My friend who hiked the AT named her backpack "Charlie". If she got the alone question she would say I'm hiking with Charlie, he's right behind me. Then she beat it out of the situation. Stay safe.
Your videos are great. As a male ive realized by watching your journey how the typical questions that come up on trail (camp, distance, etc) can make a woman feel uncomfortable. Ive started sticking to "hey how are you doing" and "have a good day". Good info Taylor. Thanks for making the hiking community better
@@Margatroid Sure, there is always safety in numbers but anyone should be able to do sensible things alone if they so choose. Should a woman drive cross country alone? There is some risk in this as well. Even when doing something like a through hike intending to be in a group, circumstances can change very easily to disrupt even the best of plans. Use common sense like Taylor is and the risks can be managed.
Was probably harmless but you are smart to follow your instincts. As an older, male hiker and father to 2 young women I try to be very mindful of the female hiker’s experience. Everyone deserves to feel safe on trail (and off trail)! People don’t need to loose their manners and social skills when hiking. Glad you are safe and as always thanks for sharing.
Yes, always trust your instinct. Lots of us are taught to please as kids and so it can be hard to go against that when we're young and stepping into our own power. From what I heard you say, you are def listening to that voice inside of you that says somethings not right. Developing that intuition and acting on it are really things to be celebrated and will serve you your entire life, so big-time kudos to you!!! (And i love the dog whistle idea-clever and good for you to take action to keep yourself feeling safe. Way to go!)
As an older male (with 3 daughters) I also struggle with these situations. I have occasionally run into solo females in the outdoors and I don't want to seem creepy by being too friendly so I tend to move off as soon as I can. I think it makes me seem unfriendly and that might be equally disturbing. It is hard to find the right balance. Thank you for raising the topic - everyone has a right to feel safe and comfortable in the outdoors (and elsewhere)
As a mature single female, I value guys who are quietly friendly, simply introducing themselves and saying who their family members are back home. Also keeping a reasonable physical distance helps hugely, and not asking any personal questions, but as you say, asking if we are OK. This can enhance a feeling of calmness and respect for the guy. I appreciate how thoughtful and respectful you are. 😊
I totally get it. That is definitely Not what the guy she is talking about did. A quick hello and check in and then moving on is always good etiquette. Conversation about the shape of the trail ahead is welcome but personal questions -nope- I would not ask a guy about that either, nor would I welcome it from another woman either, trust is an earned thing. There are women who creep me out too so it is not gender based, LOL. It is just a too familiar for comfort thing. You seem to understand all of that too, good for you. Nice to meet guys like you on the trail and know it is a good hike ahead. LOL
10:09 Not being dramatic, you were listening to your gut instincts. The guy was probably safe but just incredibly poor social skills. A great message for everyone to acknowledge. Especially those who are following you and other AT hikers to respect privacy if we happen to cross paths.
Conversations like that are alarming and not to be downplayed. Hike away from them! There were places on the AT that we waited for cars to go past and we stayed out of sight until the road was empty to cross. Locals who think it is amusing to bother hikers (and yes, that at least was a thing, don’t know if it still happens) know about where you will camp, especially late in the afternoon. Listen to your inner voice!
Good that you talked about the weird conversation. The thing is: a lot of men don't get why women get uncomfortable by this kind of questions. They do not have the same experiences that women (already as teenagers) have (catcalling, being harassed in public transport, etc.). So I really hope that speaking about being uneasy helps them understand and hopefully change their behavior
I am probably 2 times her age too but do I really need to change my friendly / naive behaviour because there is bad guys somewhere out there? I dont want to overthink everything I might be allowed to ask or not. I was like that as a teenager. Thank god I am more relaxed now and not afraid to say sth wrong. Have your bear spray ready or deal with it 😛
@@kloppskalli Yes, you do need to change that behavior. We don't have the luxury of assuming you mean no harm so we have to assume you're one of the creeps.
@@kloppskalli I had been wondering when the first comment like that would appear. Can't you just acknowledge Taylor's experience and accept that it makes some people uneasy having to answer questions about hiking/ camping alone or their camping location?
