I think you have to step up and be honest about your feelings and risk not having him as a hiking partner because up to now it sounds like you have been enabling him and thereby teaching/showing him that his behavior works. Like others have said , life is too short. You could probably find another partner once there's a vacancy.
bill
Originally Posted by VinoNoir
For sure. I mostly like to do stuff like this solo. I'm pretty selective about who I'd spend more than a day with doing outdoors stuff. I'd graciously bow out of the trip and do my own.
Steal his shoes during the first night.
Find a Grizzly Bear.
Throw a large rock at the bear.
Run.
i would basically say, "with all due respect, if you knew what you were doing, you wouldn't be breaking my gear. If you knew what you were doing, then you would have your own gear. I have a rule about letting other people use my gear, for fear it may be damaged. This situation is exactly why I have that rule. I mean no offense, but I'm just not going to be able to let you use my gear anymore. Sorry bro..."
Then cut one of his hammock tree-straps while he's sleeping.
Duct tape is a universal silencer. NOt only will he not talk as much, but he may get the point that he is being overly obnoxious. If that doesn't work, well duct tape will secure his hands and protect your tools and equipment.
Go by yourself, more often... that way, at least SOME of your trips will be peaceful, pleasurable..I wouldn't loan him SQUAT...let somebody else cover his 'equipment-ass'..
I'd simply confront him about his behavior, and if he doesn't listen, just quit running with the guy.
In a more creative idea, take his shoes from him halfway through the hike. Teach him to speak nicely while stepping on sharp rocks..
Sorry if someone else said it I didn't read all 15 pages.
Simple answer when he ask to borrow tools.
"I thought a Boy Scout was always prepared."
Good Idea Bush Bear, but i still keep my duct tape around for a reason.
For years, I used to go backpacking with a guy here in New Mexico who would drop a couple tabs of LSD and smoke pot at the trailhead then proceed to drink an entire case of beer while hiking. And would we hike. Usually 10+ miles and 3,000-4,000 ft. elevation gain in the rugged southern Rockies.
He was fine while on drugs, really pleasant, actually, but as soon as they wore off several hours into the rugged backcountry, the alcohol would hit him full force and he would be rip roaring drunk. Eating spilled freeze dried food out of the dirt drunk. Building mega bonfires on rock pinnacles above 10,000 feet drunk. Throwing entire, burning logs at his camp mates while shouting, "I AM THE HUMONGOUS!!!!" drunk.
My friends and I used to joke (while dodging embers and small boulders) that he was some kind of f-ed up shaman shape-shifter. We also thought he might kill us in our sleep.
Why did we camp with the guy? Well, he had a car for one thing and this was when we were young, broke college kids. Also, No one knew the mountains of New Mexico like him and he was a land navigation savant. To this day, 20 years later, I consult him when going to a remote, little known area of backcountry. He also had his own lexicon of very inventive and entertaining names for most of the mountains and canyons in the area.
I would never so much as go on a dayhike with him again, though.
Last edited by darodalaf; 03-08-2013 at 11:28 AM.
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