Hiker lore: stories that practically beg to be shared. What are yours?

One from my mental archives: I hiked to the top of Monument Peak at Ed Levin County Park one time with a Persian pharmacist who had lived in the United States for many years, then returned home just in time for the Iranian Revolution … he was stuck there for several years and finally had to bail with his family, whatever they could fit into a few suitcases, and a few thousand dollars to start over from scratch in the Bay Area. Totally fascinating guy who’d seen a lot. Told me Las Vegas has tons of great trails in the hills outside of town … one time he slipped and got wedged between some rocks and, as I recall it, had to wriggle his way out or starve in the attempt — because nobody knew exactly where he was and he was out there solo. He also talked about how his dad took him mountain climbing in a range near Tehran during his boyhood. Very illuminating.

Another story I’d like to hear more about: Dinesh Desai’s attempt to hike every trail at Henry Coe State Park. I bumped into Dinesh and his wife, Joy, (left) at Butano State Park last summer — we chatted a bit but it was clear he was hot to keep moving up the trail. He was glad to meet another hiker who was not satisfied with going back to the same old trails at the same old park time and again.

Got any such lore you’d care to share? Click on comments and let us have it.

(Related: “Coolest people you’ve met on hikes.”)