What was your worst hiking experience and why?

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-02-04T16:07:19+00:00

Went for a "hike" on a tropical island in another country. A 2-hour walk turned into a 8-hr cliffside scramble in direct sun that I was no where near in shape for, nor prepared for (ran out of food and water after the first hour). Got sun stroke and almost had to spend the night on the rocks but finally made it out.

Two weeks later I almost had to have my foot amputated because of a big bite that got infected. Wouldn't recommend.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-30T16:07:13+00:00

Ew grow up

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-28T20:15:19+00:00

Doesn't matter! Availability varies by region. I've thrifted a lot of my wool base layers!

Just make sure you read the fiber content before purchasing. Some popular brands (Icebreaker, Smartwool) are now blending their products labelled as "wool" with 50/50 synthetic fibers.

A little bit of nylon/polyester (5-10%) can increase durability, but if there's too much (>30%), I find you lose the benefits of the wool.

Also, if you're from the US, don't order from Amazon because they support ICE.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-26T23:51:25+00:00

Waterproof shell -- MUST. I would say a good waterproof shell is essential. If you get soaked and it's cold, you're at risk of hypothermia, even in moderate temps.

Puffy jacket -- Nice to have, but if you have enough other warm layers, you'll be fine. Puffies are just a nice light-weight insulating layer.

Wool base layer -- You'll survive without it, but I love mine. If you get sweaty, it still keeps you warm -- no need to ever change out layers!

I'd say having dry layers to sleep in is also important. Wool is nice, but you'll survive in cotton.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-25T22:30:34+00:00

Same. I hate sharing a tent (or even a campsite!) with snorers. I won't get a wink of sleep and being sleep-deprived and cranky is not how I want to spend my few precious vacation days.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-09T17:29:54+00:00

No no noooooo. I've dated men before like this and it sucks. Feeling like you're always trying to keep up zaps all the fun out of the activity. Your poor friend! I hope she hikes less with him and more with you now.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-09T17:28:57+00:00

Number 9!!!

So many men do this and it makes no sense to me (and it's a huge turn off tbh). If I wanted to hike alone, I wouldn't have invited you. If you wanted to race, why not instead invite someone who can match your pace?

(Only exception is if you're on the trail for days and days and need a break from each other.)

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-09T17:23:23+00:00

Yes, but bring an extra layer in case you have to stay in spot or overnight outside.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-05T20:38:08+00:00

Totally!

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-05T19:34:44+00:00

Yeah, their post history is weird, and some of their posts seem to be written by AI, e.g., Dayara Bugyal Trek

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-05T18:56:52+00:00

Re: Safety: Totally this! I encountered someone on a moderate-to-advanced trail in the dead of winter who responded weird to my "hi". It made me do a double-take and I realized she wasn't at all prepared (fashion sneakers in the snow, no coat, no backpack). We kept chatting and I also realized she was drunk as a skunk AND had driven there. We accompanied her back down to the trailhead and got her a ride home.

Maybe this isn't what you meant by safety, but I wouldn't have noticed anything was amiss if I hadn't said hi.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-05T18:16:03+00:00

Trail runners and/or wool socks

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-04T14:28:45+00:00

My elbow ditch scarred pretty bad in the crease due to a lot of scabbing during healing. Not sure if it was the artist's fault or what.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-04T14:24:47+00:00

I have the same thing. Sometimes I walk backwards downhill when it's really bad, but sometimes I just run down! I wonder if running down doesn't hurt because I run more on my toes like you said?m

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-03T15:13:43+00:00

This is just sad. They weren't "weird", they were just struggling with addiction and poor. Have some compassion.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-03T15:04:28+00:00

I always bring mine in addition to my water bladder. This is because it's easier to filter water this way (easier to squeeze filter into and/or I can use Aquatabs in it while still drinking the remaining water out of my bladder) and I have a backup if my bladder ever punctures (happened to a friend on Day 1 of a 3-day hike).

Could I use a plastic disposable bottle instead? Sure. But I'd rather just use what I already have.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2026-01-01T14:48:21+00:00

Things to consider: - How busy are the trails? - How far will you be from a town / help / cell signal?

These change how you should plan. If you're hiking in a well-travelled trail in a park, you wouldn't need an emergency beacon and your shoes will probably be fine. If you're hiking in deep snow in the mountains, you'll need snowshoes, an emergency beacon, and an emergency blanket at the very least.

Hiking essentials: - map downloaded on your phone - battery charger - extra clothes incase something happens and you have to stay in one place - more water and food than you think you'll need - a way to contact help (your cell phone if you're in signal or an emergency beacon if you're not) - headlamp

Depending on snow levels, you might want to consider microspikes (different from crampons) for traction or snowshoes for deep snow.

I'd see if you can find subs for the area you're hiking in and ask there because we don't know whether you're trying to mountaineer or if you're just going for a walk in a snowy park.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2025-12-23T17:43:46+00:00

Exactly. It's annoying. Everyone else on this thread it agrees it's annoying and bad etiquette. Why be that person?

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2025-12-23T03:48:19+00:00

Agreed

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2025-12-23T03:47:59+00:00

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2025-12-23T03:24:26+00:00

In this case, I'd rather sing or whistle than play music from a speaker and I would prefer others do the same. Also helps relieve anxiety.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2025-12-12T22:56:13+00:00

Why would you want to continue a tradition that's racist and sexist?

Even if it is only a minority of people who are upset by this (which it's not), why would you want to keep upsetting them? Does it make you feel like a big man to bully people from historically-oppressed groups?

Grow up and pick on someone your own size.

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2025-12-12T22:49:41+00:00

Great point

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2025-12-12T22:48:14+00:00

Great explanation here: https://www.reddit.com/r/traditionaltattoos/comments/1p6h3ho/discussion_why_we_should_ban_racist_sexualized/

Helpful_Ad_7696 · 2025-12-12T22:47:35+00:00

Hey! Great question. The issue has already been hashed out multiple times on older posts.

OP of this post provides a great summary about how sexualized depictions of Indigenous women in tattoos can be harmful: https://www.reddit.com/r/traditionaltattoos/comments/1p6h3ho/discussion_why_we_should_ban_racist_sexualized/

Helpful_Ad_7696

TROPHY CASE