It’s not that I’m nervous about anything in particular. It’s that this was taught to me as a standard safety rule and I never really questioned it because I always had enough friends and family around that I could find a hiking buddy pretty easily. Now I don’t have people to go with so I was wondering what other people thought about hiking alone.
In Oz its not unusual to use EPIRBs’ because mobile phone coverage doesnt go far out of cities - maybe those are an option for extra peace of mind?
Otara
Depends on how far you’re going, and alas, whether you’re male or female. I wouldn’t be concerned about hiking on my own, even in the wilderness, but I’m 6’1" and 260. I can deal with situations. I’m mostly scared of homo sapiens.
For a few hours hike in the woods, where I expect to see other hikers, I’d certainly be willing to hike alone. I’d probably bring a whistle.
If I went out into the wilderness or on a backpacking trip, I’d tell someone my plan and stick to my plan, with the idea that they would alert the authorities if I didn’t check in on time.
To add to this: I ski alone, but I never go into the trees alone. I never have and never will dive alone, because it’s an excellent way to die needlessly.
Although I agree with the fear of homo sapiens vs. critters comment, plenty females of the species can deal with situations, too. And do, on the daily. Even little ones. Like me. Logged 41 miles in the last month on the river, sans companion. Quite a few solo hiking miles as well.
Standard safety rule. Not necessarily standard practice – lots of people (including me) go for walks in the woods to be “alone.”
2x standard: if woman, and not resembling Sanchez from Aliens in attitude and skills, don’t do it. Too many fuckjects out there. If heap strong man with skills (especially navigating), then what’s the prob? Well, there have been in the PNW some grisly attacks on solo male outdoorsmen – recently, a brutal near murder of a lone skier – so, maybe the 2x standard doesn’t really apply. If you’re a strong and are willing and (maybe) able to kill another human or two to survive, maybe that should be the rule.
That sounded poor – navigating (with map and compass) is a requirement (and I mean I wouldn’t backpack with anyone who doesn’t know how to do it on their own, at least in the backcountry) for both sexes.
If uncomfortable, don’t do it, might be another rule. There are hiking clubs and things like that, which are probably pretty chill people having fun while knowing what they’re doing, to find trail pardners.
So, Jaledin and 633squadraon, we weak little ol’ women should stay indoors and only venture out into the world in the company of big, strong men. Is that right? By the way, how in the world are you two getting internet access back in 1950?
pendgwen, stay in your comfort zone. Take a partner for hard hikes, class 3 and above water, diving, black diamond skiing, and bear wrestling. For an easy to intermediate hike or bike ride, flat water paddle, or camping trip in a park area: fly solo if your skillset fits the environment.
I’ll be damned if I’d let some outdated chauvinist attitudes prevent me from taking a walk. Seriously guys, come on. I’ve been hiking, biking, paddling, camping, swimming, and running alone since I was 15. 20 years later and I weigh about a buck twenty-five/thirty, still cute, still unafraid and independent. Tell you what: you guys get back in the kitchen and make me some pie. I’ve got outdoor shit to do.
ETA: didn’t see Jaledin’s ETA. Thanks, buddy, for your revision. I agree.
You step on a rock the wrong way and fold your ankle into the worst sprain you have ever had. And you were about to turn around and head back to the trail head because it’s getting late.
Now you cannot hobble back before nightfall, you have light clothing, no food, and the weather has taken a sudden turn for the worse. You don’t have a light because you weren’t going to be gone long enough to need one. Even though you are in good physical condition you are getting dehydrated and exhausted.
You are wet, cold, in pain, and try to find a place to make it through the night. And you forgot to tell anyone you were going for a hike so they don’t start looking for you for a couple of days…after you have died.
That’s the way it usually goes here in Oregon, every week.
No, you are not being overly cautious.
Eh, you could just saw off the offending appendage and walk for help a la Aron Ralston. Seriously people, there are risks in our daily operations far worse than falling down in the woods. An ankle can be turned stepping off a curb. Many elderly or infirm people have fallen and can’t get up (so the advertisements tell us) Car wrecks, mugging, lightning, chicken bones, home invasions, strokes…something bad could happen to any of us at any time in the middle of a crowded city block.
