Why hike alone? Whether it's the convenience of a quick hike after work or a thorough examination of one's hiking skills, it is helpful to identify your reasons for hiking alone. Your 'why' will help you set your goal for solo hiking. For example, your 'why' might be: I would like the convenience of a quick hike after work so I don't have to rely on others schedules. So your goal might be: I want to feel comfortable hiking alone on a well established trail. Take a moment to write down your goal for solo hiking.

 

With your goal in mind, you can create a series of 'steps' that lead to your goal. For example, if you want to feel comfortable hiking alone on a well-established trail, you can start by hiking it with friends a few times. Once familiar with the trail, you can hike the first quarter of the trail alone. Then, you can hike the first half of the trail alone. And so forth.  Take a moment to write down your 'steps' to your goal.

 

What happens when I complete steps toward my goal for solo hiking? When you're with friends, you rely on the collective skills of the group to complete the hike (e.g., identifying changing weather patterns, wilderness first aid, water filtration, emotional support like reassurance, navigation and so forth). When you are alone, you must have each of these skills. While you can partly acquire these skills by reading, you also need experiential practice. There is no substitute. However, taking on too much may lead you to feel overwhelmed. This is the magic of gradual exposure...

 

With each step toward your goal of hiking alone, you will likely have new experiences. When you hear that sound in the bushes, you won't have a friend to ask if it's an animal. You'll need to assess and respond. When the weather is changing, you'll need to assess and respond. These new experiences will elicit fears (e.g., what if that sound is a dangerous animal? what if the clouds on the horizon are a storm approaching?). By reading about new skills, like bear safety or identifying weather systems, and gradually exposing yourself to new experiences, you'll be better able to tolerate your fears and use new skills to respond effectively to the situation.

 

By slowly stretching your comfort zone with small steps over time, you'll progress toward solo hikes that align with your goals. As you accomplish your goals, you will become a confident solo hiker.

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