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The Joy Of Solo Backpacking
By Steve Gillman, Thu Dec 8th
Have you ever gone solo backpacking? If you have, you'llprobably agree that it isn't a matter of it being better orworse than with friends. It's just a differentactivity altogether. When you go with others, it's a social event. Youenjoy the scenery, feel good hiking the trails, and you get toknow people in a different setting than usual. There's usually alot of talking, and you feel relatively safe as part of a group.It's a good experience. Solo Trips When you are alone in the wilderness, it's different. There is apeacefulness that can never be there when you're with others.With nobody to talk to, you stop defining everything and startseeing things more directly. I remember sitting by an alpine lake at 12,000 feet in theSierra Nevadas, after not seeing anyone for two days. The sunwas shining, and the silence was broken only by the clatter ofrocks falling from the cliffs above. I was relaxed, and I feltlike it was the most beautiful place on earth. It isn't the samewhen I'm with friends. It's also true that there's an "edge" to solo backpacking. Thereis nobody there to help you if you run into trouble. The grizzlyoutside
my tent in Wyoming, or the rockslide in front of me inColorado - these things were felt viscerally. You become veryaware of how vulnerable you are. This is an interestingexperience - but not a bad one.My favorite aspect of hiking solo, is that all action is morenatural. We are social animals without a doubt, but when withothers, our decisions and actions are made as part of a group.There is always a little tension involved in balancing all theindividual needs. Consider something as simple as resting alongside the trail forten minutes. Even while it is a needed rest for one, it can bean unatural break in the rhythm for another, and yet a decisionmust be made to stop or not. On the other hand, decisions flowalmost without thought when you are alone. What a wonderfulrelief from the complications of ordinary life. If you haven't yet tried solo backpacking, get out there and doit. At least go for an over-nighter. How often do you actuallyspend a day without seeing another person? You'll appreciate theexperience. (Watch for my article on solo tips.)
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