Not another person in sight! |
Contrary to generally accepted advice about always hitting
the trail accompanied by a partner or as part of a group, I almost always day hike
and backpack alone.
I often make last minute decisions about when and where to
hike based on my sometimes erratic work schedule and the weather. I find it
hard, weeks ahead of time, to commit to another person or group and join them
on the trail. I might decide the day before or even in the morning to hit the
trail for a six to eight mile day hike, and that does not give me a lot of time
to find a hiking partner or others to decide whether or not to join me. When I recently embarked on what ended up
being a four day and three night backpacking trip, I did not decide what day I
was going to begin my trip until the day before, and only then because I had to
reserve camp sites ahead of time.
Although I am not antisocial, I am an introvert, and I like my
quiet and alone time. I do not want to carry on a conversation with a hiking
partner or participate in a group discussion while on the trail. Hiking alone,
in silence, increases my chances of encountering and spotting wildlife. Only
when I suspect that bears might be in the area will I attach a bear bell to my
pack or a trekking pole, but even its little jingles are less bothersome and
intrusive than an ongoing conversation with someone several feet away from me.
When I hike alone, I can hike as fast or as slow as I like
and need. I do not worry about a straggler falling behind or slowing down the
leader, even if the straggler or leader is just one other person. Furthermore,
I can pack and prepare the food I want without taking another’s tastes or
dietary restrictions into account. At night, I can snore as loudly as I want
without disturbing others and without their snoring disturbing me.
Don’t get me wrong. I have indeed enjoyed hiking and
backpacking with others. I have enjoyed several backpacking trips with a hiking
partner and a few as part of a larger group, but in the past several years,
that seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Since I do often hike and
backpack alone, I always let someone know where I will be going, and when cell
phone service is present, I use Facebook to “check in” at the beginning and end
of my trek.
This post originally appeared on The Trek.
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