written by Don Erickson
illustrated by Art Carr
How many times after a hike or trail run have you scurried for a book to
identify some critter or natural curiosity encountered on the trail? You have your pick of field guides on birds, wildflowers, mushrooms, rocks, trees, animals, tracks and ... yes, even scat.
Amazingly, there's no guide to identify the people you meet on the trail, although they often can make or break your day. So here's the field guide you have been waiting for to fill the void, sharpen awareness and add gusto to your next trek.  Birder
A common and ubiquitous creature generally found near trailheads. Identification is unmistakable by the frequent peering into pricey binoculars or tripod-mounted, high-powered scope. Viewing the world through a lens means covering less distance than other trail users. However, Birders are the best
observers on the trail, constantly scanning 360 degrees, making furtive overhead glances a behavioral protective measure evolving from not wearing a hat among birds.
Wildflower Fanatic
Covers greater distances than Birder, rarely looks skyward; instead walks head down, probing both sides of the trail. Communicates between sniffs,
especially to let you know the Latin botanical name of the rare flower you just crushed with your waffle stompers. Common Backpacker
This creature is unmistakable (both genders) by the large pack and trekking poles that flash in the sunlight as the hiker focuses on the ground seeking secure footholds. Considered the grubby aristocrats of
the trail by virtue of sleeping next to it and spending days at a time sensing the trail's rhythms and moods under diverse conditions.
Backpacker communicates with all, but as is the case with most trail folk, is more inclined to talk with its own kind. Can be loquacious when meeting others on the trail, especially when looking for a breather. You know the tendency: rather talk than walk. Prolonged chat sessions are
reminiscent of "the age of sail" when two skippers luffed sails and held a gam to swap scuttlebutt.
Subspecies: The Not-so-common Backpackers subcategorized by pack-size. Gearheads have monster packs, taking comfort and preparedness to new heights by lugging luxury items, such as camp chairs sprouting arm rests with drink holders. Minimalists carry small packs facilitated by the three basic space-saving/weight-reduction
principles of 1) elimination, 2) miniaturization and 3) multipurpose.
Typical of elimination is removal of fingernails and toenails rendering nail clippers unnecessary. Miniaturization involves paring ounces by simple tricks such as replacing a Sierra Club cup with a thimble. (Just fill the thimble 104 times and you have the same volume of water that can be contained in a Sierra cup.) Making a titanium cooking pot double as a
hat it a good way to capitalize upon the multipurpose principle. Wearing socks as gloves also works, but if you use one pair of socks for both purposes simultaneously, it makes for a strange gait that provokes snickers from onlookers.
Thru-Hiker
By definition, Thru-Hiker is found anywhere along the trail. Similar in appearance to Common Backpacker with very subtle distinguishing features such as a deeper tan, minor cuts, abrasions and more mosquito
bites. Look for clues, like a roll of moleskin about the size of a sleeping pad.
Unfit Hiker
Glistens from a film of perspiration, might be munching a Snickers bar and often identified by loud huffing and puffing. Don't expect any communication; your presence is not known, since very little of what's along the trail is seen by virtue of preoccupation with a vision of the milkshake reward waiting at trail's end.
Power Walker
Flashy Lycra-Spandex garments are a winter field mark. Summer plumage consists of shorts, a prestigious logo T-shirt and a sweatband. Communication is impossible by being plugged into a Sony Walkman playing, you got it, nature sounds.
Day Hiker
Common and can often be identified by a fanny pack or small day pack. Rarely found more than a few miles from the trailhead and especially sociable. Often confused with Lodge-to-Lodge Hiker, who can be
distinguished by a smug expression while eyeing your 11,000-cube backpack.
Jogger
A swift trail user often covering considerable distances. During winter she may be difficult to identify because of vapor clouds engulfing her body. In all seasons she generally sports the most ostentatious footwear, complete with colorful laces and exuberant designs consisting of curlicues, zigzags and check marks. Although generally friendly, your
passing encounter is so brief that greetings are limited to a smile and a flick of the wrist.
Trail Runner
The common variety is identified by a small pack with a large hydration reservoir. Runners wearing a loincloth and packing bota water bags while scrambling along a historic, American Indian trade route are a rare subspecies. Nonmarathon types cover fewer kilometers and are often confused with Jogger.
There's no foolproof distinguishing field mark, but Runners may suffer
from a malady known as "digital readout fixation" from being laden with microchips powering their GPS-timer-pedometer-altimeter-barometer-heart monitors.
Just as mariners watch for land birds as a sign of a nearing shore, bedraggled Backpackers and Trail Runners completing long treks, look for Birders and Unfit Hikers a sure-fire sign the parking lot is near.
Peakbagger
Found in alpine settings at high elevations such as Timm's Hill and Rib
Mountain. Coils of climbing ropes, carabineers and ice picks are unmistakable field marks. Will stop and chat but don't get too close. Your foot might be perforated by crampons.
Photographer
Fairly common on many trails, Photographer is identified by the camera, tripod and telephoto lenses being toted. Shirt and vest pockets bulge and are chock-full of film and filters. This breed communicates freely in situations, such as when a bear chases you up a tree and asks, "Will you
please sign my model release?"
Out-of-the-Box Hiker
This wretched critter, found only in remote places, is an endangered species by virtue of its many natural enemies. You won't see him (I never met a female counterpart) for years. Then suddenly, there he is, with a cell phone cradled between neck and shoulder while relaxing on the great rock at the overlook where you planned to set down your pack and savor the panoramic view stretching to the horizon.
Hatless and immaculate in checkered shorts, silk sport shirt, white sneakers and wraparound, designer sunglasses, he sits without a pack in sight! There's a hiss as he pulls the tab on a can of beer that you know is ice-cold by the beads of condensation forming on the can. You look for a helicopter-accessible-only-lodge built since your last visit, but there's nothing just wilderness.
He would enjoy chatting with you, but after your arduous two-day trek
to a favorite place you aren't in a talking mood.
Outdoor Magazine Editor or Free-lance Writer: Adding an outdoor writer, who is testing equipment, to your "trail folk life list" is thrilling. You might even chance upon this creature as he or she is working on a gear review by careening and cartwheeling down the trail with state-of-the-art trekking poles serving as "extreme pogo sticks" that morph into stilts for fording streams.
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