Saying "Yes" to Safety

By Katie Mitchell 

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But how will you stay safe? Are you bringing a gun? Taser? Pepper spray? A knife? These are all common questions for women who are planning solo thru-hikes. As an employee with REI, I am often confronted with these questions myself. Women come in thinking they need these safety precautions, and while it is good to feel safe when alone, these can be extreme measures for the reality of solo travel. 

 

Often, people are safer hiking solo than taking the subway on their way to work. But for those who still want the comfort of a little something in their back pocket, we have some tips for you. 

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• Carry a beacon with pre-loaded messages to send home when you reach camp safely and in case of an emergency.

• Hold off from posting your immediate location on social media…solo means you want to be alone. The world does not need to know immediate locations. 

• Hang your food from trees to avoid wild animals getting a little too friendly.

• Strap a bear bell to your backpack to seem threatening to animals from a distance. 

• If you end up needing to hitch-hike to town to bypass part of the trail or for a much needed warm meal, follow this handy guide for safe practices.

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In the end, violence is not a huge issue for women in the wild. However, something to be cautious of is men taking part in the practice of “mansplaining,” or trying to tell a woman what is best for her without knowing her. As Appalachian Trail Girl said, “It’s unsettling to have a man I’ve never met get in my face and yell at me. They might claim it’s dangerous for me to be alone, but them yelling at me is the most danger I’ve felt in the wilderness.”

 

In these cases, it is important to stand your ground and be firm in your confidence in the decision to thru-hike. The trails belong to everyone, not just know-it-all men.