Women have had to think about what they say since early teen years so as not to give certain men the wrong idea, not to mention having to be constantly alert to potential physical danger from ill-intentioned men. It shapes how women interact with the world everyday unfortunately and reading the news will tell you it’s not unwarranted. It’s just not that hard guys once you know how this is received, and if you are the good guy you likely assume yourself to be you can show that by not asking intrusive questions that make other people concerned about their safety!
I would strongly disagree. Your statement should be rephrased to “only certain kind of men”. ….. any male with average education and manners clearly is aware about the level of discomfort this type of conversations cause. Having said that I would recommend to any female hiker to CCW on remote trails.
Other women hikers experience the same thing. It is important to follow your gut feeling, its never wrong. Glad your fall wasn't to bad and you didn't get hurt🌻👣
I used to teach martial arts and self defense. A book I made required reading for my female students especially was “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin Debecker. The main theme throughout the book was to trust your instincts. Lots more to the book but that whole business of trusting your gut was the one thing that helped a lot of women avoid uncomfortable encounters.
I don’t think men realize all the precautions women have to take for mundane activities that they take for granted because of the world we live in. I totally get where you’re coming from and would have felt just as uncomfortable. I probably wouldn’t have been so nice but I’m way older than you and have learned to shrug off the urge to always be accommodating as women are raised to be. Stay strong and never be afraid to refuse to answer or ask why do you want to know. 💪🏻 I love your videos.
Well said, & true! Men need to think more b4 opening their mouths. Respect women's boundaries & realize it is a very different world for them compared to women. * It's a very privileged world that I know most men don't grasp, unfortunately. (This is coming from a Trans person who sees this issue from both sides & the outside. You have my total sympathy cis-gendered girls & women. I SEE the disrespectful scary situations that you face with clueless &/or predatory males.) 🙄
As a hiker about twice your age, I’ve told my wife and daughters how funny it is that when I’m alone female hikers won’t even make eye contact with me, but when I’m with my wife everyone says hi. Signs of the times.
yes and i wonder if the guy was her age and she found him attractive than the questions would have been ok? I think if thats going to scare you you might think of not going out in the woods by yourself?
@@chrisfraser3235 how dare you blame her for following her gut instinct. It's all we women have to keep us safe. She was right to be cautious. You obviously don't get it.
Taylor, Great job on, trusting your gut instinct! As an ex-police detective, I can tell you that you should always trust your gut. Many women get into trouble because they don’t want to come off as “rude,” instead of listening to their gut. If your senses are telling you, there is a red flag, trust it!
As a retired police officer from Baltimore City. NEVER feel bad about following your gut and intuition! I cannot count the tragedy that could have been avoided in 32 years if people had just listened to themselves or used common sense! You did well and ALWAYS keep your guard up. I know it’s a hard balance to stay friendly and wary all at the same time but always err on the side of caution! It’s better to have your thoughts you’re having now than to have it go wrong! Stay safe, enjoy yourself and have a great life! ☮
This is a wise and very validating comment. As an older (65) woman who has always lived and travelled alone, I concur. I have always listened to my instincts both in town and out on the trails here in New Zealand, and I have always remained safe. 🌿 We definitely have less to worry about than in the USA, but we definitely have our freaks and people with nefarious agendas. 🤔
Question for guys... is that within normal questions for men to ask eachother on trail? Or is this just a creep trying to sus out the female's vulnerableness...?🤔
@@JLu20 I think I’d be a lot more likely to ask another guy (RU-vidr) those questions out of curiosity then a woman. Seems like this fellow was either a creep or had no idea that he might be viewed as a threat and just wasn’t sensitive to Taylor’s situation. - Let me ask you the same question…Would you ever ask those questions to someone of the same sex? - Keep in mind that Taylor is a celebrity of sorts, and people tend to treat celebrities differently.
@@JLu20 60+ year old man here - I get the same questions all the time, always have. I feel like people are just curious, but it is intrusive and I can certainly see why it would give a woman the creeps.
@@davidprovost3537 Another 60+ guy who does very long day hikes alone-I get that question constantly-but see how it seems different to a young woman, especially if the vibe is a little off.
