Female solo hikers/bushwalkers

[dplanet]

When young and healthy, I walked in groups. Since getting old and feeling unfit, I have started solo. Being a solo bushwalker for quite a long time, I honestly say that I have not encountered any negative experiences at all. I have learned more and more since being out there alone. As awildland mentioned, good planning, good backup and support (ie, update on weather forecast), coupled with the right gear, are the go.

I just wrote a huge reply to this thread and then it didn;t save…couldn't be bothered writing it all again…in summary, horrible things happen in life anywhere anytime. Bushwalkers are nice people who share my passion for the quiet peaceful Australian bush. I am of the female variety and have solo camped in campgrounds, solo day walked and this week did my first solo over night. Beautiful.

Just don't watch Wolf Creek and everything wil be fine…l

Bring back great memories of a walking holiday in Queensland, where I went and saw the movie Wolf Creek. I left it just about half an hour of watching. It was so violent. Violent movies are not my cup of tea.

[sim1oz]

So far I have always walked with my hubby or in groups, but my main concern with solo walking would be danger from other people not accidents (and I often enjoy the company). When my 10yo daughter started begging to go on a mother-daughter 3-day walk my first concern was about keeping her safe from others (sad, but true). It was centred more around the camping aspect than the walking. I worked out where we could camp close to 'conveniences' like water without being at a general campsite (especially if near a road). I played out scenarios in my mind and gave her instructions of what to do if we were concerned about stranger danger. It makes me sad that I even think like this... I've never actually met anyone creepy whilst walking and would not mind walking solo, but at the moment I particularly enjoy walking with my hubby because we get so little time together just the two of us. We can walk in sync, not talking, just taking it all, and then sharing the same observation at the same moment. It makes me feel in tune with nature and in tune with each other. If he couldn't or wouldn't walk with me then I would probably end up starting to walk solo more often.

[neilmny]

Sounds like a really good approach Simone. A sad reality that it's necessary really.
For what it's worth I think every male (inc. this one) out walking is aware of the potential danger from some nut job. Just being male doesn't make you safe probably just
more confident (possibly misguided). Even Phil with a black belt still has to be consciuos that something is happening to use his defence skills.
It has to be safer out in the sticks than in the streets if only for the fact that there is less people around. I'm happy to walk alone in the bush but not so
sure of the big smoke late at night.

[andyszollosi]

This might be of interest to this discussion... Here is an article about a 16 year old girl solo hiking the entire length of the Australian Alps Track... I wonder how she went in the end!


http://www.bushwalkingblog.com.au/16-ye ... ing-track/

[FootTrack]

This might be of interest to this discussion... Here is an article about a 16 year old girl solo hiking the entire length of the Australian Alps Track... I wonder how she went in the end!


http://www.bushwalkingblog.com.au/16-ye ... ing-track/

I found this video on YouTube ages ago when I became interested in this girl's trip. From the video, I think she teamed up with her brother shortly after the start. Nonetheless still a great achievement, especially at their age. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=seZEgFsd4iw

[Travis22]

https://www.facebook.com/allydurrsolo

Travis.

[walkon]

It's a shame that the perceived fears are ruling our lives. I'm not saying that it's not a real fear, just that with the age of mass media and social networking the risk of these fears occuring are blown up out of proportion. An incident can happen on the other side of the country or world and everything gets reported whether it's true or not. I worry when my daughters shy away from doing things in life due to 'heard this happened' . In reality the likely hood of any thing occurring is extremely small in most circumstances. No real answers here, just observations and concerns from my perspective.

[Kainas]

I agree with in general. As a parent I subscribe to a blog (freerangekids.com) that tries to address the issue of parents being afraid of things because of the media and television shows (such as CSI) that increase fear levels.

[ErichFromm]

For what it's worth I think every male (inc. this one) out walking is aware of the potential danger from some nut job. Just being male doesn't make you safe probably just more confident (possibly misguided). Even Phil with a black belt still has to be consciuos that something is happening to use his defence skills.

I think I'd be in the "misguided" group as I've honesly never thought once about my safety in regards other hikers. I guess the only time I've had thoughts in that direct is when camping in areas near bogans - with thoughts such as "If I was to throw their stereo up against a tree how many would come after me and would it be worth it?"

Given all the comments above I guess I wonder too what the best way to allay fears is. Be friendly and risk it being taken the wrong way, or avoid entirely? It's like going to a playground with your kids - not wanting to be too friendly with other kids in case it's taken the wrong way. Sad - but I guess a reality these days.

