Hiking solo....or not?

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markskor
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Re: Hiking solo....or not?

Post by markskor »

Having backpacked solo some, here and there Sierra…Had many a backcountry encounter with other solo artists, usually miles in too…Like it!
Agreed sometimes, when passing, especially when you both have the "steam up", just a smile and a respectful nod suffices. “How much farther to…How’s the trail?” – That sort of exchange, but usually there is plenty of time to stop/ visit a spell with everybody.

Maybe naïve or lucky, but never had any problem reading anyone in the backcountry, especially miles back. More than one day in, you can generally tell in just a few seconds who wants to chat and who wants solitude…OK with both.

Met a few great friends back there, often altering trips after just a few moments of powwow; the end result, more often than not, fond memories of great fishing lakes, shared fatties, epic tales, and fishing lies swapped.

Whether "hooking" up for a few days, (not uncommon among solo wilderness fishermen) - or just that 10 minute conversation trail-side – or camping at some trout lake shared – can’t say I ever stumbled into a bad psycho situation I couldn't easily extract myself from.

The trick is always being 100% self-contained and flexible. Whenever people/situations start to get hinky, simply pack up and walk away – lots of places to go. In the instance as described above, would probably have popped off trail a spell, taken a break, and let him disappear… (Maybe would have heard their story first and then decided.)
giantbrookie wrote: I myself prefer to backpack with someone rather than backpack solo, although I have backpacked solo in the distant past... and enjoyed it.


An acquired taste, perhaps borne out of necessity these days, but recently prefer solo hiking best. Hiking solo relishes the silence, alas a condition palpably absent when hiking among others. Even when accompanied by good trail companions, hike at my own solitary pace…Always nice though, to fish with someone who knows enough to appreciate the quiet.
Mountainman who swims with trout
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Re: Hiking solo....or not?

Post by bheiser1 »

Hmmm, that thing about "being joined" seems almost a little creepy. The term 'stalker' comes to mind.

I've noticed a distinct difference in how people interact with others, depending on the type of trail. On most trails I find other people stick to the "friendly greeting" approach, occasionally exchanging a few more words, or making some kind of comment. But on a recent trip in the Kearsarge Pass -> Forester Pass area, involving about 8 miles of the JMT, it was very different. In that short distance I felt like I had joined a clan ... leapfrogging the same people over and over on the trail ... and they were all very friendly beyond "greetings" ... asking about my destination, my origin, etc, etc. And then, on my return trip (heading back towards Kearsarge), the southbounders consistently engaged me in conversation to inquire about "the pass" (Forester). Nearly everyone I passed (and there were lots) asked about the pass, places to camp before the pass, distances, etc, etc, etc. Definitely very different than on "regular" trails.

It actually did seem very busy. But as someone else said, it's the JMT ... and for me it was worth it to be able to experience that place. And it was fun interacting with the thru-hikers (it actually sparked an interest in doing the trail some day myself ... oh no, not another one! :). But as others have described, "going for days without seeing anyone" is a very different experience ... I believe giving one a much better opportunity to "connect" with their natural surroundings and really experience "wilderness". Even though that area I hiked thru had amazing scenery, and technically was "wilderness", it didn't feel like it with so many people around.
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Re: Hiking solo....or not?

Post by SSSdave »

Not at all a simple issue to discuss and here I'll just make a few points.

As some have said, IT DEPENDS...

Situations on the trail are not that much different than entering conversations with strangers in urban settings Like with those one may be waiting in some line with for whatever reason like at a bank or supermarket check-out, a person in the next seat on a bar stool, the person next to you on an airline flight or bus, a guy fishing on the shore you are passing by or vice versa. A long long list of situations with a broad list of types and behaviors of participants. Even in urban settings, there are simply some personalities who do not really enjoy talking even to their friends. Ever sit next to someone like that at a social function and try to engage them in conversation? After a couple of simple openings one ought sense the situation and just move on. Additionally on remote trails one ought understand a reason many solo hikers seek out such remote places is to flow along without interactions with other people. So people coming across others ought be aware of that and respect such.

It is part of a person's social nature to be able to assess what is appropriate in every situation. As we mature, most of us get better at it while others never do. For a person that has developed a strong wise social intelligence that can pay enormous benefits in work and social environments. Some people are very timid, reserved, and or shy. Or someone may be in a temporary bad mood for whatever reason and only want to be left to stew alone. Heck maybe you just ran into them after they had taken a nap for a couple hours and are still groggy. Others may be annoying, obnoxious, rude, and aggressive. Like the person in your story, some may be oblivious to the perceptions of other parties. Some talkative people are both great talkers and great listeners while others dominate talking usually rambling on about their own experience without seeming to care that the other party might have something to say and when they do are quick to interrupt. Often those overly talkative tend to not be aware of usual non-verbal signals from other parties to back off. And just because one party pleasantly enjoins one in an initial conversation doesn't necessarily mean they are going to want to continue to do so beyond a brief interchange.

