Who goes it alone and who doesn't?

[Shug]

I love a solo ........ the voices in my head like to be out alone in the piney woods with just me.
It gives one a good feeling of self-sufficiancy.

Plus .... I can really focus on my gear.

I do like hiking with a small team of folks too though.
After a few solos ..... I am ready for some trail and camp company.

Solo Shug

[BEAS]

I have a great work schedule working 10- 24 hour shifts a month. That leaves me many days off during the week. So I do a good bit solo.
I do 10 day hike each year with my best friend on the A.T. each spring.

Funny I read this today, I posted an offer for a hike next week in Middle or East Tn and have had almost 100 views and no response????!!!
Just because I am from Memphis, what happens to be the most dangerous city in the U.S. doesn't mean I am a killer. hahahaha.

BEAS

[Cranky Bear]

I would say both solo, and with others!!!
I can't really pick one or the other, there are times when a solo is a must, and then there are times when a partner/two/three/ / / / are most enjoyable to have!

[MikeM]

Probably 3/4 of my trips are solo. I tend to do planned trips with a group, but the last minute trips that I just run out the door and do because I have the time are the majority of my wilderness times.
As far as which one is preferred?
Any time out in the woods is a good time.

-Mike

[G.L.P.]

I like to hike with a friend .....i don't mine day hiking solo
but i like having a friend on overnight trips.... i get bored easy

[cataraftgirl]

I've yet to do a solo river trip, but my rafting buddy says I should try it someday. Even for a weekend. Years ago he did a week long solo trip on the Middle Fork Salmon. He said it was the scariest thing he'd ever done, but the most fulfilling. He went in the fall at low water, so he knew there would be few other folks floating the river. If he got in a jam (flipped, stuck, bears, etc) he would most likely have to rely on just his own skills to rescue himself. He said it was a very spiritual & liberating experience.
I personally like to have company on trips, but some of my favorites are when it's just my friend & I and our dogs. We kick back and relax, read a book, take a nap, do a little fly fishing, and have some great conversations. Maybe someday I'll try a solo trip????
KJ

[daltontr]

I like to hike solo, but camp with friends.

I prefer to hike solo, mostly because I like to go at my own pace. However, as a stay at home dad, I don't get much adult interaction these days. Therefore, I look forward to meeting new people on the trail and the commraderie of a shared campfire is a wonderful experience.

[waddy]

Add yet another to the "mainly solo" crowd. The reasons have already been much more eloquently stated than I can. One person mentioned that it was tough to find someone with like interests to hike/hang with, and that is one reason why I still go it alone even on the few occasions when I would enjoy company. I would dearly love to attend one of the group hangs, but the few in Colorado are pretty much on the Front Range and have been a little difficult to get to from here! One of these days I will make it work.

[beep]

I love a solo ........ the voices in my head like to be out alone in the piney woods with just me.
It gives one a good feeling of self-sufficiancy.

Plus .... I can really focus on my gear.

I do like hiking with a small team of folks too though.
After a few solos ..... I am ready for some trail and camp company.

Solo Shug

Shug, my sentiments echo yours...except for the voices of course

Mostly, I don't have buddies who like to hike. It took a while, but I figured out that if I wanted to be outdoors, I just needed to get out, make the plans and go. I really enjoy company on outings, makes the time go faster usually, and helps immensely with "entertainment", so when opportunities arise for a small group, I'm ready. I probably do 4-5 solo trips for each one done with "company".

[eflat7]

I like to do at least one solo trip a year. Even if it is an overnighter. IMO it is even more of a reset than just getting out in the woods with friends. When I get finished with a solo hang, I feel like i'm looking at the world from outside the box it contained in. If that makes any sense to you.