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<b>Does Your Hiking Show?</b>


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Home Forums General Forums General Lightweight Backpacking Discussion <b>Does Your Hiking Show?</b>

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Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • #1269368
    John Donewar
    BPL Member

    @newton

    Locale: Southeastern Texas

    I was paid what I consider a compliment by a co-worker of mine. On a daily basis I carry a day pack and walk from the front gate to my shop.

    As I was walking in to work recently a co-worker asked me if I "walked on trails".

    I responded, "Yes I do"!

    His response was, "It shows, you've got that kind of a walk".

    Until that point in time I didn't really know that I walked like a hiker. :-)

    Does your hiking show? Can other hikers pick you out of a crowd? Would a non-hiker see something about you that would clue them in to your being a hiker?

    If so, please tell us about it.

    Party On,

    Newton

    #1698615
    Forbes Belk
    BPL Member

    @forbesb-2

    Locale: Bay Area

    I've been asked if I was a sprinter before (I was) based on how I walk, but never if I was a hiker. I'd definitely say it makes sense that repetitive exercise would change the balance in your muscles enough to alter your gait.

    #1698653
    Josh Leavitt
    BPL Member

    @joshleavitt

    Locale: Ruta Locura

    My limp probably does not say "hiker" :-)

    #1698666
    George Matthews
    BPL Member

    @gmatthews

    My pace is above average. I pass almost everybody in front of me and never get passed. From video I've taken from a downward view when hiking, and seeing my own reflection from buildings, I can see that I am sort of feeling the ground with each step.

    Like Josh's limp, I'd say most people think I'm injured or just decrepit. I have a mostly white beard and white hair that is on top purely imagination yet vigorous on the sides and back. Hopefully no one will dial 9-1-1 when they see me. However, if they do call then the EMTs will never catch me.

    To paraphrase George Carlin:

    Have you ever noticed that anybody walking slower than you is an idiot, and anyone walking faster than you is a maniac?

    ======

    george c

    The older I get the more I look like him I've been told…

    #1698668
    Ike Jutkowitz
    BPL Member

    @ike

    Locale: Central Michigan

    I don't think my walk is anything special, but I can sure be picked out of the crowd when sitting in a diner after a week on the trail. I think it's the smell…

    #1701347
    Eric Blumensaadt
    BPL Member

    @danepacker

    Locale: Mojave Desert

    Once I was told I walked "like I was XC skiing". Well, I used to be an XC racer and I wear and use my poles in a similar way so maybe that is what pegged my hiking gait for that observant guy.

    #1701385
    Adam Rothermich
    BPL Member

    @aroth87

    Locale: Missouri Ozarks

    I wouldn't say I walk like a hiker, I've got long legs so I tend to walk "faster" than most people anyway. My friends can always tell after I've been on a hike though, my legs are normally stiff and I hobble everywhere.

    Adam

    #1701441
    Sky Horne
    Member

    @simplyalpine

    Locale: Vagabonding..

    definitely. I don't own shoes that aren't trail runners. It's hard for me to keep a pace that's under 3.5 mph. I turned my old hiking pants into casual city shorts. Always have one of my packs on me, loaded with essentials, and yeah, my outerwear make me look like I'm about to go on an expedition.

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