Right-of-Way between hikers?

[joebartels]

What are your thoughts on who has the Right-of-Way between hikers?

[Jim]

I always follow "ascending has right of way", and even step aside for out of shape people who take forever to get by. I follow this on Humphrey, and its always funny because a lot of people are really winded and want the break or don't seem to know about ascending having the right of way.

[mttgilbert]

lesson learned from commuting on a bike: always assume everyone is actively trying to run you over. If everyone at least offers to yield to each other, at least we wouldn't be arguing about who goes first... If nothing else, learn from nonot and just hike where it won't be an issue.

[azbackpackr]

Yeah, I commute as well, passing Redneck High School on my way to work every day! (Large mufflerless pickup trucks going too fast.) As for mtn. biking, when I'm riding near here I rarely see anyone at all, and I apply copious courtesy to those I do see. I almost always see them before they see me. Sometimes they're on horseback, so caution is advised to avoid spooking the horse. I stop, pull bike off the trail, wait to see what the rider wants me to do.

[Jeffshadows]

Yeah, I commute as well, passing Redneck High School on my way to work every day! (Large mufflerless pickup trucks going too fast.)

We have plenty of those down here, too. Most are driving diesel trucks with a ridiculous body lift and have "Contractors build stick and mud shanties" stickers plastered all over the back.

[kevinweitzel75]

I always give up the right of way. I also say "Hi". Sometimes it's funny to ask "Is this the way to the boarder?"

[RickVincent]

My rule is...yield to the faster hiker.

[azbackpackr]

I agree wholeheartedly with the above, although it is not the official etiquette. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE SO UNAWARE of their surroundings! Yeah, I am shouting. It truly amazes and astounds me. The unaware ones are usually those who, when you come up behind them going 3.5 mph to their 1.5, don't even know you are there, or if they do, it doesn't occur to them that they are crawling like frickin' turtles, and should just kind of move over and let you run by. If I am tired and I am going slowly, I let people by. Duh. They are in a rhythm, let them by. I know what it is like to fly and I also know what it is like to be really, really tired and slow.

My son used to do PSAR on the BA and said the worst cause of traffic jams was always Japanese tourists feeding candy to the ground squirrels and taking photos. He said there would be 100 or so people backed up on the trail, and these people were totally unaware they were causing problems. Why I don't go there...thank goodness the GC has real trails for real hikers or there would be no point in going at all.

Ok, I'm done.

[dysfunction]

@azbackpackr
ahhhh the habitual "ON YOUR LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!" seems to come out of my mouth at those moments... I'm loud, and use the 'command voice' ;)

[imike]

it is a shame that in years long past, that aspect of ascending having the right of way ever got started... probably a carryover from car travel on narrow, steep roads. Common sense and logic would give right of way to downhill traffic, though not to be abused. Uphill hikers have more control of their momentum and always might enjoy a brief pause. Downhill traffic has less control and probably does not need to stop. Downhill on steep has to look constantly down at the ground for the next footfall... uphill's slower and more careful pace can more readily watch from a longer perspective. Straight up, head to head, the downhill hiker has a greater chance of bowling over an uphill hiker... just makes sense to set it up not to clash. As always, nice if everyone is just aware of what is going on around them and accomodate the situation. In the end, there is no real rule of right of way. inertia wins in conflict...

[PLC92084]

Probably my pessimistic outlook on humanity but I always expect the worse from people and plan accordingly... I either make room for others to pass me or I plan on going around them (allowing ample room when doing either...). Just seems to work out better that way.

[te_wa]

i have a new approach - while im striding along either up or down hill, im wearing my five fingers.. and other hikers stop to say "whoa, what the heck are.." and i zip right on by. works every time.

[imike]

i have a new approach - while im striding along either up or down hill, im wearing my five fingers.. and other hikers stop to say "whoa, what the heck are.." and i zip right on by. works every time.

...good approach... when I used to run down Finger Rock trail wearing flip-flops I got the same reaction... along with a look that yelled" accident waiting to happen!!"

[azbackpackr]

to the last 3 posters.

I have more trouble with people I come up on them from behind who are going slowly. And I really try to remember to notice people coming up behind me as well.

The cyclist's call, "on your left" does get people's attention, but the average person is not a cyclist and has never heard that call before, so the loud commanding tone conveys the message. Scares them out of their little skins, too.

Thinking back to my younger years of hiking, all my favorite hiking pals were male, my style was somewhat brash, and I had very few female hiking friends, because almost none of them could keep up with me. I used to be very fast. This has all changed a bit. I have mellowed and slowed down a lot, and have aches and pains. I try to do the girlie thing now. It is so much work! With women, you have to do the nicey-nice female talking style. I had to learn it by trial and error. Sigh... I hate getting old.

[dysfunction]

You could try "MAKE A HOLE!" too

[azbackpackr]

I just yell, "Excuse me!" in a hopefully non-threatening and friendly tone of voice. Haven't had to do that in quite awhile, since I seldom see anyone when I am hiking.

[Moovyoaz]

My rules of thumb:
Uphill hikers hikers have the right of way unless:
1. I'm about to be run over by a mountain bike.
2. I'm exhausted from going uphill and looking for any excuse to rest (like coming out of the Grand Canyon).
3. How good looking the downhill person is (female in my case)! Then as a gentleman, I ALWAYS yield..

[Jeffshadows]