A Better Board than this...

“These guys suggested that if I was distracted by the abundance of insider, "chat-room" style chatter (not about backpacking subjects at all) on this Message Board, that there were a number of other Message Boards I could check out. Fritz left me three, one of which I really like, so far. If you want backpacking info and ideas, not commentary about farts and trailer-park chatter, check out www.rei.com/community/docs/camptop.html”

“Trailer Park Chatter??????

WTF?? Don't let the door hit you in the @ss on the way out.”

“Any other cliches you picked up at the skateboard park you'd like to share?”

“Well, it would appear that you are hanging around for some more chatter,,,,,must like it more that you want to admit.”

“Oh, by the way, I have never been to a skateboard park,,,,I picked that one up in a Juke Joint down south of Jackson, MS.”

“ogregon, lighten up man (or woman)! There is plenty of gear talk here. It goes in peaks in valleys. Dec,Jan and Feb can get pretty nuts around here...cabin fever perhaps. One can only discuss the virtues of specific gear so many times.

What you will find (if you stay) here is a group of VERY dedicated hikers who enjoy talking about stuff other than hiking periodically. Within this group you will find some very good advice on trails and gear etc...you will also find some hillarious banter and if you make an effort some good friends. I have been here 2 years and have formed a good enough friendship with others here that we get together at least once a month.

So kick back, browse around and enjoy!”

“If you think that this sight has a lot of useless chatter why not just change to another site.

We the people here like to keep informed about others lives as well as the so called trailer park chatter that you mention.

It is my personnal observation that the majority here condones these talks and those that don't just make sure that the door doesn't smack you where the good lord cracked you on the way out!!

Have a nice day and thank you for not choosing thebackpacker.com!!”

“I thought the saying was " Go on an git and don't let the door hitcha were the good Lord splitcha"”

“well said birch,,,,my social skill are lacking today,,,thanks for jumping in.”

“Glad you found a board that is better for you. See you on the trails.”

“It depends on the part of the country that you are in but either way it is just as effective!!!”

“ogregon, it doesn't seem necessary to dis TT because it doesn't meet your definition of the perfect gear-oriented site. You got some directions to possible sites of that nature, which proves what I came to realize early on at TT: If you have a technical/gear question, ask it, and you will get a variety of knowledgeable and helpful answers from literally every corner of the nation and even other parts of the globe.

And, as with television, if you don't like the "farts and boobs" channel, don't turn it on. There are plenty of threads you can open on TT about gear and trips. Plus you can start your own.

Hang in a bit, and you may find a day when you want to be a bit crazy. At TT, that's allowed. And they will still go hiking with you in the morning.”

“The REI board has just as much BS as we do here and the threaded chat is more difficult to follow.

I don't see anything in it's favor.

What I do see is that TT has a real community of people who actually hike and sometimes hike together.”

“There's alot of better boards than this (maybe) and alot worse. It's a free country, I hang out where ever I wish.

Boards that's too specific gets kinda boring after a while...that's why I like it here.”

“Yeah!!! Get out! And don't come back. These regulars may be trailer trash talking bozos, but they're my bozos.

And besides, we've already talked about stoves, tents, sleeping bags, favorite trails, and any number of other BPing related topics three or four years ago. We just want to argue and fight now.”

“Right on, Solitary Hiker!!!
We fight just like a family and thats what makes this board so appealling!”

“So, I checked out the recommeded site and hey, guess what, there's a bunch of trailer trash over there as well.

Here's an example from the Trips thread:

Posted by Obnoxious on Monday, 5 November 2001, at 4:20 p.m.

One of my favorite PNW trips is to the nearest liquor store.

Posted by koscuiszsko on Monday, 5 November 2001, at 7:55 p.m., in response to When the weather's lousy, posted by Obnoxious on Monday, 5 November 2001, at 4:20 p.m.

My favorite is the hike up the stairs to the herb man's house... ;)

Posted by Melinda on Wednesday, 7 November 2001, at 4:18 p.m., in response to Wet, Winter Hikes, posted by koscuiszsko on Monday, 5 November 2001, at 7:55 p.m.

