Registered: 04/29/07
Posts: 205
Loc: Berkeley, California
I solo hike for two reasons:
I am too slow for most people.
If I waited for someone to be able to go with me...I would never go anywhere.
Of course...once I am on my way...I see that there is an adventure to a soloist that I appreciate. And adventure requires risks. Risks require informed choice. Informed choice requires common sense and confidence. Confidence requires self knowledge and basic skills.
I feel your pain. It is a real blow to the ego when you realize that women think you are "safe". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
I carry a couple of nutrition bars in my pack for emergencies. They are "safe" because I would never eat them unless I was starving.
Earthling I have to say that there are a lot of advantages to being considered safe. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
Your post brings up the point that it is worthwhile differentiating between the "intentional solo" hiker and the "inadvertent solo" hiker - the person who begins with a group and becomes separated. Those are the folks who often come to grief since they are often relying upon the collective expertise of the now vanished group.
I am just a little bit more studious in prepping for a solo outing, and I tend to be a wee bit more cautious when "out there," if I am alone rather than with a group of buddies. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Registered: 12/23/07
Posts: 255
Loc: Expat from New Orleans, now in...
Going solo benefits out way risks because you…
Leave on the day and time you choose and at your own schedule. Can change your schedule on a whim. Can cancel the trip without upsetting anyone. Take the trail you want to take. Can leave the trail and bushwhack when and where you choose. Don’t have to backtrack 3 miles because someone forgot their water supply. Walk as long as you want to walk. Stop when you want to stop. Rest when, where, and as long as you want to. Enjoy the view or wildlife when, where, and as long as you desire. Camp when and where you choose. Go to sleep as early or as late as you want. Awake before sunrise or sleep till noon. Get back on the trail when you choose. Spend as many days at the campsite as you choose. Eat when you’re hungry. Go to the bathroom when and where you choose or need. Don’t turn a glorious trip through nature into a trail run while trying to be competitive. Talk when you want to talk. Answer only when you want to without hurting someone’s feelings. Can sing out loud without being self-conscious or disturbing anyone. Hear the priceless sounds of nature and not someone’s too loud IPod. You don't need to put up with someone's stumbling or muttering. If you do something stupid and get lost or injured, you can only blame yourself. You are at peace and in tune with yourself, creation, and the Creator.
Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
Your points are valid, but it is also true, at least for me, that my best and truest friends are people with whom I have hiked extensively. There is a lot to be said for compatible hiking companions.
Your points are valid, but it is also true, at least for me, that my best and truest friends are people with whom I have hiked extensively. There is a lot to be said for compatible hiking companions.
I agree completely, but I'd get out a lot less if I waited for them to be available before I go <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Don’t turn a glorious trip through nature into a trail run while trying to be competitive. Talk when you want to talk. Answer only when you want to without hurting someone’s feelings.
For the first one, what you do is slow way down until the person is way ahead. Then you yell out "Are you winning yet." When they ask what you are talking about, you say, "the race that you are running, I was just wondering if you won yet." They slow down every time.
The last two are great ways to get rid of annoying hiking partners. Nothing like someone talking to themselves. It is even more fun to pretend you have multiple personalities. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.
Registered: 12/23/07
Posts: 255
Loc: Expat from New Orleans, now in...
Okay, finallyMe, it appears by your remarks that I've found someone that can appreciate my quirky world view. I tend to be misunderstood on forums, because you can't see me chuckling as I write many of my comments. I'll start using the smilies faces more often. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I'll try your "are you winning yet" idea, I kinda like the sarcasm part. I've tried the talking to yourself thing with my wife for the last 33 years, it doesn't work, she's still here... but she does not go hiking with me at all. I talk to my machete when I'm jungle trekking and that bothers her for some reason unknown to me. However, she does often encourage me to go hiking... she confuses me at times... I'm not confused.. yes you are, no I'm not...
And what do you mean "pretend" to have multiple personalties ... do people have to do that? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
And what do you mean "pretend" to have multiple personalties ... do people have to do that? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
That depends on which personality you are talking to. A few of mine are in denial that the others exist. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
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I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.