It made me uncomfortable just hearing you talk about that person. You totally did the right thing putting him far behind. I'm a 'throw caution to the wind' kinda guy, and very introverted. I would have bailed too. ❤ the RU-vid dog whistle idea! Rest well Nahamsha ✌️
From a guys perspective, whenever I run into 1-2 female hikers, I am intentionally brief with no more than a "Hi" or nod as I pass on the trail, unless they engage me in more conversation. Really- if I was a female hiker on the AT, I would always have pepper spray, regardless of each states laws (as some liberal states are more restrictive). I would hope the police would have sympathy for my situation of being concerned for my safety as a female hiker and I would also play dumb and say I didn't know I was breaking a law in that state.
Always listen to your gut in these situations. Maybe practice saying something like “my friends are right behind me” so that the necessary lie comes more naturally. Be safe. ~~Slippers
I appreciate your explanation of that unusual conversation. I think you did the right thing by listening to your intuition. Some people just have bad social skills, but I can certainly understand how creepy that could be also. You did the best by following your gut. Stay safe! I enjoy following your progress and learning.
That's good advice. I carry a snubnose for the same reason. A lot of thru hikers don't want to carry any extra weight but a can of bear spray or a lightweight handgun are worth their weight in gold when you need them.
@@davem4193 The issue with that is legality. Going through NY and MA (not sure about other states gun laws, but I KNOW they have strict gun laws). But the bear spray is legal and a acceptable along the entire trail. (Not anti-gun, I hiked for years with my 1911 until I realized how much weight it saved me to carry a can of bear spray).
@@hindsfeetonhighplaces yeah that's why I mentioned bear spray as well for people who don't want to deal with the red tape of a firearm. I know in Mass they will issue non-resident carry permits but NY is about as absurd as it gets. NJ is awful as well. An LEO friend once told me that bear spray is only effective on 90% of the human population whereas a taser is 100% effective. Bear spray is 100% effective on bears if you hit them in the right spot. I'm typically more concerned about 2 legged predators than bears but I did once get false charged by a mama bear while hiking in the White Mountains. It ended well though, I did draw my .38 Special in case but she stopped and I apologized to her and backed away slowly haha.
@@davem4193 how can you legally carry a pistol across state lines? I've seen other people say they do but none of them have mentioned how they get around the legalities of carrying and whether or not it's a concealed carry permit.
If you’ve hiked 1500 miles and only ran into one weird guy that made you uncomfortable that’s probably a win. However, those types of questions are 100% inappropriate and unacceptable to ask a young woman. Don’t let that one sketchy guy dampen your spirit, though.
You're hiking smart, as always. Thanks for sharing the sketchy parts of your experience - it helps us all. Stay safe. Stay positive. Stay the course. Walk on.
As a fellow female hiker, I also feel uncomfortable when asked where I'm camping and if I'm alone. Most times, I'm sure it's harmless but you just never know and I think it's wise to be on guard. I've also been similarly vague in my responses, and I've also lied to people that my husband is waiting for me down the trail or something to that effect. If that guy asked if you were alone, I don't think he watches all of your vlogs or he'd know the answer. But if he is watching this, hopefully he learned something about what not to say!
Answer a question with a question my mom always said. Are you camping alone? You can answer back the same thing. I always do this when I don’t want to give extra information too. Hope this helps!
There are people in this world who do not have skills or mental maturity to meet another human and interact at a comfortable level. They may be insecure and some of the things they say can come across as inappropriate. Gut instinct will help in most situations.
Now I'm wondering if I came off as creepy the day I met you on trail. If I did, I apologize for that. I pretty much ask every hiker, male or female, how they are, what they're hiking etc etc. I will now rethink how to engage hikers in the future. Be safe!
If he was older, he may have just been concerned that you were hiking alone, but if that’s the case he clearly wasn’t thinking how you might react. I must say, I felt better when you were hiking with Cody, even when you weren’t right with each other much of the time. I think you are terrific, but maybe if anyone else asks, you could tell them you are with some others, why should they care, anyway 😊
"Are you hiking alone?" would normally be a weird question to ask a female but on a thru hike things get weirder. On my thru hike more than one female stopped to chat with me and volunteered that she was doing the entire hike alone. Hiking alone or in a group is a big difference on a thru hike. It's at the forefront of everyone's mind and something people just talk about on trail.