Yes, let's not forget to give thanks for the herb man during this time of year....and all year....we wouldn't be sane without them....at least not myself....road rage would rule my world....

Also, check out the gear thread. Scroll down, you won't have to go far, and we get into a discussion about someone making someone else upset. Gee, sound familiar.

I guess us backpacker types just can't keep on track no matter where we post eh.”

“Wouldn't this be a boring world without all of the diversity?”

“"We fight just like a family"

Where's my saw, cause there's a few limbs on this family tree I'd like to prune off! LOL!

No matter how much some people try to make it out to be some kind of extreme sport for the mentally insane, backpacking will never be anything more than walking and sleeping in the woods. Do you know how to walk? Good. Can you cook? Good. Can you crawl in a bag and sleep? Good. There, you're all done with the backpackin stuff.

Now lets get back to some good ol' fashioned boob rubbin', fartin' an' story tellin!”

“"backpacker types just can't keep on track..."...yeah, we're into bushwacking...”

“I started out this thread just giving a nod to two guys who helped point me in other directions that will prove more useful to me.

Not my real intent to dis anyone for their choices.

But wow! When someone offers a differing view, do you guys ever go off!

I'm sure this post in itself will inspire a few dozen of you to clever-off for your buds here on TT, who will all back-slap each other to death in mutual appreciation. Me? I'll be off elsewhere. I know, I know; don't let the door hit me in the @ss on the way out. Sheesh.

You folks oughta conaiswe how your clique drives folks off. But then, likely you don't care.”

“"If you want backpacking info and ideas, not commentary about farts and trailer-park chatter, check out www.rei.com/community/docs/camptop.html"

This is not just a differing opinion, but a passive/aggressive insult. I think your need for meeningful hiking info can only be surpassed by your need for attention. I hope you enjoy REI as much as I enjoy this place.”

“your armchair psychological evaluation, Nigal! Ogregon's makes a point that the ol' timers here ought to consider.”

“one of those so-called BETTER boards? a recent post: "Are there any slim 17-27 year old girls wanting to travel around working and having fun? I am a sheep shearer who can get work in lotsa countries for myself and someone who is willing to learn - Dave"

All I got to say if that is better, go for it.”

“Ahhh, the defense of the honor of TT, as in "other sites are just as bad?"

And that makes TT look good?

What about the point of view that some of the talk here IS pretty adolescent?

Is your point that there's trash to be found on all message boards, so just live with it?

Some of the posters earlier were defending the right of TT to contain fart, boob and ass talk between best buds ...

Oregon was looking for discussion on a little a more sport-serious plane and was trashed for it. Anyone who feels the same likely would fear the same over-reaction, which is probably why you don't hear more comments like his/hers more often.

You boys sure do defend your clubhouse! I bet there's a secret handshake and a decoder ring.”

“heh.. actually, yes there is.. and you are not invited.”

“but you know.. in all seriousness.. the biggest reason I like this board is cos ppl actually TALK to each other.. and RESPOND to other comments..

Guess what.. most fo the other boards are impersonal, one-sided, and a lot of the ppl dont even hike.”

“And while I am clearing up a few things.. when you have been in the woods the combined days as most fo the people here, guess what? You don't have to play the role of swapping favorite gear and best food to prepare on the trail anymore.


I'm not defending this board, any more than you are trashing it, but I have ultimate respect for the talent represented here.”

“Hey licketysplit, I am new to Trail Talk and I haven't meet anyone of the guys & gals yet but when I have a question to ask I ask it. Everyone here has been really cool even though I may ask some stupid questions. I like this board and I will keep coming back.”

“This board will be whatever YOU help it to be”

“I use to think the same as you. I first visited this site a couple years ago and wondered wtf is up with this place. I left for more serious backpacking discussions and found my way over to REI, Backpacker, and GORP boards. I soon became very suspicous of those posters. I started noticing
gear and destination threads were being hyped for certain products. It finally clicked that there were a fair amount of sales reps posting (REI being the worst). I hate that more than anything. So off I went back to this board. I stuck with it and started seeing personalities behind the posts, something that's not present on the other boards. The folks I disliked in the beginning became the reason I stuck around. Especially "bacpac". He makes me howl or least he used to. He's too nice nowadays and doesn't post as much. Yes, there are a few TT'ers that rub me the wrong way with their PC attitudes and constant "LOL" posts but the bottom line is give it some time. TT'ers just might grow on ya.”

