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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Oct 26, 2016 - 05:02pm PT
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I am super aware that I am soloing when hikeing alone. When i was younger not so much. I do think I actually worry more when I am doing dangerous stuff with Isa. I worried a fair bit after I got sick on the Grand this summer and told her to keep going when I turned back.
She had her phone so I got a few texts and that either helped or hurt depending on the time frame...
The most dangerous thing I do is run a saw alone in the woods. I have an 80year old neighbor who does a lot of solo logging. he has no cell. I check in on him once a week or so but most of the time no one has any knowledge of where he is or what he is doing. Hunting is annother activity that gets my attention. I am scrambleing and peak bagging on oak leaves covered in fresh snow with a loaded gun. What could go wrong? then there is all the other fools out there loaded for bear itching to shoot something.....
It's a dangerous life but I would not want to be stuck watching TV and doing everything by the book.....
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WBraun
climber
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Oct 26, 2016 - 05:07pm PT
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Bottom line.
One should always try to protect themselves from injury and getting lost at all costs whether in groups or solo.
Always think ahead remain completely focused for potential dangers all while simultaneously enjoying oneself.
One should always do this where ever one is both at home and beyond ......
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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Oct 26, 2016 - 05:14pm PT
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HTFU.
My wife just left for a 5 day solo hike/camping in designated wilderness.
Just make sure someone knows your itinerary.
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Psilocyborg
climber
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Oct 26, 2016 - 05:35pm PT
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My decision making is much more fluid and confident when I'm alone. Its nice to go where I want, when I want, and how I want.
It is also nice to have zero social interactions for once. It really chews up a lot of your subconscious bandwith, just talking and carrying conversation.
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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Oct 26, 2016 - 05:59pm PT
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Brick = dick
Too bad you don't have a partner you can brag about. Too bad.
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Winemaker
Sport climber
Yakima, WA
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Oct 26, 2016 - 06:22pm PT
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When I'm by myself it's way easier to turn back because of thunderstorms, niggly things, and general survival. I find I don't push the limit and am aware that it's okay to say no. Good times. It's funny how that possible twisted ankle becomes more real and concentrates the brain a bit more.
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Paul S
Mountain climber
Portland, Or
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Oct 26, 2016 - 06:47pm PT
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Most of my best adventures have been hiking and climbing alone. Good decision making, responsibility for safety, pushing oneself, are part of the challenge. I've really learned to listen to that "voice" in my head.
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couchmaster
climber
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Oct 26, 2016 - 07:12pm PT
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I'm out off trail solo a lot. F*#k it, don't care. If I do bite it and have my family have to rally, good. They would be the beneficiaries of getting together and getting out. It would be nice to know someone cared, although of course I wouldn't be there.
Re: this quote: "If you punch "missing hiker" into google news you come up with a large compendium of incidents and if you really plow through them going back a year or two one thing that sticks out is that many are solo and in their mid-to-late 60s."
In fact I was going to go out in the woods hiking (if it keeps raining and no one can climb) this very weekend where I believe this little girl may be. They called the search off a bit ago, no reason not to poke around as I just like to get out and really need the exercise for my fat ass.
Not over 60 yet (photo below). It's enough to break yer heart thinking of her family. I've been on some of these rescues, it does ya good to look around and try, but it's better to find that you made a difference. Rare. So very very rare. Ask Werner about that part though. He's the man.
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Kalimon
Social climber
Ridgway, CO
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Oct 26, 2016 - 07:14pm PT
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NutAgain,
Solo hiking is surely far less dangerous than driving to the trailhead.
Don't let fear be the ultimate decision maker when you get out by yourself . . . the rewards far outweigh the risks.
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Stewart Johnson
Mountain climber
lake forest
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Oct 26, 2016 - 07:28pm PT
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Its about guiding yourself through your life outside, without mistakes.
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Edge
Trad climber
Betwixt and Between Nederland & Boulder, CO
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Oct 26, 2016 - 07:50pm PT
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When I was a senior in high school, I saved up for a pair of bargain bin ice boots and over boots from EMS, some SMC hinged crampons, a Chouinard alpine hammer, and eventually a used rental Forrest Lifetime axe. With no partner, I remember driving up to Mt Washington and hiking into the Harvard Cabin, spending the night, and then soloing Central Gully as my first ice and/or alpine experience. If I had told anyone that I knew where I was going and what I was doing they would have stopped me, so I didn't.
Through my college years I likely hiked into Huntington alone at least 30 times and climbed most everything there solo, including all 8 gullies in 6 hours when I was getting ready for Cham. It was not uncommon for my roommate to wake up at 2:30 am to find me packing for the 2 1/2 drive and 1 hour hike in so I could be at the base for sun-up.
I never once signed out in the AMC check in book at the bottom, the only exception being if I was climbing with someone.
If I'm alone, there's a reason for that, and I respectfully request that no one put themselves at risk to bring home a lifeless piece of matter. The part of me that counts will already be home, and the rest should remain to return to Mother.
