How non-hikers look at hikers

[Bobby]

I don't consider myself an "experienced" hiker. Much of what I've learned is through trial and error, mostly error . Until the fall of 2006, my hiking season ran from June through Columbus Day. It wasn't until I met up with people from this board that I hiked in the rain or after mid-October. Non of my friends and few of my co-workers are hikers, and needless to say they think there is something wrong with me. (there is!)

After the successful rescue on Mt. Lafayette this week, it seems that the non-hikers around me have become experts on the outdoors. It's difficult to explain why I hike in three seasons, and why I'm interested in winter hiking. I've been asked questions like, "what was he climbing mountains in the winter for", and "shouldn't he know better that to hike in the cold."

The looks I get when I tell the non-hikers that I just enjoy being outdoors, whether it's the Middlesex Fells or the White Mountains. It's hard to explain the feeling we get when we hit a summit, or the feeling of accomplishment we feel after finishing a difficult trail. I often ask the non-hikers if they want to go on a hike, only to get turned down. I joined this board in an effort to meet others with similar interests, and it has turned out better than I ever expected. I'm curious though, do any of you get the same treatment from the non-hikers you know?

 

[alpinista]

I'm curious though, do any of you get the same treatment from the non-hikers you know?

All the time! But I guess it's human nature to fear the unknown -- and non-hikers tend to fear the big unknown of the mountains. I've pretty much stopped engaging in any kind of lengthy discourse with most non-hikers because they can't really relate no matter what words I use to describe the beauty of hiking. I wish I could convert some of my friends and family, but I'm not much of an evangelical (on a lot of different levels!)

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

I'm curious though, do any of you get the same treatment from the non-hikers you know?

Yes. Doing the Presi Traverse last year for the TBTS hike was a prime example. My co-worker and I were both doing it and hung up a poster in our work area in case people wanted to donate. The sign said elevation gain of 8500 feet and people thought the mountains were that high (which I can see how that mistake could be made, but just illustrates a difference). And people kept asking us why we were doing it (one guy told my co-worker "the Swedish bikini team better be waiting for you at the end") and we really couldn't explain why. =P

Whenever there is a high profile search and rescue, like the recent Mt. Hood one, that seems to bring all the haters out of the woodwork. =P I don't know how many times I read that they shouldn't even bother trying to rescue people who voluntarily go into situations like that (i.e. just let them die).

 

[gaiagirl]

Oh gosh, yeah. Many of my friends are non-hikers. A few enjoy easy day hikes during summer and Fall, and for the most part they see me as some superwoman, and could never see themselves heading up some trail above treeline in February . My family, on the other hand, thinks I'm completely out of my mind .... except I see wonder in her eyes when I share photos of views from winter summits with my Mom. I'll get her up there, yet!

 

[cbcbd]

My non-hiking friends (basically co-workers) just don't even ask about what I'm doing... they just assume it's something too extreme and too rugged (I work with some real pansies) for them. And I don't bother explaining anyway, because they just wouldn't comprehend how extreme and rugged it actually is

Then when I show them pictures of me on some really beautiful places (ie. Bondcliff) they get jealous and ask me to invite them next time... but they won't come

To one of my co-workers, "camping" means sitting inside a huge tent in a campground with his buddies playing video games - all to get away from the wives

We all have our thresholds of "wilderness".

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I always ask the 'uninitiated' "What is the one thing you enjoy above everything else? What will you drive 4 hours for? Get up at 4AM for? ..." A lot of folks have some answer for that. Even if they don't "get hiking" (or cycling or fishing or skiing), they get something, and by extrapolation understand.

If they don't understand, or don't get it, no amount of explanation will ever help.

I don't "get golf", or "get model trains", or "get NCAA March Madness", but I understand how others can, and that's good enough for me.

I once had a girlfriend who was a psychology major and she always asked me "How can you find any enjoyment in catching a fish with the brain the size of a pea?" (Referring to a 40 pound striper in this case.) Well, my dear, it survived to reach trophy size, didn't it? 100% of that brain is used to "being a fish". And it is very much aware when something isn't quite right ("that meal looks plastic to me", "that mackerel isn't swimming quite right--must be tethered to some idiot's fishing reel").

Some people have no passions in life. They are B-O-R-I-N-G (IMO, of course )

Tim

 

[giggy]

bobby - yep yep and yep. I got lots a flack from both family (not my wife she hopes I croak - to get the insurance - you want to climb out west - go!!! ) and co-workers when that whole Hood thing happened.

I went out for a run a lunch today and people thought I was actually crazy. It was actually a nice run - about 10 degrees, no wind - whats the problem -still worked up a good sweat.

Most of my freinds seem to get it though - even though they don't hike - I think its b/c they all have something they do - ski, golf, shoot, hunt, play music, collect x-rated movies (not kidding) etc..

 

[Toe Cozy]

And how do you react to their interests?

