Today, I want to talk to you about H.Y.O.H or “hike your own hike”.
It’s virtually impossible to section hike or thru hike any of the national scenic trails without hearing this phrase. No one seems to know exactly where or when this idea started, but it has permeated the hiker community
When I was hiking the PCT in 2015 I heard this phrase a lot, and overall it was regarded by people as a positive message that spread around the trail. Fast forward to 9 years later and there seems to be mixed feelings about this phrase that started with the best of intentions.
Arguments are starting to surface from people that the phrase has become a cliche or that its just an excuse for hikers to “cheat” while on trail. I even read an article titled “don’t hike your own hike” Which seems to claim that one could not get the full existential experience provided in backpacking without embracing an ultralight mentality.
In addition to this, I’ve seen and heard many reports from other hikers saying that the phrase itself has been abused and perverted by irresponsible hikers who want an excuse to not have to pick up their garbage or make other irresponsible choices that affect their fellow hikers.
While I understand the perspective of some of these arguments, I think that they fail to hit the mark. For starters, I don’t particularly think that the phrase has become a cliche, just because it’s repeated often. A cliche by definition is something that’s repeated over and over again until it loses all meaning. I simply don’t think that is the case here. I still talk to plenty of hikers who understand exactly what it means and embrace the idea in a positive light.
Furthermore, anyone who looks negatively on the phrase as a way for other hikers to cheat, probably should spend less time focusing on what other hikers do and pay attention to their own journey. Whether you approve or disapprove of what another hiker chooses to do is irrelevant. It’s none of your business unless it directly affects your journey. None of us have been appointed “Hall Monitor” of the trail.
In regards, to people abusing the phrase In order to leave trash and be destructive, I would make the argument that this is not a perversion of the phrase, but a blatant disregard for it as a whole. How can it be said that you’re “hiking your own hike” if you’re making poor decisions that affect everybody else’s hike?
I think I need to take the concept back from those who would abuse it and ignore the naysayers completely. The entire reason that this message has spread far enough to become a supposed cliche is because the message inherent is an important one.
HYOH was meant to let hikers know that they can hike however they want ,and make whatever choices they want, as long as those choices only affect them. If we’re being honest, it was also meant to mitigate unsolicited advice from hikers who like to tell other hikers they’re “doing it wrong”.
I think we should be clear about this message so that other hikers can’t use it as an excuse for bad behavior. From my perspective, the best way to do this is to have three cardinal don’ts that come hand in hand with hiking your own hike.
1.Do not abuse or mistreat the environment
2. Do not infringe upon the rights of other hikers
3. Do not put yourself and or others in unnecessary danger.
Outside of these three don’ts, all other choices are up to you. You’re not required to take anyone else’s unsolicited advice. You don’t have to let anybody else tell you that your gear is too heavy or how many miles you have to hike in a day. If you want to pack that stuffed animal to sleep with, then do it. If you want to take that alternate route, have at it. HYOH is meant to remind us that hiking is a very personal experience, and that we get to make our own choices in order to make that experience worthwhile to us . We don’t have to compare our journey to anybody else’s. This is not a competitive sport. Just remember that you only have the right to make choices that affect your own hike, not anyone else’s.
So this hiker is going to keep saying “Hike your Own Hike” and do my best to educate other hikers on what it actually means. Cliche or not, I think it’s an important message. One that should not fade away because of the actions of a few.
-Epic
