Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,812
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jun 4, 2022 2:26:47 GMT
I started hiking almost two years ago, and I absolutely love it. I do like hiking with other people, but I really love hiking by myself. I don't do it often, but I enjoy the solitude, just listening to the sounds of nature and my feet hitting the path. I do worry about hiking alone, though. It usually takes me about 15 minutes to stop worrying and really relax and enjoy the hike.
Last week, a woman from a nearby suburb disappeared while hiking. She was last seen at the trailhead of a popular spot where people hike, trail run, bike, etc. They found her a week later in a river 30 miles from the trailhead. I haven't seen any updates since she was found and identified, so I have no idea what happened, but it has made me think more about hiking alone.
Do you hike alone? What do you carry for self protection?
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Post by katlady on Jun 4, 2022 2:43:39 GMT
I don't go alone. I would like to go hiking more often, but I'll only go with others. It is a shame because we have a lot of hiking trails in the area.
If I did go alone, I would take pepper spray and a loud whistle. Maybe I would take walking sticks, even if I didn't really need them.
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Post by ntsf on Jun 4, 2022 2:44:00 GMT
I hike alone.. I keep my eyes and ears open and don't advertise.. though incidents a mile or more past a road are very rare. I tend to go backpacking alone.. and those trails are more remote in some ways. I don't carry anything extra..
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Post by ~summer~ on Jun 4, 2022 2:45:37 GMT
I hike alone constantly. I just carry my phone with me and have situational awareness. I don’t really worry about it though and I love being by myself.
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Jun 4, 2022 2:50:47 GMT
I hike alone, regularly. I also camp alone, regularly. I carry a two shot .22 Derringer pistol, with extra rounds in a pocket. Small, lightweight and very very concealed.
Great for animals (a little noise scares most away) both of the 2 and 4 legged variety.
I’ve never had to use it on the 4 legged variety they usually take off. The 2 legged came to my tent late one night, and the noise scared him off. I had to patch the tent though.
#whyIcarry
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,790
Location: Kentucky
Jun 25, 2014 20:31:44 GMT
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Post by Kerri W on Jun 4, 2022 3:00:25 GMT
DS hikes alone. It used to make me very nervous when he was younger. He’s an Eagle Scout so I do have that reassurance.
He also uses an app, I think AllTrails. He sends DH and I his planned hike and sets his app to give updates and alert if he doesn’t make it to the destination within a certain timeframe of the proposed end of hike. He also sends me a photo of the trailhead, a photo of where his car is parked and a selfie so I know what he’s wearing.
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Jun 4, 2022 3:15:51 GMT
DS hikes alone. It used to make me very nervous when he was younger. He’s an Eagle Scout so I do have that reassurance. He also uses an app, I think AllTrails. He sends DH and I his planned hike and sets his app to give updates and alert if he doesn’t make it to the destination within a certain timeframe of the proposed end of hike. He also sends me a photo of the trailhead, a photo of where his car is parked and a selfie so I know what he’s wearing. AllTrails is SO great. I’ve been using it over 10 years. I’m glad your son is so responsible. I do these things and send them to my mom, she has no clue what any of it means, but if I don’t get back to her within 12 hours of intended return, she’s supposed to call the police.
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Post by SallyPA on Jun 4, 2022 4:18:58 GMT
I hike alone often. My kids no longer wish to hike with me and are old enough to have their own interests and are usually busy anyways. I decided when I turned 40 that I could either be afraid of doing it alone and not going or be brave and take calculated risk, making safe and responsible choices along the way. If I waited until I had a hiking buddy or partner, I would just not get to go very often. So, I plan things really well, I seek out advice and reviews, check weather, check local trail reports (so many are still snow covered!), I use All Trails, hike with bear spray (and sometime with a gun, depending where I am going), and always tell someone where I am going and when to expect me back.
