Yielding on the Trail

Knowing who has the right of way helps keep the flow of the trail smooth. Many people are not made aware of these protocols before hitting a trail for casual day use. Keep your patience 

• Hikers going uphill have the right of way. – Read it 20 more times and get it engraved on your trekking poles. Now print it on a business card and hand it out to folks who need one.
• Step aside for faster hikers and trail runners. If you’re that faster hiker be sure to give a good “do you mind if I hike past you” as you’re approaching and be patient as they establish a comfortable spot to pull off to the side.
• Give space to horseback riders, speaking calmly to avoid spooking the animals.
• If you need to stop to grab something out of your pack, step off the trail to do so. Runners and bikers are quiet and move quickly. You might think you’ll have time to grab it and move before someone is on top of you, but you’d be sadly mistaken. R.I.P. to Dave’s Go-Pro from when he tried to film his vlog in the middle of the trail. Sorry, Dave.

Be Considerate of Fellow Hikers

Thru-hiking fosters a tight-knit community, and simple courtesies go a long way:

• Keep noise levels down, especially in camp. Nature’s soundtrack is better than any speaker. Don’t blast the JBL while hiking or after dark. Keep that ukulele for camp fire dinner time and not Bark at the Moon time.
• Respect shelter space—don’t take up more than you need and follow campfire rules. 
• Share water sources and be mindful of hygiene when filling bottles or washing up. Giardia will definitely lighten up your base weight but at what cost?
• Just be a chill guy: As someone that’s made some of these mistakes myself or been made to cringe from witnessing them firsthand, here are my tips for the boys, the big dawgs, the lone rangers out on their spirit quest: Don’t ask female hikers where they’re camping, it creeps them out and makes them feel uncomfortable. As dudes, we don’t think about something like that as being weird but it is for women. On a thru-hike it’s easy to get a taste of doing whatever you want and maybe being an elevated version of yourself, be sure to keep discussions normal and apply whatever office sexual harassment training you’ve received to the trail. Women often give a nervous laugh at stuff they don’t actually think is funny. It’s easy for our super smart boy brains to confuse this as validation but they probably didn’t actually appreciate that reference you made about eating a hot dog like a taco. Don’t comment or ask women how their thru-hike has changed their body – witnessing a 50 year old dude ask a 21 year old woman, who was the only woman in the room, this question in front of 10 other dudes at a hostel was more than gross. Don’t make suggestive comments about sleeping together while in camp. Not everyone on trail is there to meet people, don’t be offended if a woman keeps things short with you. This is a defense mechanism and they’re not trying to be rude, they’re just trying not to get abducted. Don’t be offended if a woman who is walking towards you doesn’t say hello back to you, again, women see you as a threat and not the cold hard chiller you probably are. Try not to get a trail name that makes women uncomfortable, they’ll let you know if it does and be respectful enough to change it. If you have a positive attitude and respect people’s boundaries you will most likely make great friends that give you a new perspective on what they experience day to day and how you can make them feel safer and more comfortable. This doesn’t apply to just women but all gender identities and so forth. There is a large LGBTQ+ community in thru-hiking and you better get used to it, bucko, because they’re cool people and being a bro that will make them feel safe and welcome on trail is huge. You might meet your first trans person on trail, you might meet your first polycouple on trail, just be a chill guy, a grounded and stoic center of serenity for all people, that’s all anyone needs from you. – Garrett

Respect Trail Angels and Their Generosity

Trail angels are the unsung heroes of thru-hiking, offering rides, food, water caches, and even a place to rest. If you’re fortunate enough to receive their kindness. We’re going to take a hard stance here on the difference between Trail Angel and Trail Service Provider as the term Trail Angel gets thrown around loosely these days and takes a shine away from the true believers. If someone is offering you a service with a pre-determined rate of exchange in the form of money, they are a business. In the new wave of infrastructure built around trail tourism, shuttle services and the like have emerged that did not exist before, and some market themselves as a trail angel where an opportunist stands instead. No disrespect to those that are providing services to thru-hikers, but we don’t want to perpetuate the confusion and have legitimately had our butts saved by true spirits of human companionship time and time again. 

• • Always express gratitude—say thank you and, if possible, leave a donation. Some will turn it down, some will gladly accept anything you offer. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can venmo them some gas money. It’s a great idea to keep a contact list of anyone that helps you out along the way so you send a thank you card. Ask for their name and their phone number or email that way you can reach out for their mailing address when you’re done with the trail. Be sure to talk to them and stay engaged, they’re not an uber driver for you to be on your phone around. Many of these people are retirees who enjoy socializing and who wouldn’t  want to hangout with someone that quit their job to live in the woods for 4-6 months? That’s tight!
  • Follow their rules and respect their property. – This is a given. Be sure you know where you’re trying to go before getting in someone’s care. If you’re at a trail magic station be sure you clean up after yourself.
  • Pay it forward when you can—help a fellow hiker or give back to the hiking community. We picked up a PCT hiker in North Cascades and drove him to Seattle one time and instead of acknowledging that two humans made a conscious decision to help him out, that dork said, “the trail provides”. No, Rim-ram, we provide, because we’ve been there.

