I was just wondering what people thought is better, hiking solo, or with a hiking partner. I know it probably depends totally on the individual person, and nowadays hiking solo is virtually impossible, there is always someone there. I’ve always thought the solitude would be nice, get some deep thinking going on, but i’m sure I would get lonely out in the woods all by myself. Well anyways just let me know what u think.
Clong
Clong
IMHO, I think solo. I have read about many people who begin the trail with a partner. Inevitably, there is always one partner with more desire to complete the trek than the other. Seemingly, that less-motivated person decides to call it quits when the going gets tough, which can really de-motivate that other person. However, it can work for your benefit also. Both can keep the other in the game when the going gets tough. That said, it really depends on both people and how much they want it. So, who really knows?
IMHO, Dawg
Dawgtrekker
Generally speaking, I’d recommend not looking for a hiking partner. The reason is that everyone has different objectives, goals. Also, everyone has their own routine for getting up and going in the morning, and their own hiking pace. In other words, hike your own hike.
This is not to say that you should expect solitude. You will meet plenty of other people at shelters, in towns, and elsewhere along the way. You will be hiking with an everchanging pod of people. It changes when people go into different towns and spend different amounts of time in various towns along the way. Some go in and get out. Some take a zero. Some bypass towns.
If you are fortunate to find someone along the way who is going your way, who shares your goals and objectives, and enjoys your company, then go for it. Enjoy the companionship. He will probably become a life long friend (Right Pace-O?)
Peaks
I’ve been section hiking New England with my sister for a few years. Even with short sections, there’s a lot of compromise hiking with a partner. Time to get on the trail, when and where to rest, speed, if one gets ahead, should s/he wait for the other? We’d already had our itinerary set. There’s a lot of compromise hiking with a partner. We were supposed to slackpack the Presidentials (staying at the huts) this year. We had to postpone that due to cataract surgery. Instead we planned Katahdin to Gulf Hagas (75 miles backpacking) in September. After 50 miles (Jo-Mary Road), she was worn out. So we cut the hike short. Hiking with a partner requires compromise. :nerd
Harry Dolphin
Hiking solo is the way to go my friend! Overcoming the lonliness can be daunting, but on the AT, you can usually expect company at the shelters. If you chose to hike with a partner, I suggest that you both hike by yourself, but meet for lunch, and camp at the same spot … it makes life a lot easier, and hiking much more enjoyable … but again, it’s all up to the indivdual!
Waldo
When myself and my buddy hiked GA-Erwin TN in 2001 we had a few problems at the start. We’d hiked together before and known each other since we were 11. If that had’nt been the case, we probably would have parted company in NC somewhere. We eventually found that hiking seperately was the way to go. We’d leave at the same time in the morning, meet for lunch maybe, then meet at a pre arranged place to set up camp. That way we could share the days events without wanting to kill each other. Even the strongest friendship can be tested whilst hiking. I’ll be hiking solo on my AT 04 hike but it’s not a problem because, like everyone else has pointed out, there will be plenty of kindred hiking spirits out there.
Happy trails.
Ross
Ross - London,England
I started out solo but pretty but “hooked up” with others from time to time. I developed “trail friends” and we would camp together; even meet up for a lunch or a rest break; sometimes shared a motel room and even hiked together for hours at a time. But, the bottom line was neither disrupted the other’s hike or plans.
It was great when I was in town with Charlie and he received a box of cookies from home…Yeah!
I was taken back when we got separated and even more when I found out my pals had left the Trail (both for health reasons) I ended up summiting Katahdin with some sectioners that I had just met a couple of days before. Great people, but it probably would have meant more to experience it with someone you “struggled” with along the way.
Having said that, I did enjoy hiking alone, especially when I could sing along with “Beer For My Horses” since no one else was around:)
Skeemer
Hah! That got your attention, didn’t it? The “f” word is freedom, of course. Harry Dolphin summed it up nicely…if you want to truly experience the tranquility of the great outdoors, then anything which compromises your freedom to do as you please, when you please, is NOT GOOD. Don’t we all have to do too much of that in the real world?
Jonna