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Posted by Alicia on January 15, 2008 at 9:35:03 pm EST
In reply to Missing Hiker posted by Old Hermit on January 3, 2008 at 11:52:23 pm EST

As one of the few females around here, I feel the need to respond to the issue of safety for solo women hikers and backpackers. Sorry this is so long.

There are obvious safety precautions everyone should take outdoors: being prepared for the potential conditions and terrain, telling others where you’re going and when you’ll be back, being aware of your surroundings and others, listening to your gut instincts in regard to personal safety (this covers other people and the terrain and conditions), and so on.

Sometimes women are encouraged to bring along a dog, in the absence of another hiker. You also can avoid telling strangers you’re hiking or backpacking alone by alluding to a friend or spouse you’re waiting for on the trail and so on. Don’t give out personal info, especially about your hiking plans. Trust your instincts. You don’t have to feel rude, but if someone or something feels off, it’s good to listen to your gut and avoid the situation. (I think women can have a hard time wanting to be nice, even when unsure of someone, but ultimately you should listen to what your gut is saying.)

From what I read in this article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2008/01/10/hiking0110.html) Meredith Emerson did much of the usual safety stuff: knew the area, told others where she was going, brought her dog along, and so on. It's easy to second guess what she might have done differently, but she certainly wasn't behaving irresponsibly.

I think it’s really important to remember that examples like her murder are the extreme (hence the news coverage and absorption). Most people go hiking, backpacking, or trail running daily without a threat from other people.

However, while I believe most people are decent, it seems there will always be that one individual who is not. So I would caution other women to follow safety cautions if/when they choose to hike, run, or backpack alone.

On the flip side though, I also think there is a risk in not going out hiking and backpacking due to fears of something like this. Obviously, like all of you, I think getting out into the outdoors is an extremely meaningful and important (I’d even say necessary) activity for my own mental and physical well-being. And I think people should feel comfortable doing the same: whether alone or in groups.

While I usually hike or backpack with my husband or occasionally friends, I admit to regularly trail running and occasionally hiking on my own. For running, I do things like not having a regular route and routine (you couldn’t look at your watch and expect me to go by a certain spot at a certain time). I don’t run with earphones on. I stay aware of my surroundings and others. I always let someone know where I’m going. While friendly, I keep a certain space between myself and other people, especially ones in cars asking for directions. I follow the same sort of rules when hiking. I do feel safer the farther away I am from roads and trailheads.

Ultimately, I think it’s most important to be aware of your surroundings and listen to your instincts. But we can never mitigate all risk in the outdoors or from others.

I hope an extreme and very tragic case like this does not keep other women from enjoying the backcountry safely. Meredith Emerson’s murder is a horrible tragedy for her family and friends and community. It makes me sad and mad that not only did a man senselessly kill her, but that he has tainted the solitude of the outdoors for many hikers—especially women.

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