HikeArizona.COM

I had a thought...it might not be a good one (and if it isn't I'm sure you all will let me know )....but...what do you think about figuring out some way to identify ourselves as HAZ members when out on the trail...not like a name tag or anything, but, there are quite a few of us who hike the same areas, and once in a while I think I recognize someone from here, but am unsure, and don't want to come across as the psycho guy on the trail by approaching the person...it's kinda an awkward thing...

I know there are the t-shirts...however I don't know about anyone else, but I don't hike in mine...it's in the "good" t-shirt drawer, the ones without stains and such :roll:

The only thing I thought of that might work and would also be useful would be a bandana...it could be worn of course, but it could also be tied to a trekking pole or to the back of a pack, so it'd be visible to other hikers...it would have to be a distinguishable color, or have an obvious design or something like that...

I don't know...it was just a thought...I keep thinking I might be on the same trail as Joe and not know it was he, thus missing my brush with greatness :GB:

jimmyrio wrote:This is all very cool!
Perhaps we could incorperate a secret handshake too????????????

And a decoder ring!

So would the AZ flag bandana be easy to recognize attached to the back of a pack?

Okay - the camo bandannas are a definite NO - although the orange one is interesting as a display item. But a bandanna in general is a good idea.

The only problem with attaching it to a pack is that it will usually be in BACK of the hiker - and you rarely approach hikers from behind (unless they are much slower than you are). The odds are greater that you see someone coming from the other direction, and then you would have to be cranning your neck to see the backside of everyone you pass (which could be a good thing or a very bad thing - especially horrifying if Hoolie passed you on the trail).

I like the bandanna idea - but I think it has to be something that can easily be worn on the FRONT. I like the hat or patch idea. Patch especially because it can be attached to any existing favorite hat.

Perhaps a pin badge? That could be easily transfered to any surface.

Good idea - tough problem to solve.

jmzblond wrote:Believe it or not... I was born and raised in L.A. where that movie "Colors" was filmed!! That was my neighborhood!! ...My grandmother still lives 1 block off Compton & Crenshaw Blvd.

Yo! Word! (Gotta keep your roots from the 'hood.)

My 'hood was a swamp in Houston. No "Deliverance" jokes please. I don't even own a banjo.

Mike wrote:That would work, too. Know anywhere to get them?

Mike, et al. I've seen them at Larada's Surplus in Mesa (NE corner of Main and Extension). But a lot of other non-HAZites use 'em as well, including my dog. Maybe a bandana with a repeating pattern of the Running Kokopelli With His Hair On Fire guy! Teva could look into this and make 'em a self-liquidating promo. I'd certainly be willing to shell out some dinero for one. And I'll try to keep the enchilada sauce stains to a minimum, unlike my HAZ t-shirt. :roll:

-Nealz

olesma wrote: My 'hood was a swamp in Houston. No "Deliverance" jokes please. I don't even own a banjo.

Dude, "Deliverance" was filmed on the Georgia/South Carolina border. I grew up 50 miles from there. Ain't no swamp within 100 miles of that place! Lots of good trails nearby, though!

Mike, do you play the banjo?

Running Kokopelli With His Hair On Fire guy would also work....these were the best the one website had to offer

http://www.e-bandanas.com/99812.htm

http://www.e-bandanas.com/99811.htm

http://www.e-bandanas.com/99810.htm

I love the idea. Esp. for those of us whose schedules haven't seemed to have been in sync with any 'get togethers'. I am often on the trail with my daughter and we wonder if someone we pass looks like someone's picture. Whatever it is you all come up with, count me in for 2.

I vote yeah for the bandana idea.

ck1 wrote:Mike, do you play the banjo?

Yeah, a little, not very well, though. I play guitar and mandolin. And, I have all my teeth...

Mike wrote:

olesma wrote: My 'hood was a swamp in Houston. No "Deliverance" jokes please. I don't even own a banjo.

You gotta purdy mouth, boy. I'm gonna make you squeel like pig!

Seriously though, I'd rather go for the AZ flag bandanna.

Hey, count us in, too, whatever the final decision is. Of course, we collect patches so that sounds like fun, too!

It doesn't have to be one or the other either. People that like hats can get a hike az hat, people that like patches can do that, and the rest can wrap a bandana around their head, neck, leg, hang it from their pack, or attach a whip antenna to their pack and display it 10' in the air!

Hey all, been awhile. Like this idea of tagging haz'er and a bandana is not a bad idea. Although I was not aware we could purchase T-shirts and hats through haz. Nevertheless I will keep an eye on this post, to see what is decided.

Well, some of these places do have custom screenprinting if we submitted a HAZ design. I just didn't look into the cost. But I like the more brightly colored designs as I think those would quickly catch your attention and be easier to spot.

I don't know about the bandanna thing, but a sew-on patch would be cool. My backpack already has a bunch of patches on it-one for the PCT, one I bought in Alaska, one from Grand Canyon National Park, and few for some trail organizations I belong to. If I can find an Arizona or Kokopelli patch to sew on there I will pick it up and post where to buy 'em here.

Lizard

The patch idea on a pack would be great for a long day hike or a backpacking trip. But what about all those Squaw Peak and Camelback Mountain hikes were you don't carry anything except for water? That's something I do once a week and am always scanning faces. I think hats and/or bandanas are the best all round. Just my 2 cents. :roll:

I'm thinking the bandana thing is the easiest to impliment...an AZ flag bandana, or just a certain colored one...would require the least amount of work...meaning everyone can just get their own.

A patch would be cool...I don't know about costs or ordering or shipping/distribution...seems like a good idea, but an increased amount of work. I don't know if Joe's source for the shirts has the ability to do patches (or even a HAZ bandana)...maybe the wise one can chime in...

A hat would I think fall into the same category as above....

So, if anybody has any suggestions on how to swing the patch/hat thing, please speak up, otherwise I'll post a poll on what type of bandana people think would be best, then I'll post some locations (web based and local) where the selected bandana could be purchased

I think the bandanna idea is the best myself. You can do a lot of things with a bandanna.

I was thinking just tie it around a shoulder strap up front. Or, like Daryl suggested, on top of a 10 foot whip antenna.

I really like the idea of a HAZ patch. I know there's a little more money involved with that, but I'd certainly be willing to purchase three. I'd put on one my external frame pack for my GC treks, one on my day pack, and then I'd put on my camelback for the hour plus hikes and mountain biking. As for Squaw or Camelback, I don't see myself carrying anything other than the essentials...a half liter of water.