Watch out for animals

[hikingprincess]

My mom is such a worrier whenever I am out hiking. I told I was heading out to Red Rock canyon today and she is now worried that I am going to be eaten by wild animals.

[rayne]

As a mom myself, I can undertand her concern. It's always good to take along a hiking companion but if you go it alone, just be careful. Usually, the animals are more afraid of you than you are of them. Good luck.

[ppine]

People are often afraid of what they don't know. Just be careful out there. Red Rock probably has some felines.

It is reassuring to have some form of defense like a walking stick, pepper spray, or a firearm.

On frequented hiking trails I often carry a cattle prod for big aggressive dogs that go after my Welsh Corgis. They will not back down from a fight but are no match for 100 pound dogs.

[Blueskyy]

That is what Mom's are supposed to do. I don't think there is anything wrong with going off by yourself, but it is always a good idea to let someone know the general area of where you plan to be.

[ponderosa]

Well, at least you know she wants to keep you around, lol.

Before I was married, my best friend and I were roommates and also worked together at the hospital. She was not into the outdoors thing. Every time I had a hike or ski trip or climb or anything else she thought was a "dangerous adventure," she would find out which docs were on call at the hospital. Whenever the less respected docs were on rotation, she'd try to talk me into staying home. "Do you realize that Dr. --- is on call for trauma this weekend, and Dr. ---- is on for neuro? And you still think this is a good idea?!" "Do you really want that guy doing your surgery if you fall off a cliff tomorrow?"

[Grandpa]

That's why grandma bought me a SPOT. I really don't think it was as much worry as having quick closure with the insurance company should a bear eat me.

Maybe if you was to carry a tracker, Hiking princess, she could follow along on the computer. Activity helps alleviate the worry. And sending an occasional "I'm okay" to her phone would help even more.

[DMan]

Hiking alone is something I wouldn't do, unless it was a well traveled trail. You just never know when you might twist an ankle or encounter an animal. I'm not surprised your mom worries.

[pastywhite]

My family finally got comfortable with me going solo. I'm going to spend the weekend with a group from another forum next week though and family thinks I'm nuts. The nurse where I get my allergy shots even told me to be SURE to take a cell phone. I told her I am taking a weekend away from electronics so there will be no phone. I thought I was going to need to use the epi-pen on her.

I shouldn't be but I am still surprised at how odd people view backpackers.

[oldsarge]

Originally Posted by hikingprincess

My mom is such a worrier whenever I am out hiking. I told I was heading out to Red Rock canyon today and she is now worried that I am going to be eaten by wild animals.

I wonder why my wife always say's " It's nice out, why don't you go for a hike".

[ponderosa]

Originally Posted by pastywhite

My family finally got comfortable with me going solo. I'm going to spend the weekend with a group from another forum next week though and family thinks I'm nuts. The nurse where I get my allergy shots even told me to be SURE to take a cell phone. I told her I am taking a weekend away from electronics so there will be no phone. I thought I was going to need to use the epi-pen on her.

I shouldn't be but I am still surprised at how odd people view backpackers.

Oh, that one reminded me of my eye doctor several years ago. I asked how long it would take the dilation to fully wear off in my eyes, because I had plans to climb Mt. Borah the next day. He freaked out about how I was going to get myself killed (nothing to do with my eyes though). He begged me to reconsider. (Borah is Idaho's highest peak, but mostly a walk-up with a little scrambling). He actually called me AT HOME the next night to make sure I'd made it back.