Every hiker has every right to feel weird about an encounter on trail, and walk away from it. It’s good to share your perspective on the encounter, in the hopes that others learn from it. I’d just like to caution people (the commenters more so than Taylor) to be careful labeling people as “creepy” after hearing one person’s account of a “1 minute” (as Taylor put it) interaction. Try not to assume bad intentions. (I’m not sure if you folks have noticed, but there’s a lot of socially awkward people in the world today). Maybe the hiker was nervous , star struck… I acknowledge that, as a man, I cannot fully understand what it’s like to be a woman in these situations. But we shouldn’t pretend to know what the other hiker’s intentions were either ✌🏻
Lol was the interaction with you?? Just messing around. But I’m curious if the guy who watches saw this video. You make a good point and something I thought about. Woman have to be very cautious
As a male hiker I've actually asked these sorts of questions just trying to make casual conversation, only to realize my error after the fact. When you think about it, some of those questions are right up there with the most common questions people are going to ask while on the trail like: What's the trail like ahead? Any good water sources? etc. The question about "Are you hiking alone?" is definitely strange, but not unheard of. I get asked that all the time and I always answer the same way: No, I'm a bit faster than my buddies. They're just behind me. Always best to be cautious and trust your instincts.
Yes , you are right, but tone implies intent and that is what gets creepy. You can tell when it is just excited curiosity and when it may be bad info to tell anyone, alone I would never welcome that question and I probably would still not answer it with my family along. A person alone may have friends in close places you are not aware of. Deliverance was a creep out for a good reason even all those years ago when the AT was a lot less populated and a wee bit safer than it is today. There are nut jobs coming out of the woodwork right now after the last 3 years to say the least.
That uncomfortable conversation is another reason to carry bear spray. It works on humans too. Keeping a can in your tent at night might go a long way to making you feel safe.
Bummed you ran into a creepy guy, it seems like it impacted your day. Your trail etiquette reminders are good to hear. Keep Taking care of yourself and trust your gut.
@@markjarrett9543 ah well we weren’t there Mark so we don’t actually know that. She said she felt weird, let’s not be patronizing and take her word for it. She seems to be a rational person, I don’t think we have to change the story on her behalf. You know, because I’m hoping you’re not assuming she’s exaggerating or being dramatic on the basis of her gender- especially since women will downplay their safety in time of crisis! The whole lesson of the video in fact. I’m sure you’re not doing that though Mark, I’ll give you the benefit of doubt! 😊
I think these conversations are extremely helpful. I could easily have seen myself blundering in to an uncomfortable situation in error. I appreciate your candidness 🌸🧡
And this is the correct response. Be aware, be informed, reflect on your own behavior and make steps to avoid being perceived in a way that you don’t want to be/aren’t trying to be.
Maybe you came up with a new phone app, sounds that scare animals. A developer could post various sounds on an app that scare bears, wolves, coyotes, snakes and in your case pooping owls. I'm glad you shared some questions that might make a woman nervous, a good lesson for men. Good luck and please stay safe.
Hi Taylor, ..I pray for you everyday and I never miss your videos. As a mom and a grandmother, I can imagine the feelings that your family feels as you check in nightly. I know this is way behind you now and I am thankful for that. Other hikers should already know trail etiquette but hopefully this is an awareness of what not to do. It is scary times now and you just have to put yourself first and say whatever you need to say to remain safe.
If someone creeps you out, and they ask where are you going, tell them you are going to town and meeting someone at a certain time. That will let them know, or think, someone is expecting you.
@@hokudadog7637 I don't think so. In these situations it is always better to be in a public place around people. She should have actually gone to town and not camp alone in the woods in this situation, just to be safe. Also being self assured and self aware goes a long way. That would give any creep second thoughts because she wasn't an easy target.
Sorry you had that experience. I totally get what you are saying about these specific questions on trail, which any hiker would find way too forward and intrusive. I find that older men and even some women on the trail often want to give me advice or voice a judgement about choices I make. They assume I'm new to hiking because of my body type/age/gender who knows... But then I just nod along and explain, yeah, I've hiked this same mountain like 100x and appreciate their perspective. I've also experienced someone pink blazing with me (a term I only know from kyle hates hiking) which was super awkward and hard to escape.
