[pct-l] Wannabe Solo Female Hikers

[Kathi]

I see a lot of messages from mostly female hikers wanting to have a 
partner for the PCT because they are concerned about hiking alone. I WAS 
one of those. For a long time now I have been trying to get the guts to 
go on a trip by myself. I knew this was something I had to get past 
before I could tackle a thru hike. I thought I would share my experience 
in case it might help another person who has the same thoughts about 
solo-"scary"-hiking that I had.

After the Kick Off I had decided I would set out from Warner Springs on 
a couple day trek to see what it was like. When I was getting ready to 
go I did a lot of "oh, I can't go because of this reason or that reason" 
trying to justify not going. I was totally prepared for whatever the 
trail or weather had to bring so I had no excuses and I finally got the 
guts up to set foot to dirt.

I thought to myself that if I was too freaked out or bored by being 
alone I could always make this a day hike and turn around. At first I 
kinda jumped at every lizard that rustled in a bush and every bird that 
flew out of a tree. Then I noticed I wasn't jumping but looking to see 
where they went. About one mile into the trail I thought "no problem... 
solo backpacking is great... I can keep going". I felt totally safe and 
natural by myself. I didn't feel alone and I wasn't nervous that 
something was going to happen. It surprised me how quickly that peace of 
mind came and how totally part of the natural world I was. It was an 
absolutely awesome experience!

I got to my stop for the night and was surprised by some trail magic by 
Squatch, Jester and Diamondhead. They had all kinds of food and drink to 
offer. The site was pretty close to a public road which made me nervous 
but the trail angels assured me that it would be safe so I set up my 
tent after they left and decided to stay. That was a little boring for a 
while because I had hit my destination so early in the day and there was 
no one to talk to and I didn't have anything to do since I was fed well 
by the trail angels. During a normal trip though I would have journaling 
to do and dinner to make etc., so I don't think that will be a problem. 
Plus normally I would have decided to go further but since I had told my 
folks back home that I wouldn't go past that point I didn't want to 
change up my plans.

Night came and I always thought that I would be freaked out by hearing 
animals at night and worried about that. I had the opposite reaction to 
what I expected of myself. I heard some coyotes and was hoping they 
would come closer to my camp instead of moving further away. Totally 
surprised me! I wanted to hear the animals and see them. It was a 
wonderful experience.

The entire trip was so wonderful that I am more excited than ever... and 
I was pretty excited before... to thru-hike the PCT. I have nothing 
holding me back now... no excuses!!! I hope this might help others who 
have the same worries about going solo.

... and another thru hiker is born. :)
Kathi