Overland "Types?"

[jaymar]

Trying to get a Big-Picture handle beyond my own experience... What would you say are the basic personality "types" encountered on the trail, and what do you see as the traits of these types? First-timer to old hand, common backgrounds or jobs or reasons for being out there (are they running to or from something?), arrogant to humble, overequipped to broke, reliable vehicle to deathtrap jalopy, knowledgeable to needs-a-babysitter, male/female, loner or couple, straight or not, in shape or not, complainer to explainer, rural or city, how they treat the land and others, likely to stick with it or not, and whatever other qualities you can think of. From common types to occasionally-but-reliably encountered. And of course what they drive, and how often they're seen in the wild. I take it as a given that pretty much everybody has a gun and a dog (though I'm not sure what percentage bring the dog along).

Thoughts?

 

[K12]

Trying to get a Big-Picture handle beyond my own experience... What would you say are the basic personality "types" encountered on the trail, and what do you see as the traits of these types? First-timer to old hand, common backgrounds or jobs or reasons for being out there (are they running to or from something?), arrogant to humble, overequipped to broke, reliable vehicle to deathtrap jalopy, knowledgeable to needs-a-babysitter, male/female, loner or couple, straight or not, in shape or not, complainer to explainer, rural or city, how they treat the land and others, likely to stick with it or not, and whatever other qualities you can think of. From common types to occasionally-but-reliably encountered. And of course what they drive, and how often they're seen in the wild. I take it as a given that pretty much everybody has a gun and a dog (though I'm not sure what percentage bring the dog along).

Thoughts?

Why does it matter? in the end everyone is out there to enjoy nature.

 

[jaymar]

Because I'd like to see beyond my own limited experience. Isn't that why we're here?

 

[grubworm]

when you're out enjoying nature, the only personality type that matters is the one you are taking with you...

 

[North American Sojourner]

Trying to get a Big-Picture handle beyond my own experience... What would you say are the basic personality "types" encountered on the trail, and what do you see as the traits of these types? First-timer to old hand, common backgrounds or jobs or reasons for being out there (are they running to or from something?), arrogant to humble, overequipped to broke, reliable vehicle to deathtrap jalopy, knowledgeable to needs-a-babysitter, male/female, loner or couple, straight or not, in shape or not, complainer to explainer, rural or city, how they treat the land and others, likely to stick with it or not, and whatever other qualities you can think of. From common types to occasionally-but-reliably encountered. And of course what they drive, and how often they're seen in the wild. I take it as a given that pretty much everybody has a gun and a dog (though I'm not sure what percentage bring the dog along).

Thoughts?

Good question. It's going to be the same as the folks you meet every day. Some poor, some rich, some hateful. I've lived in the Forest for almost three years and have experienced all of them. Your ability to deal with multiple personalities will determine the outcome. I do well but the older I get, not so much. I've been climbed over while rock climbing and mountaineering in Germany, chased by drunks with guns in the National Forest, delt with an unfortunate suicide on a National Scenic Waterway River but made so many friends and talked with so many wonderful professionals and people I'll never forget. I've been blessed to have a 80/20% success rate. LOL.
Just remember you're out there to see the Country, be a steward of our land and protect our resources.
Good luck and have a great time.

 

[smritte]

First-timer to old hand

Both

common backgrounds or jobs or reasons for being out there

Scattered

eliable vehicle to deathtrap jalopy,

Seven years ago we saw a huge jump in the economy. The number of POS vehicles I encountered dropped considerably and the number of new vehicles went up.

knowledgeable to needs-a-babysitter, male/female, loner or couple, straight or not, in shape or not, complainer to explainer, rural or city,

When the economy spiked up, the "Overlanding" fad went full swing. The answer to the above question is "Yes".

ow they treat the land and others,

With every fad comes idiots. Cant get around it.

likely to stick with it or not

The idiots normally don't. The people who jumped in to join the fad, went off to the next fad.

I take it as a given that pretty much everybody has a gun and a dog (though I'm not sure what percentage bring the dog along).

I normally bring neither. The dog does like going out. Cactus thorns in the sand is why I'm selective on when she goes.
A bit of "redneck stereotype there Jay.


So.....Did I win?