@@MrJedi5150 not downplaying what you’ve learned through your years. But it’s a different world for young people. We see how scary men are in new ways and we have access to so much information, sometimes it feels safer to avoid. But still worth trying to learn how to not give a crap about peoples feelings all the time, I agree.
As a guy twice your age who hikes, there’s little that creeps me out more than guys like that. I’ve stumbled into conversations like that and I’ve used my arrival to distract and break up the conversation. Keep following your gut instincts, it’s what I teach my daughter! Still super excited to try my new Nemo tent!
MOST people are perfectly harmless in asking these questions, they just want to get to know you. For the most part long trails engender more social openness. It's hard to remember in the moment, but nobody likes to think of themselves as the potential bad person. The very fact that he was significantly older than you probably made him feel like he wouldn't come off as a threat to you. You certainly did the right thing in doing what you felt you needed to do to protect yourself. Objectively, he didn't do anything wrong either. He could have worked a little harder to read the situation, but nobody gets it right all the time. ADDITIONAL NOTE: I constantly find myself juggling privacy issues in a professional setting with my clients. It's quite the issue on both sides of the equation. In order for me to provide the most help to people I need to learn something about them, but at the same time I myself am an intensely private person. Best I can do is to hold good ethics with the information I retain about people, and also understand that people want to know about the person they're hiring to help them, despite my personal desire for privacy.
Hey, saw your video and thought I shoot you over some sec advice, coming from my time as a former SOF operator. 1) best defense is avoidance. Walk away from creepy or suspicious individuals. Avoid getting into trouble by being vigilant and by listening to your gut feeling. Walk away from meetings and situations where you feel uncomfortable. Learn to recognize drug consumption in the face of an individual, these are particularly dangerous. 2) the kind of questions from that guy are not normal. He was conducting what we would call a reconnaissance and shaping operation. No man with good manners and good intentions would ask that BS. 3) avoid the usual camp sites on remote trails. Practice stealth camping. 4) do CCW, a small 9mm fits into small pockets. Carry pepper spray. 5) carry satellite communicators, let your hiking progress be checked by trusted third parties online. Agree with them on mandatory check-in times. Having said that I have done long distance remote trails in Canada, the US and elsewhere. And yes, there are very nice people on the way but also some real creeps. Years ago I was with my then 9 y old son on a remote trail in Canada, met a weird male with an aggressive dog coming from the opposite direction, had a friendly chat for a few minutes, left, soon after I realized he was following us and kept his distance. At sun down I chose the next creek, walked off the trail in the creek bed an hour in order to lose his dog and then camped wild. The whole night I was awake with my rifle close by, praying that there would be no confrontation. Next day we bushwhacked across a mountain range and never returned to the same trail again.
Hey Taylor, just discovered your channel. Enjoying your hike. I can relate to the face planting, I had more than one or two on past hikes on the JMT, and believe me, it hurts a whole lot more when you're 55ish. As a solo thru-hiker in the high Sierra, I’m accustomed to running across fellow thru-hikers that happen to be female. I’m very conscious of how I conduct myself, especially having a daughter that just graduated high school. I’d rather come across as asocial than come up and try to converse with a solo female, and I certainly know there are questions you just don’t ask, such as are you hiking alone, where you going to camp, or, first meetup, even asking their name. Now if we’ve leapfrogged each other a day or two, and have exchanged some pleasantries, then I might introduce myself. Another tip, if you’re in the middle of the wilderness and there’s unbounded places to camp, don’t pull up 30 or 40 feet from another hiker an set your tent (especially if they’re F and your M), go down the trail a ways. I hate it when people do this, even if they’re M. It’s common sense, guys, be respectful when encountering solo female hikers on the trail.
total and complete paranoia lol. The guy sounds like he was just being friendly albeit perhaps a bit socially awkward. Guys often aren't sure what to say either and will just say the first thing that pops into their heads. What axe murderer is going to go to the trouble of dressing up in hiking gear and hanging out along the Appalachian trail in order to kill someone?! LOL This girl will get home and continue watching her favourite series "Serial killers on the loose" and wonder why she gets so freaked out so easily LOL
Thanks for sharing your experience with the hiker who made you uncomfortable. One of the most important things is to always “listen to your gut”. So glad you are being safe 😊
That is called a predatory male. Get out! The lone make is the most dangerous creature I've ever dealt with sola traveling and hiking. Fortunately, they are easy to outsmart - as long as you don't train them to be smarter on vids like these. Good job trusting your gut.
