Solo walking

[Cocksy_86]

I love solo hiking and it's what I mostly do. I tend to experience nature and the wildlife a lot more, explore places of interest, and relax. However, there a plenty of benefits of walking with friends. I guess it's finding the balance you like. But yes! People think I'm nuts to camp alone in the bush.

[Happywalker]

I walk solo and I love it.
I can choose my start time, which is always very early. I used to walk with a friend but she is always late for starting (1 hr at least). I have a great sense of achievement at the end of it.
And of course my independance
I go on the blue mountains which is near where I grew up so I feel very safe and comfortable.

[Liamy77]

Just because something looks interesting on a map, doesn't mean you have walk it..

Sorry, but I have a lot of trouble dealing with that concept.
Most of my best walks have been the result of looking at a map and thinking "hmmmmmmmmm, I wonder . . . "

HaHa, same

and i'm sure thats what was going through early explorers heads aswell.

yeah but they were lookin at blank bits!

[flatfoot]

I took myself on my first solo walk in years today. I enjoyed the experience. It was short at only a couple of hours. I'll probably try a variety of routes regularly for fitness. At least I can set my own pace. A great way to clear the stresses of a work week.

I do worry about nutters though. I went on a longish bike ride yesterday and was waiting at a semi-rural set of traffic lights where I encountered a guy carrying a blade of some sort. I didn't notice until he was within a few metres of me. It was odd where he was walking and strange that he had a blade.

[roysta]

I'm glad there are so many out there that do it solo because it DOES have its place.
I concede that if you have the right people with you things can be pretty good out there, but if you have a bad egg in the party ?????
For me, I'm about to start doing it again, because I enjoy the solitude.
I have a PLB so feel comfortable about it.

[Liamy77]

i love goin solo every now n then.... also like to go to forestry areas from time to time ( with permission) and base camp and do a bit of bushcraft etc - not appropriate in parks to cut wood etc.... tend to miss my kids now though so my lad (5yo) often comes with me now... not usually for more than 2-3 nights now

[sailfish]

I do worry about nutters though. I went on a longish bike ride yesterday and was waiting at a semi-rural set of traffic lights where I encountered a guy carrying a blade of some sort. I didn't notice until he was within a few metres of me. It was odd where he was walking and strange that he had a blade.

Yes, nutters are always a possibility though I have never had a problem with people while walking or fishing, it is a bigger issue for women. There are wild dogs and pigs and perhaps some other things. Dog reports are sometimes worrying as they can be aggressive. I talked to a cyclist who had been chased by a pack in Myall a few years back. I guess a fast moving fleeing prey is pretty exciting but they did come out on the road at his approach. Boars are extremely dangerous, quite capable of opening your arteries in which case you have just a minute or so (maybe) to stop the bleeding. You can loose blood so fast that even if you’re conscious and have stopped the bleeding it may still be too late. Obviously, best to avoid any such encounters if at all possible. What if it isn’t possible and you are on your own, what resources do you have at immediate hand? It is illegal to carry a blade for the purpose of defence against people or animals. It is probably doubtful there would be time for it to be of any practical use in any case. It is a legal and legitimate tool for some purposes. You may need a blade to replace lost pegs, repair a broken pole, cut splints or any number of unforseen emergency repairs. Many people do carry a knife for just such legitimate reasons. It does not in itself indicate they are nutters. Mostly I go solo and try to avoid encounters but if I come across other people, make a point of having a chat so I become a real person to them and things can stay relaxed. Carrying a knife is a dilemma. It can be packed away or not taken on a group walk but when solo, it needs to be close at hand. It is illegal to conceal but if visible can be a problem for others you may encounter. I really don’t know what is best to do here. I fish a lot so have a knife for that but fishers and walkers seldom meet as we are in different environments. Anyway, always interested to hear others opinions.

Regards,
Ken

[Liamy77]

i carry a knife on every walk.... it is for cooking etc, but lets face it - if its me or them i like me more!
While i carry it and it is readily accessable, it is "packed" in a place that it isn't obvious... depends on your definition of concealed... - if it was in the bottom of the pack you could argue that it is concealed too... i tuck mine into the shoulder strap of the pack so i can grab it to cut cheese as i go etc
Never needed it or had any worries with people and lets face it against a dog pack or pig most knives are gunna be near useless - better off havin a hand axe or machete... but i can think of better things to carry like chocolate if you want a heavier pack...
there is worse you can legally carry anyway- you can buy a crossbow or hunting bow without licensing and it IS LEGAL to walk down a street with them if you want (but i imagine the cops would expect you to have a *&%$#! good reason for doing so!!) - they are not classed as a firearm or as a concealable weapon....
That said my bow (I only target shoot - i don't believe in killing things unless you eat em and tan the hide etc and i dont need to do that) would be far more dangerous than an idiot with a rambo blade....
Besides a sock with a rock in it would do a good job of stoppin someone close up with a bit of concussion!
best to be a nice, peaceful, friendly, respectful & polite person and avoid the conflict in the first place i think.
That said i am six foot 2 with a shaved head and have learnt martial arts for years - so maybe the intimidation factor has helped... just don't tell the nutters i am a "peaceful warrior" and blow my cover huh?!
you can also buy peppersprays off the net and they will deter most things that see and smell for about 10 - 15 dollars...enough to get away anyhow. much lighter to carry, non-leathal, and small.
BUT REALLY - WHY BOTHER?

