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Sawtooth Wilderness Adventure

Blogs: #12 of 33

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Sawtooth Wilderness Adventure

I’m now able to communicate more effectively with wilderness hikers, and here is the important stuff learned just last week: First, hiking style categorization is necessary. For example, hiking off the trail is “type 2”. This will allow you to guess what type 1 and type 3 represent. Second, what was once called climbing mountains, which later morphed into bagging peaks, is now called “doing a peak.” So, when you encounter other hikers staring at their phones, and they say, “we’re gunna type 2 and do a peak,” you can now respond. An “oh nice, ya!” is good. This provides validation so everyone can move on with a “have a good one.” An expression like “awesome” is outdated and would seem fake. Don’t be a dinosaur like me and just hike and climb mountains.

I should also cover, depending on your perspective, another potential hazard. While type 1-ing, it is possible to stumble on a photo shoot in progress that some would consider; how should I say this? Less than reputable? I know, I know, I said, “some people.” Who am I to judge? Just continue your journey pretending you noticed nothing some would consider unusual, and offer a friendly smile and a hi. This works especially well if they smile and say a warm hi first. By the way, it appears in certain conditions; a backpacking puffy is sufficient for warmth despite having nothing on below. Gotta love new technology. I assume plenty of bug repellent was on hand.

People are far kinder while in a wilderness setting. Lots of smiling and compliments are the norm. It was surprising to receive some personal compliments in passing, like “I really like your mustache.” Anyway, have fun out there and enjoy the wild in the Sawtooth Wilderness of central Idaho.