Used to skip switchbacks on the AT but an old hiker showed me why that's dumb

A few years back I was hiking through the Smokies and cutting every switchback to save time. Ran into this guy in his 70s who was picking up trash along the trail and he called me out on it without being mean. He showed me how the erosion from people cutting switchbacks ruins the trail for everyone and takes years to fix. Now I just stick to the path even when it feels longer. Anyone else change a habit after a random encounter on the trail?

3 comments

3 Comments

jesse9942mo ago

Yeah, switchbacks are literally designed to stop erosion, not just slow you down.

ray3632mo ago

Ha, I've probably taken more dirt naps on switchbacks than I'd like to admit, @jesse994.

cora_scott771mo ago

Oh man, "dirt naps on switchbacks" is the perfect way to put it. I have totally been there more times than I care to count. One time I was coming down a steep one near the bottom of a canyon and my front wheel just slid right out from under me on some loose gravel. I landed flat on my back just staring up at the sky for a good minute wondering what I did wrong. Those things really do make you humble real quick. At least the erosion is getting saved even if my ego isn't.