True confessions! In our efforts to reduce weight of our packs (a good overall goal), do we skimp on safety? Do you depend on fellow backpackers as a "backup"? Does the idea that you will be meeting people nearly daily on the trail lead you to take just a little less emergency gear? Have you ever had to "borrow" from someone you meet on the trail or scrounge abandoned food from a bear box? Or are you 100% self sufficient? Have you ever taken your gear "to the limit"?
Another way to say this- would you pack any differently if you knew for sure 1) you would not see another person the entire trip and 2) you would be in the limit of expected rotten weather for several days or 3) you would get hurt, under conditions 1 and 2?

Most of my hiking/backpacking is with either scouts, or my sons. Since I have kids with me, I bring more stuff. Mostly this is first aid and survival related. I try and go places where people aren't, so I expect to not see anyone. I also don't expect others in my group to have something I need, unless I specifically give it to them to carry (which I do sometimes).

If I am on a well traveled trail, I am likely to take more, because I figure there is a greater likelihood of encountering an emergency.

I think I've always tended to pack for worst case scenarios, be it for backpacking or just travel. Must be the influence of my pessimistic father, who always assumed the situation would be going to hell in a handbasket!

I always have warm enough clothing for the worst case weather; I was able to supply an extra jacket to a friend who came on a week-long August trip in the Sierra with us without raingear or tent (it rained every day! at night he'd roll up in his groundcloth, once or twice he came into our tent for the late afternoon thundershower). He would've survived without it, but I am not that tough so I know I need to bring enough shelter and warm stuff for myself. And we always bring a full first-aid kit.

It looks like those on this forum are good sameritans rather than "moochers". I too have had to bail out the less prepared. More often than not, the totally unprepared are day hikers. I also carry battery cables in my car and have had to jump start a few people at the trailhead.

I will confess that I reduce my food to the wire, but have never asked for food when I am on my way out with no food left. I have hit my comfort limit many times, but never have felt my survival were in jepordy due to missing gear. In a group, we do all consolidate first aid gear and repair kits. I have been generously given extra fuel and food from people on their way out who just want to reduce their pack weight (because they took too much). They nearly beg me to take the stuff.

In a group I used to climb with there were a few annoying "moochers" who purposly used small summit packs (sorry I just do not have room to carry the "X"- whatever group gear we needed), never brought emergency gear (bivouacing on a ledge and the fellow next to me is on the verge of hypothermia so I give him my bivy sack and he uses my extra socks for mittens- now although I am not on the verge of hypothermia, my comfortable night just ended). These are experienced people who count on others charity in order to save weight in their own packs. They do not ask, but know I am a sucker for a pitiful look.

Overall, I probably take a bit too much clothing but have never regretted this.

I almost always have the lightest pack, but also am the person carrying the emergency gear. I have hiked with phat and I think he had a lighter pack, probably Oregon Mouse also.

I carry a first aid kit but have only used it on other people in the last five years.

My weakness is taking too much trail snacks. If I carry out a half dozen bars at 2 oz. a piece then it is something I will live with. I have never mooched food.

At the Tonto level in the Grand Canyon the first week of May the overnight low was 41.7F. I was carrying a Jacks'R'Better Stealth and had to put on my micro-puff pullover and burrito the TYVEK - then I was toasty. I often offer to share body heat with every attractive woman on the trip - but that does not have anything to do with gear.

I recall one memorable climb where we were forced to bivouac and I loaned one of my Army wool surplus sweaters to an unprepared newbie we had talked into doing the climb. We stayed warm enough because we had a fire, but I think that was his last climb.

Note the critical role of army surplus gear once again....

What a guy! You are truly generous...

I carried a bag that would convert to a double (sort of like a quilt). It actually came into legitimate use on a couple of rescues.

