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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)?

had they made it to the wash?

I am a massage therapist at one of the resorts in Tucson and over this holiday season, I've heard quite an earful (not on the trail but amusing nonetheless)
-"We went mountain climbing today, I love to come out here and mountain climb"- From a guy who had been on the finger rock tr. for a 2-hour hike
-"Oh my god, I'm so sore, my husband and I went out for a gigantic hike yesterday and today we're both really paying for it!"- From numerous people who had either gone on the Sabino Canyon road, hiked into Ventana or Pima Canyon for an hour, or walked around the Desert Museum.

Jeff MacE wrote: The emotionally disturbed ones seem to be frequent visitors to the wilderness . . .

Is that us you are talking about? ;)

Jeff MacE wrote: I don't know what it is about the mountains or the wilderness that makes people unload their issues upon them, . . .

That's why I go . . .

sirena wrote:I am a massage therapist at one of the resorts in Tucson and over this holiday season, I've heard quite an earful (not on the trail but amusing nonetheless)
-"We went mountain climbing today, I love to come out here and mountain climb"- From a guy who had been on the finger rock tr. for a 2-hour hike
-"Oh my god, I'm so sore, my husband and I went out for a gigantic hike yesterday and today we're both really paying for it!"- From numerous people who had either gone on the Sabino Canyon road, hiked into Ventana or Pima Canyon for an hour, or walked around the Desert Museum.

I was sitting slightly off trail on Finger Rock trail some years ago, perched up on a rock repairing a flip-flop that I'd blown out on the trail, and heard people coming up from below... looking over I saw two people moving up the trail on all fours, climbing the trail section that I'd just been running on... so, maybe...

Especially this last year, the all time #1 comment I hear is:


"STEELERS!!???"

Who are the Steelers? Do they steel stoves and other camp gear from your campsite?

Did I already post the one about the overheard conversation at Havasu Falls: One tourist, noticing everyone with Camelbaks, says to the other one, "Why are all these people using breathing tubes?"

azbackpackr wrote: Did I already post the one about the overheard conversation at Havasu Falls: One tourist, noticing everyone with Camelbaks, says to the other one, "Why are all these people using breathing tubes?"

I'm not making it up!

If I didn't love that place so much I'd never go back. However, I look at it as a vacation in a crowded 3rd World country...then I'm ok with it.

sirena wrote:I am a massage therapist at one of the resorts in Tucson and over this holiday season, I've heard quite an earful (not on the trail but amusing nonetheless)
-"We went mountain climbing today, I love to come out here and mountain climb"- From a guy who had been on the finger rock tr. for a 2-hour hike
-"Oh my god, I'm so sore, my husband and I went out for a gigantic hike yesterday and today we're both really paying for it!"- From numerous people who had either gone on the Sabino Canyon road, hiked into Ventana or Pima Canyon for an hour, or walked around the Desert Museum.

You *must* work for Canyon Ranch, no? I run into their groups out all the time in the Front Range. It's one of the funniest things you've ever seen, actually. There's usually between eight and twelve late fifties to early sixties WASP-types with beautiful, brand-new Patagonia outdoor gear and white tennis shoes (I asked, some guide there told them they are more comfortable in the sun, LOL!!) being herded along like so many cattle by a guy who looks like he should be hiking with me, instead, and is enjoying their torment every bit as much as I am. They never make it much further than a mile or two before succumbing to vanity...

I've ran into those groups out on Hugh Norris as well, always an interesting encounter... and the silent exchanges with the guides are priceless.

However, I look at it as a vacation in a crowded 3rd World country...then I'm ok with it.

Love it. You know, this thought works well in many situations.

Jeff MacE wrote: There's usually between eight and twelve late fifties to early sixties WASP-types with beautiful, brand-new Patagonia outdoor gear and white tennis shoes (I asked, some guide there told them they are more comfortable in the sun, LOL!!) being herded along like so many cattle by a guy who looks like he should be hiking with me, instead, and is enjoying their torment every bit as much as I am. They never make it much further than a mile or two before succumbing to vanity...

Not to mention how *amazed* they are to see me, a shortish, chubbyish, female hiker - alone - in the desert - heading BACK to the trailhead after having hiked for several hours just as they're wearing out at milepost 2. I usually try to give a little jog as I go by, just for effect...

In response to writelots:
Yea, jogging along the wide section of Bear Canyon at Sabino back to the parking lot (to get picked up), with packs on, is an all time favorite for me... the faces are worth their weight in gold. Glad I'm not the only one

Gee, as a paid hiking guide/recreation leader last summer at Hidden Meadow Ranch near Greer, I missed out on "silent exchanges" with other hikers, etc., because we never saw any other hikers! Hidden Meadow has its "own" trails, although the trails are in the NF, they aren't marked on any maps. I always estimated the people's ability, and then chose the hike based on that.

azbackpackr wrote:Gee, as a paid hiking guide/recreation leader last summer at Hidden Meadow Ranch near Greer, I missed out on "silent exchanges" with other hikers, etc., because we never saw any other hikers! Hidden Meadow has its "own" trails, although the trails are in the NF, they aren't marked on any maps. I always estimated the people's ability, and then chose the hike based on that.

Methinks your clientele was slightly different than that of CR...

Yeah, our guests were often doctors or other professional people, from Scottsdale.