View Full Version : Female Hiking Alone, no dog?
I often wonder about the safety of a woman hiking alone on the trail. I know someone who's taking her dog, but I'm not a dog person - so that's out for me. However, I might like to hike the AT at some point alone, no cat, no dog to accompany me. I have lots of fears around that.
Anybody have opinions of safety for females hiking alone?
hikergirl1120
04-09-2009, 13:37
I am a female and I hike alone for the most part. I am doing a SOBO thru this year solo too. I really believe that you have to just trust your gut.
I hike alone all the time.
I'm with hikergirl. You have to trust your gut.
The chances of anything happening are slim.
You're more likely to fall or something and that can happen to men or women.
be smart, if it doesn't feel right then keep on moving...
if you are thru-hiking, don't worry there are plenty of other hikers out there.... they will become like family, the chances of something bad happening to you are very very slim
It is surprising how the hikers look out for each other. You may never feel like someone is making sure you are ok, but, it happens. Case in point-my first AT adventure with my sister we walked into a shelter about 4 pm and two hikers there told us they were wondering (OK taking bets) when we would make it to the shelter.
No worries--once again, trust your gut.
Blissful
04-09-2009, 15:28
You can also makes friends here on WB and on the trail so you don't have to hike alone.
Pokey2006
04-09-2009, 16:16
Unfortunately, a dog won't necessarily keep you safe if you encounter a psycho on the trail, as we have sadly learned.
That said, you are also not necessarily in any danger, as a woman hiking alone. Like others said, your gut instinct is often your best defense.
There are steps you can take to boost your confidence about being in the woods on your own. You can take a self-defense class. I took a RAD (rape aggression defense) class several years ago, and it was amazing. Check with your local police department for suggestions -- they may even run their own RAD classes at little to no expense.
Or, trying hiking loosely with a partner, spending time on your own and meeting up on the trail every so often for safety. Eventually wean yourself away from the partner.
You can also carry something for protection, depending on how you feel and what you are comfortable with. Pepperspray, for instance. Not for everyone, but it does give some people peace of mind.
The more time you spend alone in the woods, the more comfortable you will become.
Dogs don't matter. Meredith Emerson had her dog with her and she still got murdered by a crazy person.
There's been less than 10 murders on the AT. Draw a 2000 mile line through anywhere in the U.S. and you'll hit way more than that in the last 80 years.
One thing to point out to worried family and friends, and to yourself when you get nervous, is that you're safer on the Trail than you are at home. Especially safer than when you're in your car, driving around at home.
Old Grouse
04-09-2009, 20:05
Male hikers also need to be sensitive to the fact that their presence can be a concern for some women, and need to respect that. The other day I noticed a woman with two dogs ahead of me on the trail. I caught up to them after about five minutes, we chatted a bit, and then she said, "Well...enjoy your hike." I knew that was my cue, so I took my leave and hiked on. She must have either stayed put a long time or turned back because I never saw her again. My point is, sometimes a man's your presence is either unwanted or a matter of concern, even after a minute, and you need to be aware of it and honor the other hiker's feelings.
Spirit Walker
04-10-2009, 00:08
I did two AT thruhikes as a single female. I was never afraid because I was alone. (Fear of falling was another matter.) I started hiking as a solo hiker, so I was used to it already before I started the AT. On both hikes I met many other hikers with whom I hiked for days or weeks at a time. It's amazing how quickly you become friends with the hikers around you.
Just Lisa
04-11-2009, 21:53
I plan on hiking alone (March 2010 NOBO hopeful)...I'm not too worried about it as I believe there will be plenty of people around at least till Virginia. Good luck!! We can do it!!!
I go out for long sections every summer and I hike alone for the most part. I should say, I start out alone, but always hook up with others on the trail. You don't have to worry about hiking alone, there will be plenty of others to hike with. And the guys really do look out for the women on the trail. Chivalry is alive and well on the trail. Thanks Guys!!!
BarFight
04-15-2009, 12:24
I thru-hiked alone with no dog and no cell phone. However, I had hiked and backpacked quite a bit before the trail and was comfortable dealing with the questions that came up. You simply need to think about what you'll do in such and such situation and how comfortable you are with things like hitchhiking and being the only women in a group.
berninbush
04-15-2009, 12:42
Take a cat.
Courtney
04-20-2009, 11:25
hey there...I am planning on hiking the AT in the near future and I have the same worry as you--a female hiking alone. I want to to do it by myself so badly but I still have the small fear in the back of my mind. I know there will probably be people along the way that I can hike sections with, but there's no guarantee.
If you decide to do it and would like to loosely hike with another female, let me know. We wouldn't have to stay together the whole time at all. Even if you wanted to just meet up at shelters. Just to know that someone is near you or is looking out for you is a relief.
I am hiking with my 13yo son , heading for springer may 28th 2009. We have hiked for wknds around sw florida but this will be a whole new game in the mountains. I'm wondering if we will see other sections hikers on the ga section of the trail in late may and early june or if we'll be mostly alone since majority of hikers start way earlier. I am most nervous ref bears.:eek:
Oma, you'll run into lots of people at that time, you will not be alone, there will be a lot of section hikers and still some late thru starters
I've hiked alone and without a dog or a cell phone on the AT, in the UK and the Netherlands. And I can honestly say that I've never once had a problem or felt afraid.
