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woodstrider wrote:On one particular winter bushwhack to one of the High Peaks in the Adirondacks a member of our party, during a rest stop, turned around and looked at the groups snowshoe tracks and calmly asked- without a trace of whimsey- "who's tracks are those?". Turned out he was convinced that we were following in the tracks of another group- though we had been breaking trail in the pristine snow for hours.

Pretty stupid guy, uh?

My partner and I exchanged a look. The decision to turn back needed no discussion and I have never regretted it. We then took the "stupid" person down and back to the trail head asap.

I have been asked a few very "stupid questions" while hiking. After the above event I have wondered if I should've been paying more attention.

Great anecdote and point....

Sometimes I get asked the same type of stupid question by more than one person. I recently cycled along the Pacific Coast Highway in California for 135 miles. In 2003, I rode a 290-mile section. In 1998, 100 miles. Each time, prior to leaving on my trip, I was asked by more than one person, "Is it mostly downhill?"

Admittedly I ask dumb questions for fun, especially if the person I'm asking is uptight and needs to lighten up. I still remember looking at the expression on the face of the National Park Service ranger at the toll booth as he was looking at the canoe strapped to the top of my van as I was about to drive through Crater Lake National Park (for those that aren't aware, they don't allow private boats of any kind on Crater Lake). I couldn't help myself, so I asked the ranger where the nearest launch ramp was. I couldn't keep a straight face as he was explaining the regs to me, so half-way through his explanation, he figured out I was being a Smart-A.

Lastly, sometimes the person answering the question treats it like it's a stupid question when it isn't. When I was at Phantom Ranch in the bottom of the Grand Canyon a few years ago, I asked the girl working in the store, if they sold ice cream (I was looking for a ice cream cone from a soft ice cream machine). She explained all their supplies are brought in by burros and ice cream isn't possible to transport because it would melt. I said, "you sell ice don't you?" (they did) She rolled her eyes and let out an exaggerated sigh, getting ready to give me an education but I saved her the trouble and abruptly ended the conversation.

How stupid a question is depends on what side of the asking you're on.

Not sure if this has ever really been asked, more of a local's joke I think but,
While living in Vail,
"So, where do they put the moguls in the summer?"

Kiefer Thomas wrote:Not sure if this has ever really been asked, more of a local's joke I think but,
While living in Vail,
"So, where do they put the moguls in the summer?"

I can just imagine a giant warehouse stocked floor to ceiling with hundreds of moguls, gently placed there for the summer season. I hear they keep 'em cool with one of those rotating fans.

On a follow-up question from a non-hiker, after patiently explaining (in general terms) a recent overnight backpacking trip into the Gore Mtns of Colorado..."Is there food up there or do you have to kill your own meat?" The list of responses was potentially endless...

I like messing with the rangers at the booths - especially if its a cute ranger chick. A favorite going into Joshua Tree is " Were there any bighorn sheep attacks yet this year?". I just wait for them to start composing a polite answer then interrupt - 'just kidding...'.