Simone: if you were out walking with your daughter and a guy started chatting to you would it make you cautious? Or does being friendly help establish you aren't a threat?

[GPSGuided]

It's like going to a playground with your kids - not wanting to be too friendly with other kids in case it's taken the wrong way. Sad - but I guess a reality these days.

How true! A generation of kids will never experience that kindness and the society have lost something.

[perfectlydark]

To be honest my main human safety concearn when bushwalking is from "hunters" "accidently" in the wrong place, "mistaking" me for a bushpig. There hasnt been any incidents here that I know of, but if anything that would be my worry.
Note I used quotes around hunters as im implying its not a real hunter but someone who might try to use that excuse as they see what its like to snipe some innocent person

[Moondog55]

I've met a few single female walkers in my time, not many but not as rare back then as it is now. They were each so self confident and fit that they scared me into politeness even if my intentions were far from honorable

[ErichFromm]

They were each so self confident and fit that they scared me into politeness even if my intentions were far from honorable

Glad their attitude put you back in your place Moondog

[ULWalkingPhil]

. Even Phil with a black belt still has to be consciuos that something is happening to use his defence skills.
It has to be safer out in the sticks than in the streets if only for the fact that there is less people around. I'm happy to walk alone in the bush but not so
sure of the big smoke late at night.

Self defence is a last resort, I do everything possible to not use my self defence skills. This is what I was taught.

Im a bit surprised how paranoid some of you are with solo bushwalking, I guess your from the city, Im bought up in the country and still live in the country. People are more friendly and trustworthy here. This is not the case in the city.

I visited a major city (Sydney) for the first time in over 30 years a few years ago, and there sure are a lot of rude desrespecful people that also lie in the city. It surprised me. And I was disgusted on how much discrimination I witnessed.
Taking a ride on the Sydney Trains was an eye opener, people not even looking at you, looking down on there mobile phones with a look that there life is terrible. Such sour looking.

Bogans in camp, I always friendly and put up with the sound, if its bad enough I pack up and move on.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

[johnnymacfnq]

Well said Phil, exactly why I left Sydney.

[Tortoise]

I rarely walked on my own until fairly recently - I always had people to walk with, and I wanted the company.

In the past couple of years, I've done quite a bit of walking without other people - what's changed?

1. I'm very much more comfortable on my own in general than I used to be (in a healthy way ) I still often walk with others too, and sometimes the great experiences are heightened by being able to share them with like-minded people.

2. A friend got me hooked on peak bagging , then hurt her knee. for us both
Often the other people/weather/my availability don't coincide. Go solo or don't go? GO

3. Current life circumstances mean i have more time to walk, and more need to walk.

4. In Tassie, I have found many more places pretty close to home which have been yobbo-free.

5. Loved ones are less concerned now that technology is available - I can often send a text each day or two to let them know things are fine, I'll set off my PLB in an emergency (as long as I'm not unconscious or fallen off a cliff, but I'm pretty careful with the latter, and have it very accessible if the former were to begin looming large). And even though I have most yet to learn re my GPS, it can tell me (within 200m if i've got the wrong datum) where I am on the map, it will usually show my breadcrumb trail to get back, and waypoints have not disappeared on me yet.

BUT
I've had a few unpleasant experiences (none in Tassie), always within 2km of a road of some kind.

Eg Ute half full of slabs of beer, had to walk past the bunch of drunk yobbos to the campsite, they come and 'visit' us that night, joke about the kinds of things they might do to us...
While it would be unpleasant for many men, we felt especially vulnerable as women. Not on my own that time, but it does come to mind when I consider where I'll go on my own. (Have thought about learning self defence as a last resort, but I'd expect it'd be in 'civilisation', not in the bush, that I'd ever need it.)

Hoons on quad bikes circling my tent for eons it seemed (first solo camp ). they found a way around the locked gate. I packed up, got out off track as soon as they headed off up the track, lest they returned. No specific fear, just felt very vulnerable, which isn't why I'm out there.

Stumbling on a ? sleeping man in a reserve in suburbia, when I was enjoying a bit of off track scrambling to remember what a hill is like. Really odd things were there - could have been an innocent situation, maybe not. I wasn't comfy, especially on my own.

Coming across a bunch of teens with serious graffiti gear / bolt cutters etc in the same reserve. yep, felt very vulnerable. Mighta been just fine, but I looked for an offtrack alternative (in the dark without a torch) to avoid walking right past them. Haven't enjoyed walking there since.