Anything people do with a passion could be viewed in the same way that you feel your non-hiking friends view what you do. I mean, I spent a good portion of last night making cinnamon bun dough from scratch. It took about 20 minutes to knead it until it was the "right" consistency. Something I've learned by practice, reading, classes, books, etc. I do this all by hand, no electric mixer, no bread machine. I am letting the pans of buns take up two full shelves of space in the fridge, pushing everything else into weird places. I will set my alarm for 4 a.m. Saturday morning to get up and take the pans out of the fridge to proof so that when Chip and I get up I can bake them and eat them and have delicious homemade cinnamon buns. Why wouldn't I just buy the can from Pillsbury? To most people that much effort for cinnamon buns is a waste of time. To me, it's wonderful. My point is not to make you drool over the cinnamon buns, it's this:

Have you ever stopped to wonder how your non hiking co-workers, friends, family view your attitudes about what they might be passionate about? Maybe they are on some knitting board or some cooking website or some environmental awareness website or whatever saying that you have no understanding or appreciation for what they are in to. Now, if they're just not passionate about anything then that's a different story. But if they are passionate about something it's such a good opportunity to understand each other better or to appreciate the different ways we all choose to create meaning in our lives. If you offer them some interest about what they love, maybe they'll return the interest to you. If not...well you tried.

Threads like this appear from time to time and they always make me a little sad for lots of reasons.

oh well...those are my thoughts on this topic. A lot more than $.02 worth.

 

[Peakbagr]

After enough years, you don't care what others think about it.

 

[trailbiscuit]

Most of us here are of the weekend warrior type, so we return to the "normal" world on a weekly basis. If you really want to experience confusion or disdain from a nonhiker, try being a homeless, vagrant, dirtbag thruhiker. (Granted, plenty of folks will welcome you with open arms.)

Walk into any public area as a thruhiker or group of and you can hear the record skip.

What's my point: Hike your Hike. Ski your Ski. Watch your NASCAR. Collect your porn (if your giggy's friend). Whatever you do really do it. Like Toe Cozy said, or maybe I'm paraphrasing, have passion for what your doing. Like posting on a message board!

Why wouldn't I just buy the can from Pillsbury?

Becuase they're full of preservatives and chemicals that kill lab mice.

 

[cbcbd]

I went out for a run a lunch today and people thought I was actually crazy.

I think it's crazy to stay inside on a gorgeous day during any time of year. I think they're crazy, they think I'm crazy. It all works out in the end... I'm just outnumbered

 

[alpinista]

Have you ever stopped to wonder how your non hiking co-workers, friends, family view your attitudes about what they might be passionate about? Maybe they are on some knitting board or some cooking website or some environmental awareness website or whatever saying that you have no understanding or appreciation for what they are in to. Now, if they're just not passionate about anything then that's a different story. But if they are passionate about something it's such a good opportunity to understand each other better or to appreciate the different ways we all choose to create meaning in our lives. If you offer them some interest about what they love, maybe they'll return the interest to you. If not...well you tried.

Really good point, Toe Cozy. Food for thought...

 

[sapblatt]

Our passion for hiking is similar to others passion for clicking the remote and eating cheesy poofs...

Yes - many, even other hikers think I am nuts

Others will think you are an expert on all outdoors activities - many people I know correlate what I do with stories they see about Mount Everest - no clue there is a difference between hiking and mountaineering and ice climbing.
I have been asked if I would cut my arm off if I had too? Why would anyone want to hike? Why would you go it the rain/snow/ice/heat? etc....

As for converting - I gave that up a long time ago...1/2 mile up the OBP my best (non hiking variety) friend said, well, it is time to turn around when it started to sprinkle...5 hours of driving - 30 minutes of hiking.

People are generally drawn to hiking or no amount of persuasion will get them there - I welcome all the people I know to join me but outside of the hiking community it has only happened a couple of times. Sometimes you get lucky and get to hike with stand up comedians who parade around as hikers - like Bobby!

 

[Mike P.]

all the time, now the downside of that is when the weather is bad & people call in because it's bad out, I go to work. It wouldn't stop me from hiking, it better not stop me from work.

Went out for a 2.3 mile walk at lunch just around bushnell park (a few times) quite chilly where only one layer was covering the body.

 

[forestgnome]

Non-hikers are best left alone. Smile when they refer to hiking as something other than desirable activity. There are plenty of us to share esoteric conversation about hiking the trails. Take heart in being "strange".
Happy Trails

 

[Bobby]

My point is not to make you drool over the cinnamon buns

Now I want cinnamon buns!

Have you ever stopped to wonder how your non hiking co-workers, friends, family view your attitudes about what they might be passionate about?

Sure, and I respect their passions. If I know someone is into cooking, I don't make comparisons to Julia Child or Emeril. I try to be a live and let live type, but since Mt. Hood, and then Lafayette, I seem to be defending how I choose to spend my time.

 

[NewHampshire]

Just give Hollywood some time to make a romanticized movie on hiking and all things will change. Hollywood has made romaticized movies on everything from fly fishing to computer hacking. Its only a matter of time before us hikers get OUR movie and everyone wants to be US!!! .

B.

 

[Skyclimber]

You can't explain to someone who doesn't climb, "Why We Climb." So there's no sense in trying and there's no reason to.

 

[Neil]

You can't explain to someone who doesn't climb, "Why We Climb." So there's no sense in trying and there's no reason to.

I agree with Skyclimber. I couldn't care less. Like all of you I do what I love to do and that's the end of it.

 

[McRat]

Between family and work, I've had to trot out my personal favorite defense no less than 40 times.

"The most dangerous part of my hikes is the ride up and back."

I told my Dad about the Carter Notch trip and he used one of his yankee responses, "I think your softer than a sneaker full of &@#$."

Some people simply won't get it. That's why I hang around on hiking boards.