Author Topic: Walking Solo  (Read 8158 times)

myxpyr

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Walking Solo
« on: 20:33:29, 26/05/19 »
How many forum members walk solo? Curious to know. I've been walking since I was a nipper and probably 80% of that has been solo. Don't get me wrong, I don't consider myself either lonely or a loner and there was a time relatively recently when I walked with a mate but we've drifted apart.
I do have an aversion to walking in a biggish group which is why I don't get involved with the Ramblers. I find things are a bit too regimented what with leaders, back markers, risk assessments and the like. To me that sort of approach is alien to the ethos of walking and trekking. Walking solo I'm answerable to nobody but myself. The only person who has any responsibility for me is ME. It gives me freedom and independence.
Interested to hear the views of others.
That said, I would not be averse to walking again with ONE mate but I feel I would have to know that we could rub along together and enjoy a pint and a laugh in the pub afterwards. ;)

Bigfoot_Mike

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #1 on: 20:42:23, 26/05/19 »
A lot of my walking is solo, but sometimes I will walk with someone else or a small group. Bigger groups can be frustrating due to the differing speeds and stamina of the group members. I did spend 2 weeks hiking by myself in the Alps. Some times I would walk part of a day with someone I met on the trail.

myxpyr

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #2 on: 20:46:14, 26/05/19 »
A lot of my walking is solo, but sometimes I will walk with someone else or a small group. Bigger groups can be frustrating due to the differing speeds and stamina of the group members. I did spend 2 weeks hiking by myself in the Alps. Some times I would walk part of a day with someone I met on the trail.
We seem to be two of a kind ;D All my walking in the Pyrenees has been solo and two years ago I did a partial Tour du Mont Blanc, again solo. The fun is in meeting different people en route and in the gites and refuges.

Owen

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #3 on: 21:02:14, 26/05/19 »
Nearly all my walks are solo, in the past I did walk with others but I much prefer being on my own. I also really prefer to walk in very remote areas such as the Highlands, I actually moved here from England to be nearer to the mountains. In this respect Lapland is even better, there I can walk for weeks and see hardly anyone.


I'm not antisocial, I have lots of friends and get along well with people. I just like my own company.

Dovegirl

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #4 on: 21:26:05, 26/05/19 »
I'm a solo walker from choice.  I prefer choosing where and when to walk and being able to stop when I want to. I can take in the landscape more when I'm on my own and I love the peace and quiet and solitude. For me, a feeling of freedom is one of the most important aspects of walking.

Occasionally I walk with one or two others and it's very enjoyable but I feel it's more about enjoying their company than about the walk itself. Although I love socialising with friends, I'm a loner when it comes to walking, but not lonely.

Kukkudrill

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #5 on: 21:26:53, 26/05/19 »
My annual long-distance walk is solo. Prefer it that way. When you walk solo, you focus much more on your surroundings.
Make the most of the available light

richardh1905

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #6 on: 21:32:13, 26/05/19 »

I like solo walking too, whether it be out for a few miles with the dog, or a wild camp in the Caringorms.


Having said that, I do enjoy walking  with family or good friends too, but I enjoy the feeling of being totally self reliant and in control when out in the wilds.
« Last Edit: 21:36:17, 26/05/19 by richardh1905 »
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taxino8

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #7 on: 21:34:48, 26/05/19 »
I prefer to walk on my own, I can go where I want, at whatever pace I want, stop and start when I want, just so much more relaxing than being with someone else.
Occasionally I walk with a mate, he’s off like a greyhound and I don’t like the rush.

Ralph

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #8 on: 21:51:12, 26/05/19 »
I'm a solo walker from choice.  I prefer choosing where and when to walk and being able to stop when I want to. I can take in the landscape more when I'm on my own and I love the peace and quiet and solitude. For me, a feeling of freedom is one of the most important aspects of walking.
I could not agree more, my thoughts entirely, very well put.
Occasionally I walk with one or two others and it's very enjoyable but I feel it's more about enjoying their company than about the walk itself. Although I love socialising with friends, I'm a loner when it comes to walking, but not lonely.
« Last Edit: 21:54:52, 26/05/19 by Ralph »

ninthace

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #9 on: 22:08:36, 26/05/19 »
I used to walk alone almost, but not entirely, exclusively and I enjoyed the solitude and the ability to go where I wanted at the pace I wanted.  I suppose in that in some ways it was a selfish experience as I did not have to make allowances for other people.  On the downside, there was no-one to share the experience with.
Three years ago my wife started to do one or two walks a week with me.  When we first started to walk together, I found her pace uphill slow and frustrating and she did not like to walk as far as fast as me, so I still did solo walks to "scratch the itch".  As time has gone on, she has got fitter and faster and I have got slower and less fit as a result of different leg problems, probably brought on by too much walking too often.  The net result is that now we have meshed together to the point where we always walk together.  We still end up separated on climbs but equally I sometimes get left behind on descents so it sort of balances out.  We don't talk much during the walk but it is surprising how often we will both start on the same subject at the same time. 
Solvitur Ambulando

jontea

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #10 on: 22:16:56, 26/05/19 »
I actually like both, solo and in the company of a small group with a similar fitness to myself.


I do like my own company, and enjoy the freedom to control the whole days walking, from pace, route, when to stop and when to push on again. Taking in the surroundings without distraction or the thought of holding someone up.


However, there is also a lot to be said for walking in good company. That doesn't mean chatting constantly, or even walking in a tight group, unaware of your surroundings, but able to share some fantastic vistas and experiences sometimes in a comfortable silence. Share a conversation or banter in a summit shelter, and laugh over a pint at the end of a tough day.


Both very different experiences, but I do enjoy each for their own qualities.  O0






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fit old bird

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #11 on: 22:45:42, 26/05/19 »
Another solo walker here. I like the freedom to choose the route, choose the distance, and choose how long to stay out for. I am happy with my own company having lived alone since I was 18.


I did go out a few times with two walking buddies, both male, but they walked so fast, chatted together, and I felt like I was a spare part. I have met up with a female friend a couple of times, that was good because we get on really well. We will probably do it again, one walk every couple of months or so is fine for both of us.


ilona

jimbob

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #12 on: 22:46:59, 26/05/19 »
 O0 For solo. I tend to be an ambler , so think I would frustrate others who walk faster than me and who don't get distracted by maps (if I see something close by that seems interesting,  then I usually make a detour to see what it is). I stop when I want to stop and eat when I want to eat etc.
But I truly enjoy plodding along chatting to other walkers when our paths coincide and frequently welcome their conversation and company.

Too little, too late, too bad......

sussamb

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #13 on: 06:49:16, 27/05/19 »
Always walked solo, so rather apprehensive about my upcoming C2C as I was persuaded by a friend to take him with me. Time will tell if that was a good idea  ;D
Where there's a will ...

strawy

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Re: Walking Solo
« Reply #14 on: 08:54:18, 27/05/19 »
I always go solo, i,m so used to it now i dont think i can or even want to change.I think walking solo probably makes you concentrate more on any difficult sections you encounter(no-one to help/save you).
One side effect is advanced "Doolittle,s Syndrome",constantly talking to the animals,the sheep look at me as if i,m nuts  :D

 

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