Am I expected to greet other hikers that I come across? If so, is a wave or nod sufficient, or should I say “hi” or “good morning”? Is it relevant if the other person is on headphones? Or jogging"? Or passing me going the same direction? What about a crowded trail where I cross someone every 30 seconds compared to a more sparse one where I only see someone every half hour?
I think it’s common courtesy to greet a hiker with a hi or ‘how are you?’ when you are only seeing someone every 30 mins or so. If I’m on a busy trail I may wave or nod and that’s sufficient. Take your cue from them. If they don’t make eye contact, seem deep in thought or are talking with someone from their group, leave them alone, but it they make eye contact, and certainly if they say hi, I think it’s polite to return a hi back to them.
The expected length of the social exchange is inversely proportional to the probability of the encounter. It’s no different when hiking than anywhere else. If you run into somebody at the South Pole, an extended social interaction to the point of shared bodily warmth in a tent is quite normal. But if one of the thousands of people that you pass on the John Muir Trail expects more than a passing nod (without suitable encouragement), you are justified in worrying that they are socially inept or stalking you.
As a footnote, it’s wise in the backcountry to avoid shaking hands with people that you encounter. Hygiene is inevitably poor, and most cases of GI distress (Giardia, etc.) are caught from other hikers through shared food or physical contact, not from backcountry water sources. After many years, I have yet to find an easy way to avoid shaking hands without seeming impolite.
I’ve found it to vary widely.
Most other hikers will exchange a quick, “Hi,” “Howdy.” Some are good for a bit more. “Lovely day!” “What a nice breeze!” Some will stop and chat a bit!
But others just walk by silently, without so much as a nod. There’s absolutely no way of knowing, so you’ve got to do the best you can, using the Golden Rule as your best guide.
(I prefer receiving a quick, “Howdy” for a greeting, so that’s what I give.)
I am not the most social person and sometimes I really do not want to talk to anybody, but I also find it incredibly rude to not acknowledge a friendly greeting when reasonably able. If you just took a bite of food, are out of breath, engaged in your own private conversation or reverie, can’t hear or see me, hey I get it. When I greet you mildly on the trail and you just stare at me without response I can not help but wonder what the hell is wrong with you and hope you don’t have children to ruin.
One time backcountry skiing (so a very specialized form of hiking really), we passed a group stopped at an intersection of trails. My partner approached them to ask a question (I don’t remember what, I think he had found someones hat or something minor). They all looked at us blankly and did not respond. After some uncomfortable silence my friend said ‘Ok! Nice talking to you! See ya! Bye!’ with full SpongeBob enthusiasm. An appropriate response.
I always make an off-hand remark about the bear with cubs I saw a while ago down the trail they are heading.
I once found a ring of keys on the trail, and mentioned it to everyone I met. I don’t know for sure how far or fast “bush telegraph” goes, but I sure gave it my best shot.
(In the end, I turned them in to the visitor center…and learned, the next day, they’d been claimed by the owner. Yay!)
Also, if I see a rattlesnake, I’ll be sure to mention it to the next couple people I meet. (After much more time than that, the news is stale and the snake will have slithered away.)
As a runner, I always give a lift of the hand or a nod to anyone I pass, including bikers, joggers, and hikers. I’m acknowledging that I am passing by another human being.
Sadly, I encounter many people who just ignore me, and that disappoints me.
It doesn’t bother me if a woman doesn’t wave back, since I imagine it might feel creepy being waved at by a guy in the middle of nowhere, but if another guy doesn’t return the signal, I am displeased. Quite often it’s the very serious runners or bikers, all kitted out, who don’t pass this social test.
Someone here once said it’s annoying to wave at everyone they pass, but it really shouldn’t be. In my runs on the canal through Princeton, I usually pass by someone every minute or two, so a 12 mile run could involve dozens of greetings, and it doesn’t bother me.
When a trail is very heavily travelled, then, yeah, maybe just a quick nod. At that point, it’s more like a city sidewalk than a wilderness!
A smile and nod is sufficient.
It can be unnerving to be on a trail out in the middle of nowhere and encounter someone. A smile and a nod go a long way to diffusing that initial suspicion that you’ve just stumbled across a Stephen King character.
On a non-crowded trail I’ll usually offer a nod and a howdy.
I usually just nod but will say “Hi” sometimes – always return a “Hi”. I’m a guy and in remote areas I give solo females a lot of space, only speaking or stopping if they initiate it.
Good info from Riemann on handshaking … I often say “My hands are really dirty and sticky.” to avoid it, both on and off the trail.
Why?
I really like the fist bump for these circumstances–it’s a cool alternative to the handshake that is hygienic and still retains the social aspect.
If a hand is offered I might say “my hands are all sweaty… fist bump!” and offer the fist.
Doesn’t help the other person if you’re the Stephen King character.
I always say “Hi,” but the stress of when to say it always gives me anxiety. I mean, say it too early and then you have this awkward silence until you pass them. But should you wait until you’re almost passing them? Does that come off as weird?
Of course, not hiking with my 2 yo son has changed this. He screams “Hi,” as soon as the other person comes into sight, then repeats it at regular intervals until we pass or he gets a response.:rolleyes:
To hear the wooshing sound they make as they run past.
I was up on a ridge delivering trail magic to some AT thru-hikers (beer, pizza, and ice cream) and there were well over 100 people on the summit. No way you could say hi to all of them, just keep your head down and move quickly. Where we finally set up for the afternoon was much quieter and we had brief conversations with most folks going by. Some trail runners were heads down and moving fast but that’s fine - I’m often like that when I’m running.
We generally had long conversations with people we gave food to. 
Because I’m a Dick. 
On busy hiking trails, I’d say no. That goes double if one or both of you are wearing earbuds. If someone has a question, I’ll try to answer it, but there’s no need for small talk about how hot it is.
I can’t recall when I’ve shaken hands with anyone while hiking, and it’s not like I’ve had to do any avoidance. IME, it just doesn’t come up.