>>977476I went backpacking midweek last summer (best time, no normies) and met two young seasonal USFS girls hiking out. Mutual surprise, though Id seen their truck at the trailhead.
There was kind of a wariness but it was cordial. It helps I have a mostly-friendly super cute dog. First impressions are even more highly valued the further out you are, I would wager. On a short, near town trail theres usually friendly hellos or just ignoring each other, but in the back country you are making keen appraisals because the cost of being wrong is higher. Plus I think most out there are trying to have some sort of isolation.
On the other hand, being in a pair or group, especially if youre out with your significant other, can make you less threatening. When I went to the Sawtooths with my wife we saw way more people than we wanted or expected to but had friendly interactions with all of them.
Even the group of kids looking for a party spot asked us where we thought would be the best place to set up so they didnt bother everyone else at night and we were able to point them a ways up trail in to a smaller canyon. Surprisingly respectful even if I think doing that shit /out/ is dumb.
