[pct-l] Solo female hiking advice

[Sarah Spergel]

Hi Erin,
I'm a young woman with some solo trek experiences. In general, I have found
that people are wonderful and maybe even more helpful because I am
traveling alone. I think the same safety advice as with all hikers
applies--ex: don't camp near roads, trust your gut, tell skeevy people
asking questions that you have a friend coming up behind you. A hiker by
the name of Happy Jo once suggested that while hitching, I tell potential
drivers that I have a male friend coming too and watching for the driver's
reaction. I never tried this--not sure how I'd backtrack :) On the CDT
outside Butte, I met a woman who was a retired military officer and did a
lot of trail maintenance. She suggested that I bring bear spray, "not for
the bears but for the men!" Again, never tried this. I tend to grip my tiny
pocket knife when nervous, for comfort more than anything  else. Knowing
basic self-defense might help you sleep better at night. For me, the first
few nights were unnerving and now I find that I sleep better while alone. I
imagine there'll be enough hikers in Oregon in mid-July that you could find
others to camp and hitch with if you wanted too. Let me know if you have
other questions!
Best,
Hatchet

On Thu, May 5, 2016 at 12:00 PM, <pct-l-request at backcountry.net> wrote:

>
> Message: 19
> Date: Wed, 4 May 2016 17:44:00 +0000
> From: Erin Wetherbee <ewetherbee at ivey.com>
> To: "Pct-L at backcountry.net" <Pct-L at backcountry.net>
> Subject: [pct-l] Solo female hiking advice...
> Message-ID:
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>
> Hello -
>
> I'm planning a solo trek across the Oregon PCT this summer mid-July. I'm a
> young female and I'm a little concerned about how I'll do a night.
>
> Do any females with solo trip experience have any advice for me? Or any
> advice on what kind of protection to bring? This will be my first solo
> backpacking trek :)
>
> Thanks! Erin
>
>