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Posted by overmywaders on March 10, 2008 at 3:20:36 pm EDT
In reply to what is the reality of the dangers from other humans on the trail? posted by Backcountry (Guest) on December 14, 2007 at 1:13:16 am EST

I will provide a personal example of judging others because of circumstances:

This is from the asphalt jungle. Back in the late '60s I drifted into Chicago, a pack on my back, my hair long. I needed some money so I walked down to South Chicago - about thirty blocks - to a blood clinic that paid well. When I got there they turned me away because I weighed only 112# and stood 5'9" - a tad skinny, I guess. What I had noticed in my trek south was that the hue of the inhabitants had changed dramatically; I was now in the all-black, very poor, section of town. As I began my return journey to the city center, I noticed four very large, very tall, black men standing on the sidewalk, watching my approach intently. I kept walking with a smile until one of them stepped in front of me, and one stepped behind me, boxing me in. The fellow in front looked down at me, I looked waaay up at him, and he said "Got a quarter for some Ripple?" in a gravelly tone. In my most pleasant voice and clearest diction I replied, "That's fascinating, I was just going to ask you the same thing!" My four new friends looked shocked for a minute, then howled in laughter. I stepped around the fellow ahead of me and said "Be sure to find me when you get that quarter!", and walked on, leaving them still laughing.

We will never know what would have happened if I had assumed the worst of these men, or shown fear (which makes the same statement). As it is, I have a pleasant memory to this day.

Over my years on the road I confronted a thousand like situations. I was only beaten once - near Fargo-Morehead - by a drunk - but not badly, I just blocked most of his wild punches and talked to him calmly. In a few minutes his buddy was able to pull him away and it was over, I walked on.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that we don't need to judge people from a distance of .4 miles and start shooting. :) The trail should be fun.

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