iHike, iPod, therefore iAm

[JoelHazelton]

Of course, then there are those who insist on having music things in their ears. They deserve to get run over. ;)

Ooooh harsh... I always have music things in my ears. Then again, I mostly hike in wilderness areas where those pesky bike things aren't allowed ;)

[Jim]

Of course, then there are those who insist on having music things in their ears. They deserve to get run over. ;)

Ooooh harsh... I always have music things in my ears. Then again, I mostly hike in wilderness areas where those pesky bike things aren't allowed ;)

That's funny. Yesterday I was out hiking and got behind a woman who had ipod things in her ears. I said excuse me a couple of times while she just slowly waddled along like she was ignoring me. Once I realized she had those things in and couldn't hear me I had to just wedge myself past her. When she finally saw me, she moved over. Some people might be in a big enough hurry and just push her aside.

[dysfunction]

I put those music things in my ears cause it keeps people I don't want to talk to me from talking to me. I can hear my own footfalls easily enough with them in, they just don't know that

Ya gotta say something though coming up behind me on a bike, I've just enough hearing loss that your tire noise gets lost in mine.

[Grasshopper]

Re: you who enjoy hiking with those music things in your ears..

Do you ever worry about these kind-of surprises you won't hear until ?
http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=105093

[fricknaley]

or worse yet...http://www.hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=66204

sorry, hank, i couldn't resist.

[joebartels]

Might need to take away "You talkin' to me Kokopelli" from Alex and give it to Jeff

[JoelHazelton]

Snakes tend to be louder than my ipod; I speak from experience ;) One example was last spring, blasting rap in my ears while hiking up near Miner's summit on the Dutchman. Mr. Rattlesnake came through loud and clear.

I go on solo hikes generally twice a week, often times backpacking. They're not always long distance but always involve long spans of time sitting and pondering the scenery. I like to have some sort of company and it's usually a band I like. For me, nature is a time to connect with myself and try and make art, and music is the perfect companion.

[joebartels]

On occasion I'll listen to music. However I need quite time too.

Bravo on the subject line Joel, nice job

[JoelHazelton]

Thanks, Joe, I'm a witty guy

[Grasshopper]

For me, nature is a time to connect with myself and try and make art, and for me, music is the perfect companion.

Well, for you no one can dispute that it does work! ;)

[fricknaley]

For me, nature is a time to connect with myself and try and make art and music is the perfect companion.

well said.

[big_load]

Some people might be in a big enough hurry and just push her aside.

I probably wouldn't actually do that, but I sure would be tempted.

[rally_toad]

In one way, I dont like the idea of hiking with an ipod, because then I would be cut off a little bit from nature and what I'm trying to experience.
But at the same time, I think music is a great way to get more in touch with your self, and so though I choose not to listen to the ipod, I dont want to bag on people who do.

[sirena]

I find that a lot of times when I hike without my Ipod, I get a piece of some horrible song stuck in my head, and it will loop over and over. I'd rather listen to actual music that I enjoy. I hike with one earbud in, so I can also hear what is happening around me. A good soundtrack can be a great motivator on the trail.

For me, nature is a time to connect with myself and try and make art, and music is the perfect companion.

As a fellow solo hiker, I totally understand what you mean.

[fairweather8588]

I'll listen to some tunes, but only on hikes that I've done multiple times (Piestewa, Gateway Loop etc) where im just out to stay in shape. Pretty much anywhere else I'll leave the music at home

[azbackpackr]

I have never tried it, but I can see, especially on those busy trails where maybe you are trying to find solitude where there isn't actually any, it would make sense. Out in the actual wilderness, though, I can't see using one--you would miss a lot of natural sounds, I think. Right now the elk are starting to bugle. Would hate to miss hearing that!

I listen to music only in the car. I have this thing about wanting a quiet, peaceful house, but I love to blast rock n roll in the car! Since I don't drive much, it's a treat to get in the car and find some old favorite in the CD folder.

On a bike I think it would just be courting suicide, though, especially on the street.

[dysfunction]

The heaviest 'wilderness' use mine see are backpacking. I'll listen for a bit in the tent while reading at night.. or sometimes just relaxing (especially solo). But they also rock when you're exiting the wilderness and start seeing throngs of people and the chatter starts to sound like locusts. But I have worn them on solo hikes with the volume real low. Can still hear everything, just have some minor distraction if I want it. I wear em that way road running too.. not trail running (I really dislike road running at heart). Don't wear em on a bike.

[BobP]

Because when I hike alone,I prefer to be by myself...I like to hike with tunes on exercise hikes when I'm training for something or on crowded trails. I also take my ipod on backpacking trips...mostly to wind down at night.

[Jeffshadows]

If I were out in the middle of nowhere on a flat trail, maybe. I use it more in camp at night than along the climb...having anything in my ears upsets my balance.

[Jeffshadows]

Might need to take away "You talkin' to me Kokopelli" from Alex and give it to Jeff

Hey! I cut the beard off!!