Ethnicity on the trail

imported
#1

I don’t want this to be a touchy subject, but I was curious…

In the city, and at UGA, I have many friends that are from other areas of the world, from different backgrounds, and cultures. Yet, in my years hiking the lower AT, I have yet to see many “colors” on the trail. Now, is it just me and I just never see those folks on the trail, or is hiking–short or long distance–soley a “white” thing? The only person I can think of that I’ve seen on the trail was with me, an American/Hebrew/African guy. Other than that, and thinking real hard, I can’t recall seeing much ethnicity on the trail.

Just a curious thought. For me, I love other cultures and people from them. I enjoy having people with these different backgrounds as freinds because it reminds me that there are other important places in the world (other than the US), and I love learning about them first hand from these people. It makes conversations great as well as the overall friendship too!

Any thoughts from our 2000-milers?

Dawg

Dawgtrekker

#2

There was that guy that did/is doing the IAT sobo…but I can’t remember his name.

The fact that I can only think of that one guy says something though.

Us white people are nuts.

Dog Tag

#3

Dawg,

Funny you should mention all that. It’s the same in England. I’ve been up into the English mountains a fair few times and have only ever encountered white people? Myself and my hiking buddy did notice this (as we both live in multi cultural area’s). I’m wondering why as well??

Maybe it’s like Dog Tag says, white people are just a bit strange/eccentric like that. It’d be interesting to find out none the less.

Ross

Ross

#4

Section or thru hiking? Off hand, in the nine years I’ve been section hiking, the only one I can remember is Spiz in 2002. I have seen boy scout groups with minority members out for a few days. And that strange paramilitary-looking group in camouflage in Vermont. But none of them were doing any distances.

Harry Dolphin

#5

I am an Indian/Indian who agrees with your observation. I have not yet hiked the trail, but I am a trail worker who finds myself the only colored person in the group. The truth is I am not uncomfortable being a lonesome dove, but others may not be as open-minded. Walking the trail involves walking across America where not everyone treats you equally. A white guy is not afraid of some encounters, while the minorities probably are. I know I am wary of finalizing my own plan to hike the Applachian trail for those reasons.

FindersMagic

#6

There were few minorities that that I encountered along the trail. My hiking partner from Bly Gap to Kahtadin was Chinese, I met one hispanic fellow, and one middle eastern fellow. Other than that it was white people. I seriously doubt any minority would have much problem hiking the trail on the trail itself, the hiking community is pretty laid back and open minded. In some towns you could encounter some problems.

yo-yo

#7

Hiking from Mohican Outdoor Center to Delaware Water Gap last July, I met an African American who was out day hiking. He was visiting with a thru-hiker (I am not sure of his name, King of the Mountain?) and was quite interested in the concept. He was the only minority I encountered during my sections last year.

oldkathy

#8

This year I met thru hikers from Israel, Ireland, Britain, and Germany. I also met many day hikers of all colors and ethnic backgrounds. Along the southern half of the trail the only other ethnicity I ever saw in town was Mexican. And the funny thing is they have people from Mexico living in their towns, but don’t sell tortillas (a hikers staple food item)in the grocery stores. Go figure.

Blip

#9

Blip-are you refering to Hiawassee? I remember seeing a large population of mexican/hispanic people there which struck me as odd.
I hiked with a black thru-hiker and a hispanic thru-hiker for short periods of time. Met an Israeli, brit, irish and german thru-hikers as well. Hardly any diversity on the Trail. Its a sad thing, one of the only negatives i think of associated with the AT and backpacking

A-Train

#10

One of the major reasons I go hiking up in the mountains is to get away from black people. It’s so refreshing to leave the Deep South (where blacks are a majority in most areas, due to the welfare policies of past decades), and be around your own kind, in areas that are 99% to 100% white.

I love those white counties in eastern Tennessee and other Appalachian states. Luckily, the AT hiker population still largely reflects those demographics.

steve hiker

#11

Lucky me. I’ll be the first one to go on record condemning the ignorant and thuggish comments of Steve Hiker. I walked from Georgia to Maine, and believe me, I am not ‘your kind.’

Sorry if that makes the trail less refreshing.
mariachi

mindlessmariachi

#12

Steve, I think “your kind” has its head stuck neckdeep in the pile at the bottom of a latrine - do the rest of us a favor and stay in your hole and eat well the contents of it. (hope that was not too esoteric for you, I will use shorter words next time so you can understand)

stumps

#13

What is “thuggish” about wanting to be around whites if you’re white? Perhaps what seems “thuggish” to some is that I say it, in this day when 97% of urban whites have been “politically corrected” (read: politically intimidated, or politically defeated) into thinking there’s something wrong with that.

