HikeArizona.COM

Posted: **Jul 22 2006 4:23 pm**

I hiked to the summit of Superstition Mountain today by myself. I have never hiked alone before except for Camelback Mountain, which doesn't really count. I think that being alone added quite a bit to the experience, but it was also kind of scary. I never really felt that I was in danger, but it just felt strange out there without a partner to watch my back. What are all of your thoughts on the matter?

Posted: **Sep 29 2009 12:03 pm**

I love to hike alone as long as someone at home knows where I am.

Posted: **Sep 29 2009 12:12 pm**

Cabel, I agree. It's that easy.... let someone know where you are, when you expect to be back, and give them a call when you are out safely.

Posted: **Jan 17 2014 4:22 pm**

@cass1234
I do most of my hikes alone. I think being prepared is the most important thing. I always research my hikes before I go and bring what I think I will need. And I always leave a map of where I am going with my wife.
Hiking alone sometimes is more enjoyable because if I see something I want to check out I do. I do care extra portable batteries for my phone just in case.
Of all the places I have hike I always feel more at ease in the Superstitons. There is something about the Superstitions that I can't explain. When I hike there by myself I never feel like I really alone.

Posted: **Jan 17 2014 6:43 pm**

Hmmm... I don't know how many times I've managed to reach the interesting moment wherein my immediate thought is: "... I wonder if they'll ever find the body?" ...which is partially generated from my pattern of never telling anyone where I'll be. I now post most outings... but if I am solo it is easy to get distracted and end up 5-10 miles away from my posted intent.

After 45 years of hiking like this I find it is more a matter of preparedness of mind than being particularly prepared with planning. Then I again... I wouldn't mind if they didn't find the body.

Most folks should plan and prepare very carefully. Spot Device!!

Posted: **Jan 17 2014 7:15 pm**

imike wrote:Then I again... I wouldn't mind if they didn't find the body.

I don't know if, when my time comes, I still have the energy to do it, but I have it in mind to do a Davey Gowan myself ...

Posted: **Jan 17 2014 7:19 pm**

I have a spot and I'm not impressed with it

On a trip to havasupai it didn't send the "we're OK" message till we were hiking out two days late. It must have been the cliff walls at the campground that didn't let the signal out because it has worked out in the open.

I still carry it, more for the peace of mind it gives of my wife.

Being prepared for anything and telling someone where you're going and when you'll be back is what gives me peace of mind

I even leave my plans in the car at the trailhead.

Paranoid.?.?.... Maybe but I'm OK with that label ;)

Posted: **Jan 17 2014 9:29 pm**

Bradshaws wrote:I still carry it, more for the peace of mind it gives of my wife.

What?? How can it give her peace of mind if it can be two days late... wouldn't she be worrying when there wasn't an 'Ok' for a few days?

Like any other technological gadget, a SPOT can fail at the wrong time. Personally I've gotten along just fine without one and will continue to do so.

Posted: **Jan 17 2014 9:37 pm**

@CannondaleKid
I don't question "why" as long as she's happy and I'm hiking ;)

So.... Even when it's not working, it's doing its job

Posted: **Jan 17 2014 9:59 pm**

imike wrote: I don't know how many times I've managed to reach the interesting moment wherein my immediate thought is: "... I wonder if they'll ever find the body?" .

I've had that thought a few times, even after leaving a detailed itinerary. Ironically, the closest I ever came to really having to worry about finding the body, I wasn't hiking alone. (I was with MtnBart01, who didn't actually fall off a cliff after all.)

Posted: **Jan 17 2014 10:07 pm**

Bradshaws wrote:On a trip to havasupai it didn't send the "we're OK" message till we were hiking out two days late.

I think it might be unrealistic to expect a SPOT, GPS, or PLB to consistently work in the canyon. ;)

Posted: **Jan 18 2014 9:54 am**

I hike, backpack, kayak, camp solo most of the time. It's not that I'm anti-social...I'm just old and slow. I've tried hiking/kayaking with the local meetups but got tired of always being the last one in and having the leader hovering over me reminding me that I'm lagging behind. I'm a woman and have been doing this for the better part of 60 years. I always let someone know where I'm going and when I plan to return. I'm not afraid, but neither am I careless.

