The 5 Different Types of Trekkers

Whenever you join a trekking group there’s a moment when you all meet for the first time, where you all size each other up. Who looks like the most experienced trekker, which one of these is going to end up being your favourite trek mate? Then introspectively, what role are you going to play in this group that will be your trekking family for the duration of this trip? Here are the five types of trekkers that you are likely to be hiking with.

I’ve been everywhere man

There’s a swagger in their walk as they walk up and introduce themselves to the group. This isn’t their first rodeo, and they will make sure you know it. Casual name dropping of far away countries and lesser known trails will be dropped into each conversation and by the end of the trek you will know every detail of every trek they have ever been on. The good news is that they will have solutions for any ailment or broken piece of equipment that occurs during the adventure. 

All the gear (no idea)

There’s always one person who looks like they have come straight out of a Kathmandu commercial. With their quick-dry zip-off pants, wide brim cap, and sleeping bag that is lighter than air, this person has put themselves at the mercy of their outdoor specialist and purchased every single item on the packing list. While a tad overeager to get it right this trekker will soak up the entire experience and make you rediscover your joy of trekking as they experience the beauty of it for the first time.

Mum/Dad of the group

The natural-born nourisher is a very important role on any trek. The person who just happened to pack extra first aid equipment and a spare knee brace just in case someone needs it, makes everyone feel just that bit more calm. The parent will make sure everyone is eating and drinking enough and that they have treated their water. While you might roll your eyes every now and then and feel a little frustrated if they ask you again if you have disinfected your hands before eating, that is just how the mum/dad is and you know deep down, they are just looking out for you.

The one who loves a drink

You could be in the middle of the Papua New Guinean jungle or deep in the Moroccan desert without a single shop near by and this trekker will always manage to pull a flask of whiskey out of their bag at some stage during the trek. While the rest of the group was trying to decide if they really needed a fresh pair of underwear every day in order to try and cut down pack weight this person prioritised a drink, and they have zero regrets about it. 

The laidback one

‘Whoops I forgot to pack that’ followed by a laugh is the calling card of the laidback one. Sure enough the mum/dad of the group has a spare and everything works out fine, always seems to happen that way for this particular trekker. Without any of the gear and the wrong trekking clothes no one is quite sure how they made it to the end, but they do, with a big smile on their face and have generally become your best mate by the end of it.