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.