Let’s talk about the advantages of being a single female backpacker for a change….

"protection device"

Ha Ha Ha… I love how squeamish this list is about the word… 'gun'…
good lord, do we have to be politically correct about this…

say the word a few times out loud… go ahead, you can do it… 'ga ga ga ga… gun'
VERY GOOD!

Keep practicing and you will be able to say it natural with out choking on it…

LOL

Billy

My protection is ME. I have a blue belt, trekking poles, and no qualms about neutering any idiot who thinks he can lay a hand on me without my permission.

I suspect that women who broadcast their fear through body language are far more likely to be victimized.

So no, thank you, I want nothing to do with guns.

Common protection devices:

Dog
Knife
Mace/bear spray
Electroshock weapons
Firearms

An intelligent attacker would of course do so when someone was least expecting it, and unable to reach for an item to be used as a weapon. I am not saying any device would do any good, but if it helps someone mentally to carry one, then they should.

"Common protection devices:"

Your brain

"I suspect that women who broadcast their fear through body language are far more likely to be victimized."

I suspect you are most likely correct Lori. A little while ago, i shared some links on psychopathy. One of the interesting research studies performed, was inspired on a comment by a serial killer/rapist saying that he could easily spot women that had been victimized before (or something to that affect).

So the researcher set up a test involving men in prison who were diagnosed as psychopathic and some random college students.

Both groups were shown short video clips of just women walking. Some had been victimized previously and some hadn't.

The men who were known psychopaths scored amazingly high on being able to tell who had been previously victimized. The random college student's didn't do so well when asked. Apparently body language, or something else, communicated pretty loud and clear certain information to those focused on same. May indirectly relate to your above comment.

Ohh I wondered why Billy suggested a glockenspiel, not really UL. Besides wouldn't a gun carrier prefer a good ol 'merican Smith and Wesson to a eurotrash Glock?

On topic, if I was own my own I would never pick up a female hitchhiker – to many horror stories. Of course in New Zealand recently I ended up with 3 female backpackers in the car, the difference was that one of them stayed in the same hostel as me and then I picked up the two hitchhikers.

ps I'm male and British

Dear Greg…

MB's first post simply said 'protective device'; it did not have the word 'common' until AFTER he added that in his second post about protective devices.

But since you picked up the word 'common'… there is probably no more 'common' protective device than a gun… at least in 'merica… and MUCH more effective than the others MB mentions in his clarification…

For instance:
Dog… not allowed in may parks and may dog's are not hard to defeat…
Knife… a small woman with a knife might not do so well against a large guy.. just make him mad…
Mace/bear spray… not effective if the wind is blowing in your own face… and again, just make him mad…
Electroshock weapons… even the police have a hard time bringing down some guys with these…
If you REALLY want protection a quality hand gun in the hand of a person that know how to use it is the best…

But I must say… Greg…. you really have a aversion to the word 'guy'.. and that is YOUR BRAIN… get over it…

Billy

The problem is, overwhelmingly, that no one hikes with a gun in their hand. THAT would be a fairly effective visible deterrent.

No, they typically carry the gun in their pack, and sleep with it.

I'd venture a guess that of the women assaulted on trails, very few occurred while they were sleeping.

But if it makes them feel better and gets them out there, that's OK.

Bear spray can be carried openly in many areas without the stigma a firearm creates.

As I indicated, I think these things are for the emotional well being of the carrier, more so than the real physical.

Its similar to when a hurricane is approaching and their is a rash of preparedness actions that are of little value. When confronted with a situation in which they are powerless, people grasp at something that makes them feel as if they have SOME power over the outcome, regardless of how useless it may be. To do nothing at all creates great stress.

…

When I first started backpacking (in California) in the '70s it was really rare to see a female backpacker. The activity was overwhelmingly male, and if my friends and I came across a group of hikers that had a woman in it, Wow, that was something we would marvel at for days.

Nowadays I do most of my hiking in Washington, and it's wonderful to see so many women out backpacking. Solo females are not common yet, at least from what I see, but I come across plenty of couples, and all-female groups seem nearly as common now as all-male groups. I'd say the overall ration of male/female has risen to nearly 50/50 in my neck of the woods.

And that is a good thing. It gives me hope for the future of wilderness.

German Tourist and Lori have said it better than any guy on this thread.

I see woman empowering themselves in the outdoors as having many parallels to all of us ULers going beyond the "just-in-case" and "pack-for-your-fears" mentality of trad BPers. Society tells us what to be afraid of airplane crashes, stranger violence, bears, street drugs, hormone-fed beef, and Ebola. Whereas the real risks are in auto crashes, domestic violence, bees & mosquitos (in the tropics), nicotine, heart disease, and flu.

I wear my seat belt, don't smoke or drive drunk, get my vaccine shots, and don't have a gun. And I hike in grizzly-infested terrain, solo, and unarmed.

If you enjoy your fears, knock yourself out. But you won't convince me without the data.

I think it depends on where you are hiking. Germany is not the United States. There is a big difference in your likelyhood of being sexually assaulted on the pacific crest trail compared to some backwoods offroad vehicle accessible place populated by drunk rednecks and marijuana growers.

"For the past 10 years or so, when I come across a mean looking or growling and or barking dog, I just get down to there level and baby talk them. Come here, good boy, and so on."

Yep, that usually works.

Teach that to all of the idiot cops who shoot every dog that barks at them.

Dogs can tell when you are stressed and have aggressive/defensive body language, they respond with more aggression.

I am often confronted by wonderment when I am solo backpacking as a female. It is amusing how often I get quizzed about it on the trail. Of course, they then quiz me more if they notice my Vibram five fingers…I have felt like a bear on display at times.

I am often surprised how many older women tell me that they wished they had the nerve to do it.