If by chance my last breathe is someplace where rules and regulations mandate a removal (like, say, perched on an Eldo pit toilet), then by all means pick me up, bag me, and my wife will take it from there. On the other hand, if you have no idea where I am, and hoards of dogs and troops of scouts can never find me, well, that would be awesome.
Take every step deliberately, and you'll never lack for purpose.
I still go out solo hiking weekly, and solo overnights with some regularity. I'm most comfortable in my own company, and seek these times outside alone as necessary.
And those ghetto tools I mentioned in the first paragraph? I also used them to climb many NH classics like Repentance, the Black Dike, Dracula, Cilley-Barber, all with partners whose friendships live in memory.
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Risk
Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
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Oct 26, 2016 - 10:43pm PT
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I went solo in 1977 (guess where) and 1982 and then got "lost" and scared the first night out in 1982. From then on, it was the only way to go. Unencumbered wilderness. No flashlight, no gps, no nothing for more than a decade. Days and days seeing no one else at all is an amazing trip to find one's self and to see it on my terms and schedule. I had many a moment when I pushed it almost too far and really did do stupid things, but I made it. Risky? You bet. Maybe I'm called "risk" for a reason.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Oct 26, 2016 - 11:12pm PT
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Probably at least half of my mountain travels have been solo. Is it risky? I dunno. I just try not to get hurt...so far, it's worked out pretty well.
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Moof
Big Wall climber
Orygun
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Oct 26, 2016 - 11:19pm PT
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The more isolated the spot, the more I enjoyed the comfort of bringing an extra days worth of food. Generally you are pretty prepared to hunker down if you break something, or to go slow if you are just semi-broken. Bigger risk is to get lost on your couch and miss out on living.
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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Oct 27, 2016 - 12:04am PT
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^^^^YES^^^^
Nut-
Have you ever injured yourself severely when you were with a group?
Sh¡t can happen but you're probably good.
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Watermann2
Mountain climber
Saluzzo Italia
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Oct 27, 2016 - 01:36am PT
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Good morning Mr. Dingus (I apologize for the rough translation, but I hope to make myself understood) Then, in the first place I congratulate him for his writing (post) on which I fully agree with You, Your thinking agrees with mine, also do not I had never read a mind like Yours, then chapeau !!!
__
""""""""""""""""""""IF I GO MISSING ON A SOLO TRIP DO NOT COME LOOKING FOR ME.""""""""""""""""
"""""""""""""""I knew what I was in for. I do not want anyone risking life or spending time trying to correct my wrong. And for sure, do not send in the drones.""""""""""""""""
_
Only one thing I would say (of course it is my thought, it might be wrong, but not for me): If a man is married, father of a family with small children, and he LOVES his wife and her little children and they LOVE to him, then, I think a wonderful family is more important than all the mountains of the world, and then I would think much to stake my life, knowing that if I die, I would leave a wonderful single family, and love my children and my wife would miss much, as I would be failing them much (I hope making me understand, although I could not properly express my thoughts, because no exact translation.
Cordial and sincere greetings.
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Yury
Mountain climber
T.O.
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Oct 27, 2016 - 04:47am PT
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Two of my friends have died while climbing/mountaineering. One of them was solo.
None of my friends died while hiking or driving to a trailhead.
And what are your own personal stats?
Hiking/scrambling is not that dangerous.
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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Oct 27, 2016 - 08:14am PT
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Inquistr
Scott Falkner
August 2, 2015
Missing 411, a documentary based on the mysterious and tragic disappearances of over 1,400 children and adults in national parks in the United States, has surpassed its $100,000 Kickstarter goal and continues to collect funding.
Missing 411 — the documentary — is the brainchild of Ben Paulides. Ben’s father, David Paulides, is at the heart of the Missing 411 story. Several years ago, when David Paulides, a writer/investigator, was working on something completely different in a national park, a national park ranger approached Paulides with a strange story.
The park ranger told Paulides that in his 30 years of service within the National Park Service, he had been privy to many searches for numerous missing persons, and some aspects of each and every search had left him troubled.
What the park ranger said was subsequently investigated for over six years by Paulides and compiled into four different Missing 411 books.
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Reeotch
climber
4 Corners Area
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Oct 27, 2016 - 09:22am PT
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Anyone have a parent who adventured a lot? Do you wish they didn't?
Did it rob you of your relationship with them, or did it enrich your relationship - allow you to know them better?
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
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Oct 27, 2016 - 09:59am PT
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Rule #1 solo hiking: keep your eyes on the trail and your feet. If you want to look elsewhere, stop walking, then look.
Solo hiking has its risks. I combine solo hiking with solo mountaineering.
When I'm 5 day's hike from the nearest road, I worry a little bit about little things like spraining an ankle.
If you're not willing to assume the risks, then don't do it.
FYI
I am a solo hiker
Solo mountaineer
Free-solo rock-climber
Solo scuba diver
Solo whitewater kayaker
Solo technical caver
I have been soloing for almost 40 years, and I've only had a handful of near-death experiences while soloing.
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