Hiking ideas + Twists

Turning back for weather, daylight, or comfort can win.

• Turning back for weather, daylight, or comfort can win.
• Safe judgment scores full points. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Turnaround Wins as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Turnaround Wins; stop at the agreed finish condition.

A low-impact choice earns 1 group point.

• A low-impact choice earns 1 group point.
• Do not disturb plants or wildlife. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Leave No Trace Bonus as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Leave No Trace Bonus; stop at the agreed finish condition.

The sweep can slow the group anytime.

• The sweep can slow the group anytime.
• The group keeps the point by listening. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Sweep Calls Pace as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Sweep Calls Pace; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Correctly spotting a trail marker scores double.

• Correctly spotting a trail marker scores double.
• Stay on the marked route. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Trail Marker Double as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Trail Marker Double; stop at the agreed finish condition.

On-time water breaks score 1.

• On-time water breaks score 1.
• Breaks happen on durable ground. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Water Break Captain Bonus as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Water Break Captain Bonus; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Checkpoint weather calls decide continue or turn.

• Checkpoint weather calls decide continue or turn.
• Correct conservative calls score. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Weather Window as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Weather Window; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Shortcutting switchbacks voids the next point.

• Shortcutting switchbacks voids the next point.
• Stay on the trail. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score No Shortcut as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after No Shortcut; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Respectful wildlife observation scores 1.

• Respectful wildlife observation scores 1.
• Approaching wildlife scores 0. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Wildlife Distance as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Wildlife Distance; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Navigation checks happen while stopped.

• Navigation checks happen while stopped.
• No distracted trail walking. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Trail Map Stop as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Trail Map Stop; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Safe courteous passing scores 1.

• Safe courteous passing scores 1.
• Do not crowd other hikers. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Trail Courtesy as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Trail Courtesy; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Naming a useful packed item scores 1.

• Naming a useful packed item scores 1.
• Water and layers can bonus. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Pack Check as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Pack Check; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Everyone regroups at checkpoints for points.

• Everyone regroups at checkpoints for points.
• No-drop hiking wins ties. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Group Regroup as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Group Regroup; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Calling a durable surface choice scores 1.

• Calling a durable surface choice scores 1.
• Off-trail finds do not count. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Durable Surface as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Durable Surface; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Choosing bridge, wait, or turn back correctly scores 2.

• Choosing bridge, wait, or turn back correctly scores 2.
• Unsafe crossings are skipped. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Creek Decision as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Creek Decision; stop at the agreed finish condition.

A quiet respectful segment scores 1.

• A quiet respectful segment scores 1.
• Do not disturb wildlife. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Quiet Segment as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Quiet Segment; stop at the agreed finish condition.

A clean rest-stop reset scores 2.

• A clean rest-stop reset scores 2.
• Handle only safe trash. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Trail Steward as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Trail Steward; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Leader, sweep, map reader, and water reminder rotate.

• Leader, sweep, map reader, and water reminder rotate.
• Each completed role scores. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Role Rotation as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Role Rotation; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Closest safe viewpoint prediction scores 2.

• Closest safe viewpoint prediction scores 2.
• Do not leave the trail. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Viewpoint Prediction Point as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Viewpoint Prediction Point; stop at the agreed finish condition.

A planned snack stop on durable ground scores 1.

• A planned snack stop on durable ground scores 1.
• Pack out everything. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Snack Stop as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Snack Stop; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Closest climb estimate scores 1.

• Closest climb estimate scores 1.
• Pace stays comfortable. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Elevation Guess Bonus as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Elevation Guess Bonus; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Reading a useful trail sign scores 1.

• Reading a useful trail sign scores 1.
• The detail must guide the hike. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Sign Decoder as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Sign Decoder; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Photos count only while safely stopped.

• Photos count only while safely stopped.
• Moving photos score 0. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Photo Pause as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Photo Pause; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Together finish scores 3.

• Together finish scores 3.
• Waiting for the group preserves the win. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Finish Together as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Finish Together; stop at the agreed finish condition.

A timekeeper who protects daylight earns 1.

• A timekeeper who protects daylight earns 1.
• Late starts can shorten route. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Trail Timekeeper as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Trail Timekeeper; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Lowering volume around other users earns 1.

• Lowering volume around other users earns 1.
• The group stays aware. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Respect Quiet as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Respect Quiet; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Leave rocks, flowers, and natural objects in place.

• Leave rocks, flowers, and natural objects in place.
• Respectful observation scores. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score No-Pick Rule as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after No-Pick Rule; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Naming the first-aid plan scores 1.

• Naming the first-aid plan scores 1.
• No one opens kits unnecessarily. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score First Aid Ready as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after First Aid Ready; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Any hiker can veto a route segment.

• Any hiker can veto a route segment.
• The group keeps full safety points. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Comfort Veto as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Comfort Veto; stop at the agreed finish condition.

Recalling landmarks in order scores 1 each.

• Recalling landmarks in order scores 1 each.
• Only visible-from-trail landmarks count. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score Trail Memory as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Trail Memory; stop at the agreed finish condition.

The best patient or low-impact choice earns the STUD point.

• The best patient or low-impact choice earns the STUD point.
• The group chooses after the hike. Pick a trail the whole group can finish, check weather and daylight, carry water, stay together, stay on durable trails, and leave plants, wildlife, and other hikers undisturbed. Scored results are tracked as challenge points.
• Score STUD Steward as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after STUD Steward; stop at the agreed finish condition.