Women's Solo Journeys - Books, Blogs, Trailjournals, Web sites, etc.

[singing wind]

This is for every woman who has told me she wished she could go solo...

And for every time I've ever been asked,

"Are you hiking alone?" or "Aren't you afraid?"

Researching and reading solo women's journeys has unearthed an incredible wealth of stories and "adventure genealogy" with written accounts available from the 18th century till now. Heaps of inspiration and insight.

Thanks in advance for checking this out. And please feel free to add to the list! Enjoy.

Books:
Mouchard, Christel. (2007).
Women Travelers: A Century of Trailblazing Adventures 1850–1950. Paris, France: Flammarion.

Rodgers, Susan Fox, editor. (2005).
Solo: Her Own Adventure. Emeryville, CA: Seal Press.

Savage, Roz. (2009).
Rowing the Atlantic: Lessons Learned on the Open Ocean. New York: Simon and Schuster.

Richards, Emma. (2004).
Around Alone. London: Macmillan.

Anderson, Lorraine, editor. (1991).
Sisters of the Earth: Women’s Prose and Poetry About Nature.

Capp, Fiona. (2003).
That Oceanic Feeling. Crows Nest NSW Australia: Allen & Unwin.

Trailjournals:
Certain - AT
Cloudspotter - PCT
Diane Soini - PCT
Dimples - AT
Jan Liteshoe - AT
Persistent - AT
Red Dane - AT
Sarbar - PCT
Splash - PCT
Why Not - PCT

With heaps of gratitude...for all the wonderful stories shared,

singing wind

[pixie91075]

Just want to pass along my thanks for posting... although I don't think a solo hike is for me, I have been curious about it, and was thinking of asking for some additional information...

[Tangent2]

WOW!! Aren't you clever? I never have thought to extend my research any further then the newest hiking books. I'm looking forward to reading some of these journals before I leave friday.Thanks for sharing a great idea.

[bfayer]

I'm not a woman, but what about Becoming Odyssa by Jennifer Pharr Davis?

[violalizzard]

Wow, I am definitely going to be checking some of those out! I can also agree that Jan Liteshoe's trailjournal is great.

[singing wind]

Thanks for your comments! I've hiked solo nearly all my life and it's been great to learn about other women doing the same throughout history. We're in good company... How wonderful!

Have a great day.

[HeatherDarnell]

Polar Dream by Helen Thayer. My son's 3rd grade class read the book of her planned solo trek to the magnetic north pose, then we all got to hear her come teach them about journaling their own adventures. She's amazing! Oh, she was like 50 when she went! http://www.helenthayer.com/

[Odd Man Out]

I enjoyed reading "There Are Mountains to Climb" by Jean Deeds, about her AT hike.

[JenHikes]

Thanks so much for this list! I'm going to be thru-hiking next year alone while my husband stays home. I've been getting all the same questions

[kribit]

Great list! Thanks especially for the trail journal list; I didn't know where to start there, but wanted to find solo female hikers. I also enjoyed Becoming Odyssa, and have just ordered The Barefoot Sisters Southbound.

[Ringleader]

Though my film is not about hiking solo, it does follow the journey of two women and a man hiking the AT together in 2010. The film is not yet ready for purchase, but the trailer, blog, and other info is available at: http://www.beautybeneaththedirt.com/. Enjoy!

[Spokes]

Journey of two women and a man.......... gotta love that.

Anxiously awaiting release.

[corialice81]

don't forget Red Hat:http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=10280, Loon: http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=7612, Wags: http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=7553, Gangsta: http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=8499, and On the Loose: http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=8609.

Plenty of women out there doing it solo! (the secret...you're never really alone in the woods on the AT...too crowded)

[Cookerhiker]

Check out the book described in this thread. My signature line provides a link to the website.