Hiking games

Turning back for weather, daylight or comfort can complete the game.

• Turning back for weather, daylight or comfort can complete the game.
• Use with a shared completion-point hiking activity. An appropriate early turn keeps every point already earned. When the group completes the safe return or other planned safe finish, award the activity’s ordinary finish points in full, without requiring the original destination. Do not award uncompleted observation or trivia points, and never continue to protect a 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 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 shared bonus point.

• A low-impact choice earns 1 shared bonus point.
• Before the outing, select one check: leave natural objects in place, contain the group’s own litter, or keep observations from the permitted trail. At the end, a verified completed check adds 1 shared bonus point once. No encounter or collected object is needed. If the main activity already scores that same check, use its point rather than doubling it. 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.
• Choose a willing, prepared sweep who stays with the group’s rear. Any pace or regroup request is honored immediately, whether it comes from the sweep or another hiker. The current checkpoint’s ordinary shared point remains available after a slower or earlier regroup. No extra pace point is added, and the sweep never stays alone to preserve a 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 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.

Each confirmed route marker scores 2 instead of 1.

• Each confirmed route marker scores 2 instead of 1.
• Use with Trail Marker Callout. Confirm each actual route marker against the map while safely stopped; count each marker once, including on an out-and-back route. This replaces the ordinary 1-point marker award, with no additional bonus. Stop and resolve any route uncertainty rather than moving off-route to test a guess. End with the shared marker total. 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.

A planned or earlier needed water break adds 1 bonus point.

• A planned or earlier needed water break adds 1 bonus point.
• Before one outing, name up to three planned break checks on suitable durable stopping places. A completed check, or an earlier requested break replacing it, adds 1 shared bonus point once, maximum 3 bonus points. Extra breaks are always available, and nobody must drink for points. With Water-Break Captain, its ordinary 2 plus this bonus make 3 per completed check; do not add the bonus twice. 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 checks decide whether to continue or turn back.

• Checkpoint checks decide whether to continue or turn back.
• Use Weather Window Call’s three planned checks, latest turnaround time and actual local conditions. Each completed check followed by a suitable group response scores 2, including an earlier safety check that replaces it, maximum 6. A concern ends the game and prompts a safe response; continued hiking is never proof that a decision was correct. Do not add these points again if the base activity already scores them. 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 stops play; the base game’s consequences still apply.

• Shortcutting stops play; the base game’s consequences still apply.
• Stay on the permitted trail. In Switchback Count, any shortcut attempt ends and voids the game; this twist never replaces that rule with a point deduction. In other compatible activities, a shortcut attempt stops the activity immediately while the group resolves its position safely; a point deduction is never a substitute for that response. If another activity can safely resume under its base rules, reduce its next positive point award by 1, to a minimum of 0, then ordinary scoring resumes. Do not subtract earlier points or extend the route to replace that point. 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.

A respectful verified observation scores 1 shared point.

• A respectful verified observation scores 1 shared point.
• During the planned route, confirm each distinct visible animal or sign once from a permitted location, following current local wildlife instructions. Approaching, following, feeding or disturbing it scores 0 and stops the game. No sighting is required to finish the hike. Keep one shared observation count; a find already scored by the base activity does not score twice. 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 safely stopped.

• Navigation checks happen while safely stopped.
• Keep the map available throughout the outing. Stop clear of others before consulting it, and resume only when the next route choice is understood. Anyone may request another check without a score penalty. Keep the base activity’s result and finish point; this adds neither navigation limits nor separate 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 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 shared point.

• Safe courteous passing scores 1 shared point.
• During the planned route, follow the site’s actual passing rules and make room only at a suitable permitted place. Each distinct encounter handled courteously scores once; never create extra encounters, ask others to perform or step onto unsafe ground for points. Record one shared total when the outing ends. An encounter already scored by the base activity is not counted again. 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.

A useful packed-item explanation scores 1.