Before going on the AT I was worried about safety, and the advice I got on this site - trust your instincts and go with your gut feeling - was invaluable.
I found the AT to be a safe and enjoyable place for a woman on her own to do some hiking. And because I was out there in March there were loads of other people and I quickly discovered what a friendly bunch the over-whelming majority of AT hikers are. On day one I was alone by day three I felt that I was amongst friends.
Get out there and have a great hike :-)
Blissful
05-17-2009, 17:19
Yes there seems to be quite a bit of bear activity in GA this year, esp Blood Mtn northward. Play it safe with your food.
dani8855
05-19-2009, 14:56
I often wonder about the safety of a woman hiking alone on the trail. I know someone who's taking her dog, but I'm not a dog person - so that's out for me. However, I might like to hike the AT at some point alone, no cat, no dog to accompany me. I have lots of fears around that.
Anybody have opinions of safety for females hiking alone?
Bring mace, a knife, a cell-phone for sure. I am a female hiking alone at the moment. I feel relatively safe but I am 5'9 and kind of fiesty. Are you very young? I have seen others females hiking alone besides myself two years ago. Good luck!:)
Thanks lilred and blissful for your replys and encouragement. We're members of the Appalachian Trail Club Florida and tomorrow nite is our last meeting till fall. My son & I will have our pack shackdown at the meeting and then the countdown begins till Thurs the 28th :)
teasipper
05-24-2009, 16:56
I often wonder about the safety of a woman hiking alone on the trail. I know someone who's taking her dog, but I'm not a dog person - so that's out for me. However, I might like to hike the AT at some point alone, no cat, no dog to accompany me. I have lots of fears around that.
Anybody have opinions of safety for females hiking alone?
I can only say to cut your hair short like a guy's. I don't know for sure. I only hike in groups, but am wanting to the hike the AT, too, one day. I thought dogs weren't allowed on some parts of the trail anyway. Maybe you can find a guy to hike with?? Be safe!
Pokey2006
05-25-2009, 03:00
A woman shouldn't have to cut her hair short or find a guy to hike with in order to feel safe on the trail. Though, I would recommend cutting the hair short, not for safety, but just because it's easier to take care of on the trail.
Blissful
05-26-2009, 00:23
A woman shouldn't have to cut her hair short or find a guy to hike with in order to feel safe on the trail. Though, I would recommend cutting the hair short, not for safety, but just because it's easier to take care of on the trail.
Agreed.
Your instincts are some of your best safety measures.
Ladytrekker
06-13-2009, 14:45
I am ok until dark, then the sounds of the woods etc and I feel vulnerable when I am sleeping.
ShelterLeopard
06-13-2009, 17:54
I think that the best things to do are: a, know what to say when you feel uncomfortable (like if someone asks you if you're by yourself, say that you have two friends behind you, and you hike a couple minutes apart, but have meals and spend the night together. That way, the person you're talking to knows that someone may come up behind you any second and will notice if you are missing), and b, meet some other hiker you like and be hiker buddies- ie, don't hike together, but look out for each other.
It really isn't a big deal to be a solo female hiker. (No other hikers are a threat to you, and if you're out in thru hiker season, you can always wait for another hiker to come by, and ask to walk with them for a bit in any place you feel uncomfortable).
ShelterLeopard
06-13-2009, 17:56
A woman shouldn't have to cut her hair short or find a guy to hike with in order to feel safe on the trail. Though, I would recommend cutting the hair short, not for safety, but just because it's easier to take care of on the trail.
And amen to that- I cut off two feet, best idea I ever had. It is so much easier to have short hair on trail!
Pokey2006
06-14-2009, 03:11
I know it! I actually kept my hair fairly long on the AT. But hiking in the tropical heat in Nepal, I chopped it all off after just one day of hiking. I tend to keep it short all the time now.
Just one thought -- we really shouldn't have the attitude that all other hikers are benevolent, that "no other hikers are a threat." While generally true that fellow hikers tend to be more trustworthy than, say, locals, that's not always the case. Don't let your guard down just because someone appears to be a hiker. Continue to trust your instinct, whether you're dealing with a local, a crackpot or a fellow hiker.
ShelterLeopard
06-14-2009, 17:48
You're right about that- not absolutely every hiker is wonderful and benevolent, but I've had almost all good experiences.
Pennsylvania Rose
06-14-2009, 18:38
I've been hiking solo since I was 18. I also have spent years hiking with just me and my kids. In all that time I've only had one situation where I felt uncomfortable because of another hiker. I kept my distance and my hiking stick handy until the guys I knew were behind me caught up. It's always better to trust your instincts and not worry about overreacting. On a thru, especially at the beginning, there are lots of other hikers to either actually walk with, or at least know they're nearby if you're feeling weird around someone. You can always move on, or even backtrack to find other hikers. The one thing I would NOT recommend is hitchhiking alone. If it comforts you at all, know that I would not hesitate to let my 16 yo daughter thruhike.
The fear of bears and things that go bump in the night will lessen as you gain experience.
Unfortunately, the fear of falling is increasing the older I get. I just don't bounce back up the way I used to.