Hiking Code

There are as many ways to hike the trail as there are people hiking it: Day hikers, section hikers, thru-hikers, speed hikers. All with their own "hiking code", whether they realize it or not. What I want to do, before I start my hike, is decide what I want my hike to be and define a simple code to hike by.

I have never thru-hiked, but I have seen and read about many thru-hikers. There are those who obsess over passing every white blaze (the trail is marked by white blazes on the trees). There was even one hiker that I know who counted every white blaze that he passed!  Then there are thru-hikers that skip sections, get rides around sections (yellow blazing), take alternate trails (blue blazing). There are thru-hikers that go north, south, and skip around.

Hey, it's all good, right? You have to do what is best for you. The trail community has a saying - "Hike Your Own Hike". This has a double meaning, of course. You have to hike your own hike. But you also shouldn't try to force your way of hiking on someone else.

So here is my "hiking code". Only good for me - your hike will vary.

• Practice "Leave No Trace". I don't intend to leave anything behind except footprints and bodily waste. Leave every campsite looking as if I was never there (not that difficult for a hammock camper).
• Don't obsess over passing every white blaze, but take no alternate trails or yellow blazes. For instance, when a shelter trail has two ways back to the AT, take the most convenient way. I don't consider that to be missing any trail. But I will not take alternate trails or skip sections, unless there is a flooded section or a section closed for a fire or other event beyond my control. When I leave the trail for resupply I will get back on where I got off.
• Walk in one direction only. For me, that will be southbound.
• No slackpacking. Slackpacking is when you pay someone to drive your gear to a road crossing, and you walk with minimal gear. Some people do the entire trail this way. I am carrying my stuff all the way. The only exception is the climb up Katahdin, which I will probably do with a light pack.
• Keep moving. Unless I am injured, keep those feet moving as much as possible. Keep zero days to a minimum - do neros instead.
• Have fun! The most important code of all.