Nude Hiking - Trail Etiquette

[Yukon1]

Nude Hiking - Trail Etiquette & Tips

I'd like to add a "Trail Etiquette & Tips" section to my Web page - http://www.yukonalaska.com/nudehiking/ - and would appreciate your input into what should be included. From the excellent Australian starting point posted at http://www.geocities.com/barebushwalking/Hints.html I've slightly modified it to:

1. Avoid trails where there are likely to be clothed hikers. It's best to avoid confrontation if at all possible.

2. Use 'out and back' trails. That way if there are no vehicles at the trailhead you can be pretty sure that at least on the outward journey you will have the trail to yourself.

3. Look for signs that others have been on the trail before you, and if you do meet someone coming the other way, ask them if they have seen anyone else on the trail.

4. Avoid trails where there are likely to be children and family groups. People who would normally react with a smile when meeting a nude hiker can easily take offence if they feel their children are threatened.

5. If possible, hike with others. A lone hiker is more likely to be seen in a bad light than a group. A group with both men and women will also generally be seen in a better light than an all-male one.

6. If possible do your walks on a weekday rather than on weekends.

7. Be aware of where the trail will take you - you don't want to find yourself in a residential area.

8. Keep an eye out ahead for approaching hikers, and be prepared to cover up quickly. If you are alert you will see or hear them long before they are aware of you.

9. If you are caught by surprise, act naturally, normally and openly. Don't dive into the bushes or act in some other guilty or suspicious manner.

10. Take off sunglasses to greet or talk to others.

11. Be aware of weather conditions. Take clothing that would be required if it started raining or there was a sudden drop in temperature.

12. Put your clothes back on if you have to traverse areas where it is likely you may slip and find yourself sliding down rough or rocky ground. Nude gravel rash is best avoided.

13. Carry sufficient food and fluids for the duration of your walk, and be aware that hiking in the nude makes dehydration occur more quickly.

14. Carry plenty of sunscreen and mosquito repellant.

15. Last but definitely not least, tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.

What else would you add to this list (or remove from it)?

Thanks! /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Yukon1]

Nude Hiking - Trail Etiquette & Tips

I'd like to add a "Trail Etiquette & Tips" section to my Web page - http://www.yukonalaska.com/nudehiking/ - and would appreciate your input into what should be included. From the excellent Australian starting point posted at http://www.geocities.com/barebushwalking/Hints.html I've slightly modified it to:

1. Avoid trails where there are likely to be clothed hikers. It's best to avoid confrontation if at all possible.

2. Use 'out and back' trails. That way if there are no vehicles at the trailhead you can be pretty sure that at least on the outward journey you will have the trail to yourself.

3. Look for signs that others have been on the trail before you, and if you do meet someone coming the other way, ask them if they have seen anyone else on the trail.

4. Avoid trails where there are likely to be children and family groups. People who would normally react with a smile when meeting a nude hiker can easily take offence if they feel their children are threatened.

5. If possible, hike with others. A lone hiker is more likely to be seen in a bad light than a group. A group with both men and women will also generally be seen in a better light than an all-male one.

6. If possible do your walks on a weekday rather than on weekends.

7. Be aware of where the trail will take you - you don't want to find yourself in a residential area.

8. Keep an eye out ahead for approaching hikers, and be prepared to cover up quickly. If you are alert you will see or hear them long before they are aware of you.

9. If you are caught by surprise, act naturally, normally and openly. Don't dive into the bushes or act in some other guilty or suspicious manner.

10. Take off sunglasses to greet or talk to others.

11. Be aware of weather conditions. Take clothing that would be required if it started raining or there was a sudden drop in temperature.

12. Put your clothes back on if you have to traverse areas where it is likely you may slip and find yourself sliding down rough or rocky ground. Nude gravel rash is best avoided.

13. Carry sufficient food and fluids for the duration of your walk, and be aware that hiking in the nude makes dehydration occur more quickly.

14. Carry plenty of sunscreen and mosquito repellant.

15. Last but definitely not least, tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.

What else would you add to this list (or remove from it)?

Thanks! /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Gary Naturist]

Here are my suggested modifications:

Remove items 1 to 8 on the basis that there is no part of the human body that needs to be hidden from view.

Keep number 9.

Change number 10 to: Offer a friendly greeting to everyone you meet.

Remove items 11 to 14 because they relate to protection, not etiquette.

Renumber items 9 and 10 to be 1 and 2.

So here's what you end up with:

1. If you are caught by surprise, act naturally, normally and openly. Don't dive into the bushes or act in some other guilty or suspicious manner.