Posted: **Jan 18 2014 10:28 am**

@songdog
Where do you hike?

Posted: **Jan 18 2014 10:41 am**

@Widowmaker

Superstitions, Aravaipa, Reavis, Mogollon Rim, Grand Canyon. I am in the planning stages of doing some multi-day backpacks to Havasupai and Coyote Gulch in the Escalante, Utah.

Where do you hike?

Posted: **Jan 18 2014 11:18 am**

@big_load
I left you the spot and car keys with my pack.

Posted: **Jan 18 2014 11:48 am**

MtnBart01 wrote:@big_load
I left you the spot and car keys with my pack.

I'm glad I didn't have to use them. I want to get back to that neighborhood again this year in favorable weather. I hope you're healing well.

Posted: **Jan 19 2014 6:16 pm**

@songdog
Right now I mostly hike in the Superstitions.

Posted: **Jan 27 2014 5:24 am**

songdog wrote:I hike, backpack, kayak, camp solo most of the time. It's not that I'm anti-social...I'm just old and slow. I've tried hiking/kayaking with the local meetups but got tired of always being the last one in and having the leader hovering over me reminding me that I'm lagging behind. I'm a woman and have been doing this for the better part of 60 years. I always let someone know where I'm going and when I plan to return. I'm not afraid, but neither am I careless.

TY. I am an older woman too & would like to hike alone. I just feel I can spend my time living or being afraid of dying.

I do have a spouse who does not hike & worries. I will get the Spot Device for that reason, like Bradshaws said.

Posted: **Jan 27 2014 10:14 am**

@songdog

songdog wrote:I am in the planning stages of doing some multi-day backpacks to Coyote Gulch in the Escalante, Utah.

Solo, or with others? If the latter, please keep your HAZ peeps apprised of your plans.

Posted: **Jan 27 2014 12:20 pm**

SAMBA wrote:Solo, or with others? If the latter, please keep your HAZ peeps apprised of your plans.

I'm always up for company on my backpacking trips. I will definitely post something on the calendar when I get the planning finalized. Right now I'm in the process of redefining my backpacking gear. I've switched to a hammock instead of a tent and am going ultralite on everything. The older I get the less weight I want to carry.

Posted: **Jan 27 2014 4:42 pm**

Abe wrote:In the past I have hiked/backpacked alone for many years. Up until a year ago this July when I found an awesome partner willing to share the experience. Nevertheless, Cass, as joe pointed out you're one of the few, perhaps, really the many who share this experience. Really none like it in my opinion; you're on your own, basic backwoods skill inprove over time, and if your lucky, maybe a sixth sense.

But you really want to know the truth, by yourself or with a partner to cover your backside, mishaps/disasters can occur. It is how well you prep yourself with gear, your knowlege of the gear, knowlege of the outdoors, mental strength, physical shape, experiences.....ect.

Short story! Then I'll be gone. June 4th-9th my partner and I backpacked into the "Canyon". The focus was Clear Creek. Week in advance I talked to friend who hiked it, I got on line; reviewed the park site and HAZ, followed up by visiting the NOAA site for the weather. Hot! Well when it's all said and done, when the day comes and we discussed it after the park ranger told us the high out Phantom Ranch was a 109 degrees, my partner and I decided to hit the trail at three in the morning and put as many miles of trail under our boot treads. It paid off. I will say though toward the end of this portion of the hike we were exposed in the open to the sun, our breaks were dictated by what shade we found, but man, by the time we hit Clear Clear well before noon, we were still fresh and spent the rest of the day in heaven! Naturally, I had planned to spend the next day there as well, we were in no hurry to leave.

My point is prepping is important and when we hit Clear Creek Trail I thought it would be a bit harsh. It was a piece of cake.

Well, must go, don't mean to bore folks. Congrat's cass and remember, use your head and savvy.

>>>Great points.

I hike and backpack solo all the time. I would prefer a partner but haven't had someone in almost 10 years. And I have done 5-day Clear Creek trips solo twice. The second time it was 108 at Phantom the first three days (and almost as hot for the others). It was a very difficult hike in but I never felt that I was a danger to myself. Be prepared and leave a detailed itinerary with friends.

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