View Full Version : How safe??
Franabelle
08-22-2010, 02:22
Hi everyone...I am starting an AT hike in PA, headed south in a few weeks. I am doing this alone, and I would like any input on safety concerns for women alone on the trail. Will I see other hikers as I head south? I've read that most of the hikers start south... Should I try to find a hiking partner or is it safe to tackle alone? Any advice is much appreciated!! :confused:
scooterdogma
08-22-2010, 07:07
I have found the trail to be very safe and friendly. I have no qualms about tackling sections of it by myself. Some advice that helped me: Trust your gut, if someone seems squirrley to you, then walk away or camp somewhere else. Avoid camping at sites close to a road. For the first bit of your hike camp in or near shelters, helps you get to know fellow hikers. Be friendly on the trail, but don't mention you are hiking alone. Also don't tell where you are camping that night. As you get to know people, you will probably find someone that matches your hiking pace and style.
I'm a section hiker, my trips are usually 3 to 4 weeks at a time. I have only met one guy that my Squirrel ALERT went off on :eek:. Hooked up with some other hikers for a couple of days and got away from the guy. All the male and female hikers I met were very friendly. Everyone looks out for each other on the trail. Hope this was helpful, good luck with your hike.
Hi everyone...I am starting an AT hike in PA, headed south in a few weeks. I am doing this alone, and I would like any input on safety concerns for women alone on the trail. Will I see other hikers as I head south? I've read that most of the hikers start south... Should I try to find a hiking partner or is it safe to tackle alone? Any advice is much appreciated!! :confused:
Hmmmm, what were you reading? Most hikers start NOBO. Here's the statistics (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805579/k.DA92/2000Milers_Facts_and_Statistics.htm).
Have fun!
Country Roads
08-22-2010, 12:52
You will probably meet some SOBO thruhikers; they are all good.
I did All of Georgia and only met one guy that pretty ALL hikers men and women avoided, mostly we could not figure out why he was there, since he seemed so unhappy to be there.
I met a lot of nice folks; we shared shelters, cocoa and hot sauce.
I did meet a derelict at the Low Gap Shelter. He seemed decent, but if I had not had other hikers coming in behind me, I probably would have just kept hiking and found a place to camp.
Always, always listen to your "little voices". If the voices say keep moving, then keep moving even if you don't want to. Those little voices are ancient humans way of staying alive.
You will probably hook up with other hikers whose company you enjoy. That is what I did. I camped solo on 2 of the 1st 4 nights. I spent two nights with my new friends; and then spent my last night with some other folks I met.
I did not ever feel unsafe. Be aware of your surroundings when crossing roads, don't camp (alone) near roads or use shelters near roads. That can be difficult in PA and MD, but you will probably share shelters with Sobo's and other section hikers. Sept is a popular month for section hikes.
Enjoy yourself! I will be hiking NoBo through part of Shenandoah in less than a month, might just see you out there.
Franabelle
08-23-2010, 00:35
Spokes, I meant to say that most people start out in the south, not that they head south...bad wording on my part. Thanks for the stats!
Franabelle
08-23-2010, 00:37
And thank you to everyone who replied...I am taking everything into consideration. Thanks for the insight and advice! Sooooo appreciated!
speedbump
08-23-2010, 20:42
I am a section hiker. I have done some solo hiking. My confidence was up..... until I met a very strange SOBO section hiker. I RAN 14 miles that day to get some distance. He would not give name, and his story changed constantly at the shelter I first saw him at. First encounter of that kind in many years. Be careful, have a knife, and listen to your instinct. Stay safe.
rockerZ71
08-31-2010, 16:28
consider carrying a gun, just in case
consider carrying a gun, just in case
Bad advice. Your answer does nothing but perpetuate the paranoia and in most instances is illegal.
consider carrying a gun, just in case
Claymore mines work well too.
