# 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:** 3
**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, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/41 "2019-05-06T16:31:49Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Occasionally it’s a girl who thinks I’m trying to creep on her, and how am I supposed to tell her that she can jolly well fuck herself as long as she lifts her fucking crate off the fucking floor ? I think you’ve answered your own question there. By the way, I always smile at any use of “jolly well”, which my Dad used to great effect, as in “You jolly well better clean up this room before dinner!” Ah, fond memories of my Midwest born and raised, blue collar, eighth-grade educated dad using an old fashioned Britishism as he screamed at us. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/42 "2019-05-06T16:56:01Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > I think you’ve answered your own question there. Yeah but then _I_ look like the asshole. When she’s really being it. Twice, at that point ! ---
**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, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/43 "2019-05-06T17:29:34Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Speaking of the AT, the 23 year old son of a friend of mine is currently hiking it. > > And how do I know that? Because my friend’s wife posts about it 20 times a day on FB. :rolleyes: > > Even worse, the kid is a hippy/slacker who works at Burger King. But his “life-long dream” was to hike the AT, so he quit his job. He didn’t have enough money to hike the AT, so his mother set up a GoFundMe page, and then begged & pleaded all of her friends to donate to it. “Please donate. It is his DREAM to hike AT. Please help him fulfill his DREAM!!!” :rolleyes: > > Suffice to say, I didn’t donate. I am probably on her shit list now, LOL. > > Last week she said he will soon be calling it quits because he doesn’t have enough money to complete the hike. I’m guessing it was just a ploy for more donations. Well not commenting on the go fund me aspect, but to many it is a calling, and a pilgrimage and is a live changing experience. The AT is a great teacher. So yes I can see it is ‘his dream’, and support for one’s journey can really help. On mine people offered to send me care packages, which was wonderful to receive. I have met some AT hikers who ran out of funds, it was devastating, and the closer to Katahdin (Maine/Northern Terminus of the AT) they were the harder it was. One woman was crying at Killington VT when she realized that’s as far as her funds would take her and she got off trail. A good friend had to get off in Stratton Maine due to running out of time and she was pretty sad about not completing. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/44 "2019-05-06T17:44:24Z")
Nobody mentioned the a-holes that then get on the crowded elevator still wearing their backpack. It’s like they’re completely oblivious that they now extend two feet past their back. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/45 "2019-05-06T18:24:03Z")
What I don’t understand is why y’all are assuming they’re not aware of the giant nuisance protruding from their back. Simple answer: bloody the nose of the offender. If they’re innocent of knowingly smacking people with their backpacks, then you’ve impressed upon them the importance of paying attention to what they’re doing. The other 98% will know they had it coming. NOT bloodying the nose only encourages these sociopaths, and makes you part of the problem. ---
**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 6, 2019, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/46 "2019-05-06T18:29:39Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > What I don’t understand is why y’all are assuming they’re not aware of the giant nuisance protruding from their back. Simple answer: bloody the nose of the offender. If they’re innocent of knowingly smacking people with their backpacks, then you’ve impressed upon them the importance of paying attention to what they’re doing. The other 98% will know they had it coming. NOT bloodying the nose only encourages these sociopaths, and makes you part of the problem. _“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.”_ -H.L.M. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/47 "2019-05-06T18:53:59Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > _“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.”_ -H.L.M. “A man could kill from sunup to sunset and still his work would never be done.” Ernie Dell ---
**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, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/48 "2019-05-06T19:11:52Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > What I don’t understand is why y’all are assuming they’re not aware of the giant nuisance protruding from their back. Simple answer: bloody the nose of the offender. If they’re innocent of knowingly smacking people with their backpacks, then you’ve impressed upon them the importance of paying attention to what they’re doing. The other 98% will know they had it coming. NOT bloodying the nose only encourages these sociopaths, and makes you part of the problem. and the 6-48 months youd get to be the guest of the city/county/state at hotel greybar would help out how? ---
**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, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/49 "2019-05-06T19:17:30Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > I’m an independent consultant. I get paid decently well for going onsite instead of just remoting in from home and occasionally there’s legitimate need for that. It’s my own computer because I don’t have an “employer”, I have clients. Oh, sorry. When you said you have a “job,” I inferred the existence of an employer-employee relationship with your income payer. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/50 "2019-05-06T19:20:35Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > and the 6-48 months youd get to be the guest of the city/county/state at hotel greybar would help out how? Bah. Nobody’d have seen anything other than Bloodynose losing his balance due to his ungainly backpack and bumping his face on the hand of a good citizen trying to steady him. ---
**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, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/51 "2019-05-06T19:39:43Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > What I don’t understand is why y’all are assuming they’re not aware of the giant nuisance protruding from their back. Simple answer: bloody the nose of the offender. If they’re innocent of knowingly smacking people with their backpacks, then you’ve impressed upon them the importance of paying attention to what they’re doing. The other 98% will know they had it coming. NOT bloodying the nose only encourages these sociopaths, and makes you part of the problem. I never pegged you as a psychopath. Just goes to show, everyone but me is a psychopath, and paranoids really do have enemies. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/52 "2019-05-06T20:15:09Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I never pegged you as a psychopath. Don’t feel bad. I live in my own head and even _I’m_ not sure. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/53 "2019-05-06T22:22:38Z")
I’m in IT. I work at different locations throughout the week so I have to take my computer home with me. I also other carry tools with me (precision screwdriver set, battery tester, and so on). I carry that all in my backpack. I don’t ride the train anymore but I used to on a regular basis. But when boarding the train I’d take it off and put it somewhere out of the way because I’m not trying to be a douche. So maybe this pitting doesn’t apply to me. I also carry a (much flatter) backpack on airplane trips as a carry-on. It’s flat so that it can fit under the seat in front of me and still provide foot room. When walking down the aisle I’m holding it in front of me, not wearing it, because I want to control where it is and not smack people with it. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/54 "2019-05-06T22:36:59Z")
Yes, very courteous. No nosey smax for you. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/55 "2019-05-06T23:35:17Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I have met some AT hikers who ran out of funds, it was devastating, and the closer to Katahdin (Maine/Northern Terminus of the AT) they were the harder it was. One woman was crying at Killington VT when she realized that’s as far as her funds would take her and she got off trail. A good friend had to get off in Stratton Maine due to running out of time and she was pretty sad about not completing. Hey, I’m sure it’s devastating. I get it. I have a dream too. I’d like to ride my bicycle across the country. An equally arduous and life-changing journey. Also around Ireland. I can’t afford it. Would I put up a GoFundMe page? I’d rather shoot myself. You know what I do, since I can’t afford it? I get up every day and go to work and support my family. Some of this GoFundMe shit makes me nearly homicidal. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/56 "2019-05-06T23:38:11Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > 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. Oh, also (see post above)? I ride the NYC subway every day of my life. I get it. Forcible removal of said backpacks should be a right guaranteed and protected by law. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/57 "2019-05-06T23:39:24Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Well not commenting on the go fund me aspect, but to many it is a calling, and a pilgrimage and is a live changing experience. The AT is a great teacher. So yes I can see it is ‘his dream’, and support for one’s journey can really help. On mine people offered to send me care packages, which was wonderful to receive. > > I have met some AT hikers who ran out of funds, it was devastating, and the closer to Katahdin (Maine/Northern Terminus of the AT) they were the harder it was. One woman was crying at Killington VT when she realized that’s as far as her funds would take her and she got off trail. A good friend had to get off in Stratton Maine due to running out of time and she was pretty sad about not completing. Having your terrible planning and poor judgement explode in your face is a life-changing experience too. Or at least it should be. That said I have no experience with backpack battery, but if somebody did hit me with a backpack, I’d shove it back in the direction it came from. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/58 "2019-05-07T00:51:03Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Oh, you are a rare snowflake. Independent consultant, eh? That’s unheard of. :rolleyes: Oh, for fuck’s sake. You see the thing above this post? It’s called a quote box. It tells you who I’m replying to. Now take another look at **AHunter** ’s post. See if you can figure out what you’re missing. You say you’re not talking about him in your OP, but you sure seem ready to jump on him over the stupidest of things. And, obviously, his first post was to try and give you some perspective about why people might wear backpacks and not take them off, as well as reveal that they might take them off if things were busier. He was not in any way being hostile towards you, so it’s no wonder that he might not want to bother replying to you after you were towards him. And, yes, I’m annoying. I’m lecturing. I’m “tarded.” I should shut up. I’m \. There’s something in my past that I stupidly revealed about myself that you can use to attack me now. All of that will be wasted air, as I won’t be reading it–no matter who posts it. You treated a guy like shit who didn’t deserve it, and so I defended him. I do that. I wish more people would, as I think the world would be better. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/59 "2019-05-07T01:05:21Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I’m in IT. I work at different locations throughout the week so I have to take my computer home with me. I also other carry tools with me (precision screwdriver set, battery tester, and so on). I carry that all in my backpack. I don’t ride the train anymore but I used to on a regular basis. I take my computer home rarely, like when it’s going to be bad weather and I might be able to telework. I carry it in a laptop bag, about the size of a briefcase. I don’t understand why a backpack is necessary. Some people have 2 or 3 huge bags that they are carrying on the metro and into work everyday. Never can figure out what the hell people are carrying into work. ---
**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 7, 2019, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531/60 "2019-05-07T01:06:05Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And, yes, I’m annoying. I’m lecturing. I’m “tarded.” I should shut up. I’m \. There’s something in my past that I stupidly revealed about myself that you can use to attack me now. All of that will be wasted air, as I won’t be reading it–no matter who posts it. I would NEVER call you retarded. You dull twat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/833531.md?page=4)