Your wife must know my wife because its the same thing.
But back to solo... I have gone on a group backpack once. Every other time it is solo. At first, my wife didn't want anything to do with it but after she went day hiking with me a few times, she got to feel more comfortable that I knew what I was doing out there.
Also, the big thing that makes her comfortable is my planning. Before I go, she gets a printed out map of the trail I plan to hike with a list of emergency numbers to call in case I dont call her by a pre determined time, also noted on the print out. And she knows that if I cant follow the route for whatever reason... I dont go.
Had a trip planned in Shenandoah in February a couple years ago, had high winds and cold temps. When I got to the park entrance, they had the road closed. So I called the wife, told her I couldn't hike the trail that I had printer for her so I was coming home. She encouraged me to hike into the park from a different place but I refused and after that, I noticed that she was much more comfortable with me going out.
Now it turned out that just as I was getting ready to turn around and head back, the ranger came and told me they would be opening the road so I ended up getting to go anyway so it was a double bonus :-)
Also, my wife got me a Brundt battery pack so my cell phone would never be dead... this way I keep the phone on all the time and while I'm hiking if I get coverage, phone makes a noise and I can call or send a text message to her... again.. helps with her comfort level.
Bookmarks