Nice thread that shows the value of this board.
mahjzha >>> "...There is always more to learn! I am really interested in doing more off-trail hiking, but feel uncomfortable doing it alone..."
David > I usually don't mind having others tag along independently on my trips especially if they are willing to hike slowly at my pace, take frequent breaks, and can make some intelligent conversation. Especially if that includes talking about natural things seen along trails and routes as my photographers eyes are forever surveying everything by habit and am a long time study of natural sciences. I prefer relaxed emotionally calm people and have a low threshold for the obnoxious.
AlmostThere >>> "...In any case, there are lots of groups out there that are women specific - just a google away."
David > Indeed would particularly recommend looking at the numbers of backpacking and hiking groups on
http://www.meetup.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I have been a member of numbers of those groups and participated in group hiking activities but not yet backpacking. Might try and get some others together for a short local trip into Coe State Park this spring because the mountain lions there make for creepy nights if solo.
Wandering Daisy >>> "...I have had a lot of women tell me that they day hike because they want to get clean and have that hot shower at the end of each day. I just have to convince them that they can still be clean if willing to jump in a cold lake at the end of the day... Sorry guys, bears are more scary.
David > Of course never going into cold mountain water is true for many men too so not a gender thing. Something I poke fun at on web boards whenever I get a chance. Once I've taught others on trips how to perform a fast 5 to 10 second dip in cold water almost none go back to reveling in lame statements like "...been out here 7 days now without a shower and don't mind being dirty, stinky, itchy, grubby."
Waking up in the middle of a dark forest on moonless nights hearing branches crackling while something is walking nearby is about the creepiest thing I can imagine that makes every ancient human spirit inside this mind of mine spooked.
Oleander >>> "...This summer, I met and got to know a woman who was hiking the length of the JMT by herself.One thing she did share, is that everybody thought she must be with a group...Maybe because I look a little older than her; and avoid the JMT Highway, where these sorts of questions and attitudes evidently pop up with some frequency."
David > Since the ratio of inexperienced hikers on thru trails is obviously higher than elsewhere in the backcountry, that is not surprising. Thus correlation more to do with level of experience than gender.
KathyW >>> "...I've never been bothered by anyone in the wilderness and I'm solo most of the time."
David > One August day years ago Kathy was moving down switchbacks solo below Bishop Pass while I was solo on my way up. A rockfall had just rumbled making a cloud of dust up in the Jigsaw talus. On greeting we recognized each other's board names then had a nice minute or so cordial conversation and were on our ways.
jenreyn >>> "...I honestly enjoy hiking with one other person when in country that is very remote as I feel safer in case of injury and I think having another perspective is good to have when problem solving terrain choice, etc. Above all, I enjoy sharing these experiences with someone else."
David > Quiet agree with that wisdom and I too though comfortable solo given a choice prefer others.