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Post by dewryce on Jun 4, 2022 4:29:02 GMT
DS hikes alone. It used to make me very nervous when he was younger. He’s an Eagle Scout so I do have that reassurance. He also uses an app, I think AllTrails. He sends DH and I his planned hike and sets his app to give updates and alert if he doesn’t make it to the destination within a certain timeframe of the proposed end of hike. He also sends me a photo of the trailhead, a photo of where his car is parked and a selfie so I know what he’s wearing. You can do something similar with Road ID, but as long as service is available it also tracks you as you go, and you can set it to contact someone if your stop for more than a user selected amount of minutes. DH uses it for his runs and bike rides, and we both love it. I also used it to lead him back to his car after a race Maybe you could use the 2 in conjunction, as I find the contact if he stops very reassuring. I’m tagging pudgygroundhog for you as she is our resident hiker.
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Post by ntsf on Jun 4, 2022 4:51:27 GMT
I always leave notice with someone where I am going, when I will be back, what the plans were. etc. follow leave no trace principles and carry your 10 essentials.. (they can be small and light)..
you also can leave a plan hard copy in your car.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,812
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jun 4, 2022 13:50:16 GMT
If I did go alone, I would take pepper spray and a loud whistle. Maybe I would take walking sticks, even if I didn't really need them. I had some pepper spray, but I lost it. I need to get some more. Good idea to take a walking stick. I have one, but I don't usually need it, so I often forget to take it with me. I hike alone, regularly. I also camp alone, regularly. I carry a two shot .22 Derringer pistol, with extra rounds in a pocket. Small, lightweight and very very concealed. always tell someone where I am going and when to expect me back. My brother is trying to convince me I need a gun. I have never even touched a gun, so the thought of that kind of frightens me. I would definitely feel safer if I had one, I'm sure. My boss's husband is a police officer who also works for tazer, teaching police how to use it. She says I could get a tazer and he would teach me. I'm seriously considering doing that, especially since I will soon be living on my own for the first time ever. You can do something similar with Road ID, but as long as service is available it also tracks you as you go, and you can set it to contact someone if your stop for more than a user selected amount of minutes. I do always tell someone where I am going, but I do like the idea of having that app contact someone if I stop moving. I will look into that!! Thanks for all the ideas everyone! My son who often hikes with me thinks I am silly to worry, but I tell him that is his privilege as a man. LOL
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,137
Jul 1, 2014 20:20:18 GMT
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Post by rickmer on Jun 4, 2022 14:57:37 GMT
i often hike alone but always on marked trails in designated hiking areas. i text my daughter my location and which trail i took.
i am rarely alone alone as there are almost always others on the trail. i did go last february and didn't realize trail was closed. only one other vehicle in the parking lot when i arrived. there are 14 different trails so i didn't see those people and they were gone by the time i got back. the trail was super icy and i did feel a bit vulnerable that if i slipped and fell, no one would come across me. i did decide to just do the shorter, closer to the parking lot trail when i realized there was no one else around.
i visited friends in BC in october. if it hiked there, would def have some kind of bear deterrent.
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Post by peano on Jun 4, 2022 16:30:23 GMT
I used to hike alone (with my dog) and other than letting DH know where I was going, took no other precautions. I developed a bear phobia and have a bad hip that can’t do the distances any more. I miss it a lot—just wandering around, getting lost, feeling my body was well-used. But bears are all over the place here and though I know black bears typically fear humans, I worry that as they continue to encroach into residential areas for food, they will lose that fear.
