Naturist/nudist hiking

[Nhavasu]

What are your views on naturists/nudists? Has anyone come upon a naked hiker/camper and what was the outcome ?

[Jeffshadows]

Call me all the names you want to, I will never accept this kind of behavior. I have rights, too; one of them is the right to not be forced to view some new-age wacko's naked body.

[azbackpackr]

I don't think I called you any names, Jeff! I was merely trying to bring out the point that our reactions to nudity are programmed into us, and sometimes it might be good to ask ourselves why we are programmed, who programmed us, and why do we accept this programming?

I'd like to step back here and take a deep breath. This topic brings up a whole slew of things in my mind as to what causes each of us as individuals to think the way we do. I am not really advocating nude hiking per se (sunburn, wrinkles!) but I do like to advocate some hard thinking about what programs our beliefs. Sometimes I like to really try to try on an opposite view for size. Whether or not to accept public nudity is one topic to start with. Hating snakes is another. Who taught you to hate snakes? (This is just an example, maybe you don't hate snakes, maybe you hate spiders.)

I'd like to advocate taking a look at anything we might have a knee-jerk reaction to and asking why do we have this emotional reaction? I have met a lot of people, for example, who if they see a handgun being worn in a holster on the trail would have a similar reaction to seeing it that you, Jeff, might have to seeing a nude guy. They have a reaction, maybe because they haven't seen guns on the trail very much before, or they have a certain idea about what carrying a gun means to them because of something SOMEONE ELSE TOLD THEM TO THINK. In the case of firearms, maybe their parents or the news media taught them to think that way. See what I mean? So with a little willingness to becoming educated and open-minded about firearms, these people might change their views. These anti-gun people get all emotional about the gun thing. They aren't really thinking, they are reacting to a belief they have. And the belief, that firearms are bad, is not based on personal experience with use of firearms, but with something they read in a magazine, or something their mother told them, etc. So if these people will educate themselves about firearms they might come to see that firearms themselves are not bad. They may not decide to use firearms themselves, but maybe they will no longer have that reaction when they see one.

[PaleoRob]

It has happened. A synergy between nude hiking and guns. The two have become one...in the HAZ forum.

[BobP]

13 pages and still going, I don't think it has anything to do with being prudish,uptight, etc. There's a time and a place for everything. To me IMO, Its all about couresty and common sense. I could care less about someone hiking nude but if there's a chance you'll see other people... cover up or make yourself invisible. Its like going to the bathroom outside, most people aren't going to go right on trail for others to watch(but there's allways that "one" guy/girl).

[Jeffshadows]

No one programmed me and I am not responding to any kind of religious, ideological, or familial conditioning. I don't want to see some naked dude when I'm out hiking...period. I also don't want to see some naked chick, but most of the nudity offenders tend to be men. Back on point: Nudity is *NOT* the issue, the issue is wanton behavior that is perpetrated because the perpetrator gets a thrill from it. The same would go for someone hiking carrying a boom-box and blasting music. They are doing it in spite of everyone else there, denigrating everyone else present's experience, and doing so for their own sick enjoyment.

[azbackpackr]

That's true, good point. What is their motivation for this activity, is what you're saying? Is it to bother other people? This seems very strange to me, but you are probably right, since you are the one seeing these people. (I have never actually seen anyone hiking nude in my entire life, other than back in the 60's, early 70's, and that was usually at certain swimming holes.)

So, the fact that you ARE seeing them (unless you are hiking deep in the wilderness, off-trail) might mean that they WANT to be seen. Then I would question this: What is their motive for wanting to be seen? That can get into some rather prurient or ulterior motivations, not just some greenie purist wanting to be "one with nature" but more into what reaction they will get from other hikers.

Since I don't live anywhere near a big city this just isn't an issue. I don't usually see anyone at all when I go hiking. I don't hike in the nude, I don't see any reason to. I can see a lot of reasons NOT to--from too much suntanning in the past I have some bad skin on my shoulders, neck, etc. I will probably have to see a dermatologist about it one of these days, in fact. I even wear a scarf around my neck sometimes, I own few v-neck t-shirts, no tank tops, etc.

Well, anyway, maybe I should go hike in these places and check it out? Or maybe not. I'd rather stick to seeing no one at all on my hikes. It is much more pleasant that way, and the main reason I go hiking.

By the way, off topic, I am NOT lucky to live where I do. People sometimes say that to me, that I'm SO lucky to live in the White Mountains, or I was SO lucky to live in Hawaii for 8 years. I was not lucky. I simply made the decision and moved. Nothing more than that, made the decision and moved. Yeah, I had to sell my belongings. Yeah, I had to find whatever jobs there were to find and be flexible about it. But LUCK was not part of the picture. You get to a new place, use what skills you have and make of it what you can. It can be scary at first if you are very short of money, but you can usually muddle through that stage and get past it. Being a little bit poor is okay, as long as you can pay your bills.

[Jeffshadows]

Perspective has fallen way back into the thread, so thanks for reminding everyone that I'm not talking about people in the middle-of-nowhere living out of a Vanagon and beating bongos. If you go to some of the hot springs you can even expect to see people nude, no big deal. This is wanton behavior by people intentionally going up and down popular trails near an urban center in the nude. We also have a big issue down here, right now, with people being drunk, naked, and out of control at Tanque Verde falls...as if Redington Pass didn't have enough problems already. plz:

[azbackpackr]

Thanks for the clarification. Good discussion, by the way!

Now, I'm going hiking...fully clothed!

[desert spirit]

If you go to some of the hot springs you can even expect to see people nude, no big deal.

I agree. I've been to a nude beach and you're right, it's not a big deal. Time and place for everything, and all that. What I dislike is when people presumptuously assume that if I don't think they should be naked in a public place, then it can only be because I'm some sort of religious fanatic. Or if I don't like guns, then it can only be because I was told to be that way by my mother.

Both positions are terribly arrogant and presumptuous.

[Jeffshadows]

There was a poll done by Backpacker and published this month about skinny dipping at hot springs. Someone posted one of the best replies I've ever heard on the topic, in general; something to the effect of: "Go ahead and get naked! I have a 2GB memory card in my camera and extra batteries..."

[te_wa]

So....No nudes is good nudes?

And Missouri loves company

and my favorite for the month of November: "Im Hungary For Turkey"

[Jeffshadows]

So....No nudes is good nudes?

And Missouri loves company

and my favorite for the month of November: "Im Hungary For Turkey"

If Russia attacked Turkey from behind do you think Greece would help?

[Ckzona]

The other day i was hiking around Slide Rock State Park and I came upon a nude female and male in their mid 20's. It was quite awkward to walk by them in the tight canyon. Ha

[joebartels]

You should have given them a bear hug

[Jeffshadows]

The other day i was hiking around Slide Rock State Park and I came upon a nude female and male in their mid 20's. It was quite awkward to walk by them in the tight canyon. Ha

The irony being that this was one of the few places where nudity is actually illegal; it being a state park...

[mikenoshoes]

being a naturalist myself, I am all for hiking in the buff! Just becareful not to get to close to Cacti!!

[cabel]

Ah to be one with nature.

[Thoreau]

Ah to be one with nature.

Dear god....

[Jeffshadows]

I love it when someone replies to this topic!

[Grasshopper]

love it when someone replies to this topic!

..and we all know WHY you love it!