2. Offer a friendly greeting to everyone you meet.

Works for me .. Gary

[Yukon1]

>>...there is no part of the human body that needs to be hidden from view.<<

While all of us here agree with that, there are a whole lot of people who don't, thus the etiquette of respecting others' feelings - oh yes, and of not getting arrested, too! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Murray

[NudeAl]

I agree, we here see no problems but we happen to live in a world that dosen't always see things like this the same way. It is wise to be a bit cautious.

I would add that the hiking group, when at all possible, should try to have both male and females hikers. For some reason it seems that when we see a mixed group like this others realize the group is harmless. I'm not sure why this is though I have experienced it on more that one occaision. A group of nude men will sometimes cause a negative reaction.

I would also add a survival kit to your gear list in case the worst happens and you have to spend the night out there. One more thing let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return so that they can notifiy the authorities if nessesary.

[RIVERRAT]

These are things I've always wanted to do, nude hiking, canueding, nude boating, just enjoying the outdoors nude , there will come a time when even if it's not legal it will be accepted, I'll be doing my part PUSH the envelope and go as far as you can.

[Yukon1]

Thanks, eh! I'm editing my original post/list to reflect what's being suggested.

Murray

[johny]

I am shocked for Your avidity to smear the whole body square with bioactive carcinogenic poison mixture, repellent. Even mosquitos are afraid from such garbage, only humankind is so unsensitive that loose any caution against deltametrine, dibutilphtalate, organophosphates etc heavy chemistry widely used for active ingredients.

Never I met any danger from mosquitos even in most mosquitoe-full areas. As long as someone moves fast, noone mosquito is able to bite. Them eat us only if we stay quit. If somone hikes the trail, I cant immagine how he may stay quit, accordingly I cannot see the reason to use so UNNATURAL habit to poison own body with own hands.

Should the Naturist be a man who use Unnatural habits??

Only once in my life I met a specific 100 meter zone where mosquitos used to do their marriage dances. The density was, for rough calculation, about 1000 mosquitos at each cm3 or 10 000 000 000 pieces or 10 000 kg of that damn creatures flesh what thouht I am walking God given "Swedish table" designed for their dinner after good mosquitish sex-plays. My only save was run as quick I can through this mild creme-consistence cloudlike alive wall and after half of kilometer they loose me from view. All the rest of evening I caugh out a mosquitoe body parts from my lungs and rasp my d*** (strangely they like to bite this body part most of all). Their meat was so un-tasty, huh.

But be sure, if even one shall meet those "small guys" again, the chemistry will never be saver - them are too lot and very hungry and wild.

[johny]

Oh, yes. I forgot to tell that I am rarely use a bag with the dresses in my nude hiking so my naked run through such abnormal mosquitoes cloud was really adrenalinish adventure. Interesting, I never heard before the mosquitos would have a habit for collectivism and collective marriage dances. Only ants, those flying sort, those I met couple of times before heavy rain coming

Johny...You must have slow Mosquitos....Some of the Mosquitos I encountered one July in Tuolumne Meadows (Yosemite)chased me faster than I could run and jump in my car.I managed to escape being eaten alive by speeding off in the car and rolling down the windows to blow them out...That was over forty years ago and I've been carrying and using repellant ever since...The effects of the repellant seem much less frightful to me now than a hungry swarm of mosquitos...especially since I can no longer run as fast as I could then....Hmmmmm.... maybe its the repellant doing me in afterall?..Couldn't possibly be that I'm getting old /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif ...Odb

Outdoorbare,

We're not getting older; we're getting better!

Thanks Jon-marc... I agree...now all I have to do is convince my body that your statement is true...It seems like ever since I passed the big 60 it's a little slow getting started in the morning... /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Odb

[Nude in MT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by johny:
I am shocked for Your avidity to smear the whole body square with bioactive carcinogenic poison mixture, repellent... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>With the high concentration of West Nile Virus cases in my area, I think the risk of chemical poisoning is worth taking.

[nudistwoody]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Yukon1:
>>...there is no part of the human body that needs to be hidden from view.<<

While all of us here agree with that, there are a whole lot of people who don't, thus the etiquette of respecting others' feelings - oh yes, and of not getting arrested, too! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Murray <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>If we always must respect others feelings with regards to something we believe in, we shall never advance our cause. Imagine if Rosa Parks had respected the feelings of the white riders on the bus.
Respect your own feelings as well. Not everyone is ready or able to make this choice, thankfully some are.