We're a herd of cats and BPL is the laser pointer.

"But the point of this post is a different one: The media, friends and family and basically every one you meet on a trail will pester a woman with what disadvantages a solo female faces outdoors – but no one talks about the advantages a single woman has."

Appologies to the OP for getting off topic.

"Believe me – it is. Guess who gets picked up quickly when trying to hitch a ride into town to resupply? A single female or a scruffy bearded single male?"

Yup very true. I fortunately don't hitchhike all that much but when I do, well not too many people are all that interested in picking up a 6'3" 275lb guy who hasn't showered in a few days.

I plan on hiking the PCT when I retire in seven years. There will be many challenges but I think getting to and from town for my resupplies is going to be a real pain.

All I have to say is if you are paranoid enough to take mace, bear spray or guns in California for protection, you're too paranoid to hike with me. I like to relax, not watch people take turns standing watch around camp all night. Panicked people tend to do really stupid things, like get their buddies caught in friendly fire.

Some of the women I know have met their husbands while they were hiking solo.

Groups of men wandering around with guns? Some of the most helpful and friendly people ever hunt deer or bear. I'd go to them for help in a pinch. Having grown up redneck, I speak that language fairly well.

"All I have to say is if you are paranoid enough to take mace, bear spray or guns in California for protection, you're too paranoid to hike with me."

When my wife went backpacking with me for the first time into an area I'd never been before I considered taking a small handgun with me. After all, I am responsible for protecting her! Then it occurred to me that if I needed a gun for protection I shouldn't take her there in the first place!

I'm sure no one will be surprised that we went and I did not take the gun. I'm planning a trip to the same general area with my wife and 10 year old daughter (her first backpacking trip). I won't be taking the gun this time either.

For us old folks it can be hard shaking old teachings. ;^)

"I suspect that women who broadcast their fear through body language are far more likely to be victimized."

A self-defense instructor I know said the same thing. Men in jail who had a history of attacking women were shown videos of women in various situations, and they independently agreed on which ones they would attack. I recall him saying one of the main deterrents was displaying an air of self-confidence and a feeling of being in control.

Amongst other things they taught women to walk and act in such a confident manner. One interesting technique against purse snatching and similar situations where the attacker is mostly rational (and not spaced-out on drugs or a psycho) is simply to repeatedly shout NO at the top of your lungs and resist as much as you can. Most attackers are looking for an easy target, not a difficult, crazy woman who doesn't act like a victim and give in immediately.

This approach may not work in all cases, of course, but my friend said it works a lot of the time. BTW he said it works for men as well in many situations…

"I plan on hiking the PCT when I retire in seven years. There will be many challenges but I think getting to and from town for my resupplies is going to be a real pain."

Not if you wear that cute tutu ;)

Ok, vacation time commence.

Elliot Wolin—Your post reminds me of the stories of Lakota (Sioux) Indian women of the 1860's and 1870's. As a rule they all carried skinning knives on their hips and they knew how to use them and how to defend themselves. This pic to my mind typifies such women, who ran their camps and often served as protectors. You learned respect real quick around these women. (Picture pulled from the interweb)—

To the degree any woman feels some qualms about backpacking solo, might I suggest working yourselves up into really good physical condition and hike one of the Eastern Sierra approach trails, e.g. Shepherd, Baxter, Sawmill, Taboose, or Lamarck. I have been hiking these trails for many years now, and have yet to see a dirtbag. These are not easy hikes, but they are beautiful in their own right and offer access to some of the most beautiful parts of the Sierra. You will be able to relax and just enjoy the incredible scenery around you. Once into the interior, you will have access to the JMT if that is to your taste, or some seldom visited areas like Bench Lake, Woods Lake, McGee Lakes, Milestone Basin, Wright Lakes Basin, to name a few. I can guarantee that the last thing that will cross your mind will be carrying a gun.

All it takes is some hard work and mental toughness. Gotta pay your dues, but the rewards are commensurate, as in most of life's challenges.

"Teach that to all of the idiot cops who shoot every dog that barks at them."

Not exactly every, Justin. I suspect that the majority of dogs shot by cops are the downright threatening breeds in urban areas. I wasn't kidding when I posted in response to Aaron about a hundred pound pit bull with an attitude. You see a lot of them in cities, often owned by real dirtbags, and a cop doesn't have a lot of time to make a decision. Once that kind of dog gets the first bite in, a cop is going to suffer some serious, possibly life threatening damage. It just isn't worth it to them. They've got wives and kids they want to come home to, just like everybody else.

Let's shift the focus back to the OP's **advantages** of being a solo female backpacker.

* You get a few more cool points, because it's less expected.

Sometimes I am perceived as solo (cause my usual backpacking partner goes faster and we often camp together, but hike separately) or because I'm carrying a pack for the sake of training. Maybe backpackers are a friendly lot in general, so hard to say, but I've found people on the trail to be fairly engaging.

In terms of cultural vs. innate advantages of being female and backpacking? That's a harder one to tackle. There are plenty of men who are good planners. Overall my gut feeling is when I get out there a lot of the differences matter less- one of the many things that lighten our load.

Although limited, I've found most people on the trail very engaging (even thought I am a creepy old man ;^) ). All backpackers stopped to talk for a moment, even if just to gather info about where I just came from and they were going. I've asked questions and gotten very good responses. I had two day hiking young ladies (they did have their boy friends with them) ask about my trip for over 10 minutes on my way out once. They were very interested in how the trip went (it was winter in Yosemite).

I don't get out much, but I've found everyone I've come across to be friendly out in the back country. Kind of refreshing.

It seems to me that the perception that a woman hiking solo is unusual must vary regionally. Here in Colorado, no one bats an eye at seeing a gray-haired woman backpacking alone, and it is not unusual for me to run across another solo woman.