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Post by mom on Jun 4, 2022 19:58:11 GMT
I hike alone, regularly. I also camp alone, regularly. I carry a two shot .22 Derringer pistol, with extra rounds in a pocket. Small, lightweight and very very concealed. always tell someone where I am going and when to expect me back. My brother is trying to convince me I need a gun. I have never even touched a gun, so the thought of that kind of frightens me. I would definitely feel safer if I had one, I'm sure. My boss's husband is a police officer who also works for tazer, teaching police how to use it. She says I could get a tazer and he would teach me. I'm seriously considering doing that, especially since I will soon be living on my own for the first time ever. We always take a small gun when we hike. For protection and because rattlesnakes are a huge issue here. That being said, if you think you might want to get a gun, why not go with your friend and shoot hers (with their instruction and help) and see if its something you really are interested in. Don't spend money on a gun until you know for sure that's what you want to do. Owning a gun can be expensive but its worth spending the money. You buy the gun and ammo, somewhere that you can safely store it and have it locked up, a license if you need it for your state. And for absolute certain, take a class and learn the ins and out of how to handle it and safely clean and store it before ever purchasing the gun.
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Post by kamper on Jun 4, 2022 20:54:14 GMT
I use to hike alone occasionally before DH retired. I had our dog with me and I always told someone where I was going. I think you are more likely to be attacked by another human walking from the mall to your car. You might want to consider getting a Spot beacon if you are worried about injury in a remote place. My DH had a small one to send me updates when he was at the South Pole for work.
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Post by gizzy on Jun 5, 2022 1:45:09 GMT
Sad to say, I'm too afraid to hike on my own. I have respect for you ladies that do.
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,677
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:55 GMT
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Post by Elsabelle on Jun 5, 2022 3:24:52 GMT
I occasionally hike alone. I don’t use AirPods or listen to music. I want to be able to hear what’s going on around me. I frequently turn around and look at who might be on the trail behind me or around me. I also carry a personal alarm. And like others I always tell someone where I’m going and what time I’m starting and what time expect to finish.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,022
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Jun 5, 2022 12:41:10 GMT
Would what3words work in the locations you hiking in? If you're not familiar with it, it's an app that has spilt the world,(I believe) into three metres squares and identifies every three metre square area with a three word unique combo.
I've seen reports here of people lost or injured in forests or remote areas being able to get help precisely to their location and help getting there very quickly because they know exactly where to go.
Also useful if you are planning to meet people at a venue.
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Post by auntkelly on Jun 5, 2022 13:19:50 GMT
I’m not a serious hiker, but I often take short easy hikes in the state parks near me. Usually, it’s pretty busy where I hike, but occasionally there is no one else around. I think about how vulnerable I am, but it’s worth taking the risk to be outdoors by myself. I didn’t worry too much when I had my dogs. Now that they are gone, I carry pepper spray. It’s generally pretty windy where I walk, so who knows if that would work or if I’d just end up spraying it in my own face.
I read a lot of nonfiction books and I’ve read several books about people vanishing in the wilderness. I recently read that no one knows exactly how many people have vanished in national parks, because no statistics are kept by any central agency.
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Post by rst on Jun 5, 2022 15:41:01 GMT
I hike (and camp) alone, with a well trained dog. I carry a phone, leave information with a family member, and don't over-extend myself. For me, really good boots are more important than a gun. We don't have poisonous snakes, and I honestly would not be quick and coordinated enough to shoot a bear or cougar, so if I'm on a trail with recent reports of wild animals, I'll opt for bear bells and watch my dog for cues.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,812
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jun 5, 2022 19:07:39 GMT
