Tips wanted for female solo hiker

“Do you females that hike alone feel safe? What makes you have this sense of security?? Gun..dog..black belt in Karate??

I am doing my first solo hike and am a bit apprehensive about going at it alone.

Id appreciate any advice on extra gear you think I should carry...thanks all”

“try not to laugh too hard when i say this...

i think you'll be fine in north georgia.”

“Haven't you learned yet that BPers are good folks. Well, Except for Chip, but he's prolly in Maine again by now.”

“Never went solo. But do BP with all girls at times. We always used our instincts. Whenever we had company on the trail - we ask alot of questions, never tell what our plans are. We have felt uncomfortable at times - usually when stories dont add up. We have moved on, slept in tents instead of shelters and one time took a bunch of wet drunks out of the kirkwood shelter, pa to a hotel. (they were harmless)

99.9% of the people we have met on the trail would never harm us and in fact do anything to help us if we needed it.

Stick with the thru hikers at the shelters. You should still have some coming thru.”

“I've done solo trips quite a bit and never had any serious trouble. When you get less than a mile from a trailhead, chances are you aren't going to run into anyone that's out there for any other reason than to hike. Just trust your instincts and have a good time. No, I don't normally carry anything extra or have any weapon. Ignore the ole boys at the trailhead that think you need a "mans help with that big ole pack"! LOL”

“I hate to be the stick-in-the-mud here, but I don't really believe in solo hiking for men or women. If you feel that you must hike solo, tell someone of your plans, stick to them, and have the person you tell where you are going, to take action if you do not return immediately.

I feel this way because if you should get a sprained ankle or any other foot or medical emergency, there is no one to help you. Nevermind if you come upon an opportunist that wants to take advantage of you're being solo.

To overcome some of these problems, you might want to take a complete medical kit. Be sure of your health before you leave. Take an appropriate walking stick incase one foot is rendered unusable. Don't due difficult trails. Take bear spray for two footed animals.”

“I've done the majority of my hiking solo; with the llamas and without.

Lots depends on where it is you plan to hike.

If you hike in mountain areas like the Sierras, where I live, the only thing you need to be is careful you don't get injured.
Never take chances, go slow, and use common sense. You should be OK.

As for hiking in other places?
You got me.
I know it's not safe to do this near urban areas (say like much of the AT), but the people here can tell you what works.”

“The southern part of the AT rarely crosses main roads and during the weekdays, hardly no one will be out there. No worries.”

“Too bad Meerkat is not posting lately. She went cross country by herself. She hiked solo and with other tters as she went along.”

“All good advice here but I would just like to say if you were to put a few pairs of socks in the front of your pants or for that matter in the back, you will have no problems!!!! HEHEHEHEHE.

Strap some bear spray to the hip belt if it makes you feel more comfortable.

Leave a itinerary behind.”

“Evergreen...
just DO it!!!
I've done a lot of miles solo. Your worst enemy is you. Your best friend is you. but you knew that...”

“Find a man with a dog to hike with. (hint hint)”

“Keep focus on what is NOT what aint! You will be fine. Yo bear! Got your ittenary and not sure ifin I can make it!One never knows but doubtful. Have a blast as I know you will!”

“You only live once, so take some chances!

Pack a small gun, but your own thoughts are more likely to haunt you than someone else.”

“Go get 'em, girl! Hiking solo is a whole new world...

The most important thing is to know your abilities. Obviously, you have to be prepared and be more careful, but don't let fear ruin your time. I think it is normal to feel some apprehension when you first start...

Be aware of your surroundings, carry extra safety equip(first aid, whistle, mirror, etc) and stay away from yocal access points(popular trailheads).

If you come across other hikers, be confident, be friendly...give very little information away though. Trust your instincts.

I carry pepper spray, just in case a two-legged messes with me. I also feel pretty confident in my ability to defend myself, if need be. I try to avoid high use trails and when I camp solo, it is always hidden from view of the trail. "Stealth hiking"
;o)”

“If you see anyone with a Mullett, stone washed jeans, a rebel flag on thier apparrel, or wearing NASCAR or WWF clothing, promptly turn and get as afr away from them as possible.”