Some things I enjoy about walking on my own:

I get to walk at exactly my own pace all the time, stop when I want, peak-gaze or flower-examine whenever I want, spend as long as I like whenever I like taking photos or checking out opportunities, or waiting for the light to change etc. I often have more chance of getting to my goal than in a bigger group with mixed levels of fitness. Sometimes I really benefit spiritually from not having any other people there.

For the OP - I'd never push someone into solo walking if they weren't comfortable doing it. But given the right circumstances and support, things can change.

[perfectlydark]

Very true phil, sadly im one of those miserable looking people on the train.
Thats why I can wait to leave the town when I can to get out bush. Most of my bushwalking is solo and thats the way I like it

[Snowzone]

BUT
I've had a few unpleasant experiences (none in Tassie), always within 2km of a road of some kind.

Eg Ute half full of slabs of beer, had to walk past the bunch of drunk yobbos to the campsite, they come and 'visit' us that night, joke about the kinds of things they might do to us...
While it would be unpleasant for many men, we felt especially vulnerable as women. Not on my own that time, but it does come to mind when I consider where I'll go on my own. (Have thought about learning self defence as a last resort, but I'd expect it'd be in 'civilisation', not in the bush, that I'd ever need it.)

Hoons on quad bikes circling my tent for eons it seemed (first solo camp ). they found a way around the locked gate. I packed up, got out off track as soon as they headed off up the track, lest they returned. No specific fear, just felt very vulnerable, which isn't why I'm out there.

Stumbling on a ? sleeping man in a reserve in suburbia, when I was enjoying a bit of off track scrambling to remember what a hill is like. Really odd things were there - could have been an innocent situation, maybe not. I wasn't comfy, especially on my own.

Coming across a bunch of teens with serious graffiti gear / bolt cutters etc in the same reserve. yep, felt very vulnerable. Mighta been just fine, but I looked for an offtrack alternative (in the dark without a torch) to avoid walking right past them. Haven't enjoyed walking there since.

Some things I enjoy about walking on my own:

I get to walk at exactly my own pace all the time, stop when I want, peak-gaze or flower-examine whenever I want, spend as long as I like whenever I like taking photos or checking out opportunities, or waiting for the light to change etc. I often have more chance of getting to my goal than in a bigger group with mixed levels of fitness. Sometimes I really benefit spiritually from not having any other people there.

I agree so much with what your saying about walking on your own Tortoise and I think you have handled all the above situations well by avoiding inflaming any situations and moving on. Common sense.
One thing I have often wondered in the case of the ute full of beer scenario if you were on your own instead of with other women (thats a presumption) would they still have been such yobbo's.
I had similiar unwanted attention by a group of males when I was in a group of four women and the so called men thought they would get lucky. They didn't! They did put on a great display of yobbo like behaviour trying. I do wonder if I was on my own if they would of tried so hard and may of just left me alone. When I have come across groups of men on my own they are usually more than respectful.

[Tortoise]

I agree so much with what your saying about walking on your own Tortoise and I think you have handled all the above situations well by avoiding inflaming any situations and moving on. Common sense.
One thing I have often wondered in the case of the ute full of beer scenario if you were on your own instead of with other women (thats a presumption) would they still have been such yobbo's.
I had similiar unwanted attention by a group of males when I was in a group of four women and the so called men thought they would get lucky. They didn't! They did put on a great display of yobbo like behaviour trying. I do wonder if I was on my own if they would of tried so hard and may of just left me alone. When I have come across groups of men on my own they are usually more than respectful.

Interesting thought. I guess it depends on the guys - there are opportunistic ones who will do nasty stuff in suburbia, but most won't. Likewise in the bush I guess. I don't want to put it to the test, though!

[Snowzone]

I don't want to put it to the test, though!

No certainly not.

[sim1oz]

Simone: if you were out walking with your daughter and a guy started chatting to you would it make you cautious? Or does being friendly help establish you aren't a threat?

