Humphreys Peak
Arizona
June 2013
If you like to categorize, if making order out of randomness is your type of thrill, put hikers into three categories. N’wait, I’ll do it for you.
1
I was leading a hike of fourteen people when some hikers approached from ahead. They stopped walking, I stopped walking, my group, behind me, stopped walking. Those of us in the front idly chatted with this other group for a while, laughed a bit and warmly wished each other a friendly trail before moving on. Once we were moving again, one of my hikers asked me, “Where do you know them from?”
“Don’t know ‘em,” I explained. “Never met.”
“Are you sure?” She was incredulous. “They must be friends of yours. Nobody is that friendly with strangers.”
“Hikers are,” I claimed.
Type of hiker: friendly, part of a larger whole
These folks will make eye contact with you, say hello or even stop for a chat.
2
On etiquette, Emily Post wrote, “Good manners reflect something from inside — an innate sense of consideration for others and respect for self.”
Did Ms Emily ever backpack, or put on her boots and climb up a tall, steep mountain? Dunno. Still, she had a point.
Hiker etiquette tells us that we yield the trail to those who are working harder than we are; perhaps we can make it easier for them if we don’t mess with their rhythm. Translation: If you are hiking downhill (easy) and you come upon some folks who are hiking uphill (hard) the downhill hikers yield to the uphill hikers. Step aside and let them go past. No need to complicate their uphill strife by making them shimmy around your lazy carcass. To consider it another way, those going uphill have the right of way.
Here on Humphreys, and other steep mountains, hikers often reverse the pattern. Those climbing up are more than happy to stop and yield to those going down. So many of them will say, “No, you go ahead. I need to catch my breath.”
Also going down steep hills is precarious and hard on the knees. It might be easier for the downhiller to keep balance and momentum without having to pull over. Hikers’ call.
Type of hiker: polite, practical, team player
These individuals will make eye contact and possibly smile. They have no problem stepping aside, or at least leaning toward the side of the trail, yielding the right of way.
3
Every so often, you meet someone who strains the idea that everyone on the trail is the nicest, friendliest person imaginable.
Take your hiking jagoffs, for example. Jagoffs on the trail will ignore you and even push by you on the narrow passages. They act like there is only one hiker in the world, and it ain’t you. When encountering these self-centered pissants, resist the urge to give them a little oomph as they pass on the narrow ridge. They may not be civilized, but you can be. I mean, look around you, look where you are! The trees are tall, the air is clean and the flora abounds. Try to get comfortable with the idea that you do not have to dispatch these heathens.
Hiking along on the slope of Humphreys, one tall hiker approaches us at top speed. He is hiking with such determination and comes upon us so quickly that we simply don’t have enough time to move over. As he nearly crashes into us on his way past, he slips on the rubble and almost pitches ass over teacup down the steep side slope of the mountain. Someone, probably me, says, “Hey!”
He tosses a “Move out the way next time!” over his shoulder as he speeds up, hiking his solo hike, keeping to his schedule.
Type of hiker: jagoff, won’t likely be missed if actually pitched over the ridge
Don’t be a jagoff. ’Nuff said.