As to Stumps’ comment, that’s exactly my view of the typical “politically corrected” white person’s viewpoint.

steve hiker

#14

Knuckleheads come in all shapes, sizes, and colors! I think all colors have a common share in the ignorance factor…not all of us are ignorant by choice, but in an effort to be politically correct. We’re afraid to ask questions about other cultures because we may offend.

I, for one, decided to get over that!! So I’m the one that asks black folks why they can’t wash their hair everyday and Indian ladies what the “dot” (properly known as a bindi) represents. You never know if you don’t ask! Besides, I’ve yet to offend someone - they’ve always been happy to share or they agree with Dog Tag and Ross and find this crazy white girl amusing! :girl

Lisa

#15

I would love to know what is different about a white person besides the color of the skin. Steve I hope your life does not teach you the hard lesson of getting what you give. Lisa I hope you don’t treat people from other cultures as objects that you gaze at with curiosity from a distance but do not bring home. Wish you both magic! Staurn is a hard teacher! Don’t tempt him!

FindersMagic

#16

STEVE YOUR NAME IS NOW A INSULT TO THE HIKING CULTURE.From now on i hope you get tagged with the name STEVE RACIST.

Steve

#17

I wasn’t making the post to spur a white vs. black vs any race name-calling match–I tried to throw out the disclaimer!! Anyway, I like FindersMagic’s reply! Shortly after 9.11 I introduced my folks to my Iranian friend (born in Iran, but lived in US since age three) and my folks were alittle hesitant to befriend him. Fortunately, they warmed up to him and now he is a welcomed guest. I, too, love to ask questions about other cultures. Point in fact, I was speaking to a Malaysian (sp) co-worker tonight on fruits. I love fruits! He mentioned a fruit called a Mangosten (sp) which is native to the area; it grows on a tree, has a very sweet, white meat–problem is, it only has a three day shelf life! How about a Caramba or a Durian friut, anyone ever heard of these? How would I ever be exposed to these things if I never ventured outside my race? Answer is, I probally wouldn’t. So, in the same thought-process, there could be a great “hiking” idea from another area of the world that us Americans may embrace, try, change, and ultimately change our own hiking experiences. What if we all began to carry our loads balanced on our heads similar to African tribes? LOL!! That would be funny!! Anyway, my post was meant to open minds to other experiences, not dog or put down anyone.

IMHO, what if it’s a money issue? Hiking, and hiking with the “right” gear, costs much money (at least I’ve spent quite a bit), time and experience. Perhaps that’s a good reason why we “whites” never see color on the trail.

I sure would love to see an increase of all colors on the AT!! Thanks for the feedback…

Dawg

dawgtrekker

#18

Add me to the list who thinks steve hiker is an absolute jacka** and flat out racist.

I am really troubled by the lack of diversity on the trail. One of the great higs about long distance hiking is meeting great people. Well, all of the hikers who I met on my 2 month AT adventure this summer were white. I like meeting interesting and diverse people and it just doesn’t happen on the trail. Maybe it is attitudes like steve hiker’s that keep minorities away.

Demon Deac

#19

Steve, you’re an ignorant *****. I tried to think of a way to convey this to you in a manner that you can both understand as well as remember.

To make a distinction between whites and blacks, or for that matter between any race and another, shows an extreme amount of racism and fear.

Please answer the following question without making any generalizations.
What about having less pigment in your skin makes you want to be around other people with less pigment?
What about “black people” scares you? What is, as you say, “your own kind”? I’m a pretty equal mix of German, Irish and Scottish, am I your kind? My roommate is Greek, French, and Finnish. Is she your kind?

I’d also be interested in your justification of your incredibly incorrect comment on socioeconomic demographics as well.

It’s people like you that make me ashamed to be white.

Dog Tag

#20

The predictable responses from the politically corrected crowd. Ho-hum. What’s new?

Can’t you “PC” types just get it through your brainwashed skulls that people like to be around their own race, at least some of the time? Do you kick and scream when blacks congregate into their black clubs and hangouts on weekends? Or are you just racist against whites?

The AT and backpacking in general is one such white place and I like it that way. I suspect that most of you who holler live in lilly-white areas of the North and have no idea what it’s like to live in the Deep South where blacks have bred like rabbits over the past half century.

I like it when I go up to the mountains and get past Birmingham on I-59. The land starts to rise, the humidity goes down and temperature turns cool, and the population lightens up considerably. It’s like coming home.

steve hiker