Nonsocial backpackers

“It is interesting to note that when people talk about backpacking trips they often talk about who they went with. Or later they post about it. So the question becomes, why do we backpack? Is it a social activity for you? I am interested to hear the response.”

“I've done more solo trips than I have group trips. I like both though.

In some respects at least its a social activity, but its also a very private experience as well.

Nashvillehiker captioned one of his pics well from Hawk Mtn this past weekend. He was hiking out solo to meet his ride and the caption on a really nice woods shot said "this is church for me".

That sums it up real well.

When we were sitting on the Pinnacle admiring one of the best views in PA there was very little talking and virtually no chatter. We were each thinking our own thoughts, it was very very nice.”

“Yes, silence is nice

More people should stop talking”

“Maybe there is some inherent human nature to roam...

Then again, there is some inherent nature as humans to be amongst our own”

“thus the key is to find the balance and to roam with those that are tolerant to our need to have space for our thoughts to grow in.”

“The answer is backpacking can be whatever you want it to be. That's the beauty of it. Me, I enjoy both . . . going solo and on group trips . . . but there are times I'll prefer one over the other.”

“Yes biz, this is a great question and I've been hiking long enough to see both sides of it.

Firstly, I think you need to be the type of person who likes to be alone at times, or to have "personal space" in order to enjoy hiking solo, or as you put it, "nonsocial". If you don't have this penchant and you're the very social type who does not like being alone, nonsocial bping is probably not for you. Then of course, there is everything in the middle of the spectrum, sometimes the very social type like to have some time alone on a trip just as the converse is probably true too.

When I first started bping it was with all my high school friends and there was a large group of us, so there was always a trip being planned with at least 4-5 peeps from the general pool. But in all those years, I felt that even though I enjoyed hiking with friends, alot of them got on my nerves and I really liked to be out on the trail alone. Fast forward 15 years and now everyone has gone their separate ways. This is when I got into the solo years. If we put a group together that was cool, but I was doing more and more solo stuff and I was loving it. But then the flip-flop occured... Sitting around a fire by yourself having to do all the camp chores and noone to talk to. So then I realized, Yeah it wasn't about the mountains all the time and looking back on all the great trips we put together and the great times we had, it was really about the people too. So now I've come full circle and appreciate the times I spend alone on the trail as well as the chances I have to interact with other nutcases who amazingly, if they're in the woods doing the same things as you, you're probably gonna find out that you have alot more in common then you though at first.

I've been thinking about this quite abit lately, is it the mountains or the people? I guess it's a personal choice as well as a learning experience if you let it be.

Let it Be!”

“Beautiful”

“I actually like to hike solo once in a while. Not all the time though. I see certain advantages in both.

Solo: I hear things I never even realize they there if I hike with partners.
I like to see how far I can go, how far I can push myself. This is best done solo I think. Or I can take my time up that trail...really depends on my mood.

with buddy: depends on my mood. You can talk about what you see. Once in a while your hiking buddy sees things you don't see. You can just have a nice conversation about nothing or have fun.

Now backpacking is a different story: I have not backpacked solo yet. I am just not comfortable sleeping in my tent without anyone around. Call me a chicken. I am just not ready for it YET.

And I do have to admit that I do like the social part of backpacking a lot too.”

“Captn bobo do you want to marry me??
you just said what I was trying to say!”

“HeeHee!

I guess I just type faster than you. (and get most of the words spelt right too!).


Yes, Gaby.... I DO!!!”

“Depends on the hike. Most of the time I like to hike with people. There are sopme times when I like to get out and just push myself as hard as I can go. Those time I prefer to go solo so I don't have to wait on anyone.”

“If you are very gassy, it's probably best to hike nonsocially (IMHO).”

“lol Bobo!”

“I love the social part and meeting new people. However I do like day hiking alone at times. It gives me time to think...since I am a slow hiker I seem to get the best of both of these when I go with a group.”

“Gemini, I love to hike solo. But camping solo at the end of the day isn't so much fun for me. In camp I like to have another person or two. Not necessary to have a big group (that becomes its own problem if they aren't the "right" kinds of folks), but just one or two or three others makes for a nice community around the campfire, sharing aloud or sharing silently.

Like nashvillehiker, I have found moments in the forest when hiking alone that confirm that, if I have any kind of church, that is the sanctuary.”

“Seams like most of us feel pretty much the same. At least on some important aspects.

Pekka, i know exactelly what you mean.”

“Like nashvillehiker, I have found moments in the forest when hiking alone that confirm that, if I have any kind of church, that is the sanctuary."

So true, I agree.

