Although there are many benefits of solo hiking in Zion National Park, it also involves a considered risk but is still worth taking the chance. Sometimes solo hikers have to face certain problems like a devastating injury, a bad-fall, an animal-attack, or a wrong turn. These kinds of risks may cause little fear when you want to go solo hiking, but if you look at other side where you can have a rewarding experience and a great memory, then it is defiantly worth trying.
Solo Hiking Benefits Include:
1. Spiritual Health – When you are alone, it helps you learn more about yourself, and it permits you to have self-examination, gives you permission to relax, and keeps your mind from wandering. Not just that, solitude also gives you a chance to contemplate, meditate and much more.
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2. Outdoor Skills – When you are in group, some take it easy and rely on someone to take care of the things; you actually do not try to use your skills and do not really take on any tough decisions. But when you are solo hiking, all your skills comes out. In fact you must use your knowledge and skills while hiking. So before taking risks, make sure that you are capable of handling tough tasks all by yourself.
3. Own Pace – When you are in group, you need to walk according to group pace, in a group some people walk fast and some people walk slowly, which means you have to follow the pace according to your group. But when you go for solo hiking, you are your own boss, so that you can follow your own pace.
4. Flexibility – Solo hiking permits you to have flexibility in your travelling plan, which is absolutely not possible when you hike with a group. You should follow all the rules including camping location, rest breaks, route, and various other things. But when you go for solo hiking, you can avoid all these things and do whatever you want to do. However, it is advisable not to go overboard and invite risks.
5. Challenge – Solo hiking helps you challenge yourself, pushes you to hike faster, longer hours, or farther. You can also try the most difficult trails, and rough environments.
Conquer your Fears – Many people have their own set of fears, but it is hard to conquer them when you are in group. Many people are afraid of heights, wild animals, being alone, storms, etc. But, when you are solo hiking, you are sure to overcome most of these fears, it helps you to conquer your fears and face the challenges.
6. Meet Nature – You cannot enjoy watching wildlife when you are in group, but at the same time if you are solo hiking you can actually enjoy watching wildlife. When you are in group due to the smell, loud noise, and invasion will actually drive away. Solo hike give you more opportunity and help you meet nature naturally.
7. Soak it In – You can enjoy the landscaping, smell flowers; waterfalls, butterflies, animal’s tracks, clouds, and many other beautiful things in nature can be enjoyed in solo hiking.
Responsibility – Solo hikers are more responsible than when they are with the group. They take full responsibility to complete the trail successfully. Solo hikers also become more compassionate as they try to contemplate on several things, takes care of trails, trying to stay safe, and being independent teaches them responsibility.
Concerns or risks of Solo Hiking:
Solo hiking also have certain risks and concerns that need to be considered before going on solo hiking. The risks include:
1. Loneliness – It is easy to feel lonely when you are hiking alone. Isolation and mental drain are huge drawbacks in solo hiking. Sometimes, the hikers fail to complete the trial because of not having proper planning or because of injury and most of the times because of loneliness. When you feel there is no one to talk during your entire hiking, you may feel the trail is long and boring. Getting out of the feeling is very important otherwise it affect s your health.
2. Heavy Heart – Going with group helps you stay focused as any member in a group can help you feel better when you feel lonely, or they can support you when you feel tired or dejected. This is the major disadvantage of solo hiking.
3. Heavy Load – While you are solo hiking, you have to carry all the language by yourself, but when you are in group you can divide the gear among the group. Also, you don’t need to carry everything, you can split the gear and you can avoid bring repeating stuff. But in solo hiking it is not possible.
Conclusion: Above you can see the benefits and concerns of Solo hiking. To have a wonderful experience you can try both and enjoy both hiking trips.