Seriously, I'm not anti-gun but please, please don't carry one if you haven't learned how to handle it.
johnnybgood
08-31-2010, 19:20
I'm with Spokes on this one . The best weapon on the trail is the one between your ears.
rockerZ71
09-01-2010, 09:00
Bad advice. Your answer does nothing but perpetuate the paranoia and in most instances is illegal.
Useless reply. Sounds like an emotional response to me, especially considering you decided to title your reply "Wrong!". How am I wrong? If she is concerned about human threats on the trail, a gun might be the perfect way to ease her mind. Who are you to make that choice for her? And my answer does not perpetuate paranoia, the existence of violent crime does. I am not familiar with the laws applying to all parts of the AT, but I know that in GA it is perfectly legal.
Claymore mines work well too.
Seriously, I'm not anti-gun but please, please don't carry one if you haven't learned how to handle it.
Are you assuming that because shes a female she hasn't, or wouldn't, take the time to learn how to use a gun properly? Seriously why would you assume that someone would carry without knowing what they are doing? I think that the type of person who puts in the effort to prepare for a solo hiking trip is not the type of person to do anything without proper preparation.
I'm with Spokes on this one . The best weapon on the trail is the one between your ears.
That's not going to help you with the wrong person around.
Sierra Echo
09-01-2010, 09:19
Just carry wasp spray. If someone tries to hurt you, spray them in the eyes. It won't water out of their eyes and I guarantee they are going to leave you alone after that.
Wasp spray? I have not seen it in anything but a large can, and sounds like something that could easily be used against you if you dropped it in an altercation, and would be difficult to hide or get to in an emergency....hmmmm. But that sounds like another thread to me..... :)
Franabelle....is this your first section hike?
one minor note - if hiking in the fall as it sound like is the plan - be aware of when the hunting seasons are for the area you are hiking in and for safety if the season is open wear some hi-viz blaze orange clothing / pack cover / hat
Hiking a long trail is safer than walking around in your home city. But you cannot convince people of this if they've never done it.
Seriously, rapists and murderers stay in cities, they do not hike. They don't ever go anywhere they can't take a car. Like 99% of all Americans. All you have to do is get where people can't walk more than 10 minutes from a car and you're already away from 99% of all people. Walk a mile from cars and you're only going to see hikers. Walk 5 miles and all you'll see are other backpackers. Walk 10 miles and you won't see anybody except other thru-hikers.
Franabelle
09-01-2010, 15:57
consider carrying a gun, just in case
This is not funny, nor is it a welcome response...My question regarded safety as a whole on the trail, not whether or not I should carry a gun. I opt to leave my gun at home, and I hope you do the same.
rockerZ71
09-01-2010, 16:00
This is not funny, nor is it a welcome response...My question regarded safety as a whole on the trail, not whether or not I should carry a gun. I opt to leave my gun at home, and I hope you do the same.
Wow, really? It was an honest suggestion, I'm sorry for (I guess) offending you. It is your choice, but I prefer to carry in the woods.
Sierra Echo
09-01-2010, 16:32
Wasp spray? I have not seen it in anything but a large can, and sounds like something that could easily be used against you if you dropped it in an altercation, and would be difficult to hide or get to in an emergency....hmmmm. But that sounds like another thread to me..... :)
Franabelle....is this your first section hike?
Actually I don't try to hide it. I keep it in one of the mesh side pockets on my pack. I can reach it quite quickly and I would never go hiking without it. It can shoot up to 25 ft.
.....concerned about human threats on the trail, a gun might be the perfect way to ease her mind. ..my answer does not perpetuate paranoia..., the existence of violent crime does. ...
par·a·noi·a
–noun
1.
Psychiatry . a mental disorder characterized by systematized delusions and the projection of personal conflicts, which are ascribed to the supposed hostility of others, sometimes progressing to disturbances of consciousness and aggressive acts believed to be performed in self-defense or as a mission.
2.
baseless or excessive suspicion of the motives of others.
Interesting.
IronGutsTommy
09-01-2010, 18:03
Guns scare people away definitely.. especially the friendly ones.
I leave mine at home.. A Coward dies a thousand deaths, a hero dies but once.