No, I would not pack differently, and I omit nothing I need for my comfort and safety. I have found that I can get along without a lot of stuff I used to think was "essential." Examples of what I eliminated: Several changes of clothes instead of the amount of clothing I would wear all at once in the worst conditions I might encounter. A mess kit with plate and cup instead of just a pot and spoon. A first aid kit designed to meet scenarios that have probably a 0.001% chance of happening (if they do, I know how to improvise with what I have). I've found that my dog and I can be just as comfortable in a 26-ounce tent as we were in a 5-pound tent--actually far more comfortable, because in the heavier double-wall tent a lot more condensation got inside the inner tent than in my current single wall tent. And, of course, I discovered Western Mountaineering (resulting in a considerably lighter wallet), so I now take a far warmer sleeping bag for 2.5 times less weight. My insulated air pad is far more comfortable, warmer and lighter than the old 1980's thermarest. My backpack itself is 3 pounds lighter than my old Kelty external frame, far more comfortable and safer (it moves with me, while the old one zigged every time I zagged, throwing me off balance), and its load lifters take the pressure off my pressure-sensitive shoulders.

Not that I didn't run into some "interesting" situations in the process! My attempt at squeezing Hysson (dog) and myself into a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo (nice tent, but not for more than one) was OK when we were there only to sleep, but was quite cramped when we were confined to the tent from 5 pm on by thunderstorms. (phat now owns the tent, and he's still finding dog hair in it.) My attempt at using a NeoAir in below-freezing temperatures was a rather chilling experience. However, none of these got close to the danger line, just into the "uncomfortable" area.

In summary:
--Eliminate duplication (except for spare socks). The big exception here is going out with the grandkids--they take a full change of clothing even though I don't (if they don't get wet, they spill food). Of course, guess who was the one who fell full-length in the mud on our last trip....
--Substitute lighter items for heavier, making sure that they still fulfill their function properly.
--Eliminate items rarely or never used (but don't leave the rain gear home just because it didn't rain on the last trip!)
--Test everything in the back yard or on short trips before taking it into extreme conditions. (Difficult with sleeping gear when you live in a relatively warm climate!)
--Learn (by trial and error if necessary) what you can do without.
--Learn to live more simply, to be less dependent on "stuff."
--Work on learning skills (example: wilderness first aid) so you can cope with difficulties and/or improvise from your existing gear in an emergency. Skills, IMHO, are more important than gear!

If you want to meet unprepared hikers, try hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, where I routinely meet "hikers" wearing high heels, no pack, no water, no food, no jacket, no map or knowledge of local geography.... The only thing I've ever given any of them is a map, but I have answered a multitude of weird questions!

As for the "moochers"--that (in addition to my snail-like hiking pace) is the main reason I backpack either with family (where we coordinate and share gear) or, preferably, solo. Hysson is always willing to mooch, of course, but I don't let him!

I usually have enough fuel for another two days simply because so many people have stove issues. One of the reasons I am not a Jetboil fan is the regularity of which Jetboil users in our hiking group find they can't get them lit in the morning, and need help making hot water for oatmeal.

I have finally used up the moleskin I never use anymore by giving it away to blistered folk!

I've also offered to a dude who did not bring a tent - you can sleep on the ground under my tarp, I'll be in the hammock. In the end the clouds went away and he just cowboy camped as planned.

I don't think I would pack differently solo. I'd just be much more careful where I put my feet, and more conservative in general on how I use the stove.

There are a few times I've "borrowed" whisky.

Which pad are you using?

I always pack prepared. I got lost pretty bad as a kid one time on our ranch, and I read survival stories all the time so my mindset is always to be prepared.

I'm also usually the organizer/leader of trips and I'm often the most experience so I end up carrying a lot of "common" gear like navigation tools and first aid kits.

Also I usually have the best gear so I end up carrying filtration devices, stoves, etc. For some unknown reason I have issues with giving my gear to another person to carry, so I just pack it. There's probably a control issue there where I want to have everything I would need to stay alive on my back.

I've given out food and water to day hikers once... they tried doing a 10 mile loop and were pretty unprepared. The only thing I've ever requested from a stranger on a trail was an aspirin for a splitting headache, which they were happy to provide me with. Of course I now carry a selection of pharmaceuticals with me.

We haven't ever borrowed anything that I can remember, but we've certainly shared what we have...or at least offered to do so.

