From: reed@cs.washington.edu (Renee Reed)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Gender questions (was Re: No alcohol, etc in NP.)
Date: 29 Sep 92 20:50:35 GMT
Article-I.D.: beaver.1992Sep29.205035.14493
Organization: Computer Science & Engineering, U. of Washington, Seattle

>Safety?  I would be very uncomfortable hiking alone or with one other
>woman, although I have some women friends that I would love to hike with.
> Even with the dog I would feel uneasy.  Could be paranoia on my part;
>does anyone have any GOOD women only backcountry experiences??
>JB

	This is really sad to read, though understandable, given our
	social conditioning.   Some of my BEST backcountry/wilderness
	experiences have been in women only groups, or with only one
	other woman.   I also know many, many, women who hike and climb
	alone.  Though I don't hike alone myself, not because of fear of
	attack, but fear of being injured and unable to get aid. 

	Just a few of my more memorable trips..
	4 days backcountry skiing in British Columbia -- Telemarking around
	Mt. Garibaldi (sp?)  .. All women and boy did we raise some
	eyebrows when we partied in the huts.  Quite a few of the women
	traveling with men, gave us envious looks that trip.  It was
	great.  

	7 days in the North Cascades, in the Boston Basin Area,  climbing
	a variety of peaks and glaciers.   All women, and each of us
	carried 45-60 pound packs. (I carried 55 and will NEVER do that again)

	4 days backpacking the Hoh River Trail (Olympic Nat Park) few weeks ago 
	with one female friend.  Very nice pace.  Stopped to look at everything,
	and had a nice comfortable pace -- which would not have been possible if
	her husband had joined us..  He runs up everything.  Not my idea of
	fun.  (I do admit that I was nervous about bears on this trip, but
	that has nothing to do with gender.  I get nervous about bears no matter
	who I'm with. )

	Too numerous to mention are the climbing and hiking trips with only
	one other woman. All over the country.

	I think it all started back in girl scouts :)

	Seriously though, wilderness and outdoor experiences with all women
	has a completely different "feel" to it.  This is not to knock coed
	groups, but there really is a difference. Women are far less competitive
	and seem more likely to encourage stragglers, or show sensitivity to
	fearful, or low confident beginners.  On the other hand I often find 
	that when I go camping/hiking/climbing with women who usually only go
	with a spouse/boyfriend/father -- these women a very dependent on me to 
	make the decisions, put up the tent, the bear bags, read the map,
	keep us on route, set up anchors, etc..   I am usually quite drained
	by the end of a trip with such a woman -- and often a little hostile,
	since I just can't respect this.   One thing I always do if climbing,
	is insist that she learn to set anchors and do it.  This is for her
	safety and mine.  It really makes me sick to watch a man "take care"
	of everything. What would happen if he got hurt.  The woman would
	have no experience base to get herself/him out of the situation.
	(Recently a female friend of mine had to find her way out of the
	wilderness, alone, and off trail, decending 4,000 ft, after witnessing
	her climbing partner's death.) 

	On the other hand, traveling with women who are more independant  is
	really fun -- as well as watching and helping women gain the confidence
	and experience on their own -- without the shadow of a boyfreind/spouse
	to hold them back.   We share all tasks, with the stronger of us,
	often helping with heavier loads.  We wait for each other and teach
	each other our skills.  We are RELAXED (well not always when crossing
	a snow bridge over a mote,,, ) and don't feel like we are a burden
	on each other.  And most importantly -- FUN is the focus. 

	And yes, I do admit that I could be attacked "out there", but the
	chances are far less than here in the city.  I have known women who
	have been molested, harrassed and more both in the backwoods and in
	the cities.   And I have buried more women friends, than men, these
	past few years due to accidents.  There are no guarentees, but having
	a man along doesn't mean you will have a better experience -- only
	that it will be shared with a man, instead of a woman.  And it is 
	possible that you won't get as much out of the trip either..


	-renee