Backpacking: Solo or with someone?

“Ok, people that know me think I'm nuts for backpacking alone when I can't find someone to go along. What do you think? And better yet, what do you do when you go alone? Well, careful what you share on that note... But really, who goes solo and who doesn't? One more question, Why go solo? Why not stay home and wait till someone can go?”

“I go solo, a lot. Lately though, it's been easier to find people.

I tend to go to sleep pretty early when solo. Thats kinda nice, I catch up on my z's then.”

“oh, coworkers think I'm nuts and say things like, "but what if you get hurt" and stuff like that.”

“is why stay home and wait on someone else?

As i once told a camping buddy, I want to be out here, that's all.”

“My favorite is, "What if a bear eats you!"

My response? Hopefully he gets terrible gas....”

“I hear ya TDale. That's what it's all about....just being out there.”

“I prefer solo but go with others often.”

“If I waited for people to go backpacking with I wouldn't get out at all. People fear what they don't understand. Most people need a night light, so going out in the woods by themselves can be a little intimidating.”

“I keep a journal. Write down everything you experience. Wildlife, close calls, mishaps, funny moments. Bring it home and relive your trip with someone. It's a cool memory saver.”

“If my choices are going solo or staying home then it's not really even a choice.....I don't get to go that often, so when I get a chance I GOTTA take it :)”

“Backpacking with others is better than going solo, but going solo is better than staying at home.”

“Backpacking with others is better than going solo, but going solo is better than staying at home.”

“I haven't been solo in over a year. There's just so many people that can make trips that I've not found much need to go alone.

The only reason I'd still consider going exclusively solo would be for another endurance challange.

I prefer the company of others not for safty but to avoid being board.”

“I used to go solo if no one else could go. Someone always wants to go, so its been awhile since I've done a solo trip.

I always say, I'm more afraid of being in the city than out in the wilderness alone. Like last night, the fwy in LA was almost at a stop, so we got off, looking for a better way. Kinda scary driving thru some of those areas.”

“I think most people will tell you that their senses are heightened and they are more aware of their surroundings when solo. I know I am. I’m also more apt to do big mileage when going solo. Whether that is a good thing or not is up to you.”

“Staying at home is boring. And, just like Backslacker said, going solo provides ample opportunity to write a journal -- something I almost never do when hiking/camping with other people. I've also gotta concur with Roam; camping solo is an excellent opportunity to catch up on the ol' zzz's. I'm always going to bed way too late and getting up way too early...”

“...and yes, everyone I know who lacks that spirit of adventure thinks that I am also nuts for going solo.”

“I get the same arguments from co-workers. I naturally had a fascination with the concept of backpacking since I can remember picking up my first Backpacker magazine in High School. It wasn't until several years later when I finally got into it but I definetely get something out of the experience most people wouldn't understand. I also think that going in groups has it's limit. Every now and then you need to get out on your own.”

“I like solo and small group trips - both are very enjoyable to me.”

“When I am in the mood to backpack or hike (which is often) I'll go solo if I can't find anyone to go with me. I am numb to the couch potatoes that are always worrying "what if you get hurt?" or "aren't you scared of mountain lions?" blah, blah, blah. I go when I want to go.

To pass the time on solo trips I usually have a more aggressive trek so more time walking, take a book or part of a book to read, and keep journal notes. And like Roam Around, I usually knock off earlier and get more sleep.

All said, I am probably solo 1/2 the time.”

“I've gone solo on trips from two days to 13 days.”

“for peace & quiet. thats quite a difference from my usual everyday life.”

“There's not a lot of hikers in my immediate area (maybe none), so it's solo or no go. My thru hike of the SHT was solo and believe me I ran into plenty of people to talk to (or ignore). It felt like more of a challenge being alone. The only thing I missed was something to read. Writing in a journal was a good way to end the day. My thinking was actually slowed down enough that my writing hand could keep up, sort of.”

“I opt for solo when my mind and soul need time to recharge. Sounds corny but it really gives me time to reflect and get my sense of self back. It helps me reconnect with nature after spending too much time in a pressure filled society.

I also enjoy the company of fellow hikers and love the fireside banter.”

“Most of the time it's solo, but occassionally, I'll go with my brother-in-law or some friends.

The rewards are different, but both approaches are worthy, depending on what you're looking for.”

“mostly solo cause I rarely plan anything, just grab the gear and go”

“Either is fine. I tend to prefer the conversation and antic of a group trip, but solo is fine, too.”

“I agree with Dhutch. . .sometimes you just need time to recharge and get away from everything. I can really pack in some mileage when I'm solo. But, it's always fun to hike with others.”

“I got reasons for preferring both. Regardless of what I prefer though, I live in west Tennessee where backpackers are hardly plentiful.

Add to the mix -- that most people I get to backpack with, I met 'over the internet'.. (lol).. and you can guess how most people view my weekend hobby.

(prosecutor -- liked it so much you had to say it TWICE ehhh??)..”

“When I got into hiking I went solo for years. Then I got hooked up with people on line and now I very rarely go solo. Plus I got my buddy hooked too. When I do get the rare solo trip in I always wonder why I don’t do more of it. I don’t do the group thing anymore because it removes all the things I like about hiking, freedom of schedule, quietness, deep personal conversation, getting to know others on a personal level. Now I have a small core of hiking buddies and that’s what I generally stick to. I’m hoping this winter to do an equal number of solo trips.”

“Different trips.

With others you get the best with a good group, and the worst with a bad group.

Solo hiking is not as good as being with really good friends, but immeasurably better than being with a dysfunctional group.

Tend to think I see more solo, but have hiked with a person who really knew birds and could identify them by sound as well as sight, saw more hiking with him than I would have solo.

Group for me maxes out at about 6.”

“I agree with dhutch.

Solo or with a group...doesn't matter to me. I always have a good time. The only problem I have with a group is that it takes me a few days to unwind. I'm usually so stressed out from work that I'm unusually quiet until I relax...then lookout!”

“I like both, but prefer solo. If I go with a group, I prefer a smaller more intimate group.

Hiking alone as others have already said, gives me time to reflect, keep a journal and be much more aware of my surroundings. I'm also an amateur photographer and I do some of my best work on solo trips. I can jaunt off the trail in search of a perfect shot where with others I might be holding up the group.

I also do a lot more exploring. Just getting off the trail, bushwacking and just poking around. It's amazing the things you see when you're not jabber jawing away with people.”

“In the past 2 years, after forming the PNWH, my boyfriend has to now schedule in OUR trips a good month ahead! I have almost no free weekends in the spring/summer. No lack of hiking partners nowdays. Starting a hiking club was the best idea!
And in winter, I have snowshoeing partners :-)”

“I go with groups right now. But when I get my car up here - if no one else can go - then I will go solo. It's not that big of a deal as long as you don't freeze your toes.”

“One advantage of group trips is that you have someone other than yourself to blame any oversights on.”

“that and it's more fun at night around a campfire”

“I generally come back solo.


Wanna hike?”

“I think you have an extra word in that first sentence, bearmagnet.”

“Took me a minute, but I get it.”

“lol bitpusher”