Solo B/C - good/bad/who cares?

I like solo - i think it allows you to really get to know yourself better, and I tend to be more aware of my surroundings when doing something solo. At the same time, it definitely keeps you thinking more about the 'what if". But I think that's a good thing - it keeps one more on their toes and (for me at least) the ego in check.

I'd like to say I make the same decisions solo as I would if with someone, but that's simply not the case. I tend to be more cautious on solo missions (or conversely a bit more reckless on group missions), because that safety net of someone else there with you is gone.

However, I think group mentality tends to cause one to push themselves a bit harder, maybe because you realize you have somewhat of a safety net in case something does happen. I find that I tend to ski harder or ride harder when part of a group. That can be good and bad - good in that you may try something new that scares you (and conquer that line you've been scared to try), and bad that it might place you over your head in a situation where if you were on your own you may not be in the first place.

I've scared myself and hurt myself doing sports solo (broke a vertebra in my neck mountain biking by myself a couple years back - spooked me quite a bit in terms of the 'what if' factor), but still love the solitary feel of being out on your own. I still ride on my own quite a bit, but have learned to tone back on some of the more dangerous stuff. I tend to surf alone quite a bit as well - the calming effect of being in the water by myself is something I just can't explain.

I tend to dislike doing anything with big groups (say over 4). Call me antisocial or whatever, but in my experience, there's just too much going on with over 4 people. Anyway, I wrote more than I thought I would on this...just my $0.02...

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Originally Posted by SheRa

Why? Because I've already done that, over and over again. I'm trying to grow. Face my weaknesses and improve. I want to minimize the risk of getting lost by finding my way. I'm making very good decisions about where to go and what to do, fear not. They might not be right for you.

About the cell phone - that's the first thing I said to him too. But it's light and easy to carry and could save my life. I like to imagine myself some kind of purist, but it can get a little foolish. Not ready for a GPS though. ;)

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Going solo is good for the soul. Being able to navigate increases one's confidence. You should learn to use a GPS and carry one along with a compass and maps of the area. I never leave on a tour without these tools. Being able to read terrain and navigate is as important as being able to read slopes and determine stability. BTW I haven't read anything in your posts that indicates poor decision making.

It's nice to have solitude... being the only one in an area. That being said I only solo a place I know the terrain, conditions etc.

A few years back I did a solo climb and ski of the north face of la plata, and save for the church group on the summit I was completely alone in that basin all day, one of the greatest experiences ever. Just skied Democrat solo a month or two ago, and again not another soul to be seen. On top of that I've probably spent over 30 days in the mountains backpacking solo, it is necessary. Having many hours without human interaction is good for the spirit, it is a catalyst for reconnecting with one's feral nature. Amazing hours where there is no one around, everything is heightened, your senses become more keen, it's really in many regards the only true way to immerse yourself in nature. With that being said you have to be completely aware and take the necessary precautions of letting people know where you are going and don't do anything stupid, like get yourself killed.

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Originally Posted by Ireallyliketoski

Having many hours without human interaction is good for the spirit, it is a catalyst for reconnecting with one's feral nature. Amazing hours where there is no one around, everything is heightened, your senses become more keen, it's really in many regards the only true way to immerse yourself in nature.

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Agreed. Unfortunately, due to my heightened awareness, sleeping in the woods can get kinda freaky for me. I have this fear that a bear is going to mistake me for a tamale while I lay asleep in my bivy bag. My dreams tend to get pretty wack as well. Dreams where you want to wake up but you can't. I sleep so much better when there is another person with me.

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Originally Posted by Mountain Junkie

Agreed. Unfortunately, due to my heightened awareness, sleeping in the woods can get kinda freaky for me. I have this fear that a bear is going to mistake me for a tamale while I lay asleep in my bivy bag. My dreams tend to get pretty wack as well. Dreams where you want to wake up but you can't. I sleep so much better when there is another person with me.

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The night time belongs to the spirit world, there is no two ways about that. I love setting up camp at night and being freaked out. Then upon waking up in the morning, thinking why was I afraid of that harmless dead tree, oh yeah that's right because it kept moaning in a deep voice, "GO AWAY" all through the night.

Sleeping in the boonies at night = irrationally scary for me too.

