I love night hiking solo. There is an intensity to it especially if you can manage without a headlamp on. (always carry one though!) this reminded me of hiking to Larch mountain from the Columbia river gorge. I started it with enough daylight that I knew I would return in the dark. Nobody out lots of sounds and enough light to get by. The headlamp came on when I approached cliff edges. Nobody was going to rescue me. It was a great experience.
I also prefer night hiking without my headlamp on! It's amazing to feel the trail underfoot and see how much your eyes can pick out once they acclimate. But, for now at least, I think I will only do lightless hikes in the company of friends.
Night hiking opens up so many opportunities for seeing sunrises and sunsets in beautiful, remote spots, so I want to get more comfortable with it, even if it's just a very occasional experience.
Well, this one had a twist. I appreciate your vulnerability. Reading about your mugging was a surprise and also upsetting. I like how you wove a traumatic life event into a twilight hike. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, I am impressed with your resilience and dedication to vulnerability. Your revelation is profound - stepping from the light into the unknown... <3 I have maybe never taken a solo night, dark hike, and would feel uncomfortable doing so, let alone camping alone at night. Amazing. Thank you for trusting us and for sharing your experience and thoughts.
Thank you for the kind words! When I bailed on that first hike attempt, I was so embarrassed! But writing about it actually helped me reframe it. Instead of being something to be ashamed of, it was a false start that set me up for a successful hike another night.
I'm so sorry that happened to you, its awful to have the night taken away from you like that. I'm glad you're reclaiming it though, this was beautiful.
It's a terrible thing to have your sense of safety threatened. Well done, both on listening to your intuition and finding a way to meet your goal that is best for you. My only solo night walks are along our neighborhood greenway, but I love a night hike with friends!
Thanks! I often find myself being rigid with the goals I set for myself, so I’m glad I gave myself the wiggle room to adjust the parameters of a night hike to make it a successful outing! And I agree that night hikes with friends are fantastic!
I love night hiking solo. There is an intensity to it especially if you can manage without a headlamp on. (always carry one though!) this reminded me of hiking to Larch mountain from the Columbia river gorge. I started it with enough daylight that I knew I would return in the dark. Nobody out lots of sounds and enough light to get by. The headlamp came on when I approached cliff edges. Nobody was going to rescue me. It was a great experience.
I am glad you are able to face your fears.
I also prefer night hiking without my headlamp on! It's amazing to feel the trail underfoot and see how much your eyes can pick out once they acclimate. But, for now at least, I think I will only do lightless hikes in the company of friends.
Night hiking opens up so many opportunities for seeing sunrises and sunsets in beautiful, remote spots, so I want to get more comfortable with it, even if it's just a very occasional experience.
Yes I get it. The benefit of being a big bloke. Wish it weren’t so.
It really sucks that those jerks made darkness so scary. I'm glad you were able to still do the twilight hike.
Thank you! I know time will eventually make the bad memory fade, but it's just taking a bit longer than I had initially expected!
Well, this one had a twist. I appreciate your vulnerability. Reading about your mugging was a surprise and also upsetting. I like how you wove a traumatic life event into a twilight hike. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading!
Wow, I am impressed with your resilience and dedication to vulnerability. Your revelation is profound - stepping from the light into the unknown... <3 I have maybe never taken a solo night, dark hike, and would feel uncomfortable doing so, let alone camping alone at night. Amazing. Thank you for trusting us and for sharing your experience and thoughts.
Thank you for the kind words! When I bailed on that first hike attempt, I was so embarrassed! But writing about it actually helped me reframe it. Instead of being something to be ashamed of, it was a false start that set me up for a successful hike another night.
Congrats on your brave night hike! 🙌
Reminded me of this quote:
We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time.” — Brené Brown
That's a fantastic quote, thank you for sharing it! Even though I didn't feel courageous in the moment, it's good to remind myself that I was!
I'm so sorry that happened to you, its awful to have the night taken away from you like that. I'm glad you're reclaiming it though, this was beautiful.
Thank you! Though it was uncomfortable at moments during the hike, I’m really glad I got out there!
It's a terrible thing to have your sense of safety threatened. Well done, both on listening to your intuition and finding a way to meet your goal that is best for you. My only solo night walks are along our neighborhood greenway, but I love a night hike with friends!
Thanks! I often find myself being rigid with the goals I set for myself, so I’m glad I gave myself the wiggle room to adjust the parameters of a night hike to make it a successful outing! And I agree that night hikes with friends are fantastic!