Solo female hiker advice

[sunny1]

is it a good idea to have all of our members that are female and hike alone put themselves down on a list together? should also now say when and where each of these lone gals are hiking?

No - I let at least one person know where I'm going, my route, and best estimated time of return. I use a SPOT. I would not hang that info out for the public.

Wouldn't that be a surefire way for any creeps to know where they could find women hiking alone?

Yes, agree!

I hike alone at times and enjoy the solitude. I think each person - male or female - should carry whatever they feel comfortable with for the environment they're in. Different locations require different preparations. Additionally, whatever one carries, one should know how it works without having to look at it or review procedure when that moment arrives requiring use of the choice of self-defense!

I tend to over-prepare when I'm on my own, since there is no "buffer", it's just me. I'm it. Have to be entirely self-reliant.

Most of the concerned people I've encountered when I'm solo are guys (middle-aged or above). I can only remember one woman expressing concern, and she was with a male partner. It seems well-meaning to me.

I have also gotten that "creeped out feeling" a few times, strong enough turn me around. I never saw anything, but I distinctly felt I was being followed by a mountain lion.
It's important to trust your gut!

[BuckTurgidson]

is it a good idea to have all of our members that are female and hike alone put themselves down on a list together? should also now say when and where each of these lone gals are hiking?

You made my point quite well for me: Creeps are everywhere. ^

Dick

^ Even as a very fit male, I'd probably give someone looking like your avatar a wide berth

[mizchriz]

I solo most of the time and all I carry with me is a satellite communication device and self-defense knowledge which I have never had to use in the wilderness. A palm to the underside of a nose, or a kick to the knee in a direction it doesn't bend should disable someone enough to get a head start.

[Voshkm]

is it a good idea to have all of our members that are female and hike alone put themselves down on a list together? should also now say when and where each of these lone gals are hiking?

Wouldn't that be a surefire way for any creeps to know where they could find women hiking alone?

I see that I failed to use the sarcasm font.....
I am positively sickened by the appearance that only Dick understood my comment at all...
And Berg no idea where you were able to find the perfect picture response to my sword comment. Truth be told I have no idea how to use one and am now positively too frightened to enter the CO wilderness. Am now packing my bags for safer regions like Fallujah or northern Syria.

[bergsteigen]

And Berg no idea where you were able to find the perfect picture response to my sword comment. Truth be told I have no idea how to use one and am now positively too frightened to enter the CO wilderness. Am now packing my bags for safer regions like Fallujah or northern Syria.

I have that photo because that's me on Quandary on Halloween. I know Kendo. Or at least used to practice once. I didn't bring my sharp Katana for everyone's safety.

[Jeff Valliere]

I almost always have my dog with me.

Lot's of good advice.

+1 for having a dog along. My wife spends a lot of time on the trail alone and having the dog along has often helped her to feel a bit more safe. Our dog is not big, mean or vicious, but she could definitely be protective in a threatening situation. Just the prospect of it I believe would deter anybody with ill intent.

[bouncebarkrun]

I almost always have my dog with me.

Lot's of good advice.

+1 for having a dog along. My wife spends a lot of time on the trail alone and having the dog along has often helped her to feel a bit more safe. Our dog is not big, mean or vicious, but she could definitely be protective in a threatening situation. Just the prospect of it I believe would deter anybody with ill intent.

I was shocked how many people commented this weekend "wow, just you and your dog backpacking?" The feeling I got varied from general appreciation/respect when it came from families or groups of women to utter creepiness when it came from solo guys hanging out in the back of their pickup truck smoking pot...

That said, YES I totally felt better having a ~55 lb dog along. Especially as various wildlife paraded through the campsites at night.

[oldschoolczar]

Carry a knife. As a man, I sometimes feel more comfortable with a big-ass knife on my belt. Alternatively, carry bear spray.. dual purpose.

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[Mblohm]

I recently hiked Grays Peak after a work meeting in Denver. I hiked it on a Thursday and started at 5:00 am. I wanted it to be somewhat light so I could see anyone along the way, and there would be more hikers. I am in my 40’s and I did carry pepper spray, because this was my first solo hike and I wasn’t sure about animals (especially at sunrise). I felt very comfortable with the other hikers, both male and female along the trail. Due to the high elevation, after you get thru the first mile, its pretty easy to see other hikers and animals as there isn’t much cover. For safety, I was slower than normal because I didn’t want to hurt myself as I wouldn’t want to impose on any other hikers to have to assist me. I also carried a few other safety items such as band-aids, extra water and an ACE bandage. My cell phone was getting good service as my 18 year old son called and asked me to change a dentist appointment at 12,000+ feet. (I texted my reply- yup- the life of a working mom). Honestly, the creepiest part was the water stop at a gas station along the way....

[Jeff Valliere]

I found the following article and survey from iRunFar to be interesting and pertinent to this conversation, a very detailed breakdown of how people view the environment in which they recreate in and their experiences which differ based on gender, experience level and a host of other factors.

https://www.irunfar.com/2018/05/irunfar ... sults.html

https://www.irunfar.com/2018/07/irunfar ... ssion.html

[Candace66]

I almost always hike and do peaks alone. I started doing it out of necessity due to my schedule, but now I just prefer it. I've never been bothered by anyone on a trail or a peak. That's not to say it doesn't happen...

This would also describe my experience, after years (or more accurately now, decades) of solo hiking.