Think You’re Hiker Trash? Take This Quiz and Find Out

Like a knighthood, or the papacy, the title of hiker trash cannot be taken, it can only be given. After a while there is a tendency to assume that everyone is hiker trash, but to really find out use the checklist below. If you score more than ten points, congratulations.

One Point

You eat food off the ground without a second thought.

You casually strip naked in front of strangers.  Who don’t care.

Weird food combos aren’t weird – like placing a single peanut M&M in each Frito scoop before you eat it.

Drinking liquor from the bottle, that you pass around, before noon.

You’ve walked ten percent of the trail you’re on.

You’re given a trail name.

You introduce yourself with your trail name.

You split a hotel room with a stranger.

Two Points

You share a hotel bed with a stranger.

Someone offers you food at a McDonald’s because they think you’re homeless.

You have a trashed or burned piece of gear; for instance, if your backpack catches on fire.

You have lost more weight then your starting base weight.

Three Points

A senior/alumni hiker from a previous year calls you hiker trash.

You have hiked a long-distance trail before.

Revocation

Hiker trash can also be just trash. Pulling stunts like spilling and leaving food on the ground, smoking near people, stealing condiment packets, or generally behaving like a douche can cause you to lose your status.  The trail provides, but it can also take away.

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 3

  • Jon : May 12th

    Lol define “smoking near people”. I’m respectful, but I’m not hiking out to smoke. Don’t worry, I’m trying to quit, and I’m not much interested in the AT anyway. ?

    Reply
  • MoFo : May 13th

    18

    Reply
  • DaddyLonglegs : May 13th

    18

    Reply

What Do You Think?