# Are you hiking the Appalachian Trail? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 5, 2019, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531 "2019-05-05T23:59:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2019, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/1 "2019-05-05T23:59:10Z")
No. No you’re not. Because you’re wearing that backpack over your cheap suit on your commute on the DC Metro train during rush hour. Just like 40 of your closest and equally inconsiderate a-hole friends on this car alone. Why do you think it’s okay to wear your backpack on a busy train during rush hour? I’ll tell you why. Because you’re a bunch of selfish fucking twats, that’s why. Cunts. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/2 "2019-05-06T00:15:42Z")
I carry a backpack to work. Are you saying I like to push it in people’s faces on the subway? Because I don’t. I’m very considerate. I drive instead. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/3 "2019-05-06T00:19:14Z")
When I was on my AT thru hike, and took a detour to Long Island via NYC, I would place my backpack at my feet (if standing). Thru hikers will not typically wear their pack when not needed. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/4 "2019-05-06T00:33:34Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > When I was on my AT thru hike, and took a detour to Long Island via NYC, I would place my backpack at my feet (if standing). Thru hikers will not typically wear their pack when not needed. Um, I’m pretty sure OP is not criticizing _actual_ AT thru hikers who happen to be on a train. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/5 "2019-05-06T00:52:21Z")
I did [NOT](https://politicaldictionary.com/words/hiking-the-appalachian-trail/) expect this to be about backpacks. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/6 "2019-05-06T00:54:17Z")
I see people at the airport with those enormous backpacks that stick out about two feet. They’ll abruptly turn to look at something and their mega-backpack slams into you. Of course, they’re oblivious to this, because it’s happening _behind them_ and isn’t part of their reality. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/7 "2019-05-06T00:57:15Z")
On BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) we have [signs](https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/images/news/BART_CS_Backpacks_SocialMedia_v04kj.jpg) about this. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/8 "2019-05-06T02:05:31Z")
I don’t know, OP, maybe you could just, you know, step the fuck back and not interfere with backpacks and personal space. Hiking on the Appalachian Trail is a bucket list item, and you’d best not piss on someone’s parade. People in DC need to lighten the fuck up - get out more. I’ve done my fair share of time on the AT and it leads to individual growth and enlightenment. Some people reading this post might want to shove their backpacks in places that don’t get much sunlight. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/9 "2019-05-06T02:39:15Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I don’t know, OP, maybe you could just, you know, step the fuck back and not interfere with backpacks and personal space. Hiking on the Appalachian Trail is a bucket list item, and you’d best not piss on someone’s parade. People in DC need to lighten the fuck up - get out more. I’ve done my fair share of time on the AT and it leads to individual growth and enlightenment. Some people reading this post might want to shove their backpacks in places that don’t get much sunlight. Just sayin’. In other words, you don’t know what’s going on in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/10 "2019-05-06T02:46:37Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > I did [NOT](https://politicaldictionary.com/words/hiking-the-appalachian-trail/) expect this to be about backpacks. That was my first thought, too. I’m not hiking the Appalachian Trail in either sense. I also don’t wear my backpack on the metro, 'cuz we ain’t got one near me. But when I did ride the subway, I kept my bag on the floor between my feet or in my lap. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/11 "2019-05-06T02:48:26Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > In other words, you don’t know what’s going on in this thread. I totally know what’s going on. Maybe chill out with a chillada. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/12 "2019-05-06T03:04:03Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I’ve done my fair share of time on the AT While wearing a business suit? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/13 "2019-05-06T03:37:21Z")
Just be glad that you don’t [share a train with molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=863928). ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/14 "2019-05-06T03:42:06Z")
I often have a backpack on while I’m on mass transit. It has my computer in it. I need my computer where I’m going. It’s my job. I’m here during rush hour for the same reason you’re here during rush hour. For portions of my transit I am only riding two stops’ worth. Yes, I know the train is crowded. One characteristic of a crowded train is that it makes it nigh well impossible to put the backpack back _on_ without taking out six of you as it swings around in an arc. Damn thing’s heavy. Still, yeah, if I judge that taking it off makes the difference between someone being able to get on or having to stand there frustrated watching the doors close in their face, I take it off. Then when I get to my stop I have to haul it like a suitcase and barge past you and put the thing on once I’m on the subway platform. I dunno, maybe I reek of a sense of entitlement, thinking that because I have a job and this equipment is required for it, and that it would cost me a shitload of money to get here by means other than public transportation, that you other commuters can just jolly well put up with me and my backpack. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/15 "2019-05-06T03:50:37Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > I did [NOT](https://politicaldictionary.com/words/hiking-the-appalachian-trail/) expect this to be about backpacks. Neither did I. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/16 "2019-05-06T04:27:13Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I totally know what’s going on. No, you definitely do not. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/17 "2019-05-06T04:48:06Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I totally know what’s going on. Maybe chill out with a chillada. Here’s a tip: This thread’s got nothing to do with actually hiking the Appalachian Trail. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/18 "2019-05-06T04:58:53Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I totally know what’s going on. Maybe chill out with a chillada. > [@erysichthon](#): > > No, you definitely do not. It’s hard to say, actually. But he might know what a chillada is (hope he tells us). ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/19 "2019-05-06T05:04:23Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > I often have a backpack on while I’m on mass transit. > > It has my computer in it. I need my computer where I’m going. It’s my job. I’m here during rush hour for the same reason you’re here during rush hour. > > For portions of my transit I am only riding two stops’ worth. Yes, I know the train is crowded. One characteristic of a crowded train is that it makes it nigh well impossible to put the backpack back _on_ without taking out six of you as it swings around in an arc. Damn thing’s heavy. Still, yeah, if I judge that taking it off makes the difference between someone being able to get on or having to stand there frustrated watching the doors close in their face, I take it off. Then when I get to my stop I have to haul it like a suitcase and barge past you and put the thing on once I’m on the subway platform. > > I dunno, maybe I reek of a sense of entitlement, thinking that because I have a job and this equipment is required for it, and that it would cost me a shitload of money to get here by means other than public transportation, that you other commuters can just jolly well put up with me and my backpack. I’m not sure which rouses my sympathy more; the sucky commute, or the fact that your employer makes you take your work equipment home with you (or does your employer make you provide your own computer? ‘Cos that would be even worse). ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/20 "2019-05-06T06:14:49Z")
> **[Mix Up This Easy Chelada Beer Recipe](https://www.thespruceeats.com/easy-chelada-beer-recipe-353185)** > > The Chelada is a quick mixed drink that pairs your favorite Mexican beer or light lager with fresh lime juice and is a refreshing summer drink. its a mex beer with real lime in it … But there’s been bitching about things like this for as long as there’s been public transportation … I remember when a lot of women used those mini backpacks (that cane after fanny packs) because people were bitching about how big purses had gotten… Now full backpacks are a thing for everyone So you’re yelling in the wind… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531.md?page=2)