Hi Erich,

Everything makes me cautious when I am with my kids simply because if something bad ever happened you can't wind back time and give kids (or anybody) their innocence and trust back. But that wouldn't stop me talking to someone who seems friendly. I guess it comes down to little niggles that make one feel uncomfortable. Someone looking at you funny, asking questions that seem a bit personal or off, etc etc. I'm a pretty trusting person and I've been lucky not to meet any weirdos when packwalking (let's not discuss base-camping at established campsites with inconsiderate 'bogans') but if I felt uncomfortable I would excuse myself subtly and try to put myself or my tent in an out-of-the-way 'safe' place. I guess the problem is that apparently some of the most horrible psychopaths who have assaulted or murdered have apparently been charming, charismatic people. I don't know whether I could detect that and hope never to find out. I can't recall every having worried about danger from others when I have been with my hubby (he's a big bloke) or in a group. So I think my cautiousness stems from protective parenting - especially in 'the big smoke' I always tell my kids I trust them it's just others I don't trust. But overall I am pretty friendly and I figure people I meet out bush probably have the same appreciation of it as I do. Talking is one way to find out.

Cheers,
Sim

[north-north-west]

Meh. Life's better without people. Bushwalking doubly so.
(No offence to everyone on the Rogoona/Nescient weekend recently. But I'm so glad you camnped at Myrtle rather than following me up the mountain.)

[Kainas]

Meh. Life's better without people. Bushwalking doubly so.
(No offence to everyone on the Rogoona/Nescient weekend recently. But I'm so glad you camnped at Myrtle rather than following me up the mountain.)

For me, every experience is improved by the presence of a friend (mostly my husband) to share the experience with, even just to sigh and talk about how much we enjoyed it. I think we spend half the time chatting together, and half of it lost in our own little worlds... and the combination makes the whole experience perfect.

I am not adverse to solo walking (creepy guys aside), but for me it is ten times better to do it with someone. It seems I am a minority with this opinion.

[walkon]

Meh. Life's better without people. Bushwalking doubly so.
(No offence to everyone on the Rogoona/Nescient weekend recently. But I'm so glad you camnped at Myrtle rather than following me up the mountain.)

For me, every experience is improved by the presence of a friend (mostly my husband) to share the experience with, even just to sigh and talk about how much we enjoyed it. I think we spend half the time chatting together, and half of it lost in our own little worlds... and the combination makes the whole experience perfect.

I am not adverse to solo walking (creepy guys aside), but for me it is ten times better to do it with someone. It seems I am a minority with this opinion.

Kainas your quite likely the normal one, most of us here are probably just antisocialbastards. I have enjoyed my walks with others lately, though looking in front of you seeing and hearing only nature has more appeal.

[Kainas]

Kainas your quite likely the normal one, most of us here are probably just antisocialbastards. I have enjoyed my walks with others lately, though looking in front of you seeing and hearing only nature has more appeal.

I achieve this by walking faster than him (this in turn is achievable by making sure he has the heavy pack!)

[walkon]

Kainas your quite likely the normal one, most of us here are probably just antisocialbastards. I have enjoyed my walks with others lately, though looking in front of you seeing and hearing only nature has more appeal.

I achieve this by walking faster than him (this in turn is achievable by making sure he has the heavy pack!)

Have you and my wife been talking? Sounds strangely familiar

[north-north-west]

I am not adverse to solo walking (creepy guys aside), but for me it is ten times better to do it with someone. It seems I am a minority with this opinion.

No, you're in the majority. Even the most competent walkers I know generally try to organise company for a walk rather than just packing up and going on their own. I'm just a particularly antisocial and socially inept old cow.

[walkerchris77]

I think most men would show respect to both male and female solo walkers. Ive come across a few and had a chat and just asked them if everything s good and if they have enough water etc. Sure I may admire an attractive person but I think most decent people know the difference between right and wrong.

[ErichFromm]

I am not adverse to solo walking (creepy guys aside), but for me it is ten times better to do it with someone. It seems I am a minority with this opinion.

No, you're in the majority. Even the most competent walkers I know generally try to organise company for a walk rather than just packing up and going on their own. I'm just a particularly antisocial and socially inept old cow.

Not just you: nothing I hate more than realising there is a group of people somewhere behind me during a walk. All of a sudden I find it's a race to stay ahead to avoid the inane chit-chat.

More than once I've almost burst something trying to stay ahead of day walkers cruising along without heavy backpacks....

[Kainas]

Not just you: nothing I hate more than realising there is a group of people somewhere behind me during a walk. All of a sudden I find it's a race to stay ahead to avoid the inane chit-chat.

More than once I've almost burst something trying to stay ahead of day walkers cruising along without heavy backpacks....

You just summed up our entire experience on the Kepler track (NZ). Race ahead to stay ahead, but then you run up the back of another group, do you walk faster and overtake of slow down... and of course, don't dare stop to take a photo.. 30 people will overtake and then next 30minutes will be all the same traffic.