[pct-l] Why Hike Alone

[Lars at standardarmament.com (Lars Nilsson)]

Years ago, before marriage and family, I backpacked solo fairly often.
I just went on another this past weekend after over 15 years.  I day
hike solo all the time.  Day hikes and overnight or multi-night trips
are completely different animals.  On a day hike you know you'll be back
in the arms of loved ones even if it late at night.  You hike your own
hike, but you know its not for long.  Backpacking solo as a married
father of three, son, and brother, is completely different from those
trips of years ago.  Maybe it's just that I am different.  When I was
single, I felt I just belonged to myself.  I went when I wanted and had
no set route.  Now I see I belong to others as well.  I owe it to my
daughter to make every effort to hike down the aisle with her on her
wedding day; trek endless loops together with my wife as we await the
births of our grandchildren; and plod with heavy heart to the cemetery
with my siblings when our widowed mother embarks on her last journey.
"No man is an island..."  But neither are we chained to others by these
obligations.  When I planned this past weekend, I laid out my route,
planned the alternate routes, and printed up two copies - one for me and
one for my wife.  I assured her that should I fail to appear at the
appointed time I would be found on the route I had chosen, under no
circumstances would I leave it.  I got the thrill of hiking about 10
miles in the prints made my a mountain lion earlier in the day.  I saw
the tracks of the huge buck the lion was hunting.  I was awakened by the
roar of African lions in Soledad Canyon (Shambala Preserve, with about
60 lions) and the replying chorus of coyotes.  I was able to thrill at
looking into canyons I had never seen before.  I got to enjoy all the
serendipitous moments that can only happen on the trail.  Yet I was also
aware that those at home were concerned, especially following ten recent
deaths in the local mountains and the cyclist killed by the cougar.
Those I love, who had no inclination or time to join me, knew I was
somewhere along a 40+ mile path of my choosing.  This middle-aged solo
hiker still hears the call of the wild, but is also drawn by hearth and
family.
 

Sincerely,

Lars Nilsson