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Old 03-21-2007, 11:00 AM   #1
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This summer I plan on going to Europe for around three weeks and bum around for awhile by myself. I traveled last summer throughout Europe with two friends and decided to do it again by myself with no plans in mind. I'll be starting in Zurich (where my cousins and friends live) and my only known destination so far is Interlaken to skydive. I was there last summer and had a blast. Woo FunnyFarm! Anyway.. I'm a big fan of hiking, backpacking, climbing and whatnot and Interlaken is an amazing place for that. Only problem is.. I'm alone. I guess i could go alone, but it may be dangerous if I ever get injured. My question is.. how hard will it be to find people to go hiking or backpacking with in the mountains? There's nothings weirder than asking a stranger or a person you just met to go with you into the woods, haha. Any advice for this?

I guess im a little worried about traveling by myself. Last summer we only met a few people, which is definitely our fault for not trying too hard, but Im just worried it may get a little lonely. Any advice for a first time solo-er?

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Old 03-21-2007, 11:46 AM   #2
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Even if you are going alone or not you will want someone to know where you are and for how long. That way if anything happens to go off you have a last contact. Maybe tell one of the hostels your heading off and if they don't hear from you by X, then start wondering....

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Old 03-21-2007, 11:53 AM   #3
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While I studied abroad (Berlin) one of my friends took our fall break and went hiking through Southern Germany alone. What I know of his experience was that a lot of his trickier routes had hostels or backpackers' inns along the mountain routes and trails, so that when you left early in the morning, you could grab people from breakfast if you really wanted to, or else leave your hostel with your intended hiking path.

The pros in his case were that he spoke German pretty much fluently and had a "local" hiking guidebook all in German. You get to that part of the world, though, and the stereotype of people who live along the Alps (especially Germans) always in hiking gear holds up when you get out there. I'm pretty sure he went totally alone, which is definitely doable. And can you imagine the serenity of all that wilderness and introspection? I tend to get yakkity when I'm hiking with people, and I'm sure it cuts into the majesty a little (unless you take me somewhere difficult like Masada, then I shut up and pretend to survey the scenery while I catch my breath every 10 minutes)...
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Old 03-21-2007, 12:32 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McHopsky View Post
I guess im a little worried about traveling by myself. Last summer we only met a few people, which is definitely our fault for not trying too hard, but Im just worried it may get a little lonely.
You didn't meet people exactly because you didn't have to ! Traveling alone makes us mix with people. That's nature ! We are social animals, for most of us, we can stand being alone for a long period of time.

If you need help organising your trek with other travelers, you can ask the front desk staff to do so. They often know who's going where, and they can give your name. Also, hostels often organise activities, city tour, hikking trips, etc. But usually in hostels, it's pretty easy to talk about your plans at meal time let's say, and find trekking buddies.

I love your photo signature, by the way.

And I moved your thread into the Traveling alone Forum.
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Old 03-21-2007, 08:59 PM   #5
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If it's a hiking hotspot, you'll find someone to go with. And being alone will make that easier!

I latched on to a British couple to climb Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo with - I felt a little weird about randomly asking people if they wanted to share a guide, but they were really nice.
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Old 03-23-2007, 05:20 AM   #6
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If you've been to Interlaken already you'll know how social the place is. I went hiking with a Canadian guy I met at the hostel and it shouldn't be too hard to find someone to accompany you. Should you go it alone, don't forget enough water and food, wear study shoes and let someone at the hostel know your planned movements.

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Old 03-23-2007, 07:27 AM   #7
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Like others have said if you ask around the hostel usually it's pretty easy to find a buddy to go along. Also, some hostels have notice boards in the lobby - you could post a note describing the hikes/activities you want to do. Trust me, there's a lot of backpackers traveling solo - they'd be happy to have a buddy for a couple hours or days.
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Old 03-24-2007, 12:35 PM   #8
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all I will say is GO FOR IT!
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