Shoot off of emily's post

imported
#1

my daughter, husband and I are doing some section hiking here soon and then my daughter’s going to keep on going, prob. on up to Maine. She says she will hook up with thru hikers but has not met them yet. Part of me worries, but what the heck can I do. I like what someone said to Emily about the trail basically being safer than the college. My Dad is so freaked about us not having a weapon. Weapons scare the crap out of me. I think it would be more dangerous. I don’t know just would like to hear others thoughts on hiking alone and safety etc. Thanks and peace OZ

BktoOz

#2

Many years ago I hiked the CT and MA sections of the AT by myself, but it was back when people did not know about the AT and I actually saw no one for five days in a row in June. I’m sure that wouldn’t happen now! I myself am considering hiking alone this summer if my sons cannot come with me, and because I am unsure about the wisdom of this in 2006, I was looking for advice and found the following book on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy site. I haven’t ordered it yet, but I plan to.

http://www.atctrailstore.org/catalog/iteminfo.cfm?itemid=230&compid=1

canyonjane

#3

First, you won’t be alone, if you don’t want to be. I started out alone & found that there are so many people, it’s hard to ever be “alone.” I’m young and blonde and survived. Second, weapons are heavy and ridiculous. Third, I’m more likely to get stabbed walking down the street in my neighborhood in Philadelphia. Lastly, there are some creepy people out there, but not “I’ll kill or rape you”- creepy, just “I’ll steal your stuff in town”-creepy. I think there are a lot of irrational fears of going into the “wilderness”–bears won’t eat you on the AT and neither will any people, so just do it!

Shera, Princess of Power

#4

I’ll second Shera. The trail is really safe, I’m young and blonde too, and many of the older hikers were rather protective when I let them. If there was a stranger in a shelter I was usually guaranteed to be separated from them by at least two sleeping pads. If I was late getting into town, (just like any other hiker) the grapevine was usually watching out for me. And honestly, if I’m destined to die tomorrow I’d rather my eulogy say I hiked the AT than I spent five years working in an office. Live today like there is no tomorrow. ( I don’t remember who said it first, by I love that quote)

Grassy Ridge

#5

atleast one good thing about being an old woman hiking alone: nobody wants your bod.

senior louise

#6

hey Louise, don’t count out us old guys. :wink:

El Sordo

#7

When I hiked the Trail way back in 1994 there were two 17 year old girls out hiking the first few hundred miles as their senior high independant study project. Sounded like it took awhile for the parents to agree to it but they did very well on the trail. Trail families tend to form quickly and everyone seemed to keep an extra watchful eye out for their well being. I don’t know how old Emily is but she’ll be okay if she’s traveling in the “pack”.

Bo’94

#8

Yeah, my parent freaked but I’m wearing them down. I know I’ll be fine. Compare it to any high school or college and you’re like ten times safer for sure! I don’t get the Emily Post comment but I’m gonna google it. :wink:

Emily

#9

Oh boy, now I FEEL old, someone who hasn’t heard of Emily Post?!..
off to my rocker and afgan now :smiley:

Feeling Old

#10

Ahh I got it now! Emily Post . . . nice :lol I love google. :girl

Emily

#11

So there was a comment that said weapons are heavy and ridiculous. Well, that’s probably true for the most part…at least on the AT. But if you’d like some extra peace-of-mind, carry yourself a can of Guard Alaska Bear Repellent. It’s basically just bear mace. Mostly applicable in grizzly territory, but if the little extra weight doesn’t bother you, then it can’t hurt to carry on the AT as well.

Mad Max