Something I have been wondering about is what is the best thing to do if a lone hiker is a couple of days late contacting home. Came across this earlier this year when I expected our hiker to call from the NOC. (No signal or pay phone available there) All I could think to do is look at other hikers’ journals to see if anyone had seen her. I found one but many of the people writing don’t want to name lone female hikers due to stalkers.
backhome
Thats the first thing I came across while entering NOC. I was surprised to see it and used it before I crossed the road to the outfitter.
The trail community has a casual networking system that works farily well. I would start bt talking to a few of the town hostels. Hostels talk to other hostels, hikers, and generally have a good idea of whats up and down the trail.
If they are relucant to share info becuase the hiker is female that is alone and you might be a stalker than prove your relationship/intent and be thankful that she is embedded in a community that looks out for other’s safty.
manfire
the very nature of the hiking business is the being lost to schedules, demands of others, checking in, missing is a relative, missing could be better expressed in this context as having the time of your life, so much fun, that you forget to call and unworry the homefront…relax…no one seriously hikes the AT alone…people pass you or you pass others all day long, if something seriously was wrong, red flags would be flashing, everyone would pass the word, a hiker is truely missing
burn
So you’re saying get off her back. Good info and advise. I am so glad I didn’t call or post all over the place looking for her. She would have been embarrassed and angry beyond belief if everyone along the way kept telling her, “Hey, call your mom.”
backhome
Dear The Mom,
When I through-hiked in 2005, I started hiking by myself. Please don’t worry about your daughter, as I’m sure she’s fine and got sidetracked. The AT is very, very safe. Everyone mentions bringing guns and mace. That’s absolutely ridiculous. The AT is very crowded with many other people who look out for you.
That said, the next time you hear from her, tell her to call when she can and let her know your concerns. But please don’t worry, as hiking is not an exact science and it’s hard to plan your hike around making a phone call.
Shera