Hiking first 14'er solo

[Eli Boardman]

I am fairly confident SchralpTheGnar is just stirring the pot with this solo climbing nonsense. I didn't see a single other person or car from trailhead to summit to trailhead on Humboldt, Little Bear, Antero, Yale, La Plata, and Columbia, although all but the last two were in winter. That's not even counting the dozens of shorter peaks I've climbed in CO that probably see a few ascents a month.

Solo climbing is where it's at, but the right partners can make for a good time too.

we wrote a book about our experiences and stories.

Yes, I noticed the advertisement you attach to every post.

[ORION]

Another poster stated “For pure safety purposes, it is best not to hike any 14 "solo." When you hike solo, your potential injury now becomes other people's problem”

Of course, for pure safety purposes, it’s best not to hike at all. But since we’re doing it anyway, a little risk is inherent, even invited. And although I love hiking with others, going solo is a unique and rewarding experience...well worth the added risk, IMO. One ABSOLUTE essential for going solo is an emergency signaling device (mine’s a SPOT).

As for your injury becoming another person’s problem if your solo: good point, but we’re not talking Everest or K2 here. If you get injured on a 14er, every single one of us up there will not only be willing to help you, there will probably be a competition to be the first to help you.

[rpdawes]

He's joking, I'm joking, we're all joking. "Solo" just means you don't have a partner, in my definition. "Alone" is different. Oh, and no dogs. Dogs count as partners.

Was Remco joking when he asked for advice? I don't think so. Then why should we give him some jokes? Not all of us are joking.

According to standard dictionaries, "Solo " and "Alone" mean the same thing.

[rpdawes]

Another poster stated “For pure safety purposes, it is best not to hike any 14 "solo." When you hike solo, your potential injury now becomes other people's problem”

Of course, for pure safety purposes, it’s best not to hike at all. But since we’re doing it anyway, a little risk is inherent, even invited. And although I love hiking with others, going solo is a unique and rewarding experience...well worth the added risk, IMO. One ABSOLUTE essential for going solo is an emergency signaling device (mine’s a SPOT).

As for your injury becoming another person’s problem if your solo: good point, but we’re not talking Everest or K2 here. If you get injured on a 14er, every single one of us up there will not only be willing to help you, there will probably be a competition to be the first to help you.

I second that. Thanks!

[CHWitte]

Another poster stated “For pure safety purposes, it is best not to hike any 14 "solo." When you hike solo, your potential injury now becomes other people's problem”

Of course, for pure safety purposes, it’s best not to hike at all. But since we’re doing it anyway, a little risk is inherent, even invited. And although I love hiking with others, going solo is a unique and rewarding experience...well worth the added risk, IMO. One ABSOLUTE essential for going solo is an emergency signaling device (mine’s a SPOT).

As for your injury becoming another person’s problem if your solo: good point, but we’re not talking Everest or K2 here. If you get injured on a 14er, every single one of us up there will not only be willing to help you, there will probably be a competition to be the first to help you.

True, but some calculated risk you can control. Hiking with someone or solo is within that realm. Hiking in general does indeed have inherent risk but it's risk you cannot control. So, your comparison for pure safety purposes is not perfect. However, if you do choose to hike solo, I agree that a SPOT device is a good idea.

[SchralpTheGnar]

For hiking solo you should pick a route well within your ability and let someone know where you are going, when you expect to be back and when to call search and rescue if they haven’t heard from you.

Is that better?

[CHWitte]

For hiking solo you should pick a route well within your ability and let someone know where you are going, when you expect to be back and when to call search and rescue if they haven’t heard from you.

Is that better?

+1