Almost There, Magic Thumb, Take 5, and Sweet Dreams
Almost There, No Worries, Orangebug, Lone Wolf, Magic Thumb.
What do the above names have in common? Well, they are all trail names.
Trail names are often taken by backpackers to reflect their personality on the trail. Some people pick a name before heading out on the first backpacking trip, while many wait for their trail name to find them, and still others reject taking a trail name, preferring to stick with the same moniker given to them by dear old mom, and dad. Backpackers are not the first group of people to use nicknames that reflect their personalities. Youth groups, fraternities, and sororities have been doing this for decades, but for many backpackers, trail names serve a purpose that differs from the traditional nickname.
When backpackers head off to the trail many seek to leave the real world behind them. Trail names help them to do this. Instead of heading out as Bob Smith, insurance salesman, Bob can hit the trail as "Easy Goin." No one needs to know what Bob does off the trail, and Bob doesn't have to tell them. Many backpackers can go days, months, and even years forming great friendships, but never knowing each others' real names. Granted, in time most real names are revealed, but when coming together on trail, or elsewhere, it is the trail name that people are known by.
As stated above, many start out with a trail name that they picked for themselves. I, myself, started out with a pre-selected trail name, before taking a given name. The reasons for doing this are numerous, but often it comes from a fear of being given a trail name that you will not like, or that you will find embarassing. The backpacking community often is a friendly, happy one, but some have a wicked sense of humor. Here's a perfect example: A girl can't get her pants off in time, and wets herself. In this case, she does have a great sense of humor, and so she tells some of her fellow backpackers. They mull it over for a bit, and "Peter Pants" is born! A great trail name for someone with a great sense of humor, but for an older, or more serious backpacker, it may not be the ideal name. If you want to be assured of not being stuck with a silly name, or you have a personal reason for picking a certain name, then go with it. After all backpacking is about your experience, not the experience of others.
Many, such as "Peter Pants" let their trail names find them. These people, often, completely embrace the trail experience. Starting off on their first overnight, they often introduce themselves with their given names, and with a sheepish grin tell other backpackers they don't have a trail name yet. Rest assured, that if this is your choice, a name will find you, just be prepared for what it may be. In the end, this method of naming is still your choice. If you don't like the name given, then don't use it. My trailname, "Almost There" was given to me in this way, because of my habit of saying...you guessed it! Two hikers I"ve named are "Magic Thumb," and "Sweet Dreams." "Magic Thumb" was named for her ability to hitch a ride with the first vehicle to pass by, and "Sweet Dreamz" was named for a nightmare she had where everyone awoke, flying from tents because of her screaming. This method of naming is often the most memorable for a backpacker, because of the fond memories that tend to go along with their trail name origin.
Trail naming can be fun a exercise for a family taking up the hobby. Children often love this kind of thing. If you're looking at taking kids out on their first backpacking trip, have them pick a name. It could be a favorite animal, or have something to do with a favorite past time. Tell them that when they go on the trail, that is the name they give people. It will excite their imaginations, and have them skipping down the trail looking forward to the first person they can introduce themselves to.
For more info: Examples of more trailnames can be found on the following websites. www.trailjournals.com is a website where backpackers post journals of their hikes. Journals are often listed by people's trailnames. www.whiteblaze.net is website dedicated to the Appalachian Trail. Articles and discussion boards fill the website, and most members go by their trailnames on the discussion boards.
Comments
Hi David...great article...I didn't know that hikers used Trail Names...
I have had to explain my Trailname in depositions. It is nice to have a fairly easy name to explain if you happen to be in the public eye from time to time. I can think of several for a governor who never hiked the AT but used it as an alibi.
Hi, fun article. My trail name was given to me on a trail where I hiked in Birkenstocks and my feet became blackened by the soot. The black didn't wash off for several weeks.
yep - thats my trail name, hairless. For a man of 45 i have a ton of hair on my head, but none on my arms, chest, etc. Hence, the nickname. Trail names are great because it is a nice way to introduce yourself to others and not give your "civilized" name.
I would always wear a pink bandana over my mouth and nose at dusk, because it gets cold on the trail. When I woke up in the morning, I would put it back on, chilled by the crisp morning air. The only time I didn't wear it was when hiking, alone. Therefore everyone saw me as the "pink bandit".
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