You were absolutely right in how you felt. Never NOT trust your gut reaction Those were probing questions from a total stranger. He was stupid to put you to that line of questioning, he was a creep to do that. It really is not safe anymore to hike alone no matter how intrepid you are. Please be aware of that. I do not camp alone but I do not use the shelters either. usually populated by greedy guts who do not want to allow space for others.
I find it difficult to understand why a few men utterly refuse to realise or learn that they sound both very pervy and dangerous to women. It doesn't matter whether they are a real threat or not; being over-familiar is never okay.
😊 Always 😊Always Trust your gut instinct 😊 Unfortunately in this world it’s difficult for old men to communicate to all women of all ages. I’m an old man and have noticed it with my daughter and granddaughters and Church women. Most men just don’t talk much or say very little. Which doesn’t help. Personally I dislike texting you don’t get enough of clues what people are really saying. Anyway Trust your gut instinct’s always! I watch your blog and know a lot about you and your mom, husband and store, etc. I would consider you a daughter because of your age. Women my age I consider sisters. All women I always feel the need to protect. I know that’s not always my place. It’s part of who I am. Women of all ages frighten me ( make me awkward) to an extent. I think it’s because of women’s lib etc.. and they seem to be “extra”. I do think this is something all women should think about when backpacking and traveling anywhere! Men do talk a bit more direct. My daughter instructs me how to talk to my granddaughter when she has a meltdown. More of a “feelings” kind of thing. Oh well enjoy your hike. Dog spray contains the same ingredients as bear spray in a smaller lighter container. 😊 I enjoy your blogs your real down to earth conversations. I’m postponing my hike until March because of Canadas wildfires. Because water quality is my concern. I’ll probably start in March once the streams clear off. I’ll hike locally around Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama etc. Let us know water quality and air quality as you continue your hike, please? I’m thinking of triple filtering my water. Sounds excessive I don’t want to take chances if a little prevention is the cure. Have fun, make good choices, get some dog spray (probably notk good to use it in a tent). Awkward that’s a good word rather. I think both sexes feel the awkwardness. I watch these women world travelers and admire their courage in foreign countries. Enjoy your a special young lady! 😊 Let me know if I’m off my beam ! Hahaha 🤣 my daughter does. 😊 oh I always say I’m never alone and let it at that.
Would you have felt more comfortable with it if the guy wasn’t twice your age? Age shouldn’t have anything to do with it. It should be just as creepy/concerning regardless of his age. Just sayin.
I think you always have to listen to your gut. Chances are it was just someone who was excited to meet you but just across wrong. But I agree asking if you are alone and where you are sleeping are concerning questions.
A creepy and spooky encounter - the kind of thing that sticks with you. A hundred good things happen with a hundred good people, but the one odd negative thing will stick with you and will invade your thoughts for quite some time. Your instincts were good - continue to trust and to follow them. There's an old expression in the military and police work - it's called 'situational awareness.' Trust your gut and leave as little to chance as possible. Be well, stay safe.
Beautiful hike Taylor. Glad you are ok. Yeah people scare me way more than animals. He asked red flag questions for sure. When I car camp I bring two chairs so it looks like someone is with me. I know you can’t do that hiking the AT but I still had a guy show up at my camp in a National Forest at 4:00 am in the poring rain on a motorcycle trying to see in my car with a flashlight. I’m sure he saw me by the fire earlier and knew I was alone. I think my car camera which was not on spooked him. Stay safe.
You are not being over dramatic! You’re instincts were correct. The questions were not socially supportive or friendly given the situation. I wish socially aware male hikers were having more of a conversation about this with other male hikers. It could be the guy was just socially awkward, but the conversation, justifiably, felt predatory.
