Whether hiking, bicycling, riding on horseback or participating in motorized recreation nearly everyone uses trails for a similar goal – to spend time outdoors. This time outside, whether a short walk down a paved trail to work in an urban setting, or a hike to a point reachable to only a few Americans makes trail users happier people. We all know that spending time outdoors can improve our personal health in many ways like lessening anxiety, decreasing depression, boosting creativity, and increasing optimism.

But during this time of crisis, not all recreation is responsible. Before you go on any outdoor adventures you need to ask yourself these questions to confirm if your plans are safe and appropriate.

1. Do I have the potential to come within six feet of people who are not a part of my household?
2. Does this activity put me at risk for potential rescue, straining local resources?
3. Am I coming into contact with surfaces that can hold and transfer the virus?
4. ill this put me in closer contact with vulnerable populations, such as those with compromised immune systems, persons over the age of 65, or those who are pregnant?
5. Do I need to travel outside of my local community to do this?

If you can answer YES to ANY of these questions, please alter your plans to keep your community safe by finding another form of recreation, a different location, or staying home.

More details here…

Regardless of gender, as a solo hiker there are daunting factors: If you injure yourself or encounter a dangerous wild animal you’re bereft of support.

Yet, as a female solo hiker, the prospect of unwanted attention (or worse) whilst wandering in the wild can add an eerie element to a trek. Perhaps potential female hikers are even deterred from treading onto the trail; after all, extensive sections can be remote, and a quick internet search may produce sinister stories about lone female hikers.

However, badass athletes such as Sunny Stroeer (who in February 2018 became the first woman to circumnavigate and summit Aconcagua in a single push), Kristin Gates (the first female to traverse Alaska’s Arctic Brook Range solo on a route mapped out herself) and Heather Anderson (whom in 2015 became the first person to simultaneously hold the speed records for both the PCT and AT) flaunt that females are proving their prowess in the outdoors. Yet despite this piecemeal pluckiness, should solo female hikers progress with due caution?

Here is advice from long-distance lady hikers on how to stay savvy – and not be put off breaking trail alone.