Hiking alone as a woman

[HeidiHiker]

I'm hiking more than 15 years, both alone, with friends, with Ramblers club. I enjoy all equally. I've done a few navigation courses, can use a map and compass.

There's a couple of routes I like to do alone, approx a four-hour hike - sometimes I meet others and sometimes not. I would only ever do solo hikes in good weather and I know these routes so well at this stage, I've never needed to use my map and compass.

However, a few people have expressed to me how dangerous this is. I do my solo hikes on trails/ tracks and do the more difficult ones when I'm with others. I enjoy these, the peace and quiet.

My question is:
AIBU - stop hiking alone
AINBU - continue these hikes I'm familiar with, alone, continue doing more remote ones with others

In principle nothing wrong with what you do. In reality it's not safe because *some men are dangerous

Go for it! I go for absolutely miles alone. I've never had a problem, I don't think that lone predatory men wait for hours on windy hillsides for a tough looking hiking bird to appear 😁
Obviously you will be carrying full kit, phone, back up battery, map, compass etc.
You will meet like minded others and keep fit in mind and body.

The danger of hiking alone - for anyone - is not being prepared for the elements.
If you’re in an area where the weather can change, be prepared.
Wear the proper clothing and shoes.
Alert someone to your destination and to your estimated time home.
I’m in California and I remember the tragedy of Julian Sands.
For being as experienced as Julian was, he was terribly unprepared: wrong clothes, wrong shoes and all alone on a mountain where the weather turns in an instant.
His remains were found by accident by other hikers several months later after searches were hindered by the changing and dangerous conditions on Mt. Baldy.

In my experience, the people who tell me I'd be unsafe hiking (and camping) alone are often the same people who tell me I'm being silly or putting myself at risk for going to the cinema alone or driving long distances alone, going on holiday alone etc. And in most cases, they are people who don't ever do it themselves.

Couldn't agree more.@NotMeNoNo . A friend was horrified that my 15 yr old took a flight recently alone to visit a family member, and I know has judged me for going on day trips alone (I'm married). I sometimes question myself but then I remember the same woman thinks our local city is 'too dangerous' for everyone day or night and will not ever take a cab alone. She even phoned her DH in a restaurant once to say she was outside because she didn't want to walk in alone. This is not the kind of person I should take advice from!

Continue doing what you enjoy OP

Oops tagged wrong poster, I meant @JustMeHello

This is exactly what I do... I'd never venture out in bad weather and the trails I dio, I've been doing for 15 years, both alone and with others.

Why don't you share some and we can talk about it.

I walk my dog for miles on my own, daylight and dark, across fields, bridlepaths and through built up areas. I always feel more 'at risk' in the built up areas than anywhere else. Had a lovely 19km walk around Buxton last autumn (was supposed to be 13km but got myself lost even whilst using the AllTrails app!) and several 3-4 hours ones around Cornwall whilst on holiday last summer. If I wasn't such a lazy so and so I'd be doing long walks much more often.

I hike alone, extremely regularly. On multi day treks, in very remote places, in this country and abroad, sometimes wild camping alone, sometimes sharing remote hostels or bothys with whoever turns up. I have encountered dubious men, and am very aware of my own personal safety. I have encountered them in cities and suburbs way more often than in rural locations.

I have been flashed at - repeatedly - once on a bus, once on my way to the supermarket in the middle of the day and once on a night out in town with a group. I’m not going to suggest women don’t get buses, go to the supermarket or go out in a group. I’ve had a stalker, who followed me, watched my house, knew where I lived and did all kinds of crazy stuff - Im not sure how I could have avoided being in my house. I’ve been sexually assaulted by a stranger in a public street on a sunny morning on my way to work. I’m not going to suggest that women don’t walk to work. I regularly get stupid sexist shit shouted at me in the street, or teenage boys trying to intimidate me, when I go running, this happens a LOT, I’m not going to suggest that women don’t go running.

On balance of all the places I’ve ever been, reckon I’m safest up a mountain, it’s a long hike to find me up there. And it makes me strong, so that can’t be a bad thing.

services.thebmc.co.uk/how-dangerous-are-climbing-and-hill-walking#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Royal%20Society,and%204%2C000%20for%20rock%20climbing.

More likely to have accidents playing cricket

Clearly we need a full risk matrix - probability of accident, severity of accident, difficulty in seeking help

Yeah, they are hard to reach areas!! We live nr Kendal and still struggle to get over that way enough.

Good luck to you too!

I went for a walk today… up Dow Crag in the Lakes. It was beautiful and magical, the winter conditions are perfect at the moment!

If I didn’t hike alone I would not have been able to have this wonderful experience today that has filled my wellness cup right up to the top 🥰

Photo 🥰

Gorgeous

I hike alone all the time. It would have to be a very determined and very lucky attacker to want to hike out and lay in wait on the off chance a line woman comes along.

I always have my phone in case I fall or something. But other than I'd say it's probably safer than getting on the bus into town.

I can understand ppl who advise against hiking alone, but unfortunately the problems that you might encounter are everywhere - MEN.

And there really isn't any point in giving in to them and not being alone. I assume that, like all of us, you're pretty savvy and you take precautions, so carry on hiking on your own!

I hike alone all the time - with a phone and a map in my backpack, although I often like to test my other navigation skills by meandering aimlessly.

I avoid Yr Wyddfa and Cadair Idris during 'the season' and weekends, but otherwise, I do whatever I want. Not always great weather, but I adapt my routes to the weather, and the weather can be protection from predators.

I have found that when you are hiking the less well-known places, the only men you meet are fine too.

I've walked alone pretty much my whole life, and was doing so, including in remote areas, long before there were mobile phones. I've occasionally felt less than entirely safe (weather, an aggressive dog, etc) but then I was once run over on a suburban street, and I haven't stopped crossing roads.

I don't think you are being unreasonable at all, and I'd pay no attention to those who tell you to stop. The benefits far outweigh the risks.

30/40 years ago I climbed Munros and walked in groups, with my partner and often alone.

Leaving a note under my windscreen with name, date, route etc was as security conscious as I got and my main concern was having a fall and being unable to get myself off the hill. Being attacked never entered my head.

My Munro bagging days are over and I’m currently reading BOTHY by Kat Hill which is bringing back some happy memories.

Enjoy the hills while you can @HeidiHiker

I don't get chance to do full on hiking on my own, but I do trail running out in the countryside and sometimes into hiking territory. I used to hike in groups in my youth.

They're really not places where it's worth loitering hours for a suitable victim to take advantage of.

In general the risks of hiking/ trail running are pretty much the same for women as for men. I'd argue that possibly better as women are less driven by ego and are more pragmatic about safety measures which are the greatest consideration.

DM told me a few months ago that I should stop running on my own... I'm in my mid-40s ffs. I pointed out that that's basically meaning to give up running, get unfit and become unhealthy.
She's struggled with arthritis for 20+ years. I want all the bone density I can get!

note: here is a comprehensive list of DM's running and hiking experience;
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I take my advice from more experienced sources!

That list! 😂😂