[pct-l] Hiking Alone

[Jim and/or Ginny Owen]

Joann -
After reading this whole thread I'm still sorta puzzled although I'm not 
exactly sure "why".  Something just doesn't fit.  So I'll throw this out and 
see where it goes.

My wife hiked the AT in 1988 - alone.  She started the AT again in 1992 - 
alone.  To my knowledge, she never had the kind (or at least the level) of 
concern that has been expressed here.  There were certainly other hikers who 
"were" more paranoid than she was.  Meaning - more concerned about personal 
safety.

For myself, as a male, I've never had any concern about "my" personal safety 
on any trail.  And if I were to be that concerned, I could certainly be 
termed "paranoid".  On the other hand - there are absolutely places that I 
either don't go at all - or don't go without taking precautions.  And in 
those cases, I am definitely "paranoid".

The meaning of the word is flexible and relative to the person and 
situation.  It is NOT limited to the dictionary definition quoted in this 
thread (mental illness).  That definition is much too narrow to be useful in 
any reasonable discussion.

I consider much of the concern about safety on the trail to be a mild form 
of paranoia.  And I do NOT consider it to be a bad thing.  Nor do I consider 
the use of the word to require apology in this situatiion.

BUT - there's another side to this - for those few who might have gotten 
this far ---

Long ago and far away, I spent considerable time talking to those whose 
paranoia about the trails exceeded mine.  I did NOT ignore their concerns - 
nor did I consider their paranoia to be unjustified - nor did I put them 
down for it.  What I did was to give them advice that was mostly just plain 
common sense security measures that everyone should take - whether male or 
female.  Some of it was the same kind of advice that Gail posted.  
Eventually the results of all those conversations came to roost on our 
website at:

http://spiriteaglehome.com/THP safety1.html

and

http://spiriteaglehome.com/THP safety2.html

Meags might do well to read those pages if she's still looking for 
information.  They were originally written for AT hikers, but they apply to 
all the long trails.

Finally - being paranoid does NOT mean that "they" aren't after you.  <G>

Walk softly,
Jim



http://www.spiriteaglehome.com/





>From: "JoAnn" <jomike at cot.net>
>To: <gailpl2003 at yahoo.com>
>CC: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: [pct-l] Hiking Alone
>Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2007 12:08:29 -0700
>
>How rude to call someone's attempt to help another fellow (female) hiker
>"paranoid".  And no, I don't allow you.......Nor do I feel the need to
>insult anyone else's advice to Meagan.  My comments resulted from 3 years 
>of
>in depth study and research and are the result of other women's suggestions
>which helped me when I had the same concerns as Meagan when I began my 
>hike.
>I fail to see anything "paranoid" about my comments.  They are simply based
>on common sense and sound precautions, if you'll allow me.........
>##############################################################
>
>My sincere apology. I meant nothing negative to or about you. I am sorry my 
>post angered you. It was not my intent.
>
>are we there yet


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