It's a social gathering of believers! LOL”

“Mostly solo, not social for me. The major reason I invite others is for the safety of a group and because my wife feels better.

Even in a group, I like to find a place away from talkers, on the trail and in camp.”

“PS
However, I will certainly be around the fire for social hour!”

“My preference is to hike with just my husband. I like the solitude of us being alone together.

On occassion, I really do enjoy hiking with my tt buddies a lot when we get together. We know our destination when we all set out, and we can all travel at our own pace. I enjoy sitting around the campfire, and telling stories as well as getting to know each other.

Having group meals are fun, and also exploring the area we are in together. The group trips have always been fun.”

“For years Sass and I hiked exclusively as a couple. Then we met TTers and did the group thing, I personally miss the time with just my wife. She and I only see each other on wknds and so having a hike or kayak trip with her is a rare treat. I am beginning to shy away from group trips. A few (4-5) is okay but the larger trips are just soooo, well large. I will prolly hit a big group here or there to see some out of state friends but will focus on trips with the wifey for awhile.”

“thats what I mean by finding the balance.

Its all good and too much of one or the other is, well, too much.”

“Another aspect, or perhaps this is encompassed in what's already been said, is that it can be truly enjoyable to "do" your hobby with others of a like mind. No one bats an eyelash when you talk for hours about a water filter or a tent or your boots or geocaching or a particular trail. These are people who actually want to read your trip report. And because it's generally a quieter sport than say, a pro ballgame, there tends to be more philisophical ponderings, more talking, more listening, more sharing. It's much more interactive with the other participants. That being said, however, a good football game is also something to look forward to. :)

And backpacking involves more than something like just playing a round of golf. Sure there's comparable money spent on the gear. But depending on the circumstances, backpacking can involve extreme situations. In what other hobby or sport can not having a fire or food or sheter be so detrimental? It tests our strength and our resolve and our wits sometimes.

Whether we go out in a large or small group or solo, it is an escape. I am so thankful for the opportunity to do so.”

“backpacking gear is by far more expensive than my golfing gear... probably by 10x”

“as for the topic... i'm trying to get more into solo trips, short trips to get into it, i've had trouble in the past. I love meeting new people and sharing the experience with other people, being able to talk and socialize. But at the same time i like to get out and have some alone time, it's just that i can't handle being alone 24/7”

“I love the solitude, but the noise in my head gets proportionately louder. It's like the problems I tried to leave behind by backpacking are now clamoring for my attention.

Hiking with just one other person, though, like my husband, is really nice. It's close enough to solitude but keeps the noise at bay.”

“Very well put, treebait.”

“I don't really know why I backpack but I do know that I am really contented when I am doing it. I like the planning and the packing and the anticipation. I love the feeling of being where I belong--outside. I like to see and feel and smell whatever is out there.

I love doing it all by myself or in a small group of good friends.”

“"Captn bobo do you want to marry me??
you just said what I was trying to say!"
Gemini
08:24:37 PM



iwant to mary you gemini....do you want to provide me with gear, food and shelter...please say yes....”

“I've never done the solo thing but like some of the others are saying, I like to spend the time out there with just Randy. I love the feeling that I have when it is just us and I know that nobody else is around and we can just enoy the wilderness together. Group trips are fun but I'm so shy that I always tend to back away from the group. I don't do it on purpose, but its hard for me to make conversation in large group. I enjoy the peacefulness of the outdoors and sometimes that is easier to enjoy when there is just one or two others.”

“oh an me personally i prefer solo...but then again i ahvent really been on any trips with a group...only with a friend or two at the time...i still think i prefer solo...”

“My thinking is along the line of gforce's.”

“I have only backpacked with another person twice, once with my grown son and once last year with another guy from nwhikers.net. It is almost impossible to find someone with the same days off, similar speed (slow!), same desires as to destination, etc, etc, that it has never worked out. However, those two trips were great, and I do go on 10 or so dayhikes per year with others, out of forty total. I like the idea of some social camping, but there are too many hurdles. For example, I never decide on a final destination until the weather reports for the time are in (as much as possible). Why plan a trip that has great views and then hike it in clouds or fog? Why hike along the wilderness coast in the rain when it will be sunny the next week (maybe)? But the more people are involved in a trip, the more the plans need to be finalized in advance.

I have become so used to solo travel that I go mid-week whenever I can, in hopes of having the entire area all to myself, something that happens with surprising regularity. There is a special feeling of communing with nature, of adventure, of mystery, when solo that I don't get if others are present. My dog Daisy can sometimes be a distraction as well. I usually don't bring her on backpacking trips of over one night, or on dayhikes where I plan to hang out several hours at the destination. I sometimes plan hikes in a National park just to have the excuse to leave the dog home. She is a fine companion most of the time.”