The one thing that I think about sometimes is being well off the trail on rough terrain...and worrying about a bad sprain/broken ankle. Has anyone ever carried one of those inflatable casts? Just a thought.

On the other hand, we would make the injured person comfortable, and then the healthy one would make a hike for help...the true test of a marriage!

Nope, although that's pretty easy to answer for me because I a lot of the time I don't see another person the entire trip.



Again, nope. I've been hurt and sick enough to be delayed, if it
was something beyond I could handle myself I do carry a plb.


I do usually have a little bit of extra food/snacks, but pretty minimal.

I often get mooched from - snacks, coffee, alcohol, etc. Last time I was out with a big group it was my little medical kit that was getting used to patch people up.

The other thing I get mooched off of a lot is my chlorine dioxide water treatment - when someone's water filter breaks or clogs or otherwise becomes nonfunctional (which seems to happen with relative frequency)

The only think I've been known to mooch (and only if offered) is extra hot water in the morning - I keep my fuel matched to my morning coffee ration, but I'll not say no to an extra cup

I have carried an inflatable lower leg splint, but only as part of my SAR kit. I have used it multiple times and once on myself (leader fall). It is quick and easy to apply, but there are drawbacks - it can be punctured and if a change in elevation is involved in evacuation (think helicopters), you must adjust for varying air pressures. I think it too specialized to carry on a regular basis. One can craft just as good a splint from available materials - it will just take a bit longer.

Quite a few ankle "crunches" occur on trails. I am not sure if the incidence of ankle injuries is actually any higher when off trail. What matters is proper foot gear and strong lower legs, as well as attention to footing, which is likely to be heightened when off trail.

I didn't mention about the illness/injury issue. These days I'm very careful, whether alone, on a popular trail with dozens of other people around or with family, because I know that at my age an injury would probably be the end of my backpacking career. I also carry a Personal Locator Beacon. I have or can improvise sufficient first-aid for situations in which I'd have to self-evacuate (say a broken arm or sprained ankle), although I might have to leave some gear behind. I'm more worried about a serious injury or illness that would incapacitate my dog, because at 80 lbs. he's far too big for me to carry out. I once tried to improvise a travois at home, just to be sure I could do it. The travois worked fine, but persuading Hysson to stay on it when I started dragging it was another matter! I guess if he were sick enough so he couldn't struggle too hard, I might be able to keep him on it by lashing him to the travois. I can't push the PLB button for my dog, of course!

One interesting dual-use first-aid item I found is veterinary wrap, self-adhering foam wrap, used on dogs or horses to hold bandaging on a leg. It's a far lighter substitute for elastic bandage, although for a sprained ankle I'd want some duct tape reinforcement on the outside (at least the duct tape won't be stuck to my skin!). The one caveat is that under heat and pressure it tends to fuse together, so it should be checked yearly and replaced when that starts to happen. Actually, everything in the first-aid kit should be checked and most of it replaced yearly. It's a good idea to label all meds, over-the-counter as well as prescription, and include the expiration date so you know when to toss them.

I do carry a larger first aid kit when going out with the grandkids. The larger the party, the more the risk that something will happen. If nothing else, I take more large bandaids of the type that will cover a skinned knee or elbow!

A good wilderness first-aid class will teach you a lot about managing the most common back-country injuries and how to improvise with what you have, instead of carrying a lot of stuff you'll probably never use. It's well worth the money! Check with your local REI because a lot of them have been offering the 16-hour NOLS course for about $200.

If you haven't had first-aid training, please do not carry first-aid items you don't know how to use! You're likely to do more harm than good. One example is the snake-bite kit, still widely sold but which medical authorities now say should NOT be used--no tourniquet, no cut-and-suck, no Sawyer extractor, no ice, all of which do nothing but further damage tissue. Just clean the wound, keep everything level and seek help ASAP. All this per my wilderness first-aid instructors last year and my source for up-to-date medical info, my-son-in-law-the-ER-physician.

While I acknowledge the original point, I think that the question "are you 100% self sufficient" isn't the optimal one to ask.

