GaliWalker
Trail Wise!
Have camera, will use.
Posts: 3,523 
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Post by GaliWalker on Sept 10, 2021 10:38:53 GMT -8
It's been shown that more accidents happen to people hiking in groups than solo. The thought is that individuals in groups take more risks because there's a 'Plan B'. Two points: - Solo hiking might be safer, because a solo hiker will be less prone to take risks - I know I'm definitely quite careful, and I'm primarily a solo hiker - than if they had the perceived safety of being in a group. Also, people in a group may rely on another to make ‘sound’ decisions, sometimes overriding what their own brain/experience tells them. - However...if something goes wrong, the consequences are far more severe for the solo hiker. My favorite quote from the movie Free Solo: "The risk is low, but the consequences are severe." |
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,376 
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 10, 2021 10:47:19 GMT -8
GaliWalker , that’s sort of what I was trying to get across  .
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Sept 10, 2021 13:00:17 GMT -8
Pros and cons, but my solution is .. I’ll go solo on well-used trails as there’s usually more hikers bebopin’ down the trail. The AT or PCT mid-summer sees some traffic. Some trails like the Colorado Trail or TRT (Tahoe Rim) even allow mountain bikes on some portions.
Somewhere truly remote or riskier, yeah I’m going with a party of people who also know what they are doing.
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Post by bradmacmt on Sept 10, 2021 14:52:29 GMT -8
I backpack solo, live in Bozeman, MT, saunter, listen to eclectic radios stations (jazz), enjoy birds, don’t eat meat or dairy, don’t care about your political whines, burn TP in cat holes, and more… is there an all-encompassing thread for that? 😄
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ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
Posts: 9,219
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Post by ErnieW on Sept 10, 2021 14:53:51 GMT -8
Sometimes when hiking with others I am busy talking instead of focusing on the trail and my surroundings. Groups can make very bad decisions. Definitely been in groups that can't agree on the course of action. I have gotten into "situations" solo hiking because I was like I can make it through this one tough part. Nothing too bad has happened but when I look back in hindsight I kick myself for somewhat bad decision making. I think this is the kind of thing the article is talking about. That sometimes catches up with you.
But even hiding in your house there are fatal dangers that might get you so I choose to go out, live and risk.
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desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,290
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Post by desert dweller on Sept 10, 2021 15:46:09 GMT -8
"Is there an all-encompassing thread for that? 😄"
Create one. Half the fun is thinking of what to call the thread.
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Post by absarokanaut on Sept 10, 2021 17:25:11 GMT -8
I'm fat, older, slower, and go into dense grizzly habitat a lot of folks in Jackson never will. Perhaps not "smart," but incredibly rewarding. I always recommend most folks go with others but we've all got to hike our own hike whether we have company or not.
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Travis
Trail Wise!
WYOMING NATIVE
Posts: 2,219
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Post by Travis on Sept 10, 2021 18:52:37 GMT -8
I hike to avoid staircases, bathtubs, throw rugs, and wet floors. So far it seems to be working.
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Post by swimswithtrout on Sept 10, 2021 19:23:48 GMT -8
Ta heck with backpacking...I've soloed uncounted single to multi pitch rock climbs up to 5.9 over my 45 year climbing career...( I'm no Alex Honnold), as well as many mixed alpine peaks.. $hit happens all of the time. Is it more dangerous to drive a car by yourself ? "A man's got to know his limitations...." ![]()  I took my iconic "selfie" during a 10 day solo trip to the Wind's, LONG before they became popular. The day this photo was taken, I also later summited Mt Wilson, the peak at my left shoulder, as well The Sphinx, the peak in the shadows just to my right shoulder. The year before, on a solo trip, I climbed Gannett Pk, the major glaciated peak to the right via two different routes, and on my way back to the trailhead, I traversed the only topo map, long ways ,in the lower 48 that shows "No trails or roads in this quadrant", following the Continental Divide. In two different trips totaling 21 days, I only saw 5-6 people near the trailheads. It wasn't youthful exuberation, I have carried on the same way to this day. Sometimes I will go with my wife, but just as often, I'll give her an idea of where I'm going, but after that...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2021 8:07:31 GMT -8
It's been shown that more accidents happen to people hiking in groups than solo. The thought is that individuals in groups take more risks because there's a 'Plan B'. Two points: - Solo hiking might be safer, because a solo hiker will be less prone to take risks - I know I'm definitely quite careful, and I'm primarily a solo hiker - than if they had the perceived safety of being in a group. Also, people in a group may rely on another to make ‘sound’ decisions, sometimes overriding what their own brain/experience tells them. - However...if something goes wrong, the consequences are far more severe for the solo hiker. My favorite quote from the movie Free Solo: "The risk is low, but the consequences are severe." I agree with you. I primarily hike solo, and tend to be very careful, not only where and how I travel; but how I prepare, and what I take with me. Recently, I've added inreach to my gear list. My wife likes the fact that we can text each other that way, but in her mind, I can summon help if needed. But I don't let that direct how and where I go. I'll still be careful. It's worked well for 50 some years! |
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Post by burntfoot on Sept 11, 2021 18:20:42 GMT -8
Then there was that time when I found my butt hanging over 300 feet of empty air when I hit a hidden crevasse and ended up straddling it.
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Post by autumnmist on Sept 12, 2021 7:07:44 GMT -8
From some of the stories of political confrontations, sometimes I think it's far less safe just to be out in public. Shopping could become a hazardous experience.
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Post by marmotstew on Sept 12, 2021 7:55:54 GMT -8
We’ll I guess if you’re gonna hike/climb in jeans it’s better to do it alone so no one ever knows. 😜😄
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Post by swimswithtrout on Sept 12, 2021 13:06:09 GMT -8
We’ll I guess if you’re gonna hike/climb in jeans it’s better to do it alone so no one ever knows. 😜😄 1976.... wool was the height of outdoor wear.....check out the sweater....and the belt made out of tubular webbing and rappel rings. Crampons were lace on and ice axes were still wooden. |
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ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
Posts: 9,219
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Post by ErnieW on Sept 12, 2021 13:16:08 GMT -8
1976....when wool was the height 0f outdoor wear..... 1976 is when we discovered the Pauling NY Army Navy surplus store. They had a cool old Huey and other big stuff outside. I bought some polyester rip stop jungle camo fatigues that I thought were such a big upgrade from jeans. Also a web belt with a drab green butt pack. |
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