[ninjapuppet]

you can also buy peppersprays off the net and they will deter most things

You can also get Tasers online too! got mine for $80 incl shipping..... (i meant stun guns, the ones that dont shoot prongs. Only law enforcement can buy tasers ) they emit a loud zaaaap zaaaaap sound which freaks most people off.

[Liamy77]

yup we gotta couple of em too.... but would be a bit nervous of carryin one in my pocket in the rain....
btw my missus collects various weapons.... she wins all the arguments at home!

and i have heard you can get tasers through too.... maybe customs need to look harder?
but if yuo use it you will be done by the cops- lots of nastier folk than us in jail... think about it...

[crockle]

I'm just really suss on the idea of there being "nutters to look out for" anywhere further than a 3 hr walk from a road or carpark.
I realise flatfoot was in a "semi-rural" area when encountered his 'probable armed nutter' .
But I think it's just movies and such that instill fears about lunatics wandering around the bush. And I've never met anyone out in the bush proper, that seemed worrisome or dangerous.
I've met people who were total pains in the a*** out in the bush - but that's a different issue...

[Liamy77]

I guess you don't follow the NSW news huh!

[ILUVSWTAS]

You guys have stun guns?? Jesus.........

[Lindsay]

You guys have stun guns?? Jesus.........

Indeed. If you were to use any sort of electric shock device you had better hope the the victim was a card carrying axe-murderer with his tools of trade ready to use, otherwise you are in a world of poo.

I have found that generally the people likely to cause you problems don't walk any further than they can easily carry a slab of beer, so once away from parking lots, picnic areas and trackheads the only hazards are natural ones. There are exceptions of course, as the recent incident at Florabella Pass in the Blue Mountains showed, but in my experience the riskiest part of the trip can be the train ride to the area.

[sailfish]

I was trying to not be too obvious and let people join the dots. Anyway, I read through the legislation some time back to try and find out what I can and can't carry. I keep coming across people who say it is illegal to have a blade over 4 inches 100 mm. However I never found any such restriction in the legislation so I’m wondering if I missed something. Anyone know? It is hard to find a fishing knife under that let me tell you. I could not find any specific mention of machetes either. Illegal or not? Interestingly, I did find that it is illegal to be in possession of a pipe that could be used as a blowpipe. Not is used or made up to be, but could be used. So that would cover just about any scrap or off-cut pipe that you would find in just about any shed in the country. Anything from copper water pipe to PVC conduit could land you with a prohibited weapon charge. You could do more damage hitting someone with it than as a blow pipe. What idiots make up this stuff anyway.

Regards,
Ken

[Greenie]

Yeap, NSW is dangerous place. Better to stay in tassie. Here is another example http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/ ... 25837.aspx

[crockle]

I guess you don't follow the NSW news huh!

You mean Florabella Pass ? Or Belanglo State Forest ?

I was trying to not be too obvious and let people join the dots.

? ? - I don't think I've joined the dots .

I just can't get into it I'm afraid - I couldn't go out there and enjoy a walk (short or extended) if I felt I had to worry about a defensive posture towards possible attack from violent lunatics, packs of dogs, wild pigs, or other bushwalkers bearing stun-guns.

Assessing the risk, best I can, - find the need for defensive weapons on a bushwalk, infinitesimally small.
Like concern over being struck by lightning
Or Dengue Fever at the Walls of Jerusalem.

[crockle]

I should add that I walk mainly in National Parks and State Reserves (in 4 states) - you guys may be talking more about 'other areas' ..

I have found that generally the people likely to cause you problems don't walk any further than they can easily carry a slab of beer...There are exceptions of course, as the recent incident at Florabella Pass in the Blue Mountains showed..

Good observation.
But I don't think that's an exception to your perceptive rule re carrying a slab Lindsay - Florabella Pass is practically *in* the township of Blaxland.

[Liamy77]

i would like to mention that the missus is a legitimate collector with all the official stuff with it... i dont carry an arsenal around!!
and it is secured properly etc.....
i'm not as much of a freak as it may have sounded like.... i just married one!
i am a consientious objector and dont believe in killin / hurting anyone....
and i have never personally had a problem before.. touch wood!

[Macca81]

i have never, and never will, feel the need to carry any sort of self defence item while walking. granted i do have a knife in my pack most of the time, it is not there for the purpose of self defence (it would take to *&%$#! long to get to it if i wanted it for that anyway!)

at no stage have i ever felt unsafe while walking, and at no stage have i ever come across anyone that has been anything other than friendly, helpfull and good natured. im sure oneday i will come across someone who makes me feel uncomfortable, but i figure that the odds of anything actually happening are so small, that i dont see any point in being concerned by it. chances are, you will die in a car crash long before someone attacks you out in the middle of nowhere.

