Pretty quick karma

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NorthCascades
NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
You've probably heard about the instant kind, pretty quick is just a little slower.

I went hiking with a friend yesterday. We finished, got in the car, started on the long journey home, and saw a guy walking on the side of the road. It is snowing on the trail but raining here, and there's not really anything around for 30+ miles. Mary said "he might need help." So we stopped. He had a sports car and didn't trust it on the dirt road, so we gave him a lift almost 5 miles. He wasn't hitchhiking, there just wasn't a happy reason to be walking there. He was thrilled to get back to his car and dry clothes sooner.

Today, I hiked by myself. The trail was buried in snow, but I was able to follow boot prints. They eventually lost the trail and went down to the road, I couldn't find the trail either, so I followed, and enjoyed a snowy road walk to my car. Eventually somebody drove by, stopped, asked if I was ok. I told them the story, they wanted to give me a ride, almost couldn't believe I was enjoying myself. Being in falling snow among beautiful trees. I didn't flag them down, that just wanted to offer help. Pretty quick car-ma.

Outdoor recreation people know we're all part of the same tribe. You should help people in need, and people will help you if you need it.

Have you helped random strangers, or been given an unexpected hand?

Replies

  • puffbrat
    puffbrat Posts: 2,806 Member
    One time a couple years ago I went for a short easy hike in the nearby foothills. I came across a father and teenage son. The son was riding a crossover bike on a trail that requires an actual mountain bike. He crashed on some rocks and hurt his shoulder or clavicle. I offered to stay with the kid and his bike while the dad took his own bike back to his car and then returned. I wound up walking ~0.5 mile with the kid and his bike back toward the parking lot until his dad ran back to us and took charge of them. What impressed me the most, besides how tough that kid was, is that we passed several people along the way and all but one stopped to ask if we were ok or needed help. One guy even offered for the kid to get on the back of his bike with him to ride back to the parking lot.

    I have only been stranded while working, not recreating, but I have had people offer me water for my dog a couple times. On that same trail as above actually. Each time we had plenty of water, but he was being a weenie and looked pathetic stopping for a rest and drink/watering down at every shady spot. I have since learned not to even bother hiking with him if the sun is up and the temperature is over 75F.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    I find cyclists look out for and look after each other.

    A quick call out "OK?" when you see someone stopped at the side of the road often just gets a thumbs up and a smile but I've also stopped to help someone who had bonked badly and needed sugar and rehydration, helped with puncture and bike repairs, helped with directions for the lost, helped with a bit of first aid after an accident, given an aero tow home to people whose fatigue level has reached utter misery levels.

    I've also received help in the form of inner tubes when I've had my third puncture of the day, been handed a very expensive pump by a stranger when mine self destructed on pure trust I would find them at the end of the event to give it back. Been taken on training rides by excellent riders who must have been bored out of their brains trundling around at my modest speed. Been lent expensive bikes for events when mine was broken.

    I'm a strong believer in the principle of pay it forward in terms of help and favours. What goes around comes around in a nice way.
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