[pct-l] Why do you hike solo?

[msaenz at mve-architects.com (Mike Saenz)]

I've always wanted to try a weekend solo.
But I'm apprehensive about going out alone. It's been drilled into my head from when I was a kid that "...you never go out into the wilderness alone..." sort of like going hiking without a map, compass or water, that sort of thing.

I've day hiked alone many times. The solitude is great. I try to be as inconspicuous as I can while by myself. Not trying to make huge miles, but to take in what's around me. Even the wind seems different when I'm by myself.

Once, I did a quick 6 miles solo out from Willow Creek to Caramba while on an overnighter with friends. That was cool. Deep woods solo hiking. Very cool. It's amazing how much you experience when you're quiet in the woods. While munching lunch, I could hear another hiker crunching gravel from far off, way before he got close. I saw two deer, a buck at one point about 15 yards from me. On the way back I saw his doe bounding through the forest right in front of me. By the time I was nearing back to camp, twilight had fallen around me. It was a special time alone. I wouldn't have wanted to share those moments with anyone.

M i c h a e l   S a e n z
McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners, Inc.
A r c h i t e c t u r e    P l a n n i n g    I n t e r i o r s
w  w  w  .  m  v  e  -  a  r  c  h  i  t  e  c  t  s  .  c  o  m

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Steve Courtway [mailto:scourtway@bpa-arch.com] 
Sent:	Monday, February 09, 2004 3:36 PM
To:	pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject:	Re: [pct-l] Why do you hike solo?

I usually hike solo if I can't find anyone to go with, which is about 1/2
the time for me.  The biggest pros are not having to coordinate with anyone,
you're on your own schedule and can do whatever you want.  The downside is
there is no one there to share in your exhilaration when you're taking in a
view or making it to the top of the pass, and camp can be very boring
solo....For me it's a last resort, I'll go solo only when I can't find
anyone to go with.

Steve Courtway

----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Jeffers" <gottago@lindajeffers.com>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 2:45 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Why do you hike solo?


> What was your thinking behind deciding to hike solo?
>
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