Well - when I saw you on trail Taylor yesterday I was really excited (starstruck?) and I think I may have asked all three questions like that guy did. Oops. I had no idea until I saw this video how insensitive I may have seemed. Wow! Thanks for sharing this. I’ll be much more situationally aware of the convo on trail from now on! Keep going Taylor!!
I tend not to even say "Hi" to a woman on the trail because I don't want them to freak out or think I'm a "creep" so I tend to ignore women on the trail unless they say hi or smile first. Appreciate you sharing your perspective on what might be acceptable to say without coming across like a "creep"! Although to play it safe I'll probably just keep ignoring them. I will say that the highlight of my summer hikes throughout the Smokies is when I've chatted for a while with many of the male thru-hikers I meet. Love hearing about their experiences and tips for my future thru-hike.
May wanna rethink posting your content if you don't wanna be recognized. Nothing sounded abnormal. Especially for you to call him out, and feel "down" . Those are as about as vague as it gets.
I would never ask a solo man if he was hiking alone. Why would I? A man asking a woman that question could be coming innocently from an outdated view of gender roles, an attempt to sexually harass or worse. How can a woman know the man's intentions? Many men still are clueless about women's risks of safety, especially those with a trauma history. When I see a solo female on the trail I just say hello and wish them a good day.
I've dealt with this too. This, and the lingering hiker that will try and follow your pace constantly saying "oh, hello AGAIN" Men: women don't go on hikes hoping to find "the one"
That was creepy. People can be dense socially. When Wood Nymph did her thru hike the only problem she had was in N. Adam's Mass. She camped too close to a road crossing one night and a homeless guy (not a bear) stole her food bag and her stove and cooking pot. Cops said it's a huge problem with homeless people on the trail in MA and recommended not camping within 2 miles of a road crossing. Fortunately a trail angel helped her out to get a resupply the next day.
You should have a reliable friend to hike with.Say hello and goodbye and keep hiking.Did you ever try coyote urine sprinkle some six feet away around your tent the smell maybe too much.I think ammonia in a little bottle would also keep small critters away from your tent at night.
Women should not have to always be on alert and protecting themselves from threats. People need to learn not to be threatening. (Yes, Both women and men do this kind of thing. Sometimes a woman will ask these questions while someone else is out of sight.) Why would anyone even need to know the answers to these questions anyway?!
You are 100% correct to get away from someone like that. I have become comfortable with lying to strangers as needed. We are taught not to lie and to be polite but that isn't necessary in situations like this. I thought about what I would say if I saw a RU-vidr I follow on trail - I'd probably say "wow I really enjoy your videos!" Not interrogating someone about their plans. Uff da.
Great comments already. Only suggestion I would make (as someone old enough to be your grandma) is to take a picture of the guy and send it to someone. Use any excuse to do that.
It's creepy. You're under no obligation to be polite to someone who is that abrupt and inappropriate. I remember when we met you on Bear Mountain in 2021 we were like agog with admiration it was so much fun talking with you. My dog really liked you also ❤. Wishing you safe travels...
How about just say to everyone “Good morning ” ask if they are doing well, having fun and need anything? Then say “see you later, have fun” and hike your hike. I would do this to everyone M or F . If someone is suffering, needs help, info or just someone to chat with or wants a partner for a while then they will respond.
One recommendation I gave a guy who was asking about etiquette for similar situations was this: Instead of asking where a relative stranger is camping and putting the onus on them, share your plans, i.e. "I'm expecting to camp before Great Barrington." If that person wants to share their plans or meet up, this opens the door. And unless you're speaking to a small child, a pet, or a woodland creature, it's never chill to ask if someone's hiking alone. I suspect women get this question more often than men, both on trail and off, and the questioner usually doesn't realize that the implication is that you are not safe.
I rode solo across the US last year and I got asked if I was riding alone all the time. There was no ill intention. People just couldn’t fathom doing something that big by yourself. As I talked to people I learned people were interested in the story. While I am an older man, I get that the concern for a young woman may be different. It is best to have a thought out answer to your most common questions. That said, humans have built in threat sensors and its always best to trust your instincts.
