how young is too young?

**IRONFISH45** · 03-16-2014, 06:58

I was out doing solo hikes by the time I turned 16, I am female, I am also very selective in speaking to strangers. I had a dog with me. To this day I do not let people know I am alone, never ever. The boggyman (person) is not always wearing a trench coat and hat, they are sometimes very friendly and charismatic. I make every effort to blend into my surroundings when I solo hike.

Now there are several devices you could use to let friends and family know where you are. I have a little Emergency Locator Beacon I originally bought for my kayak. Now I carry it all the time, my daughter can track exactly where I am. I have a heart condition that can render me unconscious, with my little beacon, I can signal her I am okay, I am having a problem or I need 911. I use the device all the time now. Several people that tour on their bikes have the same device, it lets their families know they are okay.

Have a good first aid kit with you. Be sure you know how to handle emergencies, then go for it.

**barich942** · 03-16-2014, 08:11

The 15 yo girl "Chipmunk" had her parents as support at road crossings not to belittle her hike. That was a very smart way to do it. They did have some communication issues and excess was a problem in places as maps and roads don't always match. There were issues at river crossings that I would have aged a decade had I been with her but she did make it and had an adventure of a life time.

Plan well and as safe as passable.

**renegadepilgrim** · 03-21-2014, 08:51

Originally Posted by Polkster13

I second what most everyone else has said, especially the legal paperwork. Also, you need to consider that if a medical emergency comes up, unless you have the proper paper work on you, they will not work on you if you are conscious. If you are unconscious, then medical authorities have what is called "implied consent" and can do lifesaving procedures. If you have a broken limb, you may not get any medical attention until they receive a signed permission form from your parents (this happened to me once - they wouldn't even give me an aspirin until my parents arrived at the hospital).

This is incorrect. Each state has an age of consent for treatment in a hospital. I'm not sure what California's laws are, but my guess would be if you are 16 y.o. or older, you could be treated without your parent's consent. I work in an ER in Oregon and we treat teens all the time.

Do your research and make sure you are covered if an emergency did happen.

**VictoriaGuy** · 03-21-2014, 11:29

Originally Posted by renegadepilgrim

This is incorrect. Each state has an age of consent for treatment in a hospital. I'm not sure what California's laws are, but my guess would be if you are 16 y.o. or older, you could be treated without your parent's consent. I work in an ER in Oregon and we treat teens all the time.

OP is 14 yo (?), planning hike when 15yo.

Originally Posted by nuttysquirrel

So I'm planning either a nobo jmt or nobo Oregon section of the pct hike in 2015,( when I'll be 15) my question is how young is to young for a solo thru?

**nuttysquirrel** · 03-21-2014, 12:50

i'm 13 now. so if i'm under 16 i can't get a broken limb or something non life threatening fixed? thats gonna suck! but i read something in this about "a minor living separetely from leagal gaurdian" i wonder if that applies to me? http://www.teenhealthlaw.org/fileadm...entChapter.pdf

**WillieCash** · 03-21-2014, 13:39

Unless I am misunderstanding the question;

17 years, 364 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, 59.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 99999 seconds is too young.

**renegadepilgrim** · 03-28-2014, 05:21

Originally Posted by nuttysquirrel

i'm 13 now. so if i'm under 16 i can't get a broken limb or something non life threatening fixed? thats gonna suck! but i read something in this about "a minor living separetely from leagal gaurdian" i wonder if that applies to me? http://www.teenhealthlaw.org/fileadm...entChapter.pdf

What I am saying is you need to find out what the laws are in California. Some states allow you to consent for treatment at age 14. I'm not going to do the research for ya...use Google.

I used to take groups of teens on service trips out of the US...we just had the parents sign something allowing us to sign for treatment for their kids in the event something did happen. You'll figure it out.

**nuttysquirrel** · 03-28-2014, 11:05

Originally Posted by renegadepilgrim

What I am saying is you need to find out what the laws are in California.

yup pretty sure thats this: http://www.teenhealthlaw.org/fileadm...entChapter.pdf

**renegadepilgrim** · 03-29-2014, 04:55

No, those are more around the laws regarding mental health and sexual assault. If you want solid info you need to look at governing bodies for the info you seek. In California, a minor is allowed to consent to treat for emergency medical conditions and your parents will be notified in such an event. (Cal. Business and Professions Code § 2397)

For regular, non-emergent medical care, you have to be 15 or older.

You're all set...now get planning!