Personally I tend to be reserved around strangers feeling uncomfortable engaging others in conversation without reason unless it is normal to do so in a situation. However I do enjoy conversation and when I meet an intelligent stranger that seems to share that gift, may readily engage them in a lively discussion. And how long that lasts depends...

David
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bikebones
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Re: Hiking solo....or not?

Post by bikebones »

I think this often comes down to E.I. ; Emotional Intelligence. I enjoy both hiking solo and with partners. When hiking solo, I like to interact with hikers I come across, but I try to be very cognizant of facial, body, and verbal language to determine just how much the hiker wants to engage or conversely, NOT engage in conversation and shooting the breeze. Usually you can tell within a few sentences, and then act accordingly by moving on quickly if it's apparent the other hiker(s) don't particularly want more interaction.

It's funny to read about the "stalker groups" some have documented here. Heck, it's NOT hard to lose people out there! Just step off the trail a few and let them go by if you can't outrun them. Yes, you'll lose some time and have to alter your plans a bit, but it's your choice. =]

Great topic!

Jim
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JBenz
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Re: Hiking solo....or not?

Post by JBenz »

Interesting that you use 'we'. Are you solo or hiking with someone else?

I am seeking a partner because I don't consider hiking heavily used trails as solo. Solo to me means not seeing anybody for several days.
I also hiking with groups but groups don't go off trail. Off trail is a different experience. It is the puzzle, the pristine, the fishing, the necessary skills. It is exploring. My wife, my hiking partner all these years, can no longer do the rough terrain and I am reaching an age where 4 nights by myself in the wilderness is truly max. If you are interested seeing new territory in 2011 contact me by PM.
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Last edited by JBenz on Sun Nov 17, 2019 9:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Hiking solo....or not?

Post by Wandering Daisy »

Wow! This post is an old one that got bumped up.

I think in the original post, "solo" referred to the solo fellow who met the HST couple ("we"). In most of the subsequence posts, HST members were the ones who were "solo" and groups they met wanted to talk too much or actually join them.

The point is, are you really "solo" if you repeatedly try to join up with others on the trail. An interesting example are PCT hikers. Most go "solo" but form fluid groups (their "trail family") as they travel along. They kind of want their cake and eat it too; companionship with no commitment. Lean on others when needed, then scoot off ahead if they feel the group is slowing them down. They are solo in the sense that they do not share equipment and are self-sufficient. But they are not solo because they lean on others when needed and PCT hikers are VERY social people!

So I have an added question to this post. What was the longest stretch of true solo days have you had- NEVER even seeing another person, let alone talking to them?

My longest was 7 days. On another trip, my only encounter was a couple on day 7 of a 14 day trip. We chatted for about 5 minutes. I very often go 3-4 days without seeing anyone. All of these trips had long stretches of off-trail travel.
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Re: Hiking solo....or not?

Post by JBenz »

I am seeking a partner because I don't consider hiking heavily used trails as solo. Solo to me means not seeing anybody for several days. My maximum is 7 days back pack solo = max food. Well 10 days when I was young and had access to intermittent car resupply. Neither were good psychology. Now I'm older. I'm looking for a hiking partner that can do the rough terrain and put up with and old fart. Point of all this is I am done doing solo in the wilderness past 4 nights. My wife can no longer join me. I am looking for a partner in 2020 to do up to 8 days 6 night in a wilderness. Willing to think about out of state. I am 70 years old and still pushing hard. 2019 hikes took 18 high school students on their first 2 day back pack, my grandson on his first 3 day pack pack with a climb up Mt. Eddy, two over-nighters with my wife in the Marbles and Trinities., a 15 day group trip in Sequoia, and a 6 day 4 night solo in the Moke.
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Re: Hiking solo....or not?

Post by rightstar76 »

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Last edited by rightstar76 on Sat Nov 30, 2019 3:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
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thegib
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Re: Hiking solo....or not?

Post by thegib »

I do a lot of solo hiking. I'm after solitude and the sublime - the fewer the traces of humanity the better. When I do run into someone I'm surprised, and I assume that they're part of my 'clan'. So I'm curious what route they're undertaking, and the conditions they found, but also I assume they value their privacy as much as I do. So I give 'em a wide berth.
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Re: Hiking solo....or not?

Post by sekihiker »

markskor wrote: Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:09 pm Maybe naïve or lucky, but never had any problem reading anyone in the backcountry, especially miles back. More than one day in, you can generally tell in just a few seconds who wants to chat and who wants solitude…OK with both.
I couldn't have said it better. Even from a distance, I try to sense whether someone else would welcome contact just by looking at body language. Often the body language indicates no, so I try to stay out of view.
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