[ILUVSWTAS]

This thread has gone quite strange.

[Macca81]

indeed.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yeap, NSW is dangerous place. Better to stay in tassie. Here is another example http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/ ... 25837.aspx

2 *&^%$#@! rite

[Liamy77]

yup i think the worst thing in tassie is ya food bag gettin "mugged" by wildlife....
Even when i worked in an Acute Psychiatric Facility i did not keep any weaponry of ANY sort on my self or in my car - if you carry it you can lose it or have it used on you!
If you really are worried / paranoid about saftey from others sign up to a self defence class or something.... you got more chance of getting stung by a bee really i think..

[sailfish]

I guess you don't follow the NSW news huh!

You mean Florabella Pass ? Or Belanglo State Forest ?

I was trying to not be too obvious and let people join the dots.

? ? - I don't think I've joined the dots .

I just can't get into it I'm afraid - I couldn't go out there and enjoy a walk (short or extended) if I felt I had to worry about a defensive posture towards possible attack from violent lunatics, packs of dogs, wild pigs, or other bushwalkers bearing stun-guns.

Assessing the risk, best I can, - find the need for defensive weapons on a bushwalk, infinitesimally small.
Like concern over being struck by lightning
Or Dengue Fever at the Walls of Jerusalem.

I agree, it is a very unlikely scenario and I do not advocate carrying specifically dedicated defensive weapons. I don't think there is any harm considering your response and resources in all manner of emergency scenarios though. That’s just a normal practice of being prepared. I have not ever had a problem with people or animals. I have come across dingos, pigs etc. I had a pig come around my tent the last time I was solo in Kanangra. I just lay quite and still and let it go on its way. In a lot of ways, your probably better off making a lot of noise while walking so you don’t startle anything. Fly fishing is about stealth and is in places and at times you are very likely to encounter animals so more chance of having a problem. I talked to one guy who had a boar rip his leg open and is only alive because he had sutures in his med kit and could close the artery in time. I don't recall what happened to the boar. I live in the country and wild dogs are a devastating problem for graziers. I heard a fellow on the radio who works in this field and the problem is getting worse with dogs trailing people out for exercise and family members scared to go more than 50 m from the house after a series of attacks in some cases. I don’t want to blow the issue out of proportion but it’s not like we are imagining something that doesn’t exist. It is a real issue and I think deserves at least some thought but I agree there is something wrong if it becomes a consuming issue.


Regards,
Ken

[Area54]

I do a lot of solo bike riding, both road and mtb, audax rides can see you riding right through the night in areas where there can be risks from nutters full of grog and bravado. When I was in Arizona riding with a buddy in the mtns, he always had a handgun, (he was a retired special forces soldier) given the proximity to the mexican border and remoteness of some locations he said it was just something you pack as part of the riding kit.

We have a few clients in nat parks, police etc and they always warn of being acutely aware in any remote forested area, the illegal activities of the underworld can catch out some people. Mostly drugs, big organised crime and crops, but never underestimate the potential for trouble with bored crims in redneck towns.

[sailfish]

I walked the Bicentennial trail from Rydal to Wallerawang NSW last Saturday after spending the morning looking at gardens with my wife. I set off from Rydal cemetery at 2pm and arrived at Wang station around 4pm having walked about 9 km. The trail follows the western edge of Lidsdale State Forest with some views into the Coxs valley near the Rydal end. I came across some cat tracks and measured the hind print against my hand. It measures 85 mm across and the fore print is a little larger. The prints are about half way between the HWY and the NW corner of the forest and then again near the NW corner itself right on the edge of Wallerawang, on the track between the railway line and the subdivision. There are a lot of dog tracks in the area but there are very distinct differences and being in mud, the prints are very clear. I am not confused about this, these are definitely a cat prints. They are there now for anyone to see.

Regards,
Ken

[ILUVSWTAS]

can you post a picture of it please??

[sailfish]

can you post a picture of it please??

Sorry, I didn't take a camera and don't own a mobile phone.
The prints are wider than they are long and the heel pad has a central trailing edge lobe.
The toes are widely splayed in an arc and middle inside toe is longer.
The forepaw has a slanted heel pad.
Typically dog prints form an X between the pads not so with cats.


Regards,
Ken

[photohiker]

Anyway, I read through the legislation some time back to try and find out what I can and can't carry. I keep coming across people who say it is illegal to have a blade over 4 inches 100 mm. However I never found any such restriction in the legislation so I’m wondering if I missed something. Anyone know?

Ken,

I don't know for sure, but there is usually some flexibility in the law so that every time someone uses something as a weapon parliament doesn't have to change the law. Often done by 'regulation'. In any case, I would expect to see reasonable exceptions for carrying knives on the trail. NSW had an amendment to the Summary Offences Act in 1998 to make carrying knives in public places and schools specifically illegal.

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