• A useful packed-item explanation scores 1.
• Use Pack Check Relay’s five categories and five offered turns: water, food, suitable layers, navigation and emergency communication. Each correctly explained category earns 1 shared point once. If announced beforehand, the water-plan and weather-layer explanations add 1 each, maximum 7 overall. This is the same award as that base activity, not a second ledger; the game does not supply a complete trip packing list. 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.

Full checkpoint regroups earn shared points.

• Full checkpoint regroups earn shared points.
• Use three suitable planned checkpoints, with 1 shared point for each completed regroup. Necessary earlier stops may replace a checkpoint and no one is left behind. If separately organized groups compare equal totals, a group that honored no-drop hiking wins the tie over one that did not; if all or none did, share the tie. Never split one hiking group to create this comparison. End at the planned or safe early finish. 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.

A permitted durable-surface choice scores 1.

• A permitted durable-surface choice scores 1.
• During the planned route, offer one group explanation of how it will use the existing maintained trail or a designated durable stopping area. Following that choice earns 1 shared bonus point once. Off-trail finds do not count, and a hard-looking surface never grants permission to leave the route. Report the bonus separately from the base 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 Durable Surface as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Durable Surface; stop at the agreed finish condition.

A suitable bridge, wait or return decision scores 2.

• A suitable bridge, wait or return decision scores 2.
• Use Creek-Crossing Call’s stopped review of actual route information, conditions and group suitability. Never enter water or send someone to test a crossing for this game. Completing the check and following a suitable decision earns 2 shared points once, including not crossing. When paired with that activity, these 2 replace its ordinary 3-point decision award; they do not add to it. 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.

One respectful observation segment scores 1 shared point.

• One respectful observation segment scores 1 shared point.
• Before departure, identify one short suitable segment and its safe regroup place. Keep ordinary voices low, avoid wildlife imitation or playback, and remain aware of surroundings. Complete that segment for 1 shared bonus point; necessary safety and access speech never removes it. Anyone may request a pause or end, and quietness never requires withholding a warning. 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 shared points.

• A clean rest-stop reset scores 2 shared points.
• At one planned stop, inspect the area the group used, secure its own food and ordinary litter, and leave natural objects untouched. Do not handle sharp, unknown or unsafe waste. Completing those checks earns 2 once, even if the site was already clean. When paired with Trail Steward Sweep, this replaces its 3-point reset rather than adding to it. 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.

Rotate willing leader, sweep, map and water-reminder roles.

• Rotate willing leader, sweep, map and water-reminder roles.
• Use Trail Role Rotation’s three checkpoints and four jobs. At each checkpoint, verify the route lead, nobody-left-behind check, offered water break and map check; each completed job earns 1 shared point, maximum 12. Combine jobs in a small group and keep an experienced holder when needed. Swapping names does not earn extra points, and a passed role never transfers safety authority to an unready participant. 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.

A correct named-landmark visibility prediction scores 2.

• A correct named-landmark visibility prediction scores 2.
• Use Viewpoint Prediction. Before seeing the view, privately predict whether its one named map or sign landmark will be visible from the permitted viewpoint. A confirmed correct prediction earns 2; equal correct predictions share. If identification is uncertain, leave it unscored. This is the base award, not an extra 2, and no one leaves the trail or waits in unsuitable conditions to settle it. 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.

One suitable planned snack stop scores 1 shared point.

• One suitable planned snack stop scores 1 shared point.
• Before departure, name one durable stopping location clear of passing traffic. At the stop, offer a break, contain food and litter, and leave the used area ready for others. Eating is optional. Those completed checks score 1 once; when used with Snack-Stop Steward, this is a separate simpler version replacing its 3-point award, not an added point. Additional needed breaks remain available. 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 mapped climb-band prediction earns 1 extra point.

• Closest mapped climb-band prediction earns 1 extra point.
• Use Elevation Guess’s declared low, medium and high house bands for one segment’s map-based net rise. The same closest-band winners who earn its ordinary 2 also receive this announced 1-point bonus, for 3 total; ties all receive it. An unreliable map comparison is unscored. Pace, distance and the chosen route never change to make a prediction correct. 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.

