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The Sliding Scale of Stoke

Every adventure has its ups and downs...

By: Aaron Rickel Jones + Save to a List

Being able to effectively communicate how stoked or miserable you are is an important life skill—and a vital element for having a great time on the trail. It will make the difference between a successful cohesive group and a disastrous exploratory malfunction.

If you're having trouble coming up with the exact words to express your excitement or pain, consult this sliding scale for inspiration. Perhaps consider laminating one so when things get so bad you can’t form complete sentences you can resort to grunting and pointing instead.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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