Would what3words work in the locations you hiking in? If you're not familiar with it, it's an app that has spilt the world,(I believe) into three metres squares and identifies every three metre square area with a three word unique combo. I am not familiar with that app, but I will look into it. I occasionally hike alone. I don’t use AirPods or listen to music. I want to be able to hear what’s going on around me. I frequently turn around and look at who might be on the trail behind me or around me. I also carry a personal alarm. And like others I always tell someone where I’m going and what time I’m starting and what time expect to finish. I don't usually listen to music either. I enjoy the peace and sounds of nature. When I walk around my neighborhood, I get bored if I don't listen to something. LOL I also just bought a Birdie alarm today. Are you familiar with that? I don't hike by myself in secluded places, so I think I will feel a bit better having that. Sad to say, I'm too afraid to hike on my own. I have respect for you ladies that do. It's not an easy decision for me. I don't hike by myself very often at all. Thankfully, my kids like to hike with me, and I have a couple of friends who I sometimes hike with. But sometimes, I just want to be by myself. Unfortunately, I don't enjoy it as completely as I could if I wasn't worried about safety.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,812
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jun 5, 2022 19:08:50 GMT
My brother is trying to convince me I need a gun. I have never even touched a gun, so the thought of that kind of frightens me. I would definitely feel safer if I had one, I'm sure. My boss's husband is a police officer who also works for tazer, teaching police how to use it. She says I could get a tazer and he would teach me. I'm seriously considering doing that, especially since I will soon be living on my own for the first time ever. We always take a small gun when we hike. For protection and because rattlesnakes are a huge issue here. That being said, if you think you might want to get a gun, why not go with your friend and shoot hers (with their instruction and help) and see if its something you really are interested in. Don't spend money on a gun until you know for sure that's what you want to do. Owning a gun can be expensive but its worth spending the money. You buy the gun and ammo, somewhere that you can safely store it and have it locked up, a license if you need it for your state. And for absolute certain, take a class and learn the ins and out of how to handle it and safely clean and store it before ever purchasing the gun. I just can't wrap my brain around ME carrying a gun. LOL As much as I love to hike alone though, I really am considering it. I will most definitely take classes, etc if I do get one.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,812
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jun 5, 2022 19:10:44 GMT
I hike (and camp) alone, with a well trained dog. I carry a phone, leave information with a family member, and don't over-extend myself. For me, really good boots are more important than a gun. We don't have poisonous snakes, and I honestly would not be quick and coordinated enough to shoot a bear or cougar, so if I'm on a trail with recent reports of wild animals, I'll opt for bear bells and watch my dog for cues. I used to feel much more secure if I took my daughter's dog with me. She is a German Shepherd mix, and is very protective and sounds super scary when she barks. Even though she is really a big baby. LOL But my daughter moved out and took her dog with her. LOL
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,812
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jun 5, 2022 19:13:40 GMT
I’m not a serious hiker, but I often take short easy hikes in the state parks near me. Usually, it’s pretty busy where I hike, but occasionally there is no one else around. I think about how vulnerable I am, but it’s worth taking the risk to be outdoors by myself. I didn’t worry too much when I had my dogs. Now that they are gone, I carry pepper spray. It’s generally pretty windy where I walk, so who knows if that would work or if I’d just end up spraying it in my own face. I read a lot of nonfiction books and I’ve read several books about people vanishing in the wilderness. I recently read that no one knows exactly how many people have vanished in national parks, because no statistics are kept by any central agency. I typically hike in well traveled places, too. My favorite trail often has a parking lot that is full and overflows onto the highway, but I can still sometimes go 10 or 15 minutes without seeing anyone. Which I love. But, which also tends to make me nervous. I also worry about ending up with pepper spray in my own face. LOL It is often windy where I live, too.
