I sometimes carry a Glock 19 when backpacking with my wife, to protect her from anyone who might want to sexually assault her. When alone I don't carry a gun.

I started carrying the gun after 2 or 3 trips (in Washington State) where we ran into people that scared me.

Being a scaredy cat/worrywort costs me in terms of weight that I carry. On the trip we just returned from I was carrying about 3.5 lbs in protection/insurance (gun, personal locator beacon, bear spray). Oh dear, the price of fear.

All three items are in/on my front pack and ready for use as needed. The bear spray hangs on the outside and is ready for immediate use.