Solo walking

[Greenie]

I mostly walk solo. How many of you walk solo? Am I crazy?
There are of course advantages and disadvantages.

Being able to set your own pace is one thing I like. Also the peace and quiet is another.
The safety factor is a disadvantage... Any others?

[north-north-west]

A lot.
No, you aren't. No more than me, anyway.

Disadvantage? I can't think of any. Apart from not being able to sit back and bludge and let someone else set up the camp when you're knackered after a long day's walking.

[Ent]

I suppose if you are a social animal the lack of company would take away some enjoyment. I enjoy quite time alone but find fellowship and banter can make the hills seam flatter.

Cheers Brett

[ILUVSWTAS]

The only REAL disadvantage comes if yu get yourself into trouble. Broken leg means no one to go get help, BUT if you walk solo you should have a PLB so no problems there, if your unconcious or worse though it's pretty hard to set off a PLB....

I used to walk along lots and still really really enjoy when I do. Its very soulfull :p

there is a long thread on the site somewhere with all the pro's and cons. but im watching the soccer now and cant be bothered searching for the link. Use the search function up top right and you'll find some good info.

[Son of a Beach]

I enjoy walking alone, but can't do it for as long as I used to like to. I start to get lonely after about 3 days now - didn't used to have that problem. So I keep my solo walks shortish now.

[ollster]

I get bored if I don't have someone to swear at the bush with me.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I get bored if I don't have someone to swear at the bush with me.

Lol
LMAO
ROFL

[Biggles]

Solo walking:

• Reinforces independence
• Establishes goals and priorities
• Allows you set your own time and pace
• Connects you with the environment one-to-one
• Gives you a feeling of real achievement when the going is tougher than expected and you must continue

I'm a bit ambivalent walking in/with groups; I'm a bit of a slow walker but know when to increase the pace. Being a photographer means I often unpack the kit the set up for a shot in what others may interpret as a mundane subject, but no — I see lots of things very differently.

In remote areas it's probably better to walk as part of a group for safety; I certainly would if, for instance, I wanted to traverse the Arthurs (fat chance, but...). I guess in time things may change and I'll appreciate group walking but generally you can find yourself and many hidden strengths by going it alone.

[Lindsay]

I walk solo. I find I have no need of company in the bush and enjoy the solitude, moving when I want, stopping when I want without needing to consult anyone else. I'm not anti-social and if I find myself in a crowded hut at night I will certainly converse with anyone, but the actual walking I enjoy alone.

[Macca81]

I walk solo. I find I have no need of company in the bush and enjoy the solitude, moving when I want, stopping when I want without needing to consult anyone else. I'm not anti-social and if I find myself in a crowded hut at night I will certainly converse with anyone, but the actual walking I enjoy alone.

im much the same as this, altho i rarely get the chance to walk solo... my weekends are so full that in the last 24 months, almost every walk has been one that has been organised for me at least a few months out mind you, i still have not walked anywhere with a hut, so i have never had that pleasure, only around campsites

[1iron]

I enjoying walking solo, enjoy the solitude enjoy being able to see wildlife in the bush. I am retired and one of the advantages is I can go walking when the whim takes me and the weather is favourable.

But walking solo means I am not allowed out without a map, GPS and PLB

[corvus]

I enjoying walking solo, enjoy the solitude enjoy being able to see wildlife in the bush. I am retired and one of the advantages is I can go walking when the whim takes me and the weather is favourable.

But walking solo means I am not allowed out without a map, GPS and PLB

G'day 1iron,
Do you you do it by choice or fear of power walkers as our strolling group may suit you
corvus

[geoskid]

Solo is good - a must even, occasionally - for me. Twice a year is good, more would be better, but then I would be permanently solo and that would be worse.
Solo is necessary for protection from all sorts mental ailments. I find it is particularly good for introducing oneself to oneself away from all else.
The downside - the only person to share those special extraordinary moments with is yourself.

Edit - for me 1 night is perfect, 2 is good, 3 is too many (solo that is).

[pazzar]

I like going solo - but past experiences tell me that I shouldn't go on extended walks by myself. Anything longer than 3 nights I try to go with others these days.

[Greenie]

Did anyone just watch the ABC show Miracles? That guy was in the Western Australian Great Sandy Desert for 43 days solo. And survived

[Chris]

Did anyone just watch the ABC show Miracles? That guy was in the Western Australian Great Sandy Desert for 43 days solo. And survived

Yes - probably not to be emulated
What an idiot not to realise people may go looking for him!
Was pleased to hear that his parents donated $20000 to the rescue services.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I like going solo - but past experiences tell me that I shouldn't go on extended walks by myself. Anything longer than 3 nights I try to go with others these days.

Sounds sensible. Once you have a bit more experience, and get a GPS and PLB you should be able to tackle longer walks by yourself, just dont be so gung-ho

[Greenie]

Just because something looks interesting on a map, doesn't mean you have walk it..

And if you do it solo, give very detail plans to as many people as you can.

Wonder how much money was spent on searching for him?

[Biggles]

Yes, that ABC "Miracles" was unsettling. That guy broke just about every rule in the book. It's a big step from Alaska to the clapped out buff country of WA.
Honestly, I cannot fathom the reasoning or logic for what that Alaskan did in the Great Sandy Desert.
His bland and unserviceable answers upon being rescued were more of an anti-climax. It defies reasoning why he set off there on a bike in the first instance, moreso he should leave the lot and go walkabouts. Even he aboriginal trackers thought dimly of his actions.