We could cower in our basements hoping nothing bad ever happens, or we could see the world. Think quietly. Appreciate nature. Listen to the birds. Sit under a tree. Fill our lungs with clean air. Get some exercise and some much-needed alone time. The last forty years have made us overly cautious, but there is a whole world outside that we can’t appreciate through a window. Precautions are wise. Preparation, skillsets, and back-up plans are a must. But some of us need to go outside. Be alone. Experience the world without technological clutter. Meditate. It’s a beautiful thing, really, and worth experiencing.
Dallas Jones] that’s exactly why good experience and ability is vital. I live in OR too, and it saddens me even on well-traveled paths along the Gorge people run into problems that (sometimes, not always – shit happens) might have been prevented or the risk lessened.
Troppus it wasn’t my ETA that was meant to be a correction – that was my original intent with my first post, written before I saw yours. It was meant to be sarcastic, and my second post was meant to clarify the one spot where it was inadvertently sexist. Of course there are badass women just like there are badass men who can deal with human problems. I’d put an experienced outdoorswoman against some candyass-skilled would-be titan male anyday, and trust them with my life.
I think there are, however, some particular dangers that face females outdoors vis-a-vis the menfolk that should be relevant to any discussion. Men being what they can be, and all. I’d advise some serious assessment of one’s own ability to deliver a strong kick to the balls to my own sister, if it were ever in question. Likewise, men should be aware of that whole “Deliverance” thing and be damned handy with their bow and arrow.
QFT. That was really pretty, and I wish I saw it before I replied – I would have much rather have that been the last word, rather than mine. Just as true, I imagine, for men who don’t get out much and worry about things, as for women who feel themselves somehow not up to the “challenges,” for various reasons. It’s really about people, which is why I like this passage so much.
Perhaps I didn’t make my point clearly.
The “Buddy System” really is a good practice. Unexpected things happen and with another person around these unexpected things are minor, alone they can be major, devastating, life treatening problems.
No one should live their life afraid, but prudence is a good companion.
I knew a girl named Prudence, and she was.
I think this is what it comes down to. There’s obviously some location and distance that you feel comfortable walking by yourself, so start there and build on it. You don’t have to jump from suburban sidewalks to a 15 mile bushwhack - just go farther than you did yesterday and then see how you feel. If it doesn’t feel right for any reason, turn around.
You like hiking, you’re experienced, and you’re prepared. The fact that you’re asking this question at all indicates that you probably won’t get overly confident and put yourself in a bad situation. Give it a shot and see if you like it.
This is what I came to make a point about.
Even in the dead of summer, hypothermia can be a risk. Try this little experiment one day at home in the middle of the summer. Wait till its raining real good. Grab a lawn chair and few cheap beers and go out and sit in it in say shorts and a cotton tshirt (what you might wear on hot summers day hiking). See how long it is till your cold. Now imagine being like that all day or all night or even longer. Even if it didn’t kill you, you most very likely will be extremely miserable.
Then think about how much fun that would be in the spring, fall, or winter when its even colder. Be prepared with good breatheable dry gear and some spare warmer SYNTHETIC clothing. Also a good idea is to carry your water in multiple containers. It doesnt do any good to bring plenty of water and have one leak make you loose it all (I’ve seen this many a time).
Yes, I think its okay to hike solo. Often times I think many folks think they are safe doing “sports” because they have a buddy but about the only safe thing about their activity IS their buddy. They haven’t really prepared in any real or helpful fashion. But you do need to be prepared and bit more cautious and aware of what you are doing if you are going solo.
This is the kind of scenario that was presented as the reason to always hike with a buddy. But the majority opinion seems to be that I’m being excessively cautious. Thank you all for providing justification for what I wanted to do. I’m going camping tonight. Just car camping, just 1 night, letting a friend know where I’m going. The same friend was supposed to go camping with me this week and bailed. I went to the REI sale last weekend and I have a brand new tent that I want to try out.
Why exactly would you be stupid enough to walk on a rock that way? You can see the ground in front of you, just like you can when you walk anywhere else. The idea that somehow being in the wilderness means you can’t tell where to walk and where not to walk is silly. It’s just walking, and we humans have been doing it for millions of years.
The scenarios that actually make sense are getting stuck in mud, losing your footing because the ground is wet, or (the biggest one) getting lost. Turning your ankle because you don’t know how to walk should be nowhere near the top.
