Trail Song Verse 13: Strider

I met Strider on Tray Mountain in Georgia. Her tarp was set up on the cliff side facing the sunrise. Later we would hike together for hundreds of miles after Erwin, TN where the tramily began to separate by pace.

Strider was known for borrowing clothes out of hiker boxes on laundry days, and trading out hats along the way. There was also a story about being chased by a bison across the Kansas prairie.

well this here's the story 'bout a hiker named Strider
fast enough to get away from bison moose and tigers
wandered on that prairie and what did she see?
just a treasure trove of garments from the hiker box boutique

hiker boxes hiker boxes give and take for free
hiker boxes bear the fruit of generosity
if i should not make it to the summit up in Maine
you will find me flipping fuel out of the hiker box boutique

Hiker boxes are found out front of many outfitters and hostels. They are a place for hikers to discard unwanted items, and others to snag them.

Flipping fuel is the practice of draining a partially empty fuel canister into another to consolidate them, through the magic of physics. Partially drained fuel canisters are often found in hiker boxes.