A useful verified trail-sign explanation scores 1.

• A useful verified trail-sign explanation scores 1.
• Use Trail Sign Decoder’s up to three planned public signs or maps. At a safe stop, explain one detail and its actual consequence for the route, then verify it against the sign. Each sign scores 1 shared point once, maximum 3; an unclear instruction must be resolved before acting. These are the ordinary sign points, not an extra award. 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.

Only safely stopped photos or descriptions can enter the round.

• Only safely stopped photos or descriptions can enter the round.
• Use Trail Photo Pause’s one optional contribution and vote. A photo taken while moving or from unsafe footing is ineligible and earns 0; an equally valued stopped description remains available. Making or sharing an image is optional and requires the consent of anyone pictured. Keep the base vote and 1-point recognition award, with no extra photo 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 Photo Pause as 1 challenge point, separate from the main score.
• Reset and rotate evenly after Photo Pause; stop at the agreed finish condition.

A comfortable group finish scores 3 shared points.

• A comfortable group finish scores 3 shared points.
• Use Finish With Everyone’s no-drop route and safe regroup before the final stretch. Normal access spacing is allowed; do not block the trail to make a straight finishing line. An appropriate early return can use its safe return point as the finish. Award 3 once for the group finish, replacing any equivalent base finish award rather than adding both. 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 useful daylight-plan reminder earns 1.

• A useful daylight-plan reminder earns 1.
• Before departure, a willing timekeeper notes the planned latest turnaround time and safe check locations. A late start or slower progress may shorten the route; nobody speeds up to preserve it. At the end, record 1 separate recognition point if the timekeeper checked and communicated the plan when needed. The point is for that action, not a guarantee that conditions will stay safe. 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.

Considerate volume earns 1 shared point.

• Considerate volume earns 1 shared point.
• Choose one planned segment for keeping voices considerate of nearby users and wildlife. Lower volume when needed, remain aware, and always allow safety or access communication. At its safe end stop, record 1 shared bonus point if the group honored that approach; an already quiet group can qualify without making noise first. Do not add it again for the same segment scored by Quiet Segment. 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 other natural objects in place.

• Leave rocks, flowers and other natural objects in place.
• During one planned segment, each willing hiker may describe one visible natural object from the trail, or pass. Each respectful description adds 1 shared point, at most one per participant. Nothing is handled, moved or collected, and duplicate observations by different people are welcome. Finish the round at the next safe regroup stop without searching off-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 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.

Confirming the group’s emergency plan scores 1.

• Confirming the group’s emergency plan scores 1.
• At the trailhead, invite the group to state who holds the first-aid kit, how help would be contacted in this location, and where its route and return plan have been left. Resolve missing planning before departure. Completing this discussion earns 1 shared point once; do not open kits unnecessarily. This is preparation, not first-aid training or permission to perform a procedure. 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 decline a route segment without losing safety points.

• Any hiker can decline a route segment without losing safety points.
• At a safe stopping place, hear a request to shorten, change or end the route without requiring a personal explanation. Choose a suitable response for the whole group. Preserve earned points and ordinary safety-check credit; unvisited observation targets are simply unscored, never a debt to make up. A veto adds no new point and is always available. 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.

Each correctly ordered landmark scores 1.

• Each correctly ordered landmark scores 1.
• Use Landmark Breadcrumbs’ five named visible landmarks and the host’s verified order. At a safe final stop, each willing player submits one remembered sequence or passes. Award 1 for each correct numbered position, maximum 5, and share ties; if fewer landmarks were visited, compare only those. This is the base recall award, not another copy of it. 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.

Recognize patience or a low-impact choice after the hike.

• Recognize patience or a low-impact choice after the hike.
• At the finish or early return, invite each willing participant to name one other person’s useful patient or low-impact contribution, or abstain. Most nominations earns 1 recognition point; tied leaders each earn 1, and all abstentions mean no award. Keep this separate from game totals; recognition never rewards pushing on through discomfort. 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.