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MtnGoat Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001 Posts: 11992 | TRs | Pics Location: Lyle, WA |
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MtnGoat
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Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:08 am
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fun article!
Quote: | Overall appearance: Lean, muscular, without extra bulk. “That gaunt look is the reason bears hide their own food in trees when thru hikers are in the area,” says Chelin, whose trail name is “Steel-Eye” and is known around the world as the man who has been hiking the PCT since 1965. After one of his end-to-end hikes on the 2,663-mile trail, he pulled on his jeans he had left at home, buttoned them up and watched them fall to his ankles.
Faces: Dirty in spite of well-intentioned spit baths. Men have shaggy beards. Women go without lotions or makeup
Legs: Slim, tightly corded. Women’s legs are almost as hairy as the men’s. |
(Sadly, Steel Eye left our mortal coil on July 1)
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. - Will Rogers
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. - Will Rogers
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DIYSteve seeking hygge
Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 12655 | TRs | Pics Location: here now |
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DIYSteve
seeking hygge
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Mon Jul 09, 2018 3:22 pm
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I usually smell a thru hiker before I see 'em
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neek Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 2329 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:45 pm
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They don't smell nearly as bad as all the tourists at national parks.
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Malachai Constant Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 16088 | TRs | Pics Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny |
Some horse riders told us, “they look like bums but have really expensive gear”.
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
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coldrain108 Thundering Herd
Joined: 05 Aug 2010 Posts: 1858 | TRs | Pics Location: somewhere over the rainbow |
neek wrote: | They don't smell nearly as bad as all the tourists at national parks. |
That horrible stench of perfumed laundry detergent. Something I always notice as soon as I get close to the trailhead after just a few days of backpacking.
Since I have no expectations of forgiveness, I don't do it in the first place. That loop hole needs to be closed to everyone.
Since I have no expectations of forgiveness, I don't do it in the first place. That loop hole needs to be closed to everyone.
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jackchinook Member
Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Posts: 684 | TRs | Pics Location: Winthrop |
I've picked up several of them in Mazama hitching over the pass in the fall. Indeed their odors are impressive. But their stories of their experiences shared over the 3h drive to Mukilteo or Lynnwood or wherever they're hoping to be dropped off usually make up for it. Usually.
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Matt Lemke High on the Outdoors
Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Posts: 2052 | TRs | Pics Location: Grand Junction |
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Matt Lemke
High on the Outdoors
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Sun Jul 15, 2018 1:17 pm
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I picked up 3 just driving back from Chelan yesterday! To my surprise, they all had fairly cheap gear
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Jake Robinson Member
Joined: 02 Aug 2016 Posts: 521 | TRs | Pics
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Old crinkled Smartwater bottle
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wildernessed viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
Abused Smart Water bottle with a Sawyer filter on top.
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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Token Civilian Member
Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Posts: 590 | TRs | Pics
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The fact is that you will smell a thru hiker long before you spot them.
Of course, they say the same about non-thrus - the perfume, deodorant, scented laundry detergent, etc. is the give away.
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coldrain108 Thundering Herd
Joined: 05 Aug 2010 Posts: 1858 | TRs | Pics Location: somewhere over the rainbow |
Jake Robinson wrote: | Old crinkled Smartwater bottle |
I carry one of those with the sawyer attached. No thru-hiking for me thank you. And after only a few days I smell like a rancid sweat sock...it is how I get solitude, that and loud, frequent flatulence.
Seems like some cool costume or other attire theme is a dead give away on the PCT. I call it "a parade of one".
Since I have no expectations of forgiveness, I don't do it in the first place. That loop hole needs to be closed to everyone.
Since I have no expectations of forgiveness, I don't do it in the first place. That loop hole needs to be closed to everyone.
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Randito Snarky Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 9495 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellevue at the moment. |
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Randito
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Tue Jul 17, 2018 2:23 pm
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Matt Lemke wrote: | To my surprise, they all had fairly cheap gear |
Not all thru hikers have trust funds!
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Bernardo Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 2174 | TRs | Pics Location: out and about in the world |
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Bernardo
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Wed Jul 18, 2018 8:39 pm
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You get a biased sample in Washington. We only see the ones who've made it a long way. Generally, you can tell by their compactly organized kit, they've been walking for a long while. It is amazing the variety of equipment and pack weights. It would be cool to see a regression of pack weight to success.
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Malachai Constant Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 16088 | TRs | Pics Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny |
They are on the PCT or a connecting trail
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
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Randito Snarky Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 9495 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellevue at the moment. |
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Randito
Snarky Member
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Thu Jul 19, 2018 7:17 am
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Bernardo wrote: | It is amazing the variety of equipment and pack weights. It would be cool to see a regression of pack weight to success. |
FWIW: Along first 100 miles the "French route" of the Camino de Santiago even the small villages have large clothing donation boxes for collecting excess clothing and gear.
Of course the Camino is vastly different than the PCT. One can hike the Camino with just a light day pack and a credit card and have a glass of locally produced wine for just a euro with your meal. As well as shower and wash your clothes.
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