RE:Close Encounter

I had a similar experience. I often take naked hikes on the trails. I carry my shorts in my hand just in case I need to cover up. A bicyclist came down the trail much faster than I expected. I struggled to get on my shorts but my foot got caught in the opening. I wound up just holding the shorts in front of me as he passed. He just smiled as he went by.

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RE:Close Encounter

The ones that just smile at your predicament have you wondering why bother, but I guess even a lame attempt at covering is an indication of not wanting to cause offence. If I just didn't worry about covering in one instance, I reckon that would be the one time the other party would take offence. Or perhaps I just worry too much.

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RE:Close Encounter

The ones that just smile at your predicament have you wondering why bother, .................. If I just didn't worry about covering in one instance, I reckon that would be the one time the other party would take offence. Or perhaps I just worry too much.

You just never know. One guy waited around the corner until I finished getting my shorts on. Then we talked for a couple of minutes. My guess is he didn't care. Another time, I came across a group of 10 or so new-age hippyish chanting with drums young adults. I got my shorts on while standing behind a tree before they saw me (I think). We talked. I don't think a naked person on the trail would have bothered them. In my other encounters - a family with rifles and a couple of BLM guys - I was glad to have gotten my shorts on.

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RE:Close Encounter

I'd be wary of any enforcement around here. It used to be more relaxed, less so now from others' accounts.

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RE:Close Encounter

Visited White Sands National park a few years ago and the wife and I stopped at one of the vantage points you have to park and walk few hundred yards to, and we hiked out to it sans clothing. There was a couple that happened up on us and they didn't even bat an eye at our nudity.

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RE:Close Encounter

Love hearing of the reports where nudity is simply not a problem!

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RE:Close Encounter

Had a similar situation, but more life threatening. Was hiking in Maine the other week and a black bear with two cubs came upon the path. At the time I was about 35 yards away exploring a cabin, and was able to spot them before I came back to the trail. While waiting for them to move so I could get out of there, another hiker came down the path staring at her phone. We yelled at her about the bears and she stopped in time. The she said Thank you - she would not have seen them if she had kept going. Stupid phones.

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RE:Close Encounter

Close enounters are common with naked hiking. This has happened to me a few times and I have learned to act naturally and not scramble for cover. These days, I freehike in areas where it it accepted (Vermont) or hike with a kilt, which is close to being naked and the same sense of freedom (New Hampshire).

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RE:Close Encounter

I too just act natural when walking past a clothed hiker, just smile and keep walking, 99% of the time people smile back

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