The last two are great ways to get rid of annoying hiking partners. Nothing like someone talking to themselves. It is even more fun to pretend you have multiple personalities.
I thought you looked uncannily like Mr. Brooks with a backpack on. But then I said, 'oh, just another hiker from Portland.' But then you started arguing with your imaginary friend Marshal about who brought the hatchet, and that sent me into a sprint back to the car at the trailhead. How many of these annoying hiking partners have you gotten "rid of?" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
Here's another poke in the bee's nest to stir things up.
Hiking solo is the ONLY way to truly HYOH IMO. With a partner, the best you can hope to achieve is HOOH (Hike our own hike).
I love my fiancee, but there is no way I could emotionally hike a long trail like the AT or even a shorter long trail like the Colorado Trail with her. Our hiking styles are so different that when we hike together, I totally change my pace, gear load, mileage, kitchen set-up, shelter style and most importantly, GOALS. She in turn gives in to some of my needs. It's a totally different experience from going solo.
I enjoy this time, but more because it is time well spent with her than because it is hiking. Only when I go solo can I truly hike MY own hike.
I agree. I've had this hike I've been wanting to do in Denali NP for over a year now but haven't been able to get around to it. I'm always going with others hiking whenever I go there and they always seem to want to stop and rest all of the time when I'm on a roll and want to keep going. I'm not entirely comfortbale going solo there though because of all of the bears in the area which I want to hike. But solo right now is the only way I'm going to do this entire hike which will take my from a river flat to a glacier at the foot of Denali itself. It's a little long, especially for a no trail hike, but it'd be fun and totally worth it in the end. ONE DAY!
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In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.-Aristotle
One thing which I think is missing in many of these discussions is the possibility of solo hiking with a partner. By that I mean that you meet at night to sleep together and perhaps at other predetermined spots but each person hikes separately during the day. Many folks enjoy company in the evening but prefer to hike alone during the day.It still takes some comprises but adds a level of comfort to the experience. Obviously this will vary with the area and the companion but it certainly is worth investigation.
I hear ya GrumpyG. Hiking with someone is hard for me to do. Paces can be different and converstaions can be unwanted at times. Don't get me wrong, it has it good points as well. But my prefered is to hike alone and camp together. Having conversation around the fire is very nice. My favorite hiking partner has a much faster pace than me, but he waits or comes back to check on me every now again. He never initiates a conversation, but listens to anything I have to say without judgement. He enjoys any meal I cook and always wants more. Camp chores are not his thing, but he will bring a stick every once in a while. His schedule is always free and he can go anytime I want to. He enjoys every step of every trail we do and is really into nature. He is warm to sleep with when he is dry. And for all of this I never mind the fact that I have to carry his food and sometimes his water.
The whole hie seperate, camp together thing is a nice idea if you yourself don't have any major goals you're trying to accomplish along the hike. I personally just couldn't do it because if I'm gonna hike solo I'm probably trying to make a distance of my choosing and not be held back or rushed trying to get to a pre-determined camp spot. I guess with me, the whole thing is black and white, I'm either going 100% solo or 100% partner, hehe.
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In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.-Aristotle
He has so much fun, not wearing a pack that I just have to carry his stuff. It does put limitations on distances and days though. You could look at it this way - I carry the food (and water on dry stretches) and he stays alert at night so that I can get my beauty sleep.
Very well said Bearpaw - pretty much 100% hits my reasons for going solo.
As for the "partial partners" I do this with a very few people, and in select locations, only when we know each other well enough and our hiking styles (and their differences) well enough that we're very comfortable doing it, understanding what each others goals are, and confident enough that we know we don't worry about the other if we don't meet up if plans change. Alas, most of the people I would hike with are not like that, and I don't have the confidence level in their skills (or them mine) to be able to sleep at all at night if they didn't meet up to camp. So while yes, the "partial partners" is possible, realistically, most of the time, if you're with me we're connected because I'll feel responsible for your well being.
I agree for the most part. I like hiking solo and with others, but I generally run into less problems when I'm alone. You could actually make that argument for any activity, not just hiking. I don't think it is that dangerous if you know what you're doing and you're careful.
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