OK, this is like one of the worse case scenarios that could happen. But it doesn’t have to happen if you’re hiking alone. A lot this is just plain common sense.
Don’t hike more than you can chew. If you know a trail is categorized as “moderately difficult”, promise yourself you’ll only go so far before turning back. And make sure you don’t wait too late in the day to do so. Turn back when other people are going to be turning back. Take the main trail so that you’ll be more likely to be seen. Get a map of the area before setting off.
Don’t hike in the most remote places in the world.
Carry a cell phone even if you will think it will be worthless (when I worked in the Everglades, there were weird areas where we would have weak service and just a few feet away, it would drop off completely.) They also have personal locator beacons that operate through satellite technology and are constantly monitored. If you’re nervous, you can always let park personnel know that you are in the park alone and will be carrying a beacon. Some parks actually let hikers borrow beacons. Also, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
Carry a pack with an emergency kit, including a small blanket and energy bars. This is not only for you, but in case you find someone else on the trail that needs help. Even if you were traveling with someone else, it would be wise to carry a kit.
If you’re a clutz, hike with that in mind. Wear hiking boots instead of Tevas (I love my Tevas, but they trip me up like nothing else). Use a walking stick. It can also double as a weapon.
I love hiking with my mp3 player, but I don’t think this is wise. You need to have all senses doing their duty to protect you. Also, you’ll miss the birdsong.
Yes, you can twist your ankle and end up dying of exposure. But that happens when you don’t prepare and you do stupid things (like traveling off path).
I’ve never let my gender keep me from being an adventurer. I just pick the lane I’m most comfortable in and stick to it.
Uh, yes it should, BigT. Have you ever been on a wilderness trail? Even on the most beaten trails, there are all kinds of things that can twist an ankle, especially if you have weak ankles. Like roots or loose rocks or abrupt unevenness. You might see a pine cone and stick out your foot to playfully kick it, and then oops! Sprained ankle! Shoot, there have been times when I’ve walked down sidewalks in the city and have damn near twisted my ankle for no reason at all. It’s not a trivial concern at all. The dying of exposure thing is taking the drama up a notch, but not the twisted ankle.
Buddies are nice, but so is solo time in the wilderness. Bad things can happen, but you can also take precautions to take care of yourself in the event that they do. A twisted ankle out in the woods isn’t a death sentence. You may end up spending an unplanned night in the woods but that’s not the worst thing. With training and some simple supplies you can survive some pretty bad things, which are extremely unlikely and can be further avoided with care.
No one is saying that there aren’t risks to solo hiking, but having a buddy with you is no guarantee of safety either. Do you really think that having someone with you when you’re 6 hours away from the road with no shelter or communication is significantly better than being their alone? Another person isn’t a magic bullet. If that person goes for help it’s still a minimum of 12 hours before anyone is there to help you.
Take precautions, learn safety and first aid, and stay within your comfort zone. With time and experience that comfort zone may expand or contract. Solo hiking may not be for you, but lots of us (male and female) do so often.
I recently read a book by Ed Viesturs, an elite mountain climber who has climbed all 14 mountains that are higher than 8000m (26,246 ft) without oxygen and made it down alive. On Annapurna and K2 in particular, this is quite a feat, as the fatality rate on those is about 40% and 27%, respectively.
Obviously you aren’t doing this, but I thought his point was still applicable. He pointed out that he’s climbed with a lot of people in his life and everyone has their own notion of “acceptable risk.” And one person choosing to go ahead and do something while someone else refuses doesn’t mean one of them is wrong and the other is right, that one is overly cautious or the other is reckless, it just means that each of them has a different idea of what their personal level of “acceptable risk” is. The real cardinal sin is overriding your own judgment and going beyond that. For some people, hiking alone with a cell phone is fine. That may make you uncomfortable, and according to this dude, there’s nothing wrong with what either of you are doing. I don’t think I’d let other people talk you out of your inner sense of “acceptable risk.”
Edit: There are obvious exceptions that are outside the spectrum of “acceptable risk,” such as one story he recounted about watching someone rappel down a cliff using a ski pole as an anchor. Of course it couldn’t hold him and he fell a few thousand feet to his death. That was objectively stupid. But I don’t think your hikes fall into that realm of decision-making.