Exactly. Was nothing that sounded of I'll intent. People are commenting calling the guy a creep, and a predator. Poor dude asked about as basic questions as it gets for someone posting their every moment in a public forum
You are an older man. You do not get it. Most ALL of you dudes here simply do not get it. This world is dangerous for women. "Nice" guys can be some of the worst with their ulterior motives.
@@6030jdr something tells me you’ve been looked at like a piece of meat. F off for being judgmental of something you’ll never understand, just enjoy your freedom, it is not a slight to you that women are concerned for their safety. Men are so egotistical it blows my mind sometimes lmfao. Boohoo I make everything about me 😢
I am glad for this video and your worries about that conversation. It was completely wrong for him and you handled it well. Good luck with the rest of your trip. I am enjoying traveling with you as I would never be able to physically see these sights. Thank you !
I’m a marathoner and casual hiker, I love LMNT, even drink it on my off days when recovering from a long run. Thanks for the caution on the conversation, you can never go wrong being extra careful. My mama’s heart was anxious seeing you close for the night. I hope no bears and no strangers! So glad your fall was graceful. Happy trails!
Next time, tell them you're walking with Jesus but pronounce it in Spanish. Or your two support hikers, John Smith and Bob Wesson. As a RU-vidr, even I have to worry about stalkers. Keep Lady GaGa "Paparazzi" on your music playlist. 😂 Not all men are rapists and not all women are insane. But some are. Follow your gut feeling when meeting anyone new, especially out in the middle of nowhere. The trail dude could've worded things better.
This is a great example of "Schrödinger's Rapist"(or Schrödinger's murderer, or Schrödinger's mugger). A stranger, at any time, both is and is not a threat. Your circumstances(location, time of day, who is around you, etc.) will determine how you deal with these people. You were alone, in the backcountry. Those circumstances mean that booking it was a logical, safe thing to do. You were not being dramatic.
Definitely need to be careful if by yourself…. But I will say, when I met you on my thru hike in 2021 in NC you were very stand-off ish when I gave you a simple greeting at a shelter. Maybe you had a bad day, wasn’t sure sure, so I stopped trying to engage in conversation afterward. Again, be careful but might be just trying to make conversation… you have experience and people might want to talk to you, especially since you put all this info out to the world.
Little Skittles had a HUGE issue in the beginning of her thru hike. The guy seemed to say the same thing, except he didn't "know" her. Definitely not appropriate behavior from some random person.
In all seriousness ive been followed and robbed on the trails, granted it was in denver, but still theyll play you,be nice and take your stuff and ditch the minute your back is turned. Ive been played in other situations and i was on alert so i played back and the reactions of hate and anger i get when i do my best to bug out... its hard meeting strangers any more... ive had to learn to look pissed off and angry all the time when i see other people who try bein nice to me,any where i go... if you look like you wanna get in a fist fight all the time no ones ginna bug ya😅😅 its sad but theres way too many people out there lookin to take advantage of others... doesnt matter if its an old granny, or a dirty hill billy lookin dude, scammers can look like any one and will di what they can to complete their mission, what ever it may be...
You should have looked him straight in the eye and told him to fuck right off. Be direct in your answers to inappropriate questions. A sarky, “Seriously!?” works pretty well. Stay safe. 🌿
That guy may have been harmless and awkward, he may have just been looking for a trail girlfriend, or a serial killer. You can NEVER be TOO cautious. Good call.
I saw this pop up. Your videos are very entertaining. I think this subject is really needed for potential thru hikers. I'm a guy but this is an issue for us as well , just different. I hiked with a gal for 1000+ miles to not be alone and it was her motivation as well. Btw we met in ME 2021 I was sobo you nobo. It was a little before the Kennebec River. Im curious did you get caught in the hail? Wombie '21
It's tough. One thing I've learned over half a century of being alive...is that most people are pretty awkward. I've definitely said things that I knew were stupid as soon as they came out of my mouth. I once had a woman at the peak of a trail come up to me and immediately asked me if I was married and if my wife was with me. She asked in a very creepy way.
What do you think God wants to teach through nature, what of His wisdom and what of the nature of His own soul? There are so many things to learn all in plain sight. And like the digging for precious jewels and precious metals is the search for Him
