Date: 2008-01-03
To: Fun things to do on the Trail
Miles today: 0.0

Over the years I've hiked (many years, but that's another story) I've learned or heard of a number of "fun" things you can do on the trail (I would never do any of these things, so don't get mad at me):1) One hiker carried several of those plastic electrical outlet faceplates (where you plug things in). He put some two-sided tape on the back. At the first few shelters he stuck them inside on the walls and waited for some "new" hikers to show up. They would see the outlets and regret not having brought appliances like an electric blanket. Yes, a cruel joke - but still funny.2) In the middle of a cold night, sleeping in a crammed shelter, one hiker has to get up and go pee in the woods. While he is gone, the hikers on either side of him roll together - thus eliminating the peeing hiker's sleeping spot. When the hiker gets back he is mystified about what has happened.3) If you have a "pain-in-the-ass" (PITA) hiker sleeping in your shelter, everyone else makes sure to bear bag all their food. But once the PITA hiker is asleep, you sprinkle little tidbits of food in a circle around him. You have to make sure not to start laughing during the night.4) Wait until a hiker is seated and conducting "business" on a privy seat, then comment in a loud voice to others: "Boy, did you see the size of that snake down that privy hole?"5) In the morning, when everyone is packing their food bags before heading back on the Trail, slip some of your heavy items (food or otherwise - doesn't really matter) into someone elses food bag. They get to carry your items all day long. When they open their food bag that evening you can re-claim your items with the comment: "I'm sorry, I thought that was my food bag".6) When hiking with a partner through the Shenandoah's - if you see a bear ahead quietly hike back to your partner and ask him/her to take the lead for a while. Then get your camera out and follow. It is truly a "Kodak moment" when you can photograph the bear and your partner in a "close encounter".7) While hiking through the rocks in Pennsylvania, have fun by telling yourself you will be able to find a flat spot to pitch your tent. That evening, still not having found a suitable spot, have more fun listening to yourself curse.8) Getting off the Trail and heading into Palmerton you can have double fun. First by realizing the distance to the town is a LOT more than the 2 miles in the guidebooks. Second, by realizing their is no shouldar on the highway leading into town and it will be a miracle if a car doesn't hit you.9) Halfway through the 100-mile wilderness you see a sign saying "Whitehouse Landing Hostel - 1 mile" on a side trail. The fun begins when you realize that side trail must be perpetually under water when you sink down to your thighs. It is even more fun when those hikers around you spread out to find a way around the water - and they never return.10) It is a ton of fun to watch some of the hikers carry their full pack when they begin climbing Katahdin. Then, as they have to start pulling themselves over the bouldars, you see some of them dump gear from their packs so they can make it all the way to the summit. The irony is that starting hikers may dump gear at Springer and finishing hikers may dump gear at Katahdin.