almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
Posts: 696
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Post by almostthere on Jul 1, 2016 18:35:00 GMT -8
It really pisses me off when people tell women to carry weapons -- if you don't intend to develop the skill to use it properly and accurately, LEAVE IT ALONE. That goes for bear spray, which would be something to take into brown bear/grizzly areas. If you can't use a weapon properly even when you are in adrenalin mode, it's more dangerous than not having one at all. Well, I certainly agree that no one should use a gun unless they've been trained properly. I have been trained properly and take the responsibility seriously. If you've never been the victim of assault (human or animal), then you cannot advise someone not to protect themselves in a way that makes them feel safe. Where were you assaulted? Real wilderness would be the last place I would ever worry about other people. Meanwhile, I live in a city where assault happens all over the place... I know where the real danger is. You can't tell me anything I don't already know about that kind of trauma, since I've lived with it AND it's my job to help others deal with it on a daily basis. As long as it's yours and you know how to use it, whatever you carry is absolutely fine -- I don't waste the weight on things I know won't be used, but far be it from me to deny anyone their comfort zone.
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Post by hippiebutterfly on Jul 1, 2016 19:04:44 GMT -8
You can't tell me anything I don't already know about that kind of trauma, since I've lived with it AND it's my job to help others deal with it on a daily basis. Ok. I felt that your response was that of someone who hadn't been assaulted and in my opinion, a person should protect themselves in any manner they find peace with.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,820
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 2, 2016 8:31:15 GMT -8
You can't tell me anything I don't already know about that kind of trauma, since I've lived with it AND it's my job to help others deal with it on a daily basis. Ok. I felt that your response was that of someone who hadn't been assaulted and in my opinion, a person should protect themselves in any manner they find peace with. That's the key. It's a HYOH thing, and if you are trained and it makes the difference for you about soloing, then take it. I think the objection is to so many non-hikers seeing it as such a dangerous activity (and always for the wrong reasons; they never ask if you have good rain gear!). And I can't even say much about the weight. Many here would consider my journal and Nook (which weigh about a pound taken together) a ridiculous extra weight, but I won't leave home without them--and especially if I were going solo!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2016 19:36:47 GMT -8
Well, I solo hiked 2 days and 1 night on the AT. Saw absolutely NO bear activity at all. And I didn't feel unsafe or scared. Just peaceful. No ticks...yay! I am starting to agree - don't listen to non-hikers. I really like the info about roads - that will be included in my next trip planning. I did get to see and spend some time with my Navy son this last week, and guess what he went out and bought? A Gregory backpack ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Score 1 for Mom!
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,820
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 25, 2016 20:56:00 GMT -8
Well, I solo hiked 2 days and 1 night on the AT. Saw absolutely NO bear activity at all. And I didn't feel unsafe or scared. Just peaceful. No ticks...yay! I am starting to agree - don't listen to non-hikers. I really like the info about roads - that will be included in my next trip planning. I did get to see and spend some time with my Navy son this last week, and guess what he went out and bought? A Gregory backpack ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Score 1 for Mom! So glad you did it! And that your son bought a backpack ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by stealthytomato on Aug 25, 2016 7:20:34 GMT -8
I am a beginner solo hiker. So far I am not going into the wilderness alone until I know my skill is up to it. I am sticking to more populated areas and bringing my dog because I am worried about the people, not the wildlife.
My husband keeps asking me to take my handgun (I know how to use it) but that is not something I feel comfortable with in the settings I'm hiking in right now. I am not always the best reading peoples' intentions but my dog is.
I always tell my husband exactly what I'm doing and leave a map of the area open on my computer (he is often half asleep when i leave).
The only this that would really blow it for me is if my dog turns out to be a lousy camper! Like barking at every noise or charging through the tent walls.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,820
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 25, 2016 8:02:55 GMT -8
So far I am not going into the wilderness alone until I know my skill is up to it. I am sticking to more populated areas and bringing my dog because I am worried about the people, not the wildlife. When I started soloing, I stuck to familiar areas, and even when I got more confident, I mostly avoided going off trail, on the grounds that if I hurt myself on a trail, I'd get help soon. It was a matter of finding a balance between places with enough people around to feel secure, and few enough people around to enjoy it. Fortunately, that's not all that hard in the Cascades. I am worried about the people, not the wildlife. For that worry, which is the right one, my advice is as above in this thread: get away from roads and trailheads. Areas with lots of visitors add a certain level of security, but places where fewer people go are highly unlikely to attract human predators. It's a little hard to imagine someone who wants to attack a person driving to a distant trailhead and then hiking 4 or 5 miles in hopes of finding a lone female. (Apropos of that, it's those lonely trailheads that always worried me the most, since some thieves like to visit them to break into cars, and I don't imagine they'd take kindly to interruption).
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