Hiker to Town Bandanas

I can't help you on finding one, but if you're only planning on using it on the AT then I wouldn't bother. Locals know your a hiker and you won't have problems getting rides to and from town. Although I've always thought this was brilliant and wished I had one when I was hitching on other lesser known trails.

I tried one of those bandana's. The drivers that did stop said they couldn't read it. Thumb is more effective IMHO.

I have "Hiker to Town" and "Trail" written with a Sharpie in LARGE letters on one of my Tyvek groundsheets… I think you need some large letters to be read from a distance from a moving car.

> Sharpie in LARGE letters on one of my Tyvek groundsheets

+1 to one Dave T from another.

If you don't already have a large, white, waterproof, tearproof surface along, a Fedex shipping envelope can be inverted and a message written on each of the two large surfaces. If you feel guilty about scoring one from the Fedex supply dispenser, leave a quarter on the counter.

Yes, use LARGE letters.

Such an envelope could also be multi-purposed as a stuff sack of sorts, a waterproof place to keep maps and permits, a rain hat in a pinch, and you could always mail stuff home with it.

Your backpack and location may already communicate "Hiker to Town". Other important techniques:

Smile.

NO SUNGLASSES.

Smile.

Only use a sign indicating a short trip, not the long one you're hoping for. Strike up that conversation after the first few minutes after they've realized their head is still attached and therefore you're not an ax murderer.

Clean yourself up as much as possible. Remove the larger sticks and rocks from your hair and beard.

Display the most interesting/foreign flag you have any remote right to display.

And, of course, smile.

Wait, why not have a white wicking layer, write your two messages front and back, and then wear it frontways or backwards as needed? Depending on your gender, physique, and the preferences of the driver, a message on a snug underlayer might get a ride very quickly.

When I did the AT, I took a sharpie to my sleeping pad and made a sign with large letters on it. Just the same as the bandana, except larger.

As long as your pad is easily accessible, it worked really well.

Ive also drawn a checker board on my mat which is useful for tent bound entertainment on rainy nights. Use sticks vs stones.

Just an idea.

I just write "RIDE" in large black letters on the back of one of my maps.

–B.G.–

When I was young, the most effective sign I ever made just said "PLEASE".