[1iron]

G'day 1iron,
Do you you do it by choice or fear of power walkers as our strolling group may suit you
corvus

Do it by choice, set my own itinerary. Don't have problems walking with groups just some times prefer to do things on my own.

1iron

[Phil]

In the past I've always walked with friends but of late (only this year really), I've gone solo on a few walks and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I can set my own pace; I love the peace and quiet and enjoy having my own 'head space', and have also enjoyed stopping at spots whenever I decide I want to and for as long as I want to. I will mention though that I do only go for day walks; I imagine I'd also like to go solo for longer trips in the future as well though.

[north-north-west]

Just because something looks interesting on a map, doesn't mean you have walk it..

Sorry, but I have a lot of trouble dealing with that concept.
Most of my best walks have been the result of looking at a map and thinking "hmmmmmmmmm, I wonder . . . "

[ninjapuppet]

Just because something looks interesting on a map, doesn't mean you have walk it..

Sorry, but I have a lot of trouble dealing with that concept.
Most of my best walks have been the result of looking at a map and thinking "hmmmmmmmmm, I wonder . . . "

HaHa, same

and i'm sure thats what was going through early explorers heads aswell.

[Greenie]

I should take that back. My last walk was based on just looking at a map and just doing it.
I had more fun that day because of the freedom I had.

[scubabob]

i haven't done any overnighters on my own - yet, but do often do day walks on my own, i just love the idea of being on my own totally, being free and to go where and when i like. I also scuba dive alone for much the same reasons, plus i dont have to worry about where my buddy is. (and before anyone starts screaming about that, i have a redundant system, only do piers, only during daylight and my wife knows where i am, when i go in and when i am due out - and who to call if i dont ring in in time)

Same with my bushwalks, i take a map and there is a copy of it on the lounge room table with my route plan. As i am "in training" for a much longer walk, i take my big back pack which has all the things you would need should anything happen (from water to tent and sleeping bag).

i just love it

[ahmondjai]

i haven't done any overnighters on my own - yet, but do often do day walks on my own, i just love the idea of being on my own totally, being free and to go where and when i like. I also scuba dive alone for much the same reasons, plus i dont have to worry about where my buddy is. (and before anyone starts screaming about that, i have a redundant system, only do piers, only during daylight and my wife knows where i am, when i go in and when i am due out - and who to call if i dont ring in in time)

Same with my bushwalks, i take a map and there is a copy of it on the lounge room table with my route plan. As i am "in training" for a much longer walk, i take my big back pack which has all the things you would need should anything happen (from water to tent and sleeping bag).

i just love it

I have just got back into this land sport recently, always wanted to go solo and has been planning to do some solo walks in the near future.
as for under the waterlines, I do solo numerous times, pretty much same as you do, ring the misses before I go into the water and after I got out of the water, or have her doing the surface watch due to she's not a diver and afraid of water....
so, no buddy to watch out for (and vise versa), no rush or wait, go anywhere and see anything i want~

although she can live with my solo diving, she strongly forbid my solo hiking/camping plans.

[scubabob]

ahmondjai, i can see her reluctance to let you go out alone, mine was the same but as she was used to me diving alone and doesnt seem to worry about me when i do (except for the time i forgot to ring her to tell her i was out..... ) Like i said my backpack is my big one and has tent, clothes, wet weather gear, sleeping bag, mattress, food for 3 days, stove, water, etc, etc - so if i do come to grief somewhere she knows i am relatively safe..

[ahmondjai]

yes, indeed, her reluctance was totally understood, if it was her doing the same thing, I would be concern and worry about her as much as she did, even if she has the experience and well-ly equipped. although nowadays's technology used on gears had improve and had further increase the chance of safely surviving when thing does go wrong, that's not something me or she would want to see and experience.
anyway, just sharing a similar experience with a fellow diver and hiker~

[north-north-west]

I've done more solo dives than those with a buddy, and most of that below 30m. Of course, I run doubles even for shallow pier dives. It's the cave and professional training, I suppose. If you're in the water with a bunch of entry level students, you aren't even as safe as being alone - you have a negative buddy factor. I've always reckoned I'm safer alone than with a complete stranger, although even amongst those I know there aren't that many I like diving with. And all have the same principle as me: treat it as a solo dive, regardless.

Fortunately, I have most of the local boat drivers well trained, but every now and then the have a new divemaster who has to have the facts of life carefully explained to them . . .

[Lizzy]

I used to do lots of solo walks, solo travelling etc ... I like being responsible for me, setting my own pace and agenda and having lots of thinking time....Some times it was just a matter of no one around intereseted in doing what I wanted but I saw no reason for this to stop me. When going solo I usually stick to defined tracks and try to limit risks as much as possible. These days with a family to think about I take it more seriously and would be more inclined to find someonefor longer walks and also take a PLB. Earlier this year did a walk with my Dad up Kosciousko and Main Range but he doesn't camp so sent him back and I had a relaxing night all to myself in the mountains- was great . Hired a PLB (even though risk wasn't huge but more to keep everyone happy)- have since bought one and am very happy I have
Cheers
Lizzy