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At this point I am 100% guilty!!! I have nobody to hike with as of yet... Also, because of my schedule (unemployed) I am hiking during the daytime weekdays where it would be hard to find a partner anyway...

How many other people do this and what precautions do you take? ER: leaving a note or telling someone where you went and when you should be back, etc....

I break the rule all the time. I usually go over prepared in regards to the amount of water I carry.
I also always carry first aid, survivor gear, topo maps of the area with grids printed, compass and gps. I try to be cautious in what I do, although that doesn't always happen. Basically just try to use good common sense ( notice I said try) Yes, I always let someone know exactly where I plan on going. I always print out maps of my destination.

Hiking by ones self can be risky, but there are an awful lot of people on this site that do it, you most certainly are not alone.

I often hike alone but I let my wife know when she might expect me back. I allow extra time for the hike though so I won't worry her if I get distracted on the hike.

I like hiking in groups, sometimes large groups, a few members will tell you that. I like to hike alone too, it can be a relief to be out there alone. The trip determines what I carry. A few members may tell you I carry too much. If I'm out of town, two gallons water, light, food, extra clothing, poncho, first aid, etc. Enough to sustain me for an unexpected evening in the wild. In town, a little less.

Things I try to follow as rules for hiking alone -

Always tell at least two people where you are going and how to get there.
Take a map and compass, know how to use them.
If you plan a route, stick to it, others may have to look for you.
If you're really cautious, step onto a piece of foil with both boots and leave it in the car.

GTG

Todd, when I'm feeling cautious I leave my dentist's business card in the car.

never been alone, always gone with a friend

I did an overnight alone in the Mazatzals a couple years ago. Went up Rock Creek to Hopi Spring and then back around the south side of Mazatzal Peak. Don't think I care for it all that much. I hike alone in So. Mtn. Park, and have done a few others. Guess my preference is to go with a few others.

I hike the White Tanks alone most of the time; retired and hiking the west valley on weekdays; have done the same around Sedona; not too many others can make it. I carry my cell phone and normal stuff.....first aid kit, etc., but that's about it. Not too bright is it.

So far I have not participated in Hooli-bashing, but that open you just left out there is very tempting. Still I'll leave it for GTG and Olesma. Guess I should at least meet Hooli before I start in on him. As far as the subject, I go out alone often. Some times I leave a map, sometimes not. I tend to rely on myself to stay out of trouble or get myself out of it. And yes, GTG packs too much!

I like to hike alone, I never tell anyone where Im going, and I often go off trail - If something tragic should happen, I suppose the authorities will have to look for circling birds to find me..

Pretty bad huh?

We'll see you on the evening news

I hope its you and not your remains. Another aspect of this to consider is the people who will come looking for you.

mike t wrote:So far I have not participated in Hooli-bashing, but that open you just left out there is very tempting. Still I'll leave it for GTG and Olesma.

mike t, I gotta leave myself wide open for GTG and Olesma; they ain't bright enough :idea: to to spot anything subtle
Goes for the other mike, paintninaz and teva as well :GB:

Sredfield wrote: Another aspect of this to consider is the people who will come looking for you.

Most people I know in search and rescue love going out looking for people. Granted, we don't want anyone to get lost, but having a good excuse to leave work and hike all day is usually not a bad thing.

GTG wrote:If you're really cautious, step onto a piece of foil with both boots and leave it in the car.GTG

Although.......Hooli would probably think this was some sort of "Alabama floormat" and pay no attention at all!

I go it solo about 50% of the time.

On Sept, 11, 2001 Cody Ludin gave a presentation about preparing yourself for the outdoors...he had great suggestions...sounds like a lot of us are leaving ourselves open to trouble...

Always, Always, Always tell someone where you are headed. "Sedona" isn't enough. I look at it this way, if I'm scrambling and take a fall and can't evac myself, I want potential rescuers to know where to find me. Backpacker Magazine has recently had articles about people getting into trouble in the wilderness...if they'd used common sense, like keeping to the planned hike, they'd have been much better off..

I have an "itinerary" I leave with someone if I go solo, and infact leave it with others when Pat and I go together...it indicates the specific area/wilderness and the land manager (blm, nf, np) and their contact #..lists the phone number for the area sheriff's office...nearest town...vehicle I'm taking, license plate #, what I'm wearing, who I'm with, etc...there's some pretty detailed stuff...I created it after hearing Cody speak, and it's a little piece of mind for me...

Up until recently, I hiked alone 100% of the time. I always make sure I have plenty of water, map, first aid, etc. I'm certainly a little more cautious when I go solo as far as going off trail and getting into potentially sticky situations, and if I'm going somewhere more challenging or remote, I make sure to leave my plans with someone. I've gained alot of confidence from hiking alone over the years - I've gotten lost and found myself again, and I've gotten injured and still made it back - and it feels good to know you can handle these things when they come up.

I hike alone 99% of the time. Part of the reason I hike is to get away from it all, which includes not having to deal with people. It makes planning hikes easier, as all you really have to do is throw some food together, put you pack in the truck, and go. Spur-of-the-moment trips become an option when you hike alone. It also means you determine your destinations and pace, which is part of the fun. You are also much more likely to see wildlife when you hike alone.

I've got nothing against hiking with people, I just don't do it very often. I prefer the solitude.

There have only been a couple people I've hiked with that made the hike more fun than doing it alone. I usually hike faster/longer/more challenging than people I know. I also enjoy the solitude. I once went west from Hermits Rest along the river in the Grand Canyon for a few days. I didn't see anyone for 4 days. I did some side canyon exploring and started thinking about what would happen if I feel and couldn't make it out. Most of the time I actually feel safer since I only have to worry about myself.

My opinion, the main argument against hiking solo is getting injured. Slipping off a rock and breaking your leg while hiking with a friend means they are going to have to help you get out, or go get help. If you are hiking alone and this happens, you will lay there injured until the call to the sheriff is made by your friend expecting you to come home. You will then lie there at least another 2 hours before anyone even starts looking for you. Maybe 5, 10 hours after you fell a search team finds you.
This assumes that you left a return time and location with someone, they made the call, and you stuck to your plans and went where you said you were going.

That being said, I've hiked alone in the past but probably wouldn't do it today (high use trails excluded). As long as you are comfortable with the risk, go nuts.

Lizard wrote: Spur-of-the-moment trips become an option when you hike alone. It also means you determine your destinations and pace, which is part of the fun. I prefer the solitude.

Same here, I always take my girlfriend when I'm in town but quite a few of my adventures spring from overnight stays while out on a mapping mission. My daypack is always with me in the airplane and after a lunch I throw it on and head off in an interesting direction and hope I make it back before dark. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I like to hike hard and fast but I also like to stop and take in what's out there. I go at my own pace. My girlfriend is the perfect hiking mate so she goes if I'm not out of town but other than her I really prefer no distractions and chatter.

I guess it's a personal preference. Some people can't stand to be alone and some revel in it.