[Yukon1]

>>If we always must respect others feelings with regards to something we believe in, we shall never advance our cause.<<

When you "walk the walk" by going to the mall nude, perhaps we could pass the hat here for your bail. I'd rather take some minor precautions and have fun, and make my statement about naturism in a way that doesn't jeopardize my freedom - that is, through my Web site.

Murray

[NudeAl]

Hey Yukon, I was just wondering have you ever accidentally ran into someone while you were nude on the trail? If so what was their reaction? I have had that experience here in California and never really had a problem with anyone. I am starting to beleive that the folks you run into out on the trail far from the roads in the middle of the woods are more in tune with nature so less freaked out when they happen to enncounter nude hikers. Or perhaps nude hikers are just more common out here in crazy California you know, the land of fruits and nuts?

[Nude in the North]

When I was in Yellow Stone last July I found a nice spot for a short hike.
We had stopped to take some scenery pictures and as I walked along I realized I was surrounded by nature in all it's glory. I was confident that nobody was anywhere near the area, so I enjoyed a nice nude walk for about 1/2 hour or so.
It was my first experience being out in such a "wild" natural setting.
It was fantastic!

Steve

[aunaturelone]

I've done a LOT of nude hiking in the backcountry both as a singleton and in small groups. Don't meet anyone often but never had a negative reaction. (By backcountry I mean at least 1 mile from a roadhead or on a trail that is not well groomed.)

The farther into the backcountry you get, the less likely you will find any objection.

The part about mixed gender groups is important. It really does ratchet the tension down quite a bit, esp. when you encounter a lone female on the trail.

Leave early, walk fast. Everyone will be behind you. Return late, walk slow. Everyone will be ahead of you. The trails are emptiest in the middle of the week.

Wear a broad brimmed cotton hat. Keeps the sun off your head & neck and out of your eyes. Soak it in water for air conditioning. If the temperature drops, keeping your head and feet covered will keep you warmer. If you feel the need for a quick coverup, nothing is faster.

Nothing looks stupider than some guy struggling into his shorts as you suddenly encounter him on the trail. (Unless it's some guy covering his crotch with his hand.)

I like to have a waterhole of some sort as the objective for a trip. Not only does it give you a comfortable place to relax but the textile impaired are more nude tolerant around rural swimming sites.

If you encounter the textiled, do not get verbally agressive, physically aroused or intrude on another's personal space. Don't get evengelical about nudism unless the textiled person expresses an interest.

Extreme care must be excercised around minors, with or without adults. Best to avoid them if at all possible or get dressed if you suspect them to be about.

[Yukon1]

In my 25 years of nude hiking, I've never met anyone at close distance, I suppose because my hikes are usually above treeline where the sightlines are great. The twice that I know I have been seen, the textile hikers took a route that avoided me - possibly out of respect for my space/privacy, possibly because they objected to my choice of hiking outfit.

[Ben_m]

While this may seem odd, because this topic seems to resurface often, I'm going to quote myself and re-post something that I said here in this very forum a few months ago:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I've taken hundreds of nude hikes, and had dozens of encounters with textiles. For whatever it might be worth, it is my opinion that there isn't one simple answer to the infamous question "What do I do when the inevitable encounter occurs".

I agree that we need to be sensitive to the so-called textiles, however, miguided and irrational their fear certainly seems to us, to them it isn't. I also agree with the point of view that if we always hide, no progress will ever be made. So, where is the answer? - I don't think there is one, it just depends on the situation. We can only assess each situation as it presents itself and take what we believe to be the best course of action.

In my opinion, the goal is to go as far as is reasonable toward education without causing undo stress to others. Unfortunately, in reality, you can't really know this and can only do the best you can do. For myself, I've come to think that if there's any chance I'm going to look like a naked guy frantically trying to get dressed before somebody sees me (clearly a negative image, I think) that I'm much better off just letting the encounter happen and being as genuine and friendly as I know how - and, if necesary, based on reaction, as a gesture of concern, covering up casually. I have yet to have a seriously negative reaction taking this approach. About as negative as I've had is people turning around on the trail and waiting for me to get dressed and/or go by - and this has only happened twice. And, in both cases, they still said "hi" when I/we went by.

I have heard some interesting lines such as "That's one way to avoid tan lines" or "Hot today, isn't it?" or "Hi-ya j-birds" or "Isn't it getting a little chilly for that?" or recently "Are you guys from England?". Usually it's a simple "hi", end of story. Sometimes you can actually carry on a conversation - I like it when this happens - I can only imagine what they think to themselves when they leave "Did I just have a conversation with a naked guy", lol. Even the presence of minors isn't a guarantee of anything, one way or the other (although it usually does suggest more caution).

