| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| dena91 |
Posted - Aug 23 2018 : 5:34:29 PM
Hi Ladies, my boys and i had a riveting conversation at dinner tonight regarding my desire to start hiking again. I use to hike all the time before i had them (26 years ago!), and now i would like to do so again. They were horrified at the thought of me hiking alone and i said i use to do so all the time.
Has the world really changed that much in 26 years that i need to be concerned about hiking alone/hiking safety?
What do you gals do to be safe while hiking/camping?
Do you think you should always take a buddy?
Would love to hear your thoughts/experiences!
Dena
Farmgirl 5620 |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| katmom |
Posted - Sep 02 2018 : 9:15:15 PM
CeeJay,, what's that old sayin'...
"I don't have to out run the bear,,, I just have to out run you!"... lololol!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Sep 02 2018 : 8:24:52 PM
We have to be watchful for bears in our yards!!! Watchful for mountain lions! They are out there . .
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
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| dena91 |
Posted - Aug 31 2018 : 5:20:49 PM
:-) thank goodness that’s less likely here, but still a possibility.
Dena
Farmgirl 5620 |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Aug 31 2018 : 3:27:07 PM
actually, the biggest thing to worry about in our mountains is bears!!
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Aug 31 2018 : 12:27:30 PM
I have done a lot of solo hiking but it's been in years before I got some significant health issues that would prevent me from doing that now. I too, believe it depends on where you are hiking and, of course, that means you might have to do some research, etc. on your intended locations. These farmgirls have all given good advice/suggestions ... I wish you well and lots of fun on your adventures!!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
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| dena91 |
Posted - Aug 25 2018 : 07:54:26 AM
Yes I did:-); That’s why i asked the farmgirls!!!
Thank you everyone for all your helpful comments, ideas and suggestions. They have allowed me to think further about this question and make some serious plans towards fun and safety.
Hugs to all:-)
Dena
Farmgirl 5620 |
| Tumbleweed |
Posted - Aug 24 2018 : 9:40:38 PM
Well said everyone. Farmgirls rule! Did you all know or remember our Queen Bee was a forest ranger?
TW
The fun begins where the sidewalk ends. Shel Silverstein |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Aug 24 2018 : 5:30:13 PM
I work as a volunteer at the Morton Arboretum, which has 1700 acres of woods. A few years back they did a survey and found 75% of their members are women. There is throughout the arboretum horticulturists, volunteer safety & trail patrol monitors plus the arboretum staff security during the hours they are open. I strongly recommend you hike in a place that has the same type of safety and security setup.
Another thing to remember is this time of year the ground nesting wasps and yellow jackets are really bad. Stay on the path, hopefully it is well mulched, and always look for anything that stings if you have to step off it! We have coyotes here and some people carry airhorns to be on the safe side to scare them away.
Enjoy your hiking, I love walking the forest preserves by my house and at the arboretum. Fortunately they are well used paths and I have always felt safe in them. I hope you can find the same by you.
Dawn in IL
"Nature teaches beasts to know their friends." Shakespeare: |
| katmom |
Posted - Aug 24 2018 : 2:30:59 PM
Dena,, simply said,,,
1. Know Your Surroundings
2. Be prepared
3. Have a safety device+ pepper spray, cell phone,
4. Don't be modest, Kick, scream, bite, don't worry that your petti coat is showing... hurt your assailant before he can hurt you!
and... assailiants aren't just men.. a female can attack, or distract you so her partner can grab you.
Taking a self defense class will be useful and Always,,, Always let someone know when you plan to go hiking, give them the location and time you will return.
Stay safe, enjoy your hikes,, just remember you have love ones who want you to return to them.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| YellowRose |
Posted - Aug 24 2018 : 07:07:45 AM
We don't want to live in fear but we must take our world as we find it these days. No matter where you live or how safe the area has been there is no way to insure that someone meaning to do harm has not crossed into it. Use our common sense to stay safe.
It's okay not to speak to everyone who passes you when you are out alone. At all times be aware of your surroundings. Walk in the middle of a street or path when possible. Keep away from places where someone may be lurking.
Always have charged cell phone with you. A large dog who is protective of you is a plus - also if you live in a right to carry state and have your permit have your gun with you. I believe in right to carry but I don't because of my eyesight.
I know people listen to music on their headphones but it does keep them from hearing what is around them. It would probably be a good idea to turn them off in areas where you may feel less comfortable being in.
We must not let fear control us and keep us from doing what we want but at the same time we must at all times be alert to what is going on around us.
A self protection class would be a good idea for hiking or jogging alone.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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| HollerGirl56 |
Posted - Aug 24 2018 : 05:50:20 AM
Dena---I agree---depends on where you go. I watch a lot of the ID channel and hiking on trails would give me the creeps. My advice is to hike and carry a big old gun. I had a guy threaten me over the phone once and I said to him---"If you come down here you're going to be looking down a forty four in West Virginia"---as Mick Jagger says in one of his songs. Ladies---I hike alone here everyday and I have no fear---but that is because I am on my own property. I rarely meet anyone. One day I walked down the holler and a man was coming up and I just turned my back and walked---creepy. I had one man stop and say---please tell me you are carrying a gun---don't walk around here by yourself without one. I don't carry a gun---don't even know how to shoot. But so many places are unsafe---so many hollers in WV are the pits of HELL. My friend could not walk down her road on Saturday night because of wild holler people out raising hell. When we visited her aunt and I wanted to walk they said you can go that way but not that way---wasn't safe. Trails in parks would creep me out---so if you really want to hike carry a big old gun---dress like an old lady or a guy. And get your swagger on and look really mean---like Mick Jagger on a bad day. No one will touch you,
Old Age Ain't No Place For Sissies!------Bette Davis |
| Tumbleweed |
Posted - Aug 23 2018 : 9:33:18 PM
Hi Dena,
I would say it depends on where you go. I used to volunteer at a nature reserve near me. I used to do trail patrol and only had a radio for contact. The reserve is a popular place so meeting other hikers happened a lot. I always felt safe. I had to retire from it last Fall. There are other places near me I wouldn't hike in unless I had a big dog with me.
You may have to do a little homework to see what is available near you.
TW
The fun begins where the sidewalk ends. Shel Silverstein |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Aug 23 2018 : 7:28:31 PM
YES I think it has. Sorry to say but I do a lot of traveling by myself and would not do any hiking in a remote area. I took a really nice hike back into the woods in Oregon and I was with my brother and sister in law and when we got back My first thought was I would never have done that alone. But that is me but I wouldn't do it.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
