups. I once saw two of them on the Finger trail near the Spring with gym gloves on. They were headed back into the creek so I told them they had made a wrong turn. Confused, I asked what the gloves were for and one of them said, very matter-of-factually: "Pushing trees and cactus out of the way." As they walked off the other one commented about how they were going to have to "Climb over huge boulders, too." Silly me, I wasn't wearing any gloves!! ;)

[writelots]

I just remember going to Peralta trail once, and with us was two acoustic guitars, a bongo, a couple sets of dreadlocks, 1 person sporting flip-flops, and likely some tie-dye .Maybe we were "Dumb Hippy Kids" (DHK)? Come on, we can't all start out on top...

I'm so embarassed...

I LIKE the DHK's - they'd never laugh down their nose at you or wrinkle it 'cause you stink. And, heck, I came close to qualifying for the SAY's at one point, well except for the coconut oil, partial nudity, rudeness and penchant for fashion. I was like a young SDA without the gear. I think we all had to start somewhere!

[azbackpackr]

Oh, you guys are too much!

[hippiepunkpirate]

Maybe we were "Dumb Hippy Kids" (DHK)

:guilty: As if you couldn't tell already!

BTW: I'm all for Mexican, but I didn't know Taco Bell qualified

[Jeffshadows]

Maybe we were "Dumb Hippy Kids" (DHK)

:guilty: As if you couldn't tell already!

BTW: I'm all for Mexican, but I didn't know Taco Bell qualified

It doesn't unless you're in Canada...

[dysfunction]

About 95% of the "other" people I ever encounter make it about 1 to 1.5 miles in on most of those trails and stop. I walk right past them and never see them again.

This is almost always true thankfully! You've probably lapped me

My personal favorites though have been being asked if I was rescue (because I had a pack on) and the incessant "did you spend the night OUT THERE!?!?!" and "Isn't that pack heavy?" questions.

[BobP]

My personal favorites though have been being asked if I was rescue (because I had a pack on) and the incessant "did you spend the night OUT THERE!?!?!" and "Isn't that pack heavy?" questions.

Or what are you trainng for

[Jeffshadows]

My personal favorites though have been being asked if I was rescue (because I had a pack on) and the incessant "did you spend the night OUT THERE!?!?!" and "Isn't that pack heavy?" questions.

Or what are you trainng for

Yea, I get these all the time, too. I didn't want to say anything before out of a desire not to offend the sports-bottle crowd... ;)

[JimmyLyding]

The most typical one I hear is when I'm at a TRAILHEAD wearing well-worn hiking boots, a floppy hat, a fancy-schmancy backpack, etc. and some old dude asks, "are you going hiking up there?"
I fielded that question at Midgeley Bridge, and it was all I could do to refrain from responding, "No, I'm not going hiking up there. I'm toting all of this gear because I'm some idiot who wants to experience the adventure of the outdoors by taking photos of a stupid bridge."

[BobP]

didn't want to say anything before out of a desire not to offend the sports-bottle crowd...

[desert spirit]

"Isn't it dangerous for you to hike alone?"

"Are you married?"

"Where's your boyfriend?"

"Where are you camping tonight?"

"Want to hike with us?"

"D a m n, that's a big knife you're carrying!"

[BobP]

D a m n, that's a big knife you're carrying!"

Awesome

[hippiepunkpirate]

Fat Man's Loop a few months ago:

"I was late because I didn't want to go out without doing my hair!"

[dysfunction]

on South Kaibab...

"Remember boys, whatever you do... don't step in the pee!"


Course, no mules allowed on SK at that time

[fricknaley]

today

are we close to romero pass yet?

this was 20 minutes from the parking lot with the pass a good 6+ miles and 3400++ feet away.

[Jeffshadows]

today

are we close to romero pass yet?

this was 20 minutes from the parking lot with the pass a good 6+ miles and 3400++ feet away.

...tourists.