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Dingus McGee
Social climber
Where Safety trumps Leaving No Trace
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Aug 20, 2015 - 05:03am PT
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LS your biggest problem out West is likely to be Cowboys. Would bear spray work on these bad o'l boys?
It holds universally that you get to die only once. But then after that you have a chance to be Born Again.
The AA people say, And this moment too shall Pass.
My Advice: Monitor the gradients. Detect slip surfaces? Barbs will entangle you. Otherwise ShitHappens.
All these posts of advise are just mental Barbs you may carry for the crap of it.
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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Aug 20, 2015 - 05:29am PT
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Well- you're probably not gonna--BUT going alone was always sort of boring for me so bring a couple of good books. Make sure you got some fleece in case the weather gets wet and cold
Good tent, dry bag? There you go.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Aug 20, 2015 - 06:29am PT
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I LOVE long solo trips in the mountains. You feel wild and free. It's wonderful to push yourself and easier to do so when your pace becomes your own.
Let others know your plans BUT don't bring a cell phone or other communication technology with you. Yes, you want to be connected.....to yourself and the wildness surrounding you.
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The Lisa
Trad climber
Da Bronx, NY
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Aug 20, 2015 - 06:47am PT
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^^^^ +1
Group hikes and backpacks are fun but I love solitude too. I move faster and further while my mind can wander as it pleases.
Leave an itinerary/expected return time with someone who understands what you are doing and will know who to contact if you are long overdue.
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MH2
Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
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Aug 20, 2015 - 07:47am PT
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Going out by yourself is a different experience. It would be nice if you tell us how you liked it after you get back.
I've done a lot of solo hiking, mostly just day trips, where I won't see anyone else. There are times when things could go wrong from an ankle sprain to a 500 foot tumble. Leaving a written plan of your route is a good simple way to allow for the chance of trouble.
In the last couple years I've started taking more just-in-case gear like warm clothing, first aid, food, and a big bright plastic bag.
One of our kids gave me a tablet and I now use its GPS tracking and downloaded topo maps for fun to see how far and where I went after I get back. Once I was surprised to be going downhill when I thought I shouldn't be. I checked where I was and the track showed me going opposite the direction I thought. I didn't believe the tablet of course but after another 10 minutes it was sticking to its story so I turned around and headed back. The tablet was right.
I also carry a device that can send text messages via satellite and which the tablet can talk to. I never used to bother, but am more sensitive now to what might make life easier for SAR.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Aug 20, 2015 - 07:48am PT
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Dr Sprock gave gud advice but didn't caution you knott to start a signal fire when you get lost.
signed,
Cascade Solo Sucka. (them creevices are reallly scary sans corde)
ps
Prolly not sumpin you need concern yerself with for a few months but do remember to
NEVAH EAT NO YELLOW SNOW!
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WBraun
climber
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Aug 20, 2015 - 07:54am PT
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When I was in high school I went solo everywhere.
Hitch-hiked solo everywhere all the time.
Even my mom would give me a ride to the freeway on ramp.
She never ever gave any lectures like the ones in this thread.
She just said have a good time and see you when you get back.
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Winemaker
Sport climber
Yakima, WA
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Aug 20, 2015 - 07:54am PT
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I do quite a bit of solo alpine; as many have said, leave route and return times with someone then return on time, even if it means turning back. The things I worry about are breaking a leg or choking to death on food. Also, if you're allergic to wasps or bees, take stuff with you.
Enjoy the day.
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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Aug 20, 2015 - 09:11am PT
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If you don't already know how, learn how to shoot a handgun safely and accurately.
A snub nosed 38 weighs less than a pound and is a great deterrent for most creatures, both 2 and 4 legged.
Firearms for day hikes aren't normally necessary, but only make sense for back country camping.
Especially for the fairer sex, imo.
edit:
It is legal to transport to and from, and carry firearms in National parks.
Know specific laws pertaining to transport and carry in different locations.
This info is easy to find on the web.