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Post by mom on Jun 5, 2022 19:45:54 GMT
We always take a small gun when we hike. For protection and because rattlesnakes are a huge issue here. That being said, if you think you might want to get a gun, why not go with your friend and shoot hers (with their instruction and help) and see if its something you really are interested in. Don't spend money on a gun until you know for sure that's what you want to do. Owning a gun can be expensive but its worth spending the money. You buy the gun and ammo, somewhere that you can safely store it and have it locked up, a license if you need it for your state. And for absolute certain, take a class and learn the ins and out of how to handle it and safely clean and store it before ever purchasing the gun. I just can't wrap my brain around ME carrying a gun. LOL As much as I love to hike alone though, I really am considering it. I will most definitely take classes, etc if I do get one. Well, if a gun isn't what you want to do, how about pepper spray? Or start less lethal and get a stun gun. Anyway, just be careful, lol. I know you know this but I am going to say it again! Make sure you plan on where you will store it and keep it locked up. And if you do decide to get one, ask questions and practice, practice, practice at a shooting club.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,812
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jun 5, 2022 19:51:36 GMT
I just can't wrap my brain around ME carrying a gun. LOL As much as I love to hike alone though, I really am considering it. I will most definitely take classes, etc if I do get one. Well, if a gun isn't what you want to do, how about pepper spray? Or start less lethal and get a stun gun. Anyway, just be careful, lol. I know you know this but I am going to say it again! Make sure you plan on where you will store it and keep it locked up. And if you do decide to get one, ask questions and practice, practice, practice at a shooting club. Definitely YES to all of that! I might consider a taser before a gun. I think I said in a different post that my bosses husband works for taser, and he said he will give me lessons.
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Post by ntsf on Jun 5, 2022 20:23:12 GMT
after 50 yrs in the woods.. I would never carry a gun. the risk doesn't overcome the danger of it.. being used against you, accidents, whatever.
I guess I don't fear hiking by myself.. and backpacking by myself. in the 1970's, I did 45 miles by myself in washington state.. and hitchhiked back to the little town nearby.
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Post by ~summer~ on Jun 5, 2022 20:25:32 GMT
My brother is trying to convince me I need a gun. I have never even touched a gun, so the thought of that kind of frightens me. I would definitely feel safer if I had one, I'm sure. My boss's husband is a police officer who also works for tazer, teaching police how to use it. She says I could get a tazer and he would teach me. I'm seriously considering doing that, especially since I will soon be living on my own for the first time ever. We always take a small gun when we hike. For protection and because rattlesnakes are a huge issue here. That being said, if you think you might want to get a gun, why not go with your friend and shoot hers (with their instruction and help) and see if its something you really are interested in. Don't spend money on a gun until you know for sure that's what you want to do. Owning a gun can be expensive but its worth spending the money. You buy the gun and ammo, somewhere that you can safely store it and have it locked up, a license if you need it for your state. And for absolute certain, take a class and learn the ins and out of how to handle it and safely clean and store it before ever purchasing the gun. I’m just curious- would you actually shoot a rattlesnake?
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Post by mom on Jun 5, 2022 20:38:37 GMT
We always take a small gun when we hike. For protection and because rattlesnakes are a huge issue here. That being said, if you think you might want to get a gun, why not go with your friend and shoot hers (with their instruction and help) and see if its something you really are interested in. Don't spend money on a gun until you know for sure that's what you want to do. Owning a gun can be expensive but its worth spending the money. You buy the gun and ammo, somewhere that you can safely store it and have it locked up, a license if you need it for your state. And for absolute certain, take a class and learn the ins and out of how to handle it and safely clean and store it before ever purchasing the gun. I’m just curious- would you actually shoot a rattlesnake? I haven't but DH has. We own land on the edge of the Canyon and as a general rule, he won't shoot them. But he has shot diamondback rattlesnakes in the past. He just has to make certain it is not a timber rattlesnake. Those are protected.
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Post by stine on Jun 5, 2022 21:37:45 GMT
Just T, I live by you. I've heard rumors that there was no foul play in that situation. Still, I bring a whistle, my dog, and if I'm by myself, I stick to the more popular trails. Once I was walking with my husband and a man was walking towards us. When he passed I asked my husband about him and he said, it was a dude walking. I told him that from my first glance I was looking at what was in his hands, his shoes, if he had a backpack, and I was watching his face. Guys just have very little idea of the extra worry women have out there. My husband is a fast trail runner and I have warned him about announcing himself loudly to women in advance. As an added precaution, I try to pay attention to local hunting seasons. Somewhat recently a man was shot while on the trail, and it's a little disconcerting to see a guy walking towards you with a rifle.
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