[Dave Workman]

[hyak.net]

I've never really had one set rule for who gives way as there are so many factors that would need to be considered. Usually going downhill I give way to uphill unless those going downhill are heavy loaded then its the heaviest loaded gets the nod. Hikers with kids also need to be considered depending on age, and older hikers vs younger hikers, etc. I would not want to play chicken with a horse, they get a free pass no matter which direction. And hikers that have a pit bull, they can move on by quickly as well.....

[jenjen]

[Rich Baldwin]

(Just curious how many downhill steps PiB requires? )

[ActionBetty]

damn, you folks are just too nice.. I never stop..I just push them off the trail..or I let my dog loose to knock them off trail. JOKING! I say whomever steps off first to let the other /s by wins the nice prize...sometimes its me..sometimes it the other party.

[captain jack]

[miss manners]

[jsull]

I guess I've been breaking the "rules" all these years. When I'm hiking uphill I generally yield to downhill hikers. Otherwise I figure they'd have to wait a lot longer than I would. And with a big enough pack, it's not like I have any momentum to lose. Actually, I usually like the excuse for a quick breather.

[Conrad]

I second jsull, I never heard the "downhill yields" rule although apparently many of you have, and it doesn't make lots of logical sense to me for jsull's reasons, and since going downhill I actually have lots more (actual physical, not psychological) momentum and it's harder to stop and step aside. On the other hand, going downhill I can see the path ahead better to scan for a turnout. In practice, I think when two courteous hikers see each other, they look for a turnout closest to the spot where they'll meet and whoever gets to that turnout first steps into it. But mostly I'm sorry for you Seattle hikers (as I was, once) who hike on such crowded trails that it's worth worrying about!

[jackchinook]

I propose a mandate whereby every ALW or Enchantments hiker must have a headband with a rock, a scissors, or a paper icon on it...he who yeilds is obvious. In the event that two rocks, two scissors, or two papers come head to head, best of three rule applies.

[Malachai Constant]

Quarterstaffs at bridges

[Conrad]

[Moleman]

Back to the horses and mules - We met a number in Glacier NP last summer. First was a packer leading a horse and 2 mules, bringing in supplies for a construction project. He and the stock had already walked about 8 miles that morning, so they were really moving along. We stepped off to the downhill side. The more skittery member of the pack string went up the slope to get away from us. [perhaps we didn't appear small enough to him!] If things had been reversed, and he'd gone down the hill, they would have rolled down for a long time. So, downhill side makes some sense. Worst part of all the equine traffic was not the road apples. It was the dust. 15 horses in one string that overtook us on a downhill section, times 4 hooves each, meant 60 dust stirrers. We took a 5 minute break to let it settle.

[Gray]

I pretty much yield to anyone or anycritter, whether I am going uphill or downhill, unless they make it clear that they are going to yield. I always appreciate the break, and the chance to grab a couple extra lungfulls of air --Gray

[Skinem]

The one who knows the terminal velocity of the African swallow gets to continue on...