Walking Alone In The Woods

[Anarchy]

Actually, statistically, I think "people you know" are a bigger threat than strangers.

Hmmmmm, lies, damn lies and... mis representation.

I'll concede that an unfortunatly large number here have been on the receiving end of attempts which do fit that description, but for the wider population, the implication that family members and friends are a larger risk is something of a distortion and mis representation.

in the uniform reporting stats, I think the term is "known to"
which would include:
targetted member of rival street gang.
curb crawler and street walker.
stalker and stalked.
Pusher and smackhead who hasn't paid up

as opposed to purely random, or accidental killing of a passer by or someone who just got in the way.

 

[Kefira]

I sometimes get a bit of anxiety over this, but honestly I think it's a leftover evolutionary predatory/prey thing for me more so than necessarily a trauma thing. I fear people, but if there aren't many people around, as in the woods then local large predators or doing some sort of injury to myself and being unable to get help are my main concerns. When I lived in Italy and had to walk down a mountain to get groceries (long story) I was always worried I'd fall and break my ankle and end up dying of exposure or something without a way to get help or be found, because I'm morbid like that.

In the states, where I have working phone service and typically know the lay of the land in places I frequent I feel much better. I sometimes carry some form of weaponry that I feel comfortable using if I'm unsure, although I personally am not comfortable with firearms. But jogging in my neighborhood where there are people coming and going, cars passing nearby, and parked cars or work trucks... so much scarier to me than being out in the wilderness.

 

[scout86]

as opposed to purely random, or accidental killing of a passer by or someone who just got in the way.

Yes. And these are rare events, in the real world too. Regardless of what the "entertainment industry" likes to suggest. The odds of meeting a serial killer on an isolate mountain trail are pretty remote. I wonder if anyone has compared the odds of that with the odds of being in a plane crash? (Of course, if you never leave the house, you don't have to worry about any of that, but that wouldn't be much fun.)

What you said there kind of points out that, if you avoid things like gangs and drug dealers, your chances of staying out of dangerous situations greatly increase.

 

[WillyKat]

I do a fair amount of backpacking and other wilderness adventures alone. It's where a lot of my healing takes place, and as some of you may know, I'm writing a book about my PTSD, my journey, and healing in the wilderness. However, I strive to get as far away from people as I can.

As Yogi Bear said "The deeper into the woods ya' get, the more nuts ya' find."

Which is of course true in more than one sense. I think wilderness draws sufferers of civilization for its ability to heal us. I think heavily wooded, poorly patrolled places where people go often draws criminals. I recommend going out farther, away from the crowds, where it gets really wild. That's where you'll feel the most legitimate fear, of real dangers, not triggers, and you'll never feel more alive.

If you've read the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed, there's a passage where she encounters two bowhunters, one of which became aggressive toward her. For my part, I've only been scared of people once, when two guys got into my personal space. They have miles and miles to stand in, but they were two feet from me. At that moment, I wish I was carrying because I know they were. One of them, clearly an idiot, said he had felt threatened by a black bear and considered getting out his pistol. Now if you know anything about black bears in the Sierras, just yelling is enough to send them scurrying.

So...long story short. The farther out into the wilderness you go, I'd say you are generally safer than in town. That said, I would recommend the large cans of pepper spray called Bear .... something. They have been proven to work on grizzly bears, so they will work on the more dangerous two-legged predators. I honestly feel that most people would hesitate to shoot, unless you have combat experience and know what you would do if a situation arose. With non-lethal pepper spray, I don't think you would. And for the love of Dog, if you do go way out there, please get some training so that you know what to do in case of emergency. I now carry an Emergency Locator Beacon.

As for carrying or packing heat in a national park, it is illegal to carry a firearm unless there are specific rules that state otherwise, like if its hunting season. As for designated wilderness areas (see the US Wilderness Act of 1964), the laws in that area of the state are pertinent. Most of the time, you can openly carry, but you can't pack the thing in your pack because that's concealed and therefore illegal. Do not take this at face value; I could be wrong. Check your local laws.