Actually, I've learned that it is tents that really give me fits b/c they rustle too much, sleeping out is better for me. Spend a lot of time out in the pre-dawn dark hunting and occasionally get a little rattled cause I'm mainly in bear and lion country pretending to be food. whatever, the shotgun is an okay equalizer.

It's been a while, but I used to spend roughly 30 nights a year sleeping under the stars. If I thought it might rain hard, I'd set up a Megamid, but otherwise it was a simple bivy sack so I could get a moontan.

Quieting your anxiety is like the endorphin rush of jogging: it takes a few minutes to get past the pain and discomfort before the endo rush sets in. Similarly, it takes determination and focus to push past your fear of the night, but once you do, the harmony of being alone under the stars is indescribable.

I think one thing that gets people is they try to break off too much at once and without spending a lot of solo time try overnights (I'm guilty of this).

I am also a confirmed napper when alone. Very satisfying.

How hard is it to use a GPS? You should really know how to read a topo and use a compass to fix a position. I learned that a trained pilot only needs a map, compass, and clock to navigate (visually of course). The same applies on the ground. Everything else, e.g. - GPS, is gravy.

mmmm... graaaaavy...

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Originally Posted by Bullet 2

I'm somewhat of an asshole and not that easy to get along with. Going solo is many times the only option for a dickhead like me

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Ain't that the truth :p

Before I discovered internet ski-forums like this one, I used to do solo trips quite often. I had a few solid partners but there were always times when no one was available. So it was either go solo…or don’t go at all.

Some of my most memorable trips are the ones where I was alone. It’s really good for the mind. There is a lot to be learned by traveling solo and the sense of adventure is huge…its just you and the mountain.

I also found that I was more conservative when traveling alone so I don’t think it’s necessarily irresponsible to do so.

I miss solo trips.

Getting an adrenaline rush sleeping<<<----so hot right now.

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Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

Getting an adrenaline rush sleeping<<<----so hot right now.

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well being dead for a few days before rising to walk again amongst the living isn't exactly sleeping, my lord.
Brett of God you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

In Alberta - Never, not real BC anyway.

But in Chamonix, I ski solo quite a lot. I am not traveling with a group of others but there are others on the same route as I. I've toured in the Aiguille Rouge range may times without companions, but not without others on the trail. Such is the population density in Europe. On the Midi however I've been one of only 4 people up there all day, we were all heading out solo for different routes and skied our seperate ways but me up again for the return train ride. We could see seach others route 70% of the time but were probably a few miles apart on untracked glaciers. This is propbably the nearest I've come to soloing serious BC. I will probably head out solo in the future but only on mellow stuff and not to put up first tracks of the season, the risks just arn't wort it. As for mobiles and GPS. I carry both. the phone stays switched off unless I'm calling and it works in 97% of the terrain in Cham and the GPS is pre programed for waypoints at important reference points on the route.

tarkman1 - Try being out on a glacier in knee deep fresh in thick (>10ft vis) fog. You would need one hell of a map to be any use to you there - I've tried, thats why I bought my GPS!

Idris, your comment about being on a glacier in whiteout is duly noted. Note my comment was about visual navigation. I know the value of instruments and GPS to navigate as well. My whole point is that I hear too much reliance on GPS.

This is a bit amusing, but not meant to reflect on anyone in this forum. It's purely for amusement...On the gondola at Mammoth, I had a load full of absolute LA morons consulting GPS coordinates and plugging them into a GPS so they could find those spots. Also, they had pictures. Keep in mind, this was on an absolute bluebird day with all of the terrain visible from the gondola. These knuckleheads failed to even consider looking out the damn window. Instead, they had their heads down oblivious.

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Originally Posted by Trackhead

Let me guess, a solo link up of perhaps Moonlight, Spaceshot, and something on Angles Landing?

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I wish I was that fast, though, with a fast partner, running stuff out, and short fixing, I could see a double link up.

Nah, my solo musings revolved around a single clime, albeit done in a push.

Bullet...I helped them put in some waypoints to successfully navigate to their objective. The last that I saw them I had them pointed towards a groomer enroute to the half pipe. With the GPS, they may have even found their way to the bus stop and back to town. :-)