I prefer to backpack alone, and although this is far from scientific, I would say that about 1/3 to 1/2 of any encounters on the trail are also with loners. What about you all? Do you prefer to go alone, or with others?

Several answers here: http://www.backpacking.net/forums/showth...sb=5&o=
And here:
http://www.backpacking.net/forums/showth...sb=5&o=
and here: http://www.backpacking.net/forums/showth...sb=5&o=

Hopefully the links work.
-Barry

I hike alone most of the time. I almost always take my dog. (does that still count?)
I rarely run into others, but if I do 80% are groups of two or more. Rarely do I see other lone hikers. I am able to hike during the week and/or on weekends. During the week there are seldom encounters of the human kind. The area that I normally visit is rugged and in the summer overgrown. There is little if any trail maintenance. Trails are not marked. I am drawn there for the solitute. I am around people all the time - when I hike it is a time to be away from all that.

I like to camp with my son. Although I'm older, I'm in much better shape. (he's a computer tech and I'm in construction). I like the companionship in the woods and sharing gear and food lightens the load for both of us.

Thanks, Barry. I see it's been discussed before... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Prefer solo, but go with others about 50 per cent of the time.

Solo, don't have much of a choice anyway. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I prefer company, but end up going alone most of the time because it is hard to find others to go with. Most people either cannot or do not like to do long trips like I do.

Mostly solo. I don't have to follow anyone's agenda. If I do go with friends, it usually is no more than 2 others.

Mostly alone nowadays - my only hiking buddy my own age moved away, and all my other buddies grew up and got lives - all of them mostly away, also. Up until a few years ago, there were Scouts and other kids, plus a son, daughter, 2 nieces and a nephew to teach; now they're all grown and gone.

So, mostly it's just me - and I'm enjoying it as much as ever, just less frequently.

I agree with this. I camped and hiked with my son while he was growing up, shared a lot of things with him, actually. But now that I'm trying to get back into overnighting it, and not just day hiking it, he's hit age 20, with all the stuff we all get hit with at that age, and at least for now, I might have missed my chance. Backpacking is one part of my past I still haven't shared with him, but it could happen a little farther down the road. But I don't want to wait forever though! I'm in better shape than he is, too, but we're not promised anything!

I prefer solo hiking (with my dog), but do try to exercise extra caution when alone--going to relatively populated areas and, for the most part, avoiding off-trail travel. I take a lot less risks alone than I would with others along, and I carry a PLB (to get family and friends off my back).

Frankly, one of the reasons I prefer to go alone is that I'm such a slow hiker (averaging about 1 mph and backpacking about 5-7 miles/day) that I would drive most people nuts. The main reason, though, is that I'm a solitary-type person and get a lot more out of the backpacking experience when I'm alone.

I'm of the mind like OregonMouse, and go slow to enjoy the experince. I have taken many longer trips and like WD, have had a hard time finding folks who could find the time to take them with, and had the experience to fend for themselves if we went at different paces. I have hiked with a few others at times, but not a group large than 3. Those times the trips are destination oriented and roundtrips or loops out. Depends on the company and their attitude towards being flexible with what happens along the route. I would never knowlingly put another person in danger, and likewise do not allow another to do so to me. Many of the folks on this forum would seem amiable enough that I would enjoy their company on a trek. Hopefully our trails will cross in the future and I can do so <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

WELL... if she's really good looking I prefer "company".

Eric

Where I come from, if she has most of her jaw teeth she is considered really good looking.

WELL... if HE does not snore and produce obnoxious farts, belch or pee 1 foot from the tent, I prefer company.

LMAO.... Geez, I'm out on several counts. However I'm curious if a bottle *inside* the tent counts as a within a foot of the tent <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Pee bottles in my tent? No Way! If I have to haul my butt out the door at night, so does anyone in my tent. Fair is fair! You guys cannot even hit the pot at home (I clean the toilet at home) - why would I ever think guys could do this foolproof in the tent, in the dark, half awake?

ROTFL!!

Touche, WD

LOL Good one wandering daisy
I wonder if that's where the expression "close enough for the girls we go out with" comes from? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I would hike with you Phat, if that's any consolation.

I hike mostly alone and with my 9 year old daughter.
(She might be disqualified also. LOL )

Wait a minute....Phat uses a HAMMOCK! That's like a Pee-Grenade!

BF <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

In fact, I am actually very good at this. No problems. Pee bottle, porta-urinal, pissal, whatever you want to call it.