Female solo hikers/bushwalkers

[perfectlydark]

I am not adverse to solo walking (creepy guys aside), but for me it is ten times better to do it with someone. It seems I am a minority with this opinion.

No, you're in the majority. Even the most competent walkers I know generally try to organise company for a walk rather than just packing up and going on their own. I'm just a particularly antisocial and socially inept old cow.

Not just you: nothing I hate more than realising there is a group of people somewhere behind me during a walk. All of a sudden I find it's a race to stay ahead to avoid the inane chit-chat.

More than once I've almost burst something trying to stay ahead of day walkers cruising along without heavy backpacks....

yep im exactly the same! Not just you.
I.dont mind a smile wave and a hello, but prefer to not get drawn into a convo. Ive reevaluated campsites aswell based on even a dingle other camper

[madmacca]

If a situation has got to the point that you think a PLB is going to save you from a creep, you would need to be very well hidden from the creep in order to remain in the same location as when setting off the beacon. It isn't instant response from one of those out in the bush! If well hidden from the creep, you are also well hidden from the help.

PLB's don't send off just one ping, they keep sending your CURRENT location until deactivated or the battery goes flat. If you move, the next ping goes with your new location.

Not usually an issue with land rescues, but the systems are monitored by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, and obviously the drift of a boat in distress is an option. I assume they just radio the helicopter with updated co-ordinates.

[TerraMer]

I have been walking solo in the mountains and coastal wilderness for the last 26 years. I prefer walking alone always. Currently walking around Australia alone without support crew or animals.
While walking, camping and leisure I have never had problems with people.
Very early I learnt many survival skills, have had to use them from time to time, I do take precautions and carry safety equipment, risk management is understanding you never have 100% control but you give it a go anyway.
Have just completed Bob Cooper's 1 week Advanced Outback Survival course in the Pilbara and recommend it to anyone at any level of survivalism. Even if you are an old hand at bush survival you will benefit from Bob's expertise.

[GPSGuided]

Not just you: nothing I hate more than realising there is a group of people somewhere behind me during a walk. All of a sudden I find it's a race to stay ahead to avoid the inane chit-chat.

More than once I've almost burst something trying to stay ahead of day walkers cruising along without heavy backpacks....

So common and I am no different. But I am trying to overcome this irrational behaviour, one that spoils one's true enjoyment opportunities. Such is human nature and the problem is within us.

[jobell]

I also bushwalk solo and prefer it that way. I started walking alone for lack of someone to go with, and now enjoy the challenge and the solitude. My friends who don't bushwalk ask me about the dangers, and my usual response is that providing I self manage and apply common sense, what I do is actually safer than many things that they do daily and in doing so take their own safety for granted - for example, driving a car.

[ErichFromm]

Yes - not many understand. I'm 6'2", over 100kg and not fat. Yet when I gi hiking everyone around me acts like I'm attempting to swim to new Zealand. I don't think you need to be female to get that re action...

[Jaala]

I've never had a problem, however the times I have encountered men I tend to be a little rude to them and make it clear by my attitude that I want to be left alone. They seem to sort of understand why I am being short and don't seem to take offence. I'm not outright rude... just very disinterested. I do take a good knife, but not for that reason. Having said that it is always with me. Most men have been ok so far. I did come across one weirdo but I think he was the harmless type.

[ErichFromm]

I do take a good knife...

I laughed at this: normally I retain quite a distance from women while hiking to ensure I don't intimidate, but being a knife-nut I might just be interested enough to come over and try to have a converstation.

"Is that VG10 or S30V?"
"Scandi or Convex ground?"
"Is that stabalised wood or G10 handles?"

[Travis22]

S35VN, High Hollow, Ti ; What am i holding Erich?

Travis.

[ErichFromm]

Sebenza? Also known as "knives I can't afford".....

[stry]

Sebenza - Aaarrrrrrgggggg !!

They keep haunting me. You are reminding me. My interpretation of the list is that they are OK customs wise, but the $$$$$ !!!!!!

[Travis22]

Good guess Erich!

Was playing with my Insingo Sebenza last night when I saw your post

Travis.

[Travis22]

Sebenza - Aaarrrrrrgggggg !!

They keep haunting me. You are reminding me. My interpretation of the list is that they are OK customs wise, but the $$$$$ !!!!!!

Yes they are an approved import. They are generally speaking the hardest frame locks to open - ever built, impossible to 'flick' open even if you use the thumbstud..

They are beautifully built and extremely good cutting knives unlike many of the 'trendy' sharpened folding pry bars that are popular today, but they are certainly no longer the only manufacturer producing knives made with extremely tight tolerances.

Travis.

[ErichFromm]

Good guess Erich!

Was playing with my Insingo Sebenza last night when I saw your post

Travis.

I should've asked for a prize before answering....

Yes "playing": something I always stupidly decide to do after having a few scotches. The number of nicked fingers I've had from my Para2....!

