I usually travel solo and I really love to go on long hikes. I have been lucky to have hiked in some amazing places in the World. However, there are lots of places you can’t hike alone, due to safety or logistical reasons.
I usually try and book these tours at quieter times of the year so the groups are smaller. I have met some wonderful people from all walks of life on these trips. However, I have also met those people ! We all know them and have met them. Usually you can spot them in the first few hours and can then decide how much time or how little time to spend with them.
How many of the personality types have you met or are you one of these people ?
The Competitor
There is one of these in every group. In the first few hikes I went on, they were usually young males but I have met older females also who are very competitive. They come from all walks of life, ages, countries, cultures etc.
This person has to finish first every day. They walk quicker than everyone else. While they may take guidance from the guide, they do strike out alone on occasions. They eat more than everyone else. They say they need less sleep and they rarely will admit when they don’t feel well.
I enjoy spending time with the competitors as they are usually enthusiastic about the trip. I never walk with them for the first few days as I always pace myself. Sometimes the competitor ends up with altitude sickness or some other illness after a few days. They usually recover quickly as they will have every concoction with them. They will hibernate until they recover as they are going to get to the top and or finish first !
Favourite phrase : What took you so long, I have been here for ages ?
The Moaner
This is the person, you often wonder why are they here ? They complain all the time. They compare everything to other places they have been to. Their home country does everything better than where we are visiting.
When something does go wrong, this person is usually in their element as they can say they knew this would happen !
I avoid this person like the plague as I hate constant negativity.
Favourite phrase : Why can’t these people speak English ? (Caveat …. am not saying these people are always from certain countries but English is often the common language when abroad)
The Talker
This person never stops talking ! They have opinions on everything. Sometimes they can be very interesting as they are often well travelled with lots of experience.
But they can also talk over the guides or continuously ask them questions or engage with them. Therefore you sometimes can’t hear important information or you don’t get a chance to ask your question.
Sometimes this person is the ideal walking companion, especially if you are having breathing issues. Firstly, you don’t have to talk and secondly, they won’t notice you are struggling. So you can use them to hide behind when you need a breather.
However, the days you have a headache, you then keep these people at a wide berth !
Favourite phrase : When I was in xxxx the scenery was so much better ! I got two of those in yyy and they were much better quality ! (2 phrases for obvious reasons …)
The Optimist
This person is the first cousin of the talker. They refuse to acknowledge anything could go wrong. They can be great when you are feeling tired as they may be the person who encourages you. They are likely to tell you, you are doing a great job and that the rest stop is nearby.
However if you are feeling so rough that you are irritable, you won’t want to hear this. You may feel like asking them “how the hell do they know where the rest stop is?”
You have to decide when to spend time with this person.
Favourite phrase : You will be fine, we are nearly there, the next bit is all down hill !
The Pessimist
Well reader, you are probably asking what is the difference between this person and the moaner ? The moaner complains about the trees, there are too many of them. While the pessimist tells you a branch could hit you in the face or that the leaf you just touched could be poisonous !
This person is a “joy” to eat with particularly when you are in areas with limited choice. Everything on offer could make them ill. Nothing is safe and they want to know every ingredient and how everything is prepared.
Favourite phrase : Are you really going to eat that, I wouldn’t if I was you ?
The Know-all
This person has read all the guidebooks and has googled everything before they set foot in the country. They often correct the guides or ask for clarification on minutiae !
Just like the talker, they love the sound of their own voice. The difference between them and the talker is that they are the experts on where they are visiting. The talker just talks about places they have been to previously.
This person can be dangerous as often will not follow the rules. They can wander off quickly or not stick to recommendations. If you have to attend any sort of class on safety measures (for altitude sickness for example) they won’t listen as they have heard it all before.
This is probably the only person in a group that I actively avoid !
Favourite phrase : I am not sure that is quite right as I read on-line that ……
The Gossip
This person will befriend all the solo travellers over the first few days. They will want to know why they are travelling alone. They won’t accept a simple answer like “I love travelling alone” or “My partner doesn’t like hiking so we decided I’d come alone”.
They will search for the reason. You are having marital issues, you have just ended a relationship, you have just lost your job, you don’t really have any friends etc etc.
Sometimes this person can be good company, provided the gossip is harmless and not malicious. Just don’t tell them anything you don’t mind the whole group knowing. Even if they act as if it is just between you and them, it really isn’t !
Favourite phrase : Sit down here, so we can have a chat, we haven’t had a chance to get to know one another properly yet
The Diva or Divo
When I went to the Himalayas, a young girl didn’t have any waterproof gear with her, but she had a hair dryer ! While the rest of us melted snow on occasions to wash our hair, she paid some local people to use the water in their homes and always had clean hair. She was very resourceful and extremely amusing.
When you look back at group photos, this person won’t be in them all. They will know when they are not looking their best so will make a quick exit. However, they will beam and look wonderful in the few photos they are in.
These people can be great companions for quick chats and can make you feel like a warrior ! If they see you with a Swiss Army knife, they may ask you if it has a good nail file. Their backpacks will be a designer brand but won’t have space for water bottles. They won’t have water purification tablets, a platypus pack or a first aid kit. They will tell you that these things take up too much space. However, if you do end up with cuts, bruises or lumps from bites, this person becomes your best friend. While they won’t have any antiseptic cream, they will have great concealers to help make you look your best.
Favourite phrase : I can’t believe my feet are wet again, and these boots are so cute !
The Drama King or Queen
This is another person, you wonder if they are on the wrong tour. They are often great fun though and just over react to every little thing. They are terrified of anything small that moves so a spider in a room or the sound of a mouse is a catastrophic event
Sometimes they play to the gallery though and just love the attention. They are very closely related to the Diva and often they will spend a lot of time together. They also may be the only person who challenges the know-all or the talker as they are used to getting the last word.
Usually I enjoy some time with these people as they can be great fun and some don’t take themselves too seriously.
Favourite phrase : Oh, my god, oh my god, get that thing away from me now, It’s absolutely huge !
The Loner
Every group has a quiet person who walks alone, often brings a book into common areas and leaves the room first. This person speaks when spoken to on the first few days. They will also have their headphones on when hiking.
Sometimes I purposely walk with this person in the early days. I am not a loner myself and enjoy meeting new people. However, I do like to pace myself in the early stages of any hike. I also like silence when I am hiking in a new area, particularly if the scenery is very different to what I am used to. This person can be a great silent companion. They are never late for the start times (something I like as I hate the people who delay everyone).
They are often the person that will surprise you with a great piece of information. When they get to know you, they may tell you about an amazing experience they once had. Or they will tell you something they saw that day, that the rest of the group missed. They never get stuck with the know-all or the talker or if they do, they are experts at getting away from people they don’t want to spend time with.
Favourite phrase : Good night, I’ll see you in the morning.
And then there are the rest of the group, your average Joe or Jane. They can be introverts or extroverts. They just don’t project one overwhelming trait.
So reader, do you know which you are or which your hiking companions would call you ? Who is your favourite companion when travelling or who do you actively avoid ?