Just thoughts, for whatever they're worth. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I hope this is helpful in some way. I'm not sure what to suggest in terms of 'Trail Etiquette' except for the overriding idea of USE GOOD JUDGEMENT, based on the circumstances - ALWAYS!

Ben.

[aunaturelone]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>"Are you guys from England?" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

That is a funny one!

I once met an elderly couple on the trail from Norway who said I must be from France...!

[nudistwoody]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Yukon1:
>>If we always must respect others feelings with regards to something we believe in, we shall never advance our cause.<<

When you "walk the walk" by going to the mall nude, perhaps we could pass the hat here for your bail. I'd rather take some minor precautions and have fun, and make my statement about naturism in a way that doesn't jeopardize my freedom - that is, through my Web site.

Murray <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>And it is a very nice website indeed. I agree with you 100%. We all most respect our own feelings with regards to how we wish to promote naturism/nudism and body freedom.
I myself am "walking the walk" in my own way, in stages that I am comfortable with.
I am only suggesting that by advising people to avoid confrontation and to cover up quickly, one might be acknowledging that there is shame in our nude bodies.
Yours in Nudity,
Nudewoody

[aunaturelone]

If you are hiking nude in the woods in a location where there is a nonzero chance of encountering the textile impaired, a little bit of caution may be called for lest you discover the police had been called by cell phone by the scoutmaster leading the Brownie troop hike and are waiting for you back at the trail head.

I know that some people are absolutely constipated by the thought of encountering a nude person. And imagine for a moment a single woman afflicted with gymnophobia, who may equate a naked man with a sexual predator. She might not stop to listen to your spiel about how innocent nudity is or how unashamed you are, especially if the last nude male she encoutered was some sick bastard with a hard-on and a yen to shock. You might have a chance to sample the effectiveness of pepper spray as a self defense weapon before you knew what was happening.

How you handle it determines whether you are perceived to be ashamed, being courteous to someone who doesn't understand or just acting out of a healthy sense of self preservation.

There is a time and a place for intentional civil disobedience that runs the risk of giving offense or getting arrested. For me, when I'm just out there enjoying myself in nature au naturale isn't one of them.

[NudeAl]

I'll tell you honestly, I have been out in the back country, miles away from the nearest dead end, forest service road and I knew that there were others on the trail. Due to the cars at the trail head and I just stayed nude. Put the clothes in the back pack and kept right on truckin. I met them on the trail and slid to the side and let them pass gave them a nice big smile and greeting. Most just mumble hi and keep going but like someone else mentioned some will actually engage in conversation. This is pretty cool, nice weather we're having huh? Judging by what I have read here and on other sites this type of encounter is becoming more and more common. Something about being nude in nature I guess. As was mentioned earlier having a swimming hole along the way gives you an edge too. I have also noted a distinct corelation between miles from the trail head and the number of a-holes you run into. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Yukon1]

>>I have also noted a distinct corelation between miles from the trail head and the number of a-holes you run into.<<

That's a very good point - the further from the trailhead you get, the more open-minded people seem to be. The "rednecks" don't want to get too far from the pickup with the beer cooler, I guess. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Ben_m]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>That's a very good point - the further from the trailhead you get, the more open-minded people seem to be. The "rednecks" don't want to get too far from the pickup with the beer cooler, I guess. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Definitely true, from what I've experienced. As a 'rule', I avoid places where more "casual" hikers (the mentioned Scoutmaster, families just out strolling a bit, etc.) are likely to be completely. Take a good long hike, select obscure trails, and try to be in places that take some effort to get to.

If I really don't want to be bothered at all, I can easily find places where the probability of an encounter is very close to zero - and I've very rarely had any encounters in these locations.

I think it's important for a nude hiker to let go of some of their fear associated with 'the encounter', otherwise you'll look guilty when/if it does happen. I know the legal issues, but if you think about what you're doing, and consider the feelings of others and behave as best you can based on what you see in their reactions I really think the risk is pretty small. Of course it is probably always wise to consider your risk of "identifiability". This is a serious thing to think about. If you're 100 yards away from your vehicle with a license plate number and anybody is even slightly offended, you're very likely toast.

