Blog de Puree

A new article from Backpackinglight.com reviews gear strategies for backpacking couples. Nothing new there, and one of the reasons I frequent the site. But also of interest, was a point the article quickly made that ensures outdoor harmony among hiking and backpacking couples.

Randye and I like to hike quite often, and always seem to have a great time—or she’s a great liar. Yet I was never really conscious of the advice the article provided each time we went out, and it was just understood and followed anyway.

The golden rule of couples hiking: If either of us is not having fun, we stop and make a new plan.

• Each of us has the unilateral right to invoke it.
• Each of us has trust in the other to know that the request will be gracefully honored.
• Nobody is in charge and nobody abdicates responsibility.

Following this rule, we’ve ensured that nobody has a miserable time and by making each experience pleasant, we guarantee that there will be an interest and enthusiasm to go out again.

I suspect this golden rule has its roots from group hiking. As a former registered Maine Trip Leader many years ago, similar advice was followed when I led groups of campers along the Appalachian Trail in Maine or went white water canoeing. If a camper was not up to the activity at hand, an alternative plan was made for that person or the group. This advice was always clearly given by instructors and experienced guides to ensure that everyone had fun and got the most from their outdoor adventure.

Similarly, the group would almost always go as fast as the slowest hiker. When I was a Boy Scout, if there was a group member who had short legs, was not in the same shape as other hikers, or if that person was just sucking wind after some time on the trail for whatever reason, he would take point and lead the group at a pace that was comfortable.

When hiking, backpacking or camping outdoors, it is essential that couples and groups are sensitive to the needs and limitations of their weakest member at any given time, whether it be for injury, weather, equipment failure or even a mental break. You may not succeed in your original mission, but at least everyone will have a good enough experience to want to hit the trails again.