[pct-l] Carrying weapons

[Jen]

I was amazed at how many people assumed that I would carry a weapon...I don't think that would have ever occurred to me to do so.  Usually that came immediately after "you're going to hike ALONE???" In a shocked voice.  
I hiked four sections of trail last summer as a solo female, and for much of it didn't even have a pocketknife (gave mine away right before boarding a plane in Palm Springs-sometimes wished I had it later, but not for self defense!)

I never felt vulnerable on the trail.
I did feel vulnerable at the transit center in downtown Bakersfield waiting for the bus to get back to Tehachapi.  I saw my one and only bear on that trip the next day, but the city still seemed more dangerous to me. :)

Tumbleweed

On Nov 4, 2011, at 8:27 PM, Kellie Morrill <kelliemorrill at yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi all,
 
I'm a single female hiking the PCT in 2012 and have had a few folks recommend I carry a weapon (mainly, a gun). I'm opposed to this, but want to get the opinion of other hikers.
 
Would you or do you carry a weapon? 
 
Other single women hikers, what do you carry if you carry anything?
 
Happy hiking!
_________