The following is only for group hikers. If you are hiking alone, this does not apply.

Stop flailing your poles around wildly behind you.

Stop it!

Unless you are the last person in the group at all times, and let’s face it, that’s a fat chance, you are risking taking out the front teeth of the hiker behind you.

I see it all the time. Sometimes, I call it out. Once, my friend immediately informed me that I have done it as well. Have I? If so, my dumb bad. 

You know those times on the trail when you grab onto a rock with your poles, and it slides and goes off erratically?  I don’t mean that. 

I mean when you use them consistently this way by taking them down to the ground and then straight back in the air behind you from your waist out.

And then there are the next group of silly strollers who are no longer using their poles for their intended purpose at all but are just holding them spear end pointed straight back. And in case you ever need to locate me, I’m always the one just behind that person. 

Or how about this? How about when you’re standing by a hiking buddy, and they are looking out at a distant mountain peak. You look over in the direction they are peering, and it is beautiful. The two of you, standing side by side in wonderment. But then, all of a sudden, your bud decides to utilize their trekking poles as pointers, and the pointers go whipping through the air past your eyes. 

Don’t do that either. 🙂

You’re welcome,

Ms. Skywalker