Since some of you may be new to the Mountaineers and/or hiking in groups, this is a good point in the course to have a quick review of some of the etiquette and rules that exist to help ease the way for larger groups on the trail.
Be sure that when the trail is only narrow enough for one person, you yield the right of way to the uphill hiker. Hiking uphill comfortably requires that the hiker be able to set a comfortable pace. When you have to stop in order to accommodate a downhill hiker, it can be a struggle to pick up the pace again right away, whereas the downhill hiker doesn’t have pacing issues to worry about. So let the uphill hiker have the trail when you are going downhill, and don’t wait until the last minute to get out of the way. If an uphill hiker makes it obvious that they need the break and are yielding to you as the downhill hiker, then thank them graciously and scoot by as quickly as possible.
It is permissible to pass other hikers if they are hiking more slowly than you are—even if they are part of the CHS group you are in. Unless the leader has specifically said that they want to stay in front, you can pass them and any other hikers if you prefer to hike at a faster pace. However, if the hike leader has not mentioned a specific stop time/place, check with them on when/where they would like you to stop and wait for the rest of the group. And always wait at trail junctions, even if you know the way. The few safety incidents we've had in CHS usually involved missing hikers. Make sure that you and the hike leader are on the same page so that the trip isn't interrupted by a mini search mission.
Be aware of your distance from the hiker in front of you. No one likes to have another person right on their heels, so if you find yourself doing this, just ask the hiker in front if you can “please pass.” We also like to try and avoid being a conga line of 12 hikers all in a row marching up (or down) a trail. And, of course, you run the risk of becoming hiker shish kabob if the person in front of you is using trekking poles! Spread out a little bit so you can enjoy the scenery in front of you.
Several of the trails we hike are open to multiple users, including trail runners, horses, pack animals, mountain bikes, and even motorbikes. If you find yourself in the "sweep" position (at the rear of the group) and you hear or see someone attempting to pass, yell ahead something descriptive like "runner behind!" or "bike back!" so you and the group can step just off the trail to let the others pass. If you find yourself at the front and encounter a horse party, try to step off the trail on the downhill side, lower your voice so as not to spook the horse, and listen to any instructions the rider may give. The lead mountain bike or motorbike rider will usually let you know how many are in their group so you can count how many should pass before it's safe to get back onto the trail.
Finally, Mountaineers hikes are not forced marches. If you need to stop and adjust your clothing or gear, drink some water, or eat some food, or heed the call of nature, then feel free to stop and take care of yourself—even it it’s not an established rest stop. Be sure that you’ve stopped at a place on the trail wide enough so that others can safely go around you on the trail. If you need to take a party separation (Mountaineers' euphemism for potty break), then let the hikers around you know and leave your pack on the trail on the side you're traveling. Terms like "party separation", "potty break" and the like all convey the meaning adequately—no need to go into great detail about what you’re doing. As we discussed at orientation, please do not leave toilet paper in the wilderness. Either forgo toilet paper and use a bandana instead, or pack out your toilet paper in a ziplock baggy.
I look forward to hiking with each of you soon. Have a great week, and please contact me if you have any questions.
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