I used to carry out in the bush, but it wasn't for protection really. Back when I was seriously suicidal, I took a .44 with me. And then the beauty of the place got to me and what do you know, I'm still here.

 

[Chava]

Actually, statistically, I think "people you know" are a bigger threat than strangers.

yes, I could wander way into the woods to feel free and safe from my family. From that perspective, woods are safer than open spaces because small people need hiding. But there was also a sense of wonder that I only felt safe with all on my own. I still have that as an adult sometimes but it does help to have my dog so I can enjoy it more.

@Anarchy it depends what we're talking about. Being randomly shot? Being abused or assaulted? Sexual assault stats point towards a pretty large portion of acquaintances.

I don't remember being afraid of strangers until I was an adult but it's usually more about tweaking out in general than a stranger thing, I think. I knew everyone who ever hurt me, childhood through adulthood. And not because I was a thug. The primary scary subject of my nightmares was one of my parents. So known vs unknown people does matter to me as much as people of any kind vs isolation. Nature makes isolation feel more like solitude.

 

[shimmerz]

Of course, if you never leave the house, you don't have to worry about any of that, but that wouldn't be much fun

I can attest to this! :confused:

 

[J_trustno1]

Haven't done this due to fears of being raped. Seriously, no other animal or reptile is as dangerous as humans. Even if you are attacked by an animal or reptile, you are most likely to have instant death but if you are attacked by a human you die emotional and psychological death everyday. Sorry for sounding negative but that is how I see humans.

 

[WillyKat]

By the way, way out in the wilderness, I've met about as many solo women hikers as solo men, perhaps more. Most solo backpackers (and non-solo) too don't impose conversations on each other. It's fine to say hello, where you going, I was there last night and its awesome, how's the fishing, etc.-- then go on your way.


And one more thing, the most dangerous animal in any wilderness is a species called mother. Think about it. You have as much right to be out there as anyone.

 

[Fadeaway]

What pisses me off is when therapists or others tell you to go for a walk to help with anxiety. Walking anywhere, woods, town etc. makes my anxiety sky rocket.

 

[xena21]

What do you think?

I believe there are 2 extremes to what happens after going through a trauma...one is something like you are dealing with where you are afraid, maybe more than you feel is normal, or more than the "average" person sees as "normal" compared to another individual woman. The other extreme is what I deal with and that is to not care at all and take risky behavior daring others to try and hurt you again. This is the opposite spectrum obviously. I love going out into the night completely alone. I hate being surrounded by others, and are more uncomfortable and afraid when others are around me than when I am alone either during the night or during the day.

I go for walks after midnight on dark roads and don't have an element of fear, but I'm relaxed and feel relief compared to the closed in feeling of my dangerous house. I could be trapped in my house, but outside alone I have so many options. I dare others to try anything. I just don't have a care about that. It's odd I suppose but it's how my body has adjusted. Being in the woods alone is one of my favorite things of all. I guess this probably sounds so odd to you, but it is such a relief for me. One of the best times of my life was hiking for 3 months on my own through the woods. I am just so afraid of other people.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Yes, I would.

I don't go into the woods, but we vacation near an uninhabited island owned by the National Park Service. We go to this island every year. I always wander off by myself. Rangers patrol the island, but someone could do something, throw me in the ocean and I'd never be seen again. Do I worry? No.

I go by the rules I was taught in the trauma hospital. That is, never need an object/person outside of yourself to keep you safe. Its why I don't agree with packing heat in order to keep yourself safe, as its a false sense of security. If you want to heal, work on staying safe in and of yourself. You will ALWAYS have "YOU" but you can't always have the gun (or safety trinket or person or whatever). Learn to use your own mind to stay safe and you will be miles ahead of the game.

 

[sun seeker]

My answer is a little different due to location. I understand the fear behind the question, but for me, the fear around walking alone in the woods is about bears and cougars, not people. It's a real fear at certain times of year. At other times? Yes, no problem. I'm really sorry to hear so many of you live where there is so much danger.