“If some buddy says "who are you walkin with?" say "I am walkin with sarabelle, but she is rite over ther on the leafs lookin for rats". That way, they will think that you are with some buddy els and will not try to ressel you cuz they kno that I will ressel them and beat up them cuz I am a good ressler with good triks. Did you kno I can ressel bares to?

Hey! I kno!
I can go walkin in the woods and sleepin in the woods with you! K?
I will be on my porch with my pakpak and watter bole reddy if you want to get me in yer truk...”

“I have only done 4 solo hikes so I'm no pro.
By pure accident I had taken a mild tranquilizer several hours before I started one of them. I felt none of the scardies and it set the tone for the whole hike--I stayed real mellow. The next time a couple of months later I guess the feeling carried over because I was mellow again even though the "trail" was dangerous I was never uptight.”

“"By pure accident I had taken a mild tranquilizer several hours before I started one of them."
I think I told my Dad that same line about twenty five years ago! "Gee, someone musta slipped a joint in my drink or something!"

Really, really I am LOL!!!”

“Evergreen, avoid Pisgah and his porno mags. They will get you nowhere LOL!”

“Just act like your with a group (or with your big weight lifting boy friend) but were tired of going slow so you scouted ahead. Pepper spray and a .357 Magnum never hurt any though”

“Don't take a bath or brush you teeth for a full two weeks before you take the hike. Have tobacco spit drooling down your chin as you hike alone. These are some ideas I've heard women can use.”

“You can blacken out your teeth too.”

“LMAO @ all of you...

Thanks for all of your advice..
I know that if I can just get out there and start all will fall in line. I do intend on taking my doggie..Just for peace of my mind.
the spray is now on my list to pack.

I have left an itenerary (?) with a few people.

Cindy Lu "Your worst enemy is you. Your best friend is you."...the best advice far..


You all are great..I feel a little at ease now..

SEE YOU AT BLOOD MTN...weee hooo”

“you go girl!....all the above from women is right on.....get a song or a chant or a mantra that you can get into to take your mind off those annoying little voices that may try to creep into your head......if you say the name..you are not alone.........take it easy and try to avoid injury......take a cell phone if you have one.......i dont own one, ...but a friend always loans me his when i am going solo. ......think of how strong and self reliant you are being.......it is a beautiful opportunity to become centered in your self.....be prepared for anything...and then just be conscious of the grand experience you are having....
i look forward to hearing about it at blood mountain!”

“I am glad you are bringing your dog for company. Be safe. I wish you great weather.”

“Evergreen, I hope my post didn't convey to you that you should not hike solo. It's my nature to be a cautious person, and I have concerns with my asthma too.

When are you going to do your solo hike? I look forward to your trip report.”

“Don't forget B_O_B”

“Lipstick, No problem. I am cautious myself ..maybe overly at times. This whole trip is for me to get in touch with my self and find my limits.

and as for B_O_B...batteries weight too much..I'll just grab the first avaiable handsome man and have my way with him..any takers????”

“get "in touch with yourself"???

you dont need a B.O.B.!!!!”

“Evergreen, you might be interested in the book "Canyon Solitude, A Woman's Solo River Journey Through Grand Canyon" by Patricia C. McCairen, published by Adventura Books ( ISBN 1-580005-007-7 ).

The book recounts the author's 25-day raft trip on the Colorado, at mid-life, focusing on what going solo means to her life, the fears, the joys, the perceptions of others and herself, and the rewards and costs of making life-changing decisions. A good book for guys to read, too. I know I learned from it. A great companion read to Colin Fletcher's "River" about his solo on the Colorado.

The solo issues are on my mind as in a couple weeks I will probably be off to do my first solo backpacking ever. Always had a partner before, but not this time. Trying to get the mindset adjusted.

Good luck Evergreen. We're with you in spirit every step.”