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ladyscarlett
Trad climber
SF Bay Area, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 20, 2015 - 09:23am PT
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Oh well. . . maybe she didn't need my "Road Trips for Dummy Lone Women" tutorial, afterall.
knott true!!
eKat, you're tutorial was great! And stuff that I'd pass on in a heartbeat to any of my female friends going on a loner trip. I'm not saying that this country isn't full of awesomely empowered and powerfully strong women, but reality is reality, and as a human who is significantly less physically imposing than the average mountain D00d, I know there will always be people who see women alone as a better potential victim/target than a man. This is about reality, not gender equality.
Giving the perception that I'm not alone, or only temporarily alone (i.e. going to meet up with peeps soon), is a great tip for the road. One I've used before. Even pretending to be talking on the phone has helped me in uncomfortable situations has helped me in the past. The point about the front passenger seat is a good one, especially when driving into particularly redneck gas stations/liquor stores as a non-white, under 5 4' female.
I may have experience traveling, but it's taught me that although men and women strive to be equal, there are considerations women have to make that men have difficulty thinking about....
For example d00ds - unlike you men, the world is NOT our piss pot. Only specific places! ;)
Cheers everyone!
LS
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anita514
Gym climber
Great White North
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Aug 20, 2015 - 09:25am PT
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Wow, you must be doing the Evolution traverse or something!
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ladyscarlett
Trad climber
SF Bay Area, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 20, 2015 - 09:45am PT
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Seriously Burch!
Never been in the habit of telling people where I was headed to or when I was due to come back. Even when it was venturing out into the back alleys of whatever metropolitan urban wasteland as a wild child...less info spread around means less people get worried.
So many reasons. But it's not my default behavior.
Since I started climbing, I share even less, as many of my social network have very little conception of the world past San Jose to the south, Richmond to the east, and Marin to the north. Telling them 'where' is pretty pointless.
Friend - "what you doing this weekend?"
Me - "Thinking about heading up into the Sierras"
Friend "Sierras? So you're going to Yosemite?"
Me - "Uh...yeah"
I did have a close friend yell at me for not telling her any information when I went to meet strangers out in the middle of nowhere. She had a point and since then, I try not to meet strangers in the middle of nowhere......without telling anyone ;)
So thanks for the reminder folks!
Cheers
LS
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ladyscarlett
Trad climber
SF Bay Area, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 20, 2015 - 09:48am PT
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Wow, you must be doing the Evolution traverse or something!
Naw Anita...I don't have the right fingerless gloves yet!!
But I do think I'll try out my new lycra leggings!!
Hee hee
Cheers
LS
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ladyscarlett
Trad climber
SF Bay Area, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 20, 2015 - 12:34pm PT
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Didn't y'all know that we're two distinct separate personalities?
...of the same human?!!!
Multiple personality disorder folks, the internet has changed the world for us!
The best part though is.....
We swap leads!
Cheers
LS
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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Aug 20, 2015 - 12:54pm PT
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what a dick
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anita514
Gym climber
Great White North
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Aug 20, 2015 - 01:03pm PT
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Snark Bitch is me?
I've been called worse, I guess.
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overwatch
climber
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Aug 20, 2015 - 01:24pm PT
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You are a little snarky, I don't know about the bitch part, that is just mean.
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ladyscarlett
Trad climber
SF Bay Area, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 20, 2015 - 01:37pm PT
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I didn't realize we could use the word 'bitch' on this forum. I figured it would be auto censored...
Wow, learning things every day!
Cheers
LS
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'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
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Aug 20, 2015 - 02:11pm PT
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Now that you have sprayed all over this forum about what you think you're going to do, you'd bloody better do it, or your credibility will be destroyed forever.
Mini trip report due Monday morning here.
Dr. Piton's orders. ;)
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ladyscarlett
Trad climber
SF Bay Area, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 20, 2015 - 02:19pm PT
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I was thinking the same thing Pete.
Guess I can't default to doing my laundry or getting a haircut.
But then again, the weather is SO PURRRFECT that I suspect the Addiction will not let me do my laundry (which has been sitting in the laundry basket for a week) or a haircut (which won't looks especially different if I pass on a haircut).
:)
Shared momentum can be a good thing ;)
Cheers
LS
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