I suggest that no backpacker is ever 100% self sufficient --- I could never carry enough to be 100% prepared for anything. It's always some sort of grey-scale judgement of what to take to be warm, dry, fed, safe, etc while not carrying too much weight. And of course that being prepared is about more than just the gear carried.

Some gear is needed of course (!), but more important IMO is the knowledge, experience, and wisdom/prudence to make the best use of that gear and in general to make good decisions.

For my part, I don't depend on others as backup (whether hiking solo or in a group). On well-traveled trails, however, I appreciate that I'm a little safer just because others are more likely to come along (and I, in turn, enhance their safety net in the same way just by being out there).

100% self sufficient is not the same as 100% prepared. Of course nobody is ever 100% prepared for 100% of all conditons. Self sufficiency is simply that you do not materially or mentally expect "support" from others. In other words, you are totally comfortable if you never saw another person the entire trip. I would not underestimate the psychological comfort, particularly for beginners, of knowing others will occasionally come along. It takes some experience to be psychologically self sufficient. And you are totally correct about skill and judgement being as important as gear. Self sufficient people do ont "borrow" or lean on others skills- the have thier own.

And you are correct, the better question is do you ever depend on the "trail community". I know PCT'ers do, even if simply for occasional companionship, beta, and moral support. Would a PCT'er pack or do anything different if they KNEW that they would truely be solo for the entire trip? Would some of the later hikers even succeed if not for the trail breaking through snow that others do. I am not making a valued judgement, pro or con on this. The only problem I see with "planning" on material support is what if everyone thought the "other" guy would have the first aid gear so nobody had any! A lot of people nowadays seem to be solo backpacking in a loose "group" who are all heading down the trail. You get the social experience without the responsibility or dealing with another's different pace or style. For an "old school" hermit like me, I find this a little disturbing because I DO see a lot of people on the trails who seem to be ill prepared and highly dependent on others they do not even know. Along with this trend, is the use of PLB devices that seem to enable the less prepared to do something they would not otherwise do.

Great point about "self sufficient" vs. "prepared". I always try to read carefully before replying but mea culpa, you're right!



Like most thru-hikers, I started the PCT alone, and hiked a lot of it alone, but even then I absolutely benefited from the trail community. It was incredibly helpful to get reports on what snow conditions were like up ahead, and indeed, having footsteps to follow in the snow was often helpful to head for the proper pass. Asabat's water reports were the most important piece of info for the first 700 or so miles, built from individual reports to him (including one of mine). Knowledge of fires ahead was huge, to include just talking to others of the same tribe to figure out solutions. No question that being on that trail with others was a big help. Ditto the Appalachian trail, though less so for me as it wasn't my first long trip.

Prepping now for the CDT, I sort of "feel" the lack of a big trail community, though the one that's there is pretty experienced and helpful. I don't believe I'm carrying anything that I wouldn't carry on a more populated trail; I am starting this trail with another fellow, but he and I both know that we could end up having to split up and need to be entirely self-sufficient.

I think that approach is common among long distance hikers, FWIW --- leverage what benefits you can of others around you (and of course provide such benefits back ...), but always be ready to be on your own. And thrive & enjoy!

When I discovered the outdoors and its delights, there were no options. You had to be self sufficient, because there was no trail community. It was years before I ever encountered a party on the trail who were not known personally to at least someone in our group.

What has always appealed to me about backpacking and climbing is its elegance. you need to carry everything you need, and nothing that is superfluous or unnecessary. Finding that ideal, and keeping a reasonable cushion for the unanticipated, is a surprisingly tricky enterprise.

This brings me to one of my more odder fears (is odder even a word?) - If I'm hiking in the big world alone (as I most often do) and something catastrophic happens - Say 10 miles in the alpine, well off the beaten path (http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/nlcs/white_mtns.html) and say an ice lens opens up under me and I break my leg (I didn't do anything stupid / wrong) and I cannot crawl my way out and I press the PLB button (say the bone is through the skin and I don't think I should wait the two days before someone reports me missing and tells the nice rangers what trail I'm on) - does this make me a bad person because if I hadn't been hiking alone maybe they could have gotten me out?