[stry]

See, even a hijacked thread can end up costing me money

Not a complete hijack, because one of my daughters, who lives alone, appreciates good knives (doesn't get phobic about the protection aspect though, just likes 'em)

So, while we are hijacking Travis, do you have a preferred supplier ?? PM me if you like. Or I I'll just sort something out myself if you would prefer.

[Travis22]

Neil at True North Knives. Bought many knives from him, he only ships fedex tho so the postage hurts but nearly all packages I've received from him have arrived in 3-4 days. (And it's still way way way cheaper then trying to source locally).

Travis.

[stry]

Thank you.

[Travis22]

No worries, make sure you let us know what you get and post some pics.

Travis.

[ErichFromm]

Neil at True North Knives. Bought many knives from him, he only ships fedex tho so the postage hurts but nearly all packages I've received from him have arrived in 3-4 days. (And it's still way way way cheaper then trying to source locally).

Travis.

Does everything arrive? I'd hate to buy an expensive chris reeves only to have it confiscated. ...

[TerraMer]

A multi tool is sufficient for anything you will need when bush walking, even if it comes down to a bush craft survival situation. The knives some of you have been talking about are designed for killing. What do you intend to kill when bushwalking?

Ladies, as a fellow female solo bushwalker with thousands of solo kilometres under my boots, you're in more danger walking through the shopping centre. This weapons tangent is so wrong. If you're that scared of solo bushwalking you think you need a weapon then don't do it, stay at home or stick to walking with friends. After all, the general safety guidelines to bushwalking advise against going solo.

On my first attempt to walk around the Great Australian Bight (solo unassisted) in 2004 I carried a dive knife and slingshot because I intended to catch food if I found myself in a survival situation. The only time I used either of them was to kill boredom, slingshot target practice on trees and rocks. I promptly gave them away to a nephew when I had to abandon the walk after only 450kms. There has been no need to carry anything bigger than my gerber multi tool since.

[Snowzone]

Ladies, as a fellow female solo bushwalker with thousands of solo kilometres under my boots, you're in more danger walking through the shopping centre. This weapons tangent is so wrong. If you're that scared of solo bushwalking you think you need a weapon then don't do it, stay at home or stick to walking with friends. After all, the general safety guidelines to bushwalking advise against going solo.

Its not the ladies that are scared, it seems to be the other half of the population.

[stry]

Well put TerraMer. I am inclined to think the weapon thing with some solo females is perhaps more a morale booster than an acknowledgement of any actual fear.

Early ski tourers had a saying, IIRC, that "the higher you go on the mountain, the less chance of meeting someone whose mum and dad weren't married" (wordy circumvention of the forum profanity filters there, but you get the message )

I don't think much has changed in that regard. Difficulty seems to be an excellent filter.

[ErichFromm]

The knives some of you have been talking about are designed for killing. What do you intend to kill when bushwalking?
.

No killing. These are all small folding knives. For me most common use is non lethal spoon carving. Not self defence.

[Mark F]

Perhaps the knife conversation should move to another thread (eg Do you carry a knife on hikes?) - it doesn't appear to have any connection with this thread which was started to explore the reasons more women didn't walk solo.

I actually have a bit of a problem with this thread as there is not a corresponding Male solo hikers/bushwalkers thread so it seems a bit misogynist. I suspect the reasons people walk solo are similar regardless of gender although I expect more women are deterred from solo walking compared to males.

[Strider]

A multi tool is sufficient for anything you will need when bush walking, even if it comes down to a bush craft survival situation. The knives some of you have been talking about are designed for killing. What do you intend to kill when bushwalking?

Two knives were mentioned - Chris Reeve Sebenza and the Spyderco Paramilitary. Both of these are high-end folders and are definitely not designed for killing anything.

Multitools are very heavy. Even more so when you only need a blade.

[dplanet]

Perhaps the knife conversation should move to another thread (eg Do you carry a knife on hikes?) - it doesn't appear to have any connection with this thread which was started to explore the reasons more women didn't walk solo.

I actually have a bit of a problem with this thread as there is not a corresponding Male solo hikers/bushwalkers thread so it seems a bit misogynist. I suspect the reasons people walk solo are similar regardless of gender although I expect more women are deterred from solo walking compared to males.

What I have been dreaming of, is a vehicle, which can take me to the access of the start of my adventure.

[Travis22]

Neil at True North Knives. Bought many knives from him, he only ships fedex tho so the postage hurts but nearly all packages I've received from him have arrived in 3-4 days. (And it's still way way way cheaper then trying to source locally).

Travis.

Does everything arrive? I'd hate to buy an expensive chris reeves only to have it confiscated. ...

The Sebenza is on the 'approved' list produced by customs Australia. There is no reason you should have any issues buying a Sebenza from overseas.

Neil is a 110% stand up guy, he has been around for a long time in the industry and is as honest as they come.

***If you did purchase something customs deemed prohibited then you can choose to have the knife shipped back to the sender and provided your buying from a reputable source a refund would be given less postage costs.

Travis.

[stry]

Travis, Erich and anyone else following this, I forestalled Mark F's very valid suggestion and went to the "Knives on Hikes" thread with this a few days ago.