“MaryPhyl- Good thoughts there.

It's especially nice to be out there at altitude after a good hard rain. You can smell the mixture of earth and moisture in the air. Everything seems clean and pure.”

“I enjoy both, except the time I was solo and there was a bear trap in the parking lot. I was sure there was a bear stalking me for a few hours. lol”

“I love the solitude when actually hiking and then the company of fellow hikers for the evening. I have spent nights on the trail alone and I am ok with it if I have a good book with me; otherwise, after a day or two, I get lonesome for company.”

“I love backpacking because I love nature, the outdoors, and beautiful natural sights. I'm very social (kinda hard to not be when you're in college) so I prefer trips with at least two other people. I tend to have more fun when more people go.

However, I do like solo trips as well--but I do fewer of these trips than group trips. I have to be in the mood for a solo trip. Most of the time when I go solo it is to get out into nature alone, experience some solitude, and have some self reflection. I consider these trips a good time, but not fun like the group trips.

Both types of trips have their time and place.”

“BTW, you're going to share your pyscho-analysis with us when you're done right? I mean, I know that TT was created so Biz could conduct an ongoing pscyhological experiment ;-p”

“I generally hike solo. While I like most people, I like them singly. Putting people in groups changes them. (Responses & the way they act) There are exceptions to this policy & I also know that the dilemma is mine alone. Maybe I'm a little selfish. I've been on every trail in the Catskills & much of the surrounding mt range areas, so now I like to bushwhack. Just drop over the side of a cliff or head off to an intriguing spot in the distance. I can't do that with company. For long canoe trips, I usually go with my brother-in-law. He likes to ask people simple questions (to start a social conversation) that he meets on the trail/head waters.We have thousands of trail/canoe miles & over 70 years of experience between us, yet these people then treat us as neophytes. I generally stay by myself.”

“I like to have someone else in camp in the evenings.
If it is just my SO that is enough.
When the old dog could still hike I could go with her and that was enough, but she isn't able to do more than a couple of miles now and has cataracts and her hearing is about gone, so she doesn't really enjoy as much as she used to anyway.”

“I thought this thread was about me.”

“"It's especially nice to be out there at altitude after a good hard rain. You can smell the mixture of earth and moisture in the air. Everything seems clean and pure."
tekdude
11:24:51 PM
05/04/04"



petrichor (PET-ri-kuhr) noun

The pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell.

[From petro- (rock), from Greek petros (stone) + ichor (the fluid that is supposed to flow in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology). Coined by researchers I.J. Bear and R.G. Thomas.]

"Petrichor, the name for the smell of rain on dry ground, is from oils given off by vegetation, absorbed onto neighboring surfaces, and released into the air after a first rain."
Matthew Bettelheim; Nature's Laboratory; Shasta Parent (Mt Shasta, California); Jan 2002.”

“I’ve done a lot of both solo and group hikes and I have kind of become disenchanted with the group thing. I’ve always said the biggest thing I don’t like about them is 1) they always end up being a big group (more than 4) and 2) While I do get to meet people I don’t get to KNOW them and the ones I do know I don’t get to spend the time I’d like with them. 3) It’s always a party. Now don’t get me wrong I love a few (8-12) beers and hanging out but the focus of backpacking totally changes. I’d rather get together and play cards or something on the weekend than take the party on the trail. And as with any group of any size there is always a Jr. high factor that is inescapable even with the best group.

I have a small core of friends I really enjoy hiking with and I plan to keep hiking with them but I’m not planning any social group trips in the near future.”

“i like snackpacking with just Tarpy, or maybe with a couple of our friends. i don't really like the idea of a big group, b/c for one thing, i get real cranky when i get hungry and tired, and i don't want to rip anyone's head off (except Tarpy, but he's used to it). LOL! i'm not "nonsocial" by personality though...i'm just talking about the hiking part here.”

“i get real cranky when i get hungry and tired, and i don't want to rip anyone's head off (except Tarpy, but he's used to it)

I can't convince OPIE that I'm not the only female that does this! Thank you lyra!”

“I like that I can join a group trip where I have the opportunity to meet new people and get to know them a bit and learn some of the extremely varied and interesting personalities who make up this thing called TT. Then I can decide who from that group I would like to/be willing to spend more time with on a future smaller group trip.”

“no prob, Miss Opie! let's celebrate...

*rip* *rip* *rip* *rip*”

“It's just not females. If I don't eat on schedule I get really cranky. And then I have to eat immediately (not diabetic). Not a pretty sight.”

“Let's hear it for low blood sugar!

Nevermind, I'm too tired.”