Hiking For Her logo with words and graphic of blue female backpacker with backpack and hiking pole

Going boldly into the world

by Jin Crocker
(Corvallis, OR)

The best part of any walk

The best part of any walk

The first question I am asked when I admit to hiking solo is "What if you die?" My answer is "Then, I WIN!" Who wants to die in a hospital with a bunch of tubes in every orifice?

The truth is, I feel safer when alone. When I get tired, I rest. When things get sketchy, I turn around. No discussion with a partner, no guilt about being soft. No need to watch that my partner does not do something stupid. If I do something stupid, there is no one else to laugh at me.

In town things happen that are out of my control, when I am in the woods I feel confident that I can handle anything that happens. And I can ignore anything that is not really important.

Another plus is being freed from the Fashion Police. I can roll in the dirt, leave my top open if hot, choose clothes based upon function (or not even wear any!).

And there is no one to judge me because I do not match their ideal.

I see more, hear more, feel more of the world around me.

Then on the next group outing, I am more likely to appreciate sharing and less likely to whine about minor details.

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Solo Hiking.