by Lauren Danzi

Created on: September 04, 2007   Last Updated: September 05, 2007

As one hikes and observes the natural world they often feel a connection to the environment and feel they are part of something greater than themselves. This creates a sense of inner peace. Hiking can be a very spiritual experience. Being alone in the woods can magnify this experience because there is no one to distract them from the beauty that surrounds them. Its true hiking alone is more dangerous than hiking with a group but there are many things that can make it safer and the benefits are often worth the risk. Hiking alone can also give a person an incredible sense of personal accomplishment, which can improve self-esteem and build confidence.

Hiking alone has several other advantages. When hiking in groups people can easily become frustrated if others are hiking slower or faster than them. Hiking alone eliminates these problems. A person gets to set their own pace and rest without feeling pressured to keep up or becoming annoyed because someone is going to slow. They can take a much time as they like observing a mountain stream, a pretty flower, or as they climb in altitude a scenic view of other mountains. There is also have the potential to see more wildlife because a single person makes less noise and is less threatening than a group of people. This can be both an advantage and disadvantaged because while a hiker might want to see different species of bird, and rodents, they might not want to run into something as large as a bear or a moose. Dealing with these scenarios are dangerous no matter who you are with and the best approach is to make your presence known when you're still a good distance away by clapping or making other noise. If you round a corner and come upon an animal suddenly or the animal farther away takes and aggressive stance your best bet is to back away slowly.

If you do hike alone it is important that you tell others where you are going. I like leave Aim away messages detailing exactly what trails I am taking and when I expect to return. I also usually leave a hard copy of the information incase instant messenger goes down. For those that hike in the New Hampshire's White Mountains the AMC White Mountain Guide book extremely helpful for estimate the distance as well as time each hike will take.

Stick to the mountains and trails you listed to your friend or family. Hiking alone is not the time to trail blaze or climb up on a ledge you might not be able to get back down. It's a bad idea to jump across a raging river if you don't think

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