Caroline Lewis: Hiking the Appalachian Trail as a Solo Woman (choice)

 In today's age, women are often a target for sexual assault. Young girls are taught from a young age to never go anywhere alone, especially at night. While this is a very valid concern, many women feel comfortable and safe hiking on the Appalachian Trail alone. Megan, a young thru hiker and blogger shared that her most popular response to her announcement about thru hiking the Appalachian trail was “You’re not going alone, are you?” Megan goes on to explain that she had done several short distance hikes in different terrains before embarking on her Appalachian trail thru hike and did not feel scared to hike alone. She wanted to hike alone for many different reasons. She wanted to be able to grow by forcing her own limits and being able to motivate herself. She also wanted to be able to do things her own way and call her own shots. If she had a hiking partner she would have to keep up with their pace which was not something that she wanted to do. Megan goes on to share safety tips for women as they hike the trail. From her experience trail men were often nice and chivalrous on the trail and were willing to help her and other women out as they were hiking if they have any questions or concerns. She goes on to explain  that “men did not sexually harass me on the Appalachian Trail anymore often than they sexually harass in my regular life. This is just a hazard for us women everywhere we go, regardless of being at home or on the trail.” It is also easier for female hikers to hitch hike because they are less likely to be intimidating. Although it is easier to hitchhike as a woman, it is still imperative that proper safety precautions are taken. A knife, ID, and cell phone should always be carried in case of an emergency escape. Many women also carry pepper spray and a knife in their belt in order to keep peace when they are hiking and in case of possible attackers.