Fellow Hikers,
What are some of your thoughts on the use of weed, or other recreational drugs on the trail, I was hiking recently and was approached by someone at my shelter before many others got ther and was asked to smoke with this guy. I did not accept, actually I wasnt very happy that he would do it around me, I know for myslef, I had a job interview the next friday, for which I had to take a pee test, I passed, but what if I wouldnt have because of a fellow hiker??
Hammock PhD
When a person is smoking pot out on the trail, and they offer you a hit, they are doing this for several reasons. Number one, they are being kind and are sharing the wealth. Number two, they are unsure about your thoughts on this particular issue, and are pretty much welcoming your opinion and/or objections. Basically, to sort of “feel” you out. If you simply decline, and say nothing else, then the smoker may feel that you just don’t smoke, but don’t mind it being around. How does a person know that you don’t care to be around their habits unless you say something?
The best thing to do would be to simply say that you’d rather not be around the smoke, because of your job interview, etc., and then go from there. And, of course, if it bothers you that much, and the person refuses to not smoke around you, then it may be best to just relocate. You can’t control other people, just yourself, and if it comes to an issue as to whether or not you may fail a drug test, then you may simply want to look after yourself and your own well-being. I am not saying that you should be expected to do that, rather I think that if you voice your dissent, the pot-smoker should go find a place to smoke. But, not all people have the same regard for others.
bearbait
I personally have no objections to a little weed, and trust me, the day I retire from work, there will be a big fatty cheech-and-chong sized joint waiting for me at my retirement party. In the meantime…
Weed is on the trail, everywhere you turn your head it seems. And unfortunately, many of the users don’t really give a damn about others feelings towards it (they claim to respect others, but their actions speak otherwise). As Bearbait said, you may have to move on yourself since often they won’t. It is really a pain in the shelters at night, as they may smoke when you are sleeping, or if it is raining out and you just don’t want to leave your dry/warm bag and set up in mud at 1100p in the rain.
Alas, nothing will ever be or can be done about it. It is simply a part of trail life. Some people are courteous, others aren’t. The irony lies in those who want to live this trail-Bohemian lifestyle, yet simultaneously shun those who don’t think/act as they do. All you can do is go on and hike your own way.
-xtn :boy
airferret
I view weed as about the same as alcohol though Id rather be around a bunch of stoners then a bunch of drunks. The drunks tend to get rowdy and belligerant while the stoners are usually pretty mellow.
Generally I thinks its generous of someone to offer to share and I appreciate the gesture. I like to party as much as the next guy but sometimes you have to put the hiking ahead of the partying. I never trusted myself to hike while drunk or stoned though I’m told that hiking drunk is the worst.
jalanjalan
I found smoking to be very hand in hand with the nature experience. But, as a smoker, I never smoked around people who didn’t want to be a round it. Pot is no different than any other issue on the trail. Whatever you do just be respectful of others around you. We all have pluses and minuses. ZJust be respectful of your fellow man.
aswah
I enjoy some good bud on the trail, but usually light up when I’m at an overlook or in an empty shelter, or in my hammock. The babble of a bunch of other hikers is somewhat of a turnoff, and you always have the possibility that some asswad will throw a rod. If I do light up around others, it’s outside the shelter and far enough away so nobody tokes who doesn’t want to. Just common sense. Toke and be happy.
:pimp
Pothead
So you’ve hiked all day and you’re not getting enough to eat anyway. I’ve never understood then doing something that would cause you to get the munchies at 3am when it’s a 20 mile hike to the nearest refrigerator.:lol
I’m thinking of doing a thru in '07 but if I have to be cooped up with a bunch of stoners every night then I might change my mind.
It seems to me that sometimes HYOH means “I’m going to do whatever I feel like and I’m expecting everyone else to adjust.”
Locomotive Breath
Not all pot give you the munchies. I don’t like munchies. There are two basic kinds of toke, Indica and Sativa. Indica gives you the munchies, but Sativa strains are cerebral and trippy. I like Sativa varieties, some prefer the other, and some don’t even know the difference. To each his own, Loco.
TYOT and be happy.
:pimp
Pothead
Doing whatever you want and expecting everyone else to adjust is pretty much the mantra of life. You do what you want, and everyone else does adjust, whether it be positive or negative. Simply put, you can’t change other people, just yourself and the way you react.
It would be great if everyone got along and there were no problems in the world, but conflict exists. For either party in this situation to expect or demand the other to adhere to his/her own demands is a bit ridiculous. The best thing would be to try to compromise, make suggestions, or try to come to a sensible outcome. If it doesn’t happen, then just go your separate ways.
People are going to smoke, drink, throw wrappers in the fire rings, and everything else that someone else disagrees with. If you see it happen, and it bothers you, then speak up. That’s always the best thing to do.
bearbait