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Topic: Solo or Group

uktrucker

07/4/2019 at 11:23am
Location: London
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I was talking with some walkers the other day and the conversation turned to the subject of who to walk with.

Some people said that although they often walked as a group they much preferred to walk solo and to camp solo the reason given was they could then walk at their own speed and actually enjoyed the solitude, on the other hand some people would not contemplate solo walking and camping reasons given were fear of being on their own , getting lost, falling and having no one to help them etc.

So out of curiosity I thought I would ask what peoples preference was on here solo or group?

It will be interesting to see what the preference is.

Bob61

07/4/2019 at 12:51pm
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I camp solo because my wife hates camping. Occasionally I can get a mate to go with me which is good because it is nice to have somebody to chat with and have a drink with but I am not a groupie person.

There is a weekly walk in my village but they walk so fast and make so much noise that I would have a job keeping up with them and I expect any wildlife will be two fields away by the time they get there.

If you are interested in wildlife and/or photography then walking slowly, quietly, and alone is the thing to do.

When I am camping alone I generally go for long walks and I am usually interested in my surroundings so don't particularly need company. In the evenings I can usually find a nice pub with friendly locals to chat to so not really a problem. I do carry a mobile phone for emergencies.

Ewen c

via mobile 07/4/2019 at 2:56pm
Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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I prefer to walk solo due to speed etc. If I am with someone else it is the wife. She won't do wild camping but is fine on a site and also backpacks.
I haven't been with a group since college in the mid eighties. I am confident I can keep care of myself and usually go up the hills every weekend by myself, whatever the weather.

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Soligavant

07/4/2019 at 5:28pm
Location: East Yorkshire
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My preferences echo pretty much what Bob61 said. In fact, I'm now wondering if I am him or he is me

Bob61

07/4/2019 at 5:30pm
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I don't know who I am

Soligavant

07/4/2019 at 5:45pm
Location: East Yorkshire
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I pity you if you are me

Caligula

09/4/2019 at 9:43pm
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I tend not to walk.....but paddle...…..

Would quite like to go on a little hike on foot though?

spiritburner

12/4/2019 at 10:06pm
Location: NE England
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Mostly with a select bunch of long-standing mates or solo. Would never walk in a group of random folk. Nowt to do with safety - share fuel travelling & for the craic. Last trip I actually got seperated from my mates & ended up pitched on my own for one night. Non of us were bothered but they did look out for me in the morning & we did find each other. As we're getting older safety may creep into the equation!

We don't share tents, cooking or anything except maybe a dram & once pitched up, especially in winter, keep pretty much to ourselves so like being solo.

VangoMan02

17/4/2019 at 12:04am
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I have not backpacked for over a year now due to health issues and probably never will again. Before that I backpacked/car camped/ walked with groups and solo for over 50 years.
I enjoyed the banter with like minded friends but equally enjoyed my solo treks.

I just loved being in the outdoors and never understood hikers who wanted to get from A to B as quickly as possible with head down and missing all around them.
I still manage to solo car camp or with my son and son in law which I really enjoy. Most of my friends of a similar age (67 this year) have gave up hiking/camping due to ill health of prefering cruises or a warm hotel bed. I also like my holidays abroad but can't imagine life without camping. If my health had not failed me I think I would still be backpacking.

I also still enjoy kayaking and have a trip planned later in the year with my son and son in law and we will be camping.

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martinmeatpie

25/4/2019 at 5:41pm
Location: Swinton manchester
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Hi All

I go solo due to missus not liking it. But if she did i would also go solo for the chill out time alone. I find that the solitude is great to relax. You don't have to entertain anyone with chat etc. I come back after an overnighter feeling refreshed. In the process of getting the missus to start camping this year fingers crossed so will comment on not being alone then.

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Ewen c

via mobile 26/4/2019 at 8:12am
Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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Quote: Originally posted by martinmeatpie on 25/4/2019
Hi All

I go solo due to missus not liking it. But if she did i would also go solo for the chill out time alone. I find that the solitude is great to relax. You don't have to entertain anyone with chat etc. I come back after an overnighter feeling refreshed. In the process of getting the missus to start camping this year fingers crossed so will comment on not being alone then.

The me tíme is a big part of it. Like vangoman I also like being out in the countryside, going at my own pace and drinking in the surroundings.
Next trip is to a campsite with my wife, by car for a long weekend. We will do a bit of hillwalking and visit some neolithic sites.
At the end of May I will hopefully fit in another solo trip. They are a good way of getting to places I wouldn't really walk to on a day trip.

-------------
Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag

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