Hiking Safety Tips for Women
by Allie Comeau on January 5, 2008 
7 comments
The New Year’s Day disappearance of a female hiker and her dog from a popular trail in the Georgia mountains is tragic and frightening. As an avid female hiker myself, and one who regularly hikes with only my dogs, this story really hits home.
There’s nothing I love more than a nice, long, solitary hike in the woods. I can breathe, collect my thoughts (or let them wander), and decompress. I’m never completely alone, of course — I have my two dogs, but they’re more likely to lick a stranger than to growl at one.
We don’t yet know what happened to Meredith Emerson, but she was seen by several witnesses with a strange man on the trail. (George Hilton has since been found and is being questioned by police.) Volunteers continue to search as we all hope and pray for her safe return.
Her disappearance has really made me stop and think. Am I safe on my favorite trail? Would I be prepared if someone tried to hurt me?
Besides the hiking basics, women should also consider these safety tips when hiking alone:
1. If you don’t have a dog (or even if you do), you may want to find a hiking partner… especially if headed out on a long trek.
2. Always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Check in with this person upon your return.
3. Always carry a cellphone with you — even if you’re not sure about the reception.
4. Consider carrying a whistle and some form of protection if hiking alone (mace, flashlight, small knife, bear spray).
5. Trust your instincts. As females, we come equipped with strong ones. If you see someone who looks suspicious in any way, leave the area immediately.
6. Don’t talk to strangers on the trail when alone.
7. Take a self-defense class. Every woman should know the basics of self defense — how to get out of various holds, where to strike for maximum effectiveness, etc.
8. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings.
Women shouldn’t be afraid of enjoying the wilderness – it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures. But we should definitely be prepared for any and all circumstances we could encounter on the trail.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you, Meredith.
January 8th, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
You should also include Firearms as a means of protection. Whistles, mace, cellphones and canines are not really a form of protection against predators. As for the legality of this in National parks, I would rather be alive and arrested than dead and missing. We live in a DANGEROUS world, not DISNEY world.
January 9th, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
Thank you for your comment, Jim.
I see your point, but I cannot condone carrying a firearm in a national park or on a public trail.
I’m unaware of the laws surrounding this issue, but I’m sure there are several. Personally, I’m uncomfortable around guns and wouldn’t want to hike with one. I suppose I would consider a Taser if I ever felt I needed more protection, but that’s as far as I would go.
January 21st, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
Technology has come a long way. I believe that no woman should go hiking alone, but if you choose to, you should invest in an alarm that will put out a locator signal like the ones used by skiers, in case of an avalanche. A locator signal will do no good unless someone is monotoring the devise. There needs to be someone who knows when you are expected back. These bugs are used to track moving vehicles, why not hikers. State parks could even rent them to hikers. An injured hiker would be a lot easier to locate. Wearing them in your hair, secured well, would most likely keep it on you under any circumstances. There are GPS systems that will prevent you from getting lost. Take one with you.
March 4th, 2008 @ 7:57 am
A gun is the most effect means of self-defense in the woods as it provides provides protection against man and beast. First, unlike a pepper spray which has a limited effective range and if it is windy can actually do more harm to you than it does to your attacker a gun can effectively put distance between you and the attacker which is key to survival. More importantly, unlike a stun gun or Taser a real firearm can be fired more than once should you encounter multiple assailants which believe it or not could happen.
It is unfortunate that so many hip, powerful, liberated modern women do not feel confident enough to use a gun in self defense. I suggest you check out the website Women and Guns where you will find many supportive sisters to help you get over your fears. As for safety while hiking a modern single shot 22 magnum revolver will do the trick. In most cases you will never have to pull the trigger since criminals are opportunists and once they realize that you are not interested in being their victim they will leave you alone.
As for the aws the National park un regulations are in the process of being revisited and may soon permit you to carry in for self-defense in all parks. Everyone who has studied history of crime knows that world was actually a much safer place when more people owned and knew haw to use guns. Today the good people have been brain washed into thinking guns are bad and only criminal use them. As a result only criminals do use them today. rust if we put more guns in the hands of good people the criminals will have no choice but to take their business elsewhere or retire and get a real job. Since the police canot be everywhere a gun is still the best defense you can get for the money. You could alternatively hire a body guard if you can afford one…..I for one can’t and would not want ruin the solitude a walk in the woods allows me to experience.
March 6th, 2008 @ 10:47 am
Guns are only effective if you can somehow anticipate that you are about to be attacked AND have enough time to draw the weapon and prepare to use it. How many cases pan out this way? Is it not more common for someone to attack out of nowhere, with little warning, and preferably from behind? There are also many cases where perpetrators make efforts to gain the victim’s confidence before making a sudden, highly *unexpected* move.
It is reassuring to think that in most circumstances, people have some warning that someone is about to do something bad to them. Sadly, this is not the case, as most criminals employ the element of surprise to their advantage.
Since we have some alleged gun experts reading, how does one effectively use a gun under these circumstances? How do you employ your gun when someone has very suddenly knocked you to the ground, or pinned your arms, or whacked you in the head?
November 30th, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
This fear-mongering really gets to me. Yes, it is important to be prepared, be aware, and be smart. But let’s face it, most women have a much greater chance of being raped or murdered by a male family member than being assaulted on a hiking trail. I ride a motorcycle and am constantly warned how dangerous it is. Do they think I don’t know that? I also hike alone routinely. I see people’s faces go white when I say this. They are in awe and they could never imagine doing that themselves. There is nothing better for me spiritually. If we, as women, let society freak us out into not acting independently and doing the things we love, then our lives might be “safe” but spiritually dead. I am an adult woman in my mid40s. Nobody is going to scare me into not doing something as simple and satisfying as going for a solo hike.
December 2nd, 2008 @ 9:38 am
Hi Kate,
Thanks for your comment. I understand where you’re coming from and agree – women shouldn’t be frightened to hike alone, just aware and alert. I enjoy hiking alone very much, it’s one of my favorite things to do. But I have to admit, I was frightened (and saddened) by this incident.
The truth is, however, that it really could have happened anywhere (in town, in a mall parking lot, etc). The backcountry is probably one of the safest places a woman can be at any given time.
So, you’re right – don’t be frightened. Be empowered. Carry a whistle or pepper spray, fine tune your gut instincts, and leave your fears at home.
Happy hiking!