“Dude we’re going on a hike someday list.”

There's a number of people on here at BPL that if I started a list, I'd inadvertently forget someone. I'll start one of non BPL people. Some of these people are dead and I'm perfectly OK hiking with their zombie.

1. Winston Churchill. I suspect there would be low mileage days full of cigars, booze, and fascinating stories/jokes. I'm thinking Panjab trailhead into the Blue Mountains where we'd just explore whatever and not worry about a schedule or sticking to a planned route. Mostly because of all the booze and cigars.

2. David Grohl because he's David Grohl. Something in the Sawtooths.

3. Grandma Gatewood needs no justification. I'd like to hike somewhere she's never been to before and see how it compares with her experiences. I'm thinking Kashmir.

John Muir. I'd love to listen to him just describe things as we pass by, lol.

"I'll start one of non BPL people."

I like that.

Robert Plant. He's a fascinating guy.

My dad. There are many things I wish I would have asked him before he died. Another hike would retroactively give me that chance.

Larry Lane. An old, dear friend who I unfortunately fell out of touch with. I really need to send him a note, a hike would be a good reason to get together again, especially since he's the guy who got me back into backpacking a few years ago – I probably wouldn't be backpacking now if not for him.

Bob Newhart. A funny, funny, funny guy. I like to laugh, wouldn't be a problem with Newhart along.

Amelia Earhart. What a spirit that woman had!

1. My paternal grandfather. I miss him. Wish I knew more stories of him as the young man named Domenic…. (or Dom Mags as he was also known.) He did not hike as we would call it. He did a three year backpacking trip though Sicily, central and southern Italy, southern France and Germany with an M1 rifle however…

2. Meriwether Lewis. Ever read the journals? He had his feet of clay, but there was undeniable love and fascination of the scenic wonders he was passing through. “As we passed on, it seemed as if those scenes of visionary enchantment would never have an end”.

3. Raymond Carver. Hunter, fisherman and one of my favorite authors.

4. My buddy Tim. He took me on my first backpacking trip. We went to the same Catholic school. He is one of a handful of what I call my “two o’clock in the morning friends” [1] It has been seven years since we backpacked together. We need to go again.

[1] Someone you can call at 2am. No questions asked. He’ll take the call.

I'm going on backpack with my brother in August. First one was maybe 1966? We've done about half the summers since.

When I worked for a conservation corps we would do questions of the day every morning while we stretched. One time I asked "Who would you like to meet on the trail today?". I said my grandparents, someone said Obama. But my favorite answer was "an ice cream vendor".

Dylan, and a guitar.

Patrick McManus would be great. His books are hilarious, although hiking with him basically guarantees a huge amount of misadventure.

My friend Todd. I'm reading a book about Napolean now, and so we'd end up spending the entire thing jabbering about his affect on central/eastern Europe (another area of common interest, and thus would also be the ideal part of the world to be hiking in).

I really want to go hiking with my Mom. When I was growing up my family practically lived in state parks, but she sort of fell out of it as we got older, but I think that with the right gear and pace, she could love getting outdoors again.

I'll hike with pretty much anyone — excepting 'death march' sadists and masochists…

I would also pick my Mother ! She can't hike anymore she's in her 80's and needs a walker, but she is the one that got me started when I was ten when she signed us up to join the Mountaineers Club . We did a lot of hiking together and she was a great hiking partner, always positive and fun….definitely my Mother!

I second what Ben said. I'd hike with pretty much anybody. I like company and I love diverse opinions.

A fairly large part of the BPL herd

Chris Townsend

Roz Savage

Zany Mike Clelland the writer of Ultralight backpacking tips and UFO blogger, though I'm not sure I'd want to open myself to the increased likelihood of an alien abduction in the woods – or would I?

I can't think of anyone on BPL that I wouldn't hike with at least once. One of you Westerners make fun of my accent and it's over though. :)

Others – My kids. Too young just yet, but I'm getting antsy to show them the wonders of this world.

Ryan

"One of you Westerners make fun of my accent and it's over though. :)"

My native RI accent slips out on more than occasion. A perverse cross between "Cheers" and "Welcome Back Kotter"… It's all (wicked) good. :)

I there are is a long list of folks that would be fun to hike with, but If I had to pick one person, it would be Jesus. And we would hike in Alaska.

First, as a borderline agnostic, it would answer a lot of questions for me.

If he shows, BIG question answered right there.

Second, stream crossings should be a breeze as he could just carry me across without getting his feet wet. Meals would be GREAT. Why filter water? Just turn it into wine!

It would be intersting to see an Alaskan Grizzly react to him. I imagine a bear just rolling over on his back and putting all four feet in the air like a puppy in the sight of Christ.

Then again ,even the Son of God probably needs pepper spray in bear country.

I imagine him wearing KEENS for some reason. And, he has a really dry sense of humor.

Bonus: Turning water into wine. :)

EDIT: Oops… you mentioned it already. Oh well, GREAT minds think alike…

As a borderline agnostic which border? just wondering

Crikey Kevin – even I wouldn't go hiking with me :-D

Most flattering.

One of the big draws of the US trails for me is the camaraderie amongst those who inhabit them – quite unique in my experience.

"If he shows, BIG question answered right there."

Admittedly, I'm a little sensitive when it comes to the topic of Jesus on BPL, but that's funny stuff. lol

Ryan

Definitely an amazing sense of humor. In my experiences with him, via dreams and meditation/prayer combo's mostly, he has quite the sense of humor, and most of the time radiates an extremely palpable feeling/presence/field of joy/happiness, though there is most definitely a serious side too.

Who ever doesn't watch their large capacity backpack while I unload that case of beer from the car. I know I'm not carrying it.
My son would be nice, he's not the outdoors type, but he did actually go fishing with me last summer :P

Toby is easy to get along with and makes a great watchdog around camp— an old family tradition with him :) He never talks politics, isn't at all picky about food and doesn't drink my whiskey. Good listener too.