Seriously, most people's reaction when you're far, far away from where most people would expect to see very many others is merely "well, that was weird". I've actually had people pretty much roll their eyes because I've bothered to hold shorts in front of me for them - in conversation some have mentioned it was silly to do that. Many have said "oh, you're fine". On a particularly hot day once, one lady I passed said once "Wow! that must be 20 degrees cooler!" In the "middle of nowhere" people don't often react as negatively as you might think. It really does seem natural, even to many so-called "textiles", especially if you make every effort to make it seem completely "natural".

Use caution, be careful, curb your fear, be natural, and have fun!

Ben.

[aunaturelone]

NudeAl, Yukon1 and Ben_M have it exactly right. The farther down the trail you are the better. I generally don't lose my clothing until about a mile down the trail unless I'm sure there is nobody ahead of me. When I lived in Michigan that was easy. Lots of trails, unmarked, unnamed, many of them mere game paths and unless it was hunting season you'd never meet a soul.

In SoCal it isn't so easy. Instead of low population, open forest, level terrain and lots of waterholes, you have high population, thick chaparral, steep terrain and very few waterholes. This leads to a small number of trails used by a lot of people. Elevation changes of a thousand feet over a couple miles are not unusual and many times you're at high enough altitude and/or hot enough weather to make it really tiring. Gotta watch out for the poison oak and the rattlesnakes. Watch out you don't sit down near a red ant hill.

Midweek is always the best time. Of course I'd prefer to be alone on the trail whether I was nude or not. I'm into silence and solitude out there, not socialization and conversation. If you would learn the secrets of the natural world you must move quietly.

There are lesser known gems out here like Piru Creek, Sespe Creek and a few others that are good routes. What they have in common is rugged terrain in wilderness areas that discourage casual hikers from penetrating too deeply. They also have water deep enough to really swim in. Older teens might have a go at them but too rugged for the small fry or typical day trippers.

Plus there is the Deep Creek hike. It's a bit of a drive for me but it's worth it. The shortest route is through Bowen Ranch. It's such a well known skinny dipping destination you can show up at the Bowens Ranch trail head already nude and nobody cares.

[RalphVa]

The best etiquette on a trail when discovered is to act as though it's the most natural thing in the world. Just greet them. Most will stand and talk to you.

The worst thing you can do is to take off on a fork in the trail, if there is one when you meet someone, or to hide behind clothing or to slip into something, possibly falling flat on your face if you hang a foot in a piece of clothin.

Don't be ashamed. If you were baptised as a Christian, you came into a new life naked and unashamed, the same as you were born the first time.

If it's cold, it's best to take along some clothing to get into if you become disabled. Walking nude will keep you warm, but you won't stay that way if you get crippled. If it's warm, maybe only take along some clothes if you think there's any possibility of your getting lost. Otherwise, leave the clothes behind.

[NudeAl]

You're a bolder man than I Ralphva.

I have to take some clothes along. I don't always need them but my motto is I'd rather have it and not need it than, need it and not have it. I have to take other things along for the same reason.

I bring a certain amount of survival gear and usually food and water and fire starting material, sunscreen, bug spray, first aid kit, bandanna, swiss army knife, some nylon cord. Usually my walking staff and a wide brimmed hat. Rain gear and warm clothes if not having that could cause me to go into hypothermia over-night. A compass and map for longer trips. I guess I'm just a bit cautious but, like the boyscouts, I like to be prepared.

I have gone through military survival training and believe me nothing like eating bugs for a week to make you appreciate the finer things in life. Like fire and food and shelter etc.

[Rik]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RalphVa:
If you were baptised as a Christian, you came into a new life naked and unashamed, the same as you were born the first time. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Also applies to non-Christians!!

Rik

[NudeAl]

I just thought of another thing. If the hiking area is to crowded and most of them near where I live are. I can still enjoy being nude by going off the trail a little ways. I went out today and it was crowded, especially with mountain bikers. Man those guys are on top of you in no time, quiet to. I was able to get off the beaten path and find a nice big flat rock to lay out on. I would have liked to hike nude but way to crowded. Still got about an hour of nude relaxation.

[aunaturelone]

Don't suppose you ate those bugs during SERE training did you?

Mountain bikers are a dangerous lot! Zipping down a trail so fast as to be a menace to any in their way. Saw a couple of 'em run over a whole cub scout pack once.

I've been stuck outside, overnight, because of a hiking injury deep in the wilderness. I was never in danger or uncomfortable. (Damned SAR helicopter kept waking me up in the middle of the night as it flew over and never saw me till daylight, despite my best efforts to signal it!) I assure you I don't go farther into the backcountry than I could yell without a fanny pack full of emergency necessities.

The scouts have it right. Be prepared.