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Post by cweston on Jan 24, 2019 6:01:55 GMT -8
Being accompanied by an equally competent partner with similar pace/daily mileage, who also does a lot of solo hiking and doesn't need their hand held or even to remain in sight of each other, was key to that being a great experience for both of us, I think. We could hike close together in silence or talk for awhile, or get separated and meet up at a scenic spot or trail junction a little while later, without there being any stress. Some people have to always be talking, or *right there* the whole time, which I find unbearable. Yep. Most of my non-solo trips are with my oldest son. He's now an adult with his own life several states away from me, so we have plenty to talk about and generally don't tire of each other's company (much) on a week-long trip. Because we share some group gear, we generally stay together except perhaps on separate explorations from a basecamp. But this is definitely something to think about: people who backpack together spend a *lot* of time together. We tend to talk on the trail in certain circumstances: if the navigation and travel is fairly easy. If we're off trail, and/or slogging up a steep climb, the chatter usually ceases. Or later in the day when we've just run out of things to talk about. If I were BPing with a non-family member, I would do what you describe: each person would be self-contained as if on a solo trip, free to do their own thing, etc.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Jan 24, 2019 7:45:21 GMT -8
Many people ask me, like it is some kind of dangerous to hike alone. So I asked if they had ever traveled with someone for a week or more and after day one were ready to kill 'em! Compounded when they realized they were stuck with that person for the duration. Everyone has.
Then I tell them that hiking with a partner more than triples your decision making process. "Let's camp here, is that OK?" "Not sure, can we keep going a bit, we still have two hours of daylight". "But.... this has the iconic view of the lake and mountain." "I prefer not to camp near a lake, it creates condensation in my tent and is colder at night." On and on and on it goes, where the discussion stops nobody knows.
Excedrin Headache #928
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Post by cweston on Jan 24, 2019 8:02:41 GMT -8
Then I tell them that hiking with a partner more than triples your decision making process. "Let's camp here, is that OK?" "Not sure, can we keep going a bit, we still have two hours of daylight". "But.... this has the iconic view of the lake and mountain." "I prefer not to camp near a lake, it creates condensation in my tent and is colder at night." On and on and on it goes, where the discussion stops nobody knows. Yup. It can go the other way, too, though: sometimes that second opinion can be a lifesaver. The one and only time I had to perform ice-axe self-arrest in non practice conditions: •My son had advocated for not crossing that snowfield in the first place, because it looked icy and there was a way (longer) to avoid crossing it. Had he prevailed, the accident would have never happened. (I went first, and fell almost immediately, so he never made it onto the snowfield.) •I successfully self-arrested without incident, and wasn't hurt at all (except my pride.) We were racing the weather a bit and having a tough morning from a route-finding perspective, so after dumping the snow out of my boots, shirt, etc, I was ready to go. He advocated (a little more insistently this time) that it would be wiser to sit for 15 minutes, have a bite to eat and some water, and then proceed. He was right, of course--my heart was still pounding from the accident, and the whole reason I had made a bad decision in the first place was that I was worrying too much about the time.
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jfalco
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Post by jfalco on Jan 25, 2019 11:46:06 GMT -8
I have hiked alone for a couple of overnights, but you're right, it's fun to go with someone else. There's alot to be said for solo hiking though, it's pretty empowering.
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Post by observercanadian on Mar 1, 2019 14:31:24 GMT -8
I go kayaking trips solo in Algonquin park Canada. I love to listen to the wolves at dusk. Although I have been doing it for years I still let people know where I am going and when I will be back. Anything can happen at any time you just never know. I take an air horn for 2 reasons. 1 for the black bears and 2 to signal if there is an emergency. You can not always rely on technology while out in the wilderness. Where I go a cell phone is useless to contact the outside world. Satellite technology is better than cell towers. You will be surprised how you feel after spending time alone out in the woods for an overnighter. Good luck to you and have a great time.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Mar 8, 2019 22:13:29 GMT -8
Many people ask me, like it is some kind of dangerous to hike alone. So I asked if they had ever traveled with someone for a week or more and after day one were ready to kill 'em! Compounded when they realized they were stuck with that person for the duration. Everyone has. Yes, that almost never happens when I'm solo. However, I must add that it can sometimes pay big dividends to push through the irritation by doggedly letting go of whatever triggers it.
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Post by hikingwarriors on Mar 14, 2019 3:28:16 GMT -8
It is really difficult to say that hiking alone is good or bad. but honestly, It is one of the best to hike with good. especially for long hiking. In 2016 I had been in Mount Everest (Nepal) and to be honest, it was one of the best hiking experience for me with my group. If you want to go alone for hiking, of course, you have to study a lot before hike. you have to have very solid idea on the place you are going.
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Post by johntpenca on Mar 18, 2019 17:02:43 GMT -8
If you want to go alone for hiking, of course, you have to study a lot before hike. you have to have very solid idea on the place you are going. Not really. That is what makes going solo worthwhile. Go where one wants when one wants and follow one's own schedule. Experience is the key, not a "plan". The exception is when one is with family or like minded partners. "We will hike the same trail and meet up here or there".
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2020 10:02:51 GMT -8
I prefer hiking alone. I used to hike with my nephews but I'm getting old and I couldnt keep up with them. When I trek by myself around national parks, I have my own pace. These days I no longer invite my nephews to trek, I just bring them souvenirs like national park magnets.
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Post by ukpacker on Mar 20, 2020 12:10:20 GMT -8
I do both and enjoy both but they are very different experiences, when I am with others then their presence and general mood always seems to be large in my awareness, but when alone and more so after a few days I begin to experience nature as another person who is there with me displaying changing emotions and whatever mood she may be in I do find her presence somewhat comforting, even though she frequently reminds me that she has no concern at all for my welfare. Sometimes people do tell me that they think I must enjoy my own company but that is not the case, I am never alone with nature around me.
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Post by k9education on Mar 21, 2020 20:16:51 GMT -8
I prefer hiking alone. In fact, I prefer to hike in areas and at times where I am the least likely to encounter people. Tonight, for example, I started my hike at 6:15pm with a 7:16pm sunset. Social distancing? Gladly!
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Post by hikerjer on Mar 25, 2020 20:36:48 GMT -8
While I enjoy hiking with others, certain others that is, I really enjoy going solo (is going with your dog considered solo?). I’ve been doing it for most of my hiking career mostly out of preference, but often out of necessity. I think we all know how it can often be difficult to find a hiking partner.
“I find myself good company and others often don’t.”
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2020 18:28:09 GMT -8
95% of my hiking here starts at my front door. Always solo. I don't know any other hikers out here. I just came back from a three mile loop hike about an hour ago. Saw many wild turkeys and more deer than I could count, as I usually do in that 3 miles.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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Post by alaskaskeeter on Apr 5, 2020 15:32:18 GMT -8
I hike alone but always have an Inreach and always text my family every night "at camp safe, good night" and my wife can see my location via a private Facebook post. (No cell service in most Alaska hiking areas) A couple of springs ago I slipped coming down from our kennel at home and ruptured my quad tendon, if that had happened on the trail without an Inreach I would be in trouble.
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Post by kmatjhwy on Jul 30, 2020 17:44:21 GMT -8
Now am new here, but have been hiking for years all over the Western US. And almost the whole time it has been by myself, with all by my lonesome. I particularly prefer it this way with going all by myself. And what about loneliness? How can one be lonely, in my opinion, when in the deep wilds with sooooooo much life all around.
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