“If I only wanted to hear things I agreed with,,,,,I would stay at home and talk to myself.”

“Licketysplit, yes talk gets adolescent around here. So what, so does talk around a campfire.

If you want gear threads, do a search on the bottom of the page. You can back one year, there are TONS.

If you dont like what you read why do stomp your feet and whine about it and threaten to take your ball and go home?

As was said, this place is what you make it.

Why not start some threads about gear? I bet you get some good snow hiking discussions going.”

“Hey, the newbies sometimes complain about the oldtimers, and the oldtimers sometimes complain about the newbies, however, I seem to observe most of us enjoying the "family feud". Our parent, Mr. Matt, has not seen fit to use birth control, so there are more of us all the time. I say, welcome aboard!”

“And we don't use the selective breeding process either....we even let folks that have questionable lineage post here...”

“This is nothing like my family! All my family wants to talk about is serious backpacking! lol”

“TT has been getting better. there has been a surge of actual backpacking type topics lately.”

“I am in the same boat as Ewker and I feel about the same way. I think the sheer volume of threads and participants provides plenty of converstation choice.”

“ogregon, you make some good points and you show some maturity and taste. Stick around, this board needs your type...TT's not the first backpacking discussion board I hit when I log on either.”

“LOL this is the best place to be I don't care what anyone says!!!!!Don't let the door hit ya....:)

Crazy Mike"Langer"”

“Just because I live in a trailer park does not mean I can't talk about backpacking subjects in an intelligent manner. I would appreciate it if you would not use that cliches at my expense. Or I won't invite you to the next neighborhood skateboard/bar-b-que party!”

“Really I don't live in a trailer park-I just wanted to show you your not so different from us. But, keep trying!”

“I love this board. As most of people know i'm new and going though a bad divorce. The people on here have excepted me and that helped me a lot with what I was going though. I can post my poems of anger and distrust and everyone is cool with that. There is nothing that you can't about on here. Everyone needs to talk to someone. If you don't like it then go some other place. You will not be missed. In fact people might like it if you don't come back.”

“"Spare us your armchair psychological evaluation, Nigal!"

Nope, just usin' common sense. If ya don't like it here, leave. Spare us your b!tchin'.”

“Git 'emm Nigal...”

“You had the first name-calling complaint out of the box about what Oregon had to say, Nigal. Calling the kettle black seems to appeal to you!”

“My 2 cents: boobs are nice, farts are stinky, sex on a thermarest is really kinky.

Thanks for giving me a thread to post about boobs and farts.

Hey licketysplit, make like a tree and leave, or take the nebie hazing and join the group. I think it's time Srgt. Hartman pays you a visit.*

*Please disregard this comment if you are hot young female who likes tall guys that are totallly confused about womankind.”

“What happened to "Thatguywhospewscrappypoetry"? I loved him!!!”

“Oregon. Like you, I am new here. And I have already made a few acquaintences. My first week here ended with talking with Towndawg on the phone...pretty darned friendly if you ask me. But from what I've read about TownDawg...he might better be named "Hound Dawg". (sorry TD) I have had numerous BP'ing questions answered, and have learned quite a bit about the subject, and now I find myself looking very much forward to 2 - multiday BPing trips this year. It seems that the "all are invited" mentality rules supreme here. As the wise Forrest Gump said "life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get", well so is TT, ya never quite know what the day's topic of discussion might be, usually its halarious. The folks on this sight are serious and passionate about the outdoors, they are an inspiration and I, for one am glad that the Web Gods allowed me to stumble on this site.”

“I'm in stage III of post break-up syndrome.

Stage I - Drink heavily, write stupid poetry.

Stage II - Drink heavily, use cheesy pick-up lines and poetry to pick up women.

Stage III - Forget the girl, why do I need a woman when I have a hand, and partake in a glass of wine every now and then.

Stage IV - Marry rich supermodel.”