are backpackers' strange people??

“eeek,Gemini, that was me!
j/k
>;D

I don't think backpackers are strange. It's the people who prefer to spend their lives in climate-controlled boxes, behind a desk by day and watching tv by night that scare me.
=:0

explore your world...”

“I aims to please, but I doesn't always shoot straight!”

“amyG?? I don't get it... you hiked in a scared with no undies?? Or you're the one that does not look like a backpacker??

LOL you're posting on "THAT" board??”

“Thanks Gemini, I was just curious.”

“that would be "skirt" dunn know how I got "scared" out of that one... sorry”

“You'd be scared if I were backpacking in a skirt ;oP”

“hMMm.. musta 'scared' the 'skirt' off you, gemini.”

“strange is relative”

“naaa, I don't hike in skirts. Nothing wrong with it, but personally I don't feel comfortable in a skirt climbing up a rock.”

“When I go on wilderness patrol for the Forest Service I get to meet a lot of people. Really cool! To me backpackers aren't weird, they are interesting.

It is hard to generalize, but based on 6 years of trail patrol and without taking a scientific survey, I would say that most backpackers are:

1. Successful at their avocation
2. Above average in education level
3. Connected to the internet
4. More easy going than most people
5. Friendly

Hey, it is tempting to do a study on this. It would make a great magazine article.”

“Gemini, i agree with you about the women's forum on the Other Site. i actually like the Other Site, but the women's forum has a few... how do i say this... reactionaries. of course there are male reactionaries, too, and i avoid their posts as well.

i peek in there for gear & female-specific hiking issues, but i avoid the other threads. i just can't stomach some of it.

and yeah, i didn't get the big deal about the "sexy" article. who cares? i didn't even notice it until the brouhaha started.”

“Speaking of skirts, what's the deal with the unisex kilt by MH? Have you all ever seen a man using one?
I think I personally was suprised at the variety of people I saw on the trail when I first started. A lot of "heavy set" people, and I would think "there's no way this person gets very far" Then I would start talking to them, and they were on a trip all the time, going out west, getting ready for the AT, etc. Hiking bukhu more miles than my skinny butt does. You can't judge a book by its cover is true once again.”

“Prediction: Backpacker mag will soon have a survey out to find out exactly what backpackers are, just like Phil talked about above.”

“(FYI. I never believe ANY study or poll reported in a newspaper, magazine, or on TV unless I know how they sampled, sample size, and what was acutally measured, and which hypothesis test they used.)"
Phil
10:43:11 AM
04/02/03

Yes, but will Phil believe that study? :)”

“the stereotypical backpacker is lean, tall, leans toward vegetarian meals, rides their bicycle a lot, takes pride in their backyard gardens, is an environmental activist.. etc.. etc..

TownDawg, did you just describe lyra?? You forgot "real cute" and "possesses monkeys"! lol!

I like to think I blend in to the environment out on the trail... It's stopping the burping and farting when I return...”

“I tend to agree with Phil. My observations have been the same.

In over 20 years of backpacking, I have met very, very few people I couldn't get along with.”

“chili36: hehe.. which is y you and I don't hike together!.. LOL”

“Backpackers I've met have usually been straightforward people. There have been a few whackos, but very few. There have been, from time to time, a few snobs who think they are smarter than the average bear, that is until they meet up with the average bear. The average bear usually trumps snob hikers.

Some people seem to think hiking is a fashion statement. Nice clothes stink just as bad as old clothes after a week in the woods.

Bottom line: snobs do not seem to last too long. They either come to earth or find other ways to use up their free time.”

“I haven’t seen any body else with a wheelbarrow so I’m better then them.”

“LOL! except i'm afraid of bicycles and my monkeys are NOT possessed, spankyouverymuch. but at least you got the "real cute" part.
;-P”

“Must Hike, doesn't the inside of your cheek hurt? Or your tongue?

Since I am mostly blind, I just assume everyone I meet hiking is wearing and using the right brands.

I dream of being like a stereotypical backpacker, lean, tall, rides a bicycle, vegetarian and witty. But then I wake up.

:)”

“Are we really the most objective people to judge whether backpackers are strange?”

“I hear ya Lyndy I just looked in the mirror and realized I’m not a backpacker and can’t go on the OLP trip this weekend.”

“Good to here from you Lyndy.”

“chili36: hehe.. which is y you and I don't hike together!.. LOL"
TownDawg
12:13:38 PM
04/02/03

I didn't claim that any of them could get along with me!”

“Actually I can't go on the OLP trip now myself, since I am a Mom before I am a backpacker. The kids have some events, and my husband needs to work, since I was away for five days visiting relatives.”

“Must Hike, about the mirror, just break it, and your troubles will be over, unless you are superstitious.

Have you been out hiking lately? Is it muddy out in PA?”

“Here's my view of what backpackers are like:

”

“I will admit that I am VERY STRANGE AND WIERD!

8)”

“You Rock girlfriend!!

Whoever said you didn't look like a backpacker obviously is not even qualified to go on a day hike.
Don't let it bother ya.”

“You folks are weird... but it's a good weird.”

“Yes we are strange , different and the best people in the world!! I wouldn't want to be classified with any other type of people but hikers and backpackers!!!!!”

“I agree Clem!

8)”