And yes, this is something I think / worry about every time I hike alone.

If it worries you, don't carry the PLB. Then you don't have to worry about deciding if you should push the button. I don't carry one... I figure if I die out on a hike I would consider that a better death than the more likely scenarios that will do me in. Plus, I figure the national parks and DNR have better things to spend their money on than pulling my stupid butt off a mountain.

Part of the joy of backpacking is pitting yourself against nature. If you always have an escape button, your not really on your own.

Sorry... maybe not the reassuring post you were looking for. On the flip side, in a true emergency you won't be too concerned about the moral ramifications of activating your PLB

No, you are not a bad person. Let's say you were hiking with a companion and you fall through an ice lens. What does your buddy do? Leave you and trek out to get help. Maybe your bud falls through an ice lens...Now what?

There are two possible solutions. Minimum party of four - one to stay with the victim and two to hike out. Only this will satisfy the safety geeks.

Or...if the rangers are really nice, they will have ESP, alerting instantly - "Heather-ak is in trouble. I can feel it! Alert all stations! Get my helo ready!"

The best thing is carrying a PLB in the situation you describe. Best wishes in applying the splint.

Anybody that hikes is a good person.

It depends - now it gets scary. My child is adult and has a college degree. I have an agreement with a person 30 years younger to continue my business. My wife could manage very well without me. If I could choose what I do on my last day on earth it would be to hike - OK with Denise Richards and Meg Ryan - I can still hike all day.

My fear of living incapacitated overwhelms my fear of dying. If I pushed the PLB button I would be concerned that they found me before I died, but after enough damage that I would live another 15 years as an invalid.

Not sure that is what you wanted to hear.

For my last day, if the ladies on this forum weren't available, I guess Eva Longoria would be OK......

The fear of incapacitation is a very valid one. My step-dad died in a motorcycle accident and the head injury was very bad. They still tried for over an hour to resuscitate him... My mother was very upset, because if they had succeeded he still wouldn't have been alive (mentally.)

Other than head injury or spinal injury I'm not sure how one would become incapacitated hiking (not including climbing here).. but please don't enlighten me! I don't need anything else to worry about

I rarely hike on trails, often hike alone, and generally try to avoid crossing paths with anyone. But that hasn't always worked.

I have often provided clothes, food, lighting, stuff from my FAK, and rides in my car to others. Other than beer when offered, I've never taken, needed, or asked for anything from a fellow hiker. I have needed a jump for my car when I got back from a trip a few times over the years

Honestly, I can't imagine depending on fellow backpackers I'd meet on my rambles, and, while I'm always willing to help someone who needs it, I've found as I've grown older that I get a bit perturbed sometimes by those who do. I've had to cut a few trips short because of that, and, the most common trait I've found among those that do require help is that they expect you to make sure they get it, and, really, you have no choice. You do have to help them, and you have to see it through all the way until they are safe. You can't pass them off to the next guy once you've taken them under your wings.

Over the years I've learned to avoid certain places at certain times because they will be overrun by those who depend heavily on the kindness of others.

I don't think anyone has perished because I wasn't there to help them. They may have been cold and hungry and wet a little longer, or they found some other pigeon, or maybe, hopefully, they learned a lesson in life.

On the other hand...

I've had people walk into my camp, ask where they are, find out they are miles from their camp or car, and it's about to get dark, and they refuse help. For me, that's even worse because I end up worrying about them for the entire trip.

As I said, I will never refuse helping anyone, but when backpacking I will avoid short odds on needing to, and for me, a big part of the fun is being totally self sufficient. I always thought that was, you know, the point of backpacking.

Finally, I know quite well that even though I try to have everything I need, and to be careful, there is a chance I might need help someday. I don't mean to be vain or harsh in my comments. I've tried to relate my experiences and feelings on this honestly, and, for whatever reason, I've had a lot of experience with people that needed help when I've been out camping, canoeing, backpacking, hiking, ect. I've seen people do some of the damnedest things out there. They've kind of worn me out.