Campsite Courtesy

• Arrive early enough to set up without disturbing others. 30 minutes before dusk is generally a good rule of thumb to aim for being in camp. This gives you enough time to set up your tent, change into nighttime clothes, and starting dinner. With all of these tips you’re ultimately free to do whatever you want. No one is going to beat you up for getting in at midnight but they might shout curse words in a foreign language, it’s happened to us, and it’s jarring to say the least.
• Keep your light use minimal—headlamps on low mode help maintain the nighttime atmosphere. Red lights are your friend.
• If you’re getting an early start, pack up quietly to avoid waking others. Try to be mindful of whispers if you’re heading out with a partner.

Shelter Etiquette (Lean-to Etiquette)

Shelters or lean-tos can be a great way to rest during a long day of hiking, but they’re shared spaces that require extra consideration for fellow hikers. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when using them. 

• Claim only the space you need: Don’t spread your gear around and take up more than your fair share. If the shelter gets crowded, make room for others whenever possible.
• Respect quiet hours: Many hikers rally around shelters for sleep and recovery, so keep noise to a minimum, especially late at night or early in the morning. Use your headlamp on its red-light or low setting to avoid disturbing others.
• Leave the shelter better than you found it: Clean up after yourself and pack out any trash. If you notice trash left behind by others, consider packing it out to keep the shelter clean for the next hikers. This is where that gallon ziplock bag comes in handy.
• Don’t cook inside the shelter: Cooking inside can lead to messy spills and attract animals. Always cook outside and away from the sleeping area.
• Be mindful of wet gear: If your gear is wet, hang it outside to dry instead of spreading it throughout the shelter, unless there’s plenty of space and no one else is inconvenienced.
• Be inclusive: If there’s space in the shelter, be welcoming to other hikers arriving later in the day. The trail community is built on camaraderie, and sharing the space makes for a better experience for everyone.
• Be mindful of the bearbox: Be sure you’re considerate of others where a bear box is concerned, putting only your foodbag and smelly toiletry items inside. Avoid putting shoes, backpacks, or other gear in bear boxes. This is where the tent vestibule comes in handy.
• Don’t rely on shelters or lean-tos: Be sure you have your own shelter system when setting out on your thru-hike. Shelters and lean-tos can fill up quickly and putting yourself in danger by not being prepared for inclement weather is a total bummer and will harsh everyone’s mellow.

IN-TOWN

• Be sure you shower and change clothes before going to dinner in town if you can help it. You’re not going to realize how bad you stink or how bad your friends stink but local people definitely will. If you’re staying overnight in a town or the town offers a place for hikers to shower and do some laundry, eat what’s left of your food bag while handling those chores or hit the hotel snack machine. Try to be in tune with your food rations while on the trail so you’re not hitting town craving a burger and fries—and getting your stink on their seat.
• Respect hostel rules and town campgrounds. Some trail towns offer free makeshift campgrounds for hikers at a YMCA or local park. Be sure to come and go responsibly—don’t overstay your welcome. Avoid turning it into a “tent city” situation where you, Drip, Drop, Gummy Bear, and Scratch are the only thru-bums left after the main hiker bubble has moved on.
• Don’t put broken gear and trash in hiker boxes. Guess who doesn’t need all of the Sawyer Squeeze filter components you don’t need, literally everyone. If it’s deemed unfit for you, it’s probably unfit for others. We hold Marie Kondo in high regard in this tent. If you’re leaving overspill of your resupply be sure to write the date on it. Don’t make people guess how long your amalgamation of chia seeds, flax seeds, peanut butter powder, oats, and hot cocoa mix has been sitting there or what even the hell they’re looking at.

Respect the Water Sources

Water is life on trail, and keeping it clean is crucial:

• Always wash dishes and dig cat holes at least 200 feet away from lakes, rivers, and streams.
• Use biodegradable soap sparingly, or better yet, skip it altogether. 
• Be mindful when collecting water, try to stay out of a clean water source as much as possible while collecting your water.

Trail Magic and Giving Back

Trail magic—unexpected kindness from strangers—can be a highlight of a thru-hike. If you come across trail magic:

• Take only what you need so others can enjoy it too. – Many Magicians have an allotted amount of food that they’ve brought with them and in order for them to serve the most hikers possible, catch a serving and keep it moving. Sometimes you’ll be out of the bubble and might encounter a Magician who’s brought too much food and offers you many cans of beer and bags of chips or fruit to take. A welcomed bounty indeed.
• If you’re a past hiker, consider leaving your own trail magic for others. Just be sure you’ve kept track of where you left that cooler of cokes and some sort of receptacle for them to go in.
• Share trail magic locations sparingly to keep them special and sustainable. Don’t blow up the spot on FarOut. And while we’re on the topic of social map apps and etiquette, don’t use it to promote your vlogs or social media presence and keep your posts relevant to information hikers need.

Final Thoughts

The trail is a shared space, and being mindful of others ensures that it remains a welcoming and enjoyable place for all. By practicing good etiquette, showing respect to fellow hikers, and appreciating the kindness of trail angels, we help maintain the spirit of the trail. So lace up your boots, be kind, and hike on responsibly!

Got any personal experiences with trail etiquette—good or bad? Drop them in the comments below!