Thoughts on hiking solo

Recently there seems to be some concern over my solo hiking, so I thought I would take a few minutes to address them.

In hiking there are a few different groups of people, but not limited to:
The Lakebagger: they seek out the lakes in the mountains, whether the easy to access or the high alpine lakes secluded from society.
The Waterfaller: they enjoy seeking out the beautiful waterfalls and strive to find one that hasn't been seen before and to be able to name it.
Then there is the Peakbagger, the group that I fall into. Aside from rock climbing, this can be one of the most dangerous group around. From the occasional off-trail route finding, cliffs to circumnavigate, ridgelines than constantly offer elevation gains and losses, there are the weather elements that can change with little or no notice.

Included in the suggested "10 Essentials" of hiking, peakbaggers like myself arm ourselves with additional tools to asssist us in reaching our goal in a safe manner including our return. Those tools are (not limited to) education, experience, instinct, and judgement.

Education: I belong to an online chat forum dedicated to hiking. On this site many folks post their hiking/climbing trips which typically include route information, current conditions (ie. snow, trail damage, etc) these are often accompanied with photos. Also on this site is the opportunity to message with fellow members to get other information (beta) that may not be posted including gear that may be needed. I use this feature quite a bit so that I know what I'm getting myself into. I also talk to folks who know my skill level and can suggest or "non-suggest" a place that I could go. I also use a good mapping software (National Geographic's TOPO!) to help me map my trips and my proposed route. Weather! I check the forecasts often before a trip so that I know what I may encounter on the trail, or if I should leave a hike for better weather conditions. I will say that weather forecasting in the Pacific Northwest is a tough science and proper clothing including extra is always suggested, and is also a part of the "10 Essentials"

Experience: Over the years I've learned where my tolerance levels are at. I stick to these tolerances like glue, especially when I'm on the trial alone. Basically that amounts to how steep of a slope am I comfortable on, terraine type, weather conditions, legnth of trip and stuff like that. When I'm with friends I may push those a bit in an effort to enhance my skill level, but I only do this with a few select friends who I've hiked with many times and whose judgements I trust.

Instinct: Some of my trips during this time of year require a lot of instinct. Many trails are still partially or completly covered with snow and route finding can be a challenge. During these times instinct plays a big role. I look for signs of where the trail might be, are there cut logs around that would indicate a trail, does a slope look might it might have characteristics of a trial beneath it? Keeping a keen eye out for signs (for areas that have them). Understanding that a trail probably won't go straight up a steep slope, rather it will switchback (zig zag) up the slope. But is the slope to steep to ascend with snow? Is there a risk of an avalanche? Sometimes I have to go off-trail to get to my intended destination in order to avoid a sketchy slope. Another part of this is when I pack my gear, do my insticts tell me to pack certain gear that I might not carry? Like an ice axe, shovel, snowshoes or rain gear. So far my insticts have served me well and I trust them completely.

Judgement: This kind of ties everything in together. Recently I went on a trip where I turned around due to the snow conditions and a steep slope that I would have to cross. My instincts told me that I should stop and head back down. I didn't have the gear for this kind of a slope and my experience told me that the light snow covering would make the slope slippery and very unsafe for me to attempt to cross. A few years ago I was on a trip with some good hiking friends and we were heading up a slabby rock slope and due to the moisture and moss growing on the rocks I decided to not continue any further, as it turned out I wasn't the only one who felt this way. The two who felt comfortable with the slope decided to turn around and keep the group together.

All the preparation, knowledge and stuff don't guarantee a safe passage, accidents do happen. About 3 years ago I was out with a friend and we had turned around before a summit due to not ahving good route info and not the right gear for the upcoming trail conditions. On our way down I slipped and started to slide down a very steep slope. I did have my ice axe with me and attempted to "self arrest" (stop myself) and I had almost come to a complete stop until my elbow hit an expose rock causing my hand to open up and I let go of the axe. I ended up sliding down more and falling over a rock pile and eventually with the help of my arm, I was able to come to a stop. I ended up with an injured shoulder that kept me out of work for a week and a scar on my elbow that I get to look at whenever I want. As soon as I had stopped I yelled up to my buddy so he knew I was ok (relatively) and he soon joined me after a 5 minute climb down to my location. This route is one that I would never try by myself! Also I did not have one key piece of equipment that could have prevented all of this in the first place, crampons. They are basically spikes that I can secure to my boots. I now own a pair and have used them once so far, but if I need them I've got them.

The listed items are by no means a complete list of what hikers/climbers use, it's just bascally a general idea of what I do to prepare for a trip.
To sum this all up, I do appreciate the concern that friends and family have when I go out on my solo hiking trips. I pick routes and destinations that are safe me me to solo and during weather conditions that will allow for a safe ascent and descent.

I want to get back home after every trip and be able to see/talk with my friends and family. Hiking is a refuge for me in my life and something that I enjoy very much and hope to continue doing for many years to come whether it's in Washington or wherever my life takes my living arrangements.