The rule is if I hike alone I will take the PLB (husband rule.)

It obviously doesn't bother me enought to not hike

For me, hiking isn't about the "joy of backpacking is pitting yourself against nature" - it is about silence, beauty and the total letting go of walls (/responsibilities.) Who is watching, what am I saying, what am I doing now, tomorrow, who needs what, what has to be done next, etc.

In a true emergency I would probably push the button and live with the horror of being embarrased

Heather, I would have too say that if I were with a group and someone ended up with a compound fracture, or if I ran into someone with a compound fracture, I would "hit the button" if I had such a device. If we were close to a vehicle I would not, but you get the point. (off topic but when I read PLB I have a sudden urge to try a peanut butter lettuce and bacon sandwich)

Note: I own a SPOT now. Makes my wife happy and that is enough for me.

I think the OP is part practical question and part philosophical question. This is evident in Ringtails post stating that on his "last day" he would like 2 women, where as oldranger apparently only needs 1 (good for you oldranger, I'm a 1 woman man myself) . However, I am not sure I am usually THAT prepared for my last day on earth. I would be interested on seeing the feminine perspective on hiking "your last day". Would you bring a man... or chocolate...or something else.

Philosophically, I believe that we (experienced backpackers) think we are 100% prepared until we find out we are not. Like oldranger, I don't need to bring splints because I can usually improvise one. But I do bring a sizeable first aid kit. I always bring thing I did not use (or eat). Makes it tough getting below a 15lb base weight but I am there finally.

So, is Ringtail better prepared than me (two is one, and one is none)? If it works for knives, does it work for companions? Let the debate begin....

Would not be the first time I over estimated my ability.

I might bring a book.

but I believe the location is most important. My last day would be somewhere just heart-breakingly beautiful.

Maybe bring some food delightfully sinful Definitely a huge bag of Kraft Carmels... or ice cream - or BOTH

This is how it's supposed to work for an experienced hiker, with today's technology.

Hiker rescued

He made some errors but thought things through and used the tools he had in hand, including SPOT. Now his family has him back.

Cheers,

Heather... from a "good Karma" perspective, have you considered joining your local SAR team? I'm not familiar with FBX SAR but they must have a team through the Troopers. My team in ANC was a Trooper team. Good strong hiking and navigation skills are always an asset to any team, especially one in your neck of the woods.

MNS a/k/a Dixie Moon

I agree Rick.

Metaphorically speaking, I've never run into that guy. And I don't think he really fits the description that W_D mentions. What happened to him could happen to any of us.

In my experience it's usually been the guy Pika pointed out in a recent post that demanded help. The one who tossed empty beer cans along the side of the road all the way to the trail head, and then along the trail for a couple miles before they made a camp they trashed out after getting completely lost somehwere.

At the Buffalo River NP I once had three adults float up to me on a single inner tube at 2:00 am with an empty lunch cooler and a wet towel. They were all stoned and just plain stupid. They also had three young children and a really big dog with them. The kids were starving hungry and cold, and the dog was tired, grumpy, and hungry too.

While my wife and I were getting the kids wrapped in dry towels and something to eat the "Mom" asked if we had any "Smoke" and the "Dad" asked if we had "Anymore beer, man" and the other woman sat there dazed and confused and said nothing. It took me four hours to get them back to their car and us back to our camp.

I don't know if my Karma tilted a notch towards the good or not after that. I did what I had to do and I maintained my silence and did not offer any opinions, just help.

They don't really fit W_D's description either, but my younger brother fits it to a tee. We've been on dozens of hikes together and he's never failed to bring way less than he needed or used, and it was by his design that it happened that way.

He knew I'd carry whatever he said he didn't need. I finally told him I'd only carry what I'd be using, nothing to spare. It was just a day hike and he went anyway, depending on my kindness as always.

As usual, I asked him to bring a jacket just before we started off. Again, I told him it would be cold when we were coming out, but he held pat and said the same old "I won't need it". I had heard that too many times from him, but this time I had no spare jacket with me, and when we got back I was fine, and he was pretty darn cold and damp.

I don't know if my Karma tilted a notch towards the bad or not after that either. But I know I had to do it. I had to do it for me, let the chips fall where they may.

The truth is, he would've been fine asking me to carry him on my back, and when I agreed, after he got up there and got comfortable, he would have said, "Hey man, can you carry me over to my house so I can get my boombox so I can listen to some tunes while we're hiking, and maybe you should buy some more beer, I'm already getting thirsty, we'll need some ice and a cooler too, and while we're on they way we should swing on over to the..."

Am I the only one here that attracts these kinds of people?

Maybe it's an Ozark thing, I don't know. I do know some Ozarkers wrote a famous song about them:

The Weight

MNS,

That is an excellent idea - I'll have to do some research. I googled the local group (WSAR) and found out they don't have a website. =(

Something to look into though!

It's pretty simple. if for all your preparedness, and something happens, and you can't press the plb (or you just fall off a 100 foot ledge). it's the same thing that always happens.. You die.

and in the ends for those of us that may die on a backpacking trip, the odds are that it will be in our car - on the highway, on the way to or from.

It's not to say that I don't value preparedness, and I'm not prepared myself - but dwelling on "what if" scenarios is done all too much - when people take much greater risks every day when not in the backcountry without a second thought.

As far as I'm concerned, I worry that I'll die in my car. I'd rather die the backcountry but it's less likely

Hiking alone is not about cheating death anymore than solo climbing is. Its is rather about living beyond normal experience and taking in nature on natures terms, which means you are both mortal and a visitor. I don't carry a cell phone or PLB in my everyday life and I don't carry one hiking or climbing or backpacking, instead I rely on my self to not mess up. Maybe the problem is lack of self confidence or not enough self disipline, but to me solo wilderness travel means spending time with the Jim that is infinitely careful and aware of his surroundings and extremely careful, and I like that guy, and I trust him.
Jim

I only depend on other backpackers (or folks I meet) as "backup" in the sense that they could send help if I had an immobilizing injury.

To answer your "Big 3" questions: If I knew I wouldn't see anyone the entire trip, I might add a bit of quantity to my first aid kit (more ibuprofen, extra bandaids, that kind of thing), but I wouldn't change the basic contents. I might carry a spare day's food, just to tide me over if I couldn't travel for some reason (broken leg, snowed in, etc.) - and, if immobilized, the day's food would probably stretch to cover two days. Since my wife would notify the rangers if I weren't back on time (or so she says), and since I hike in the East, where the backpacking areas aren't vast, I figure I would be found fairly quickly. Also, the more remote the area or less familiar with it I am, the less likely I am to wander off-trail or change my hiking route mid-trip - no sense making it harder on SAR folks.

As far as the limit of expected rotten weather, I always take the worst forecast and add about 10%. As an example, when deciding about a winter trip, I take a 20 degree bag when the forecast is lows of 20, knowing that I'll also have my down pants, vest, and jacket I can wear inside the bag to extend the range another 10 - 20 degrees if the actual temps didn't read the forecast. On a spring trip, I'll often take that one extra piece (vest or longjohn top) that seems totally unnecessary. Another example: last weekend, the forecast was 30% chance of isolated showers. I simply assumed that we'd be getting a good rainstorm at least one afternoon on into evening. So, even though I don't normally bring a footprint, I brought one this time so I could pitch the footprint and fly first, then put up my tent from the inside, keeping it drier. (Raingear is a given on all hikes around here.)

But none of this is any different than what I normally do - it's just SOP.

I've never had to borrow from another hiker (OK, I don't count the idiot situation this last weekend where my gallon ziploc trash bag went AWOL from my pack somewhere between the house and the trailhead, and I shared a buddy's. I could have just kept my trash loose in my food bag, and washed the bag when I got home, but sharing with him, and carrying the bag the last half of the trip, was more convenient - and he offered, I didn't ask.)

Well said jim!!! My feelings exactly! Er...except put "Chris" in where the "Jim" is . If we ever meet, remind me that I owe you a cold beer.