These Types of Conversations Make Me Uncomfortable On Trail (and how I deal with them) | AT 2023

[@khoehn54]

My friend who hiked the AT named her backpack "Charlie". If she got the alone question she would say I'm hiking with Charlie, he's right behind me. Then she beat it out of the situation. Stay safe.

[@gryffyleelee]

Smart!

[@mathfan0918]

Heh, that's a great idea!

[@daniellbrinneman]

Great idea!

[@Word187]

I'm totally going to use that to! Great tip

[@dodgeguyz2661]

Dumb

[@blakemcclenny4914]

Your videos are great. As a male ive realized by watching your journey how the typical questions that come up on trail (camp, distance, etc) can make a woman feel uncomfortable. Ive started sticking to "hey how are you doing" and "have a good day". Good info Taylor. Thanks for making the hiking community better

[@flowersafeheart]

Aw I love this comment. True, some people must be harmless and just don't realize how their questions may come across.

[@Margatroid]

Ha ha, have you? Maybe a woman shouldn't be out hiking a vast wilderness trail by herself.

[@panhandlejake6200]

@@Margatroid Sure, there is always safety in numbers but anyone should be able to do sensible things alone if they so choose. Should a woman drive cross country alone? There is some risk in this as well. Even when doing something like a through hike intending to be in a group, circumstances can change very easily to disrupt even the best of plans. Use common sense like Taylor is and the risks can be managed.

[@missyrose7]

@@Margatroid maybe men should stop assaulting women so we don't have to worry about it.

[@Margatroid]

@@missyrose7 Are you mentally challenged, Melissa?

[@jeffs6229]

Was probably harmless but you are smart to follow your instincts. As an older, male hiker and father to 2 young women I try to be very mindful of the female hiker’s experience. Everyone deserves to feel safe on trail (and off trail)! People don’t need to loose their manners and social skills when hiking. Glad you are safe and as always thanks for sharing.

[@joelionnet2147]

As an older male (with 3 daughters) I also struggle with these situations. I have occasionally run into solo females in the outdoors and I don't want to seem creepy by being too friendly so I tend to move off as soon as I can. I think it makes me seem unfriendly and that might be equally disturbing. It is hard to find the right balance. Thank you for raising the topic - everyone has a right to feel safe and comfortable in the outdoors (and elsewhere)

[@GypsyGirl317]

As a mature single female, I value guys who are quietly friendly, simply introducing themselves and saying who their family members are back home. Also keeping a reasonable physical distance helps hugely, and not asking any personal questions, but as you say, asking if we are OK. This can enhance a feeling of calmness and respect for the guy. I appreciate how thoughtful and respectful you are. 😊

[@mrslauri60]

You’re not being dramatic; you’re being wise. 🥾

[@jessiefalkenhagen3743]

Totally agreed!! Wise not dramatic!!

[@mollyarbor563]

Gut is always right

[@6030jdr]

Lol

[@joandavis9086]

Yes, always trust your instinct. Lots of us are taught to please as kids and so it can be hard to go against that when we're young and stepping into our own power. From what I heard you say, you are def listening to that voice inside of you that says somethings not right. Developing that intuition and acting on it are really things to be celebrated and will serve you your entire life, so big-time kudos to you!!! (And i love the dog whistle idea-clever and good for you to take action to keep yourself feeling safe. Way to go!)

[@larryosselborn9009]

Shore it wasn't bigfoot

[@dirtydingus5465]

As a retired police officer from Baltimore City. NEVER feel bad about following your gut and intuition! I cannot count the tragedy that could have been avoided in 32 years if people had just listened to themselves or used common sense! You did well and ALWAYS keep your guard up. I know it’s a hard balance to stay friendly and wary all at the same time but always err on the side of caution! It’s better to have your thoughts you’re having now than to have it go wrong! Stay safe, enjoy yourself and have a great life! ☮

[@LauraMichellez]

I can't count the number of times I've had to change my route/plans to avoid a person or situation that doesn't feel right. A sad reality.

[@GypsyGirl317]

This is a wise and very validating comment. As an older (65) woman who has always lived and travelled alone, I concur. I have always listened to my instincts both in town and out on the trails here in New Zealand, and I have always remained safe. 🌿 We definitely have less to worry about than in the USA, but we definitely have our freaks and people with nefarious agendas. 🤔

[@alisondickinson]

Conversations like that are alarming and not to be downplayed. Hike away from them! There were places on the AT that we waited for cars to go past and we stayed out of sight until the road was empty to cross. Locals who think it is amusing to bother hikers (and yes, that at least was a thing, don’t know if it still happens) know about where you will camp, especially late in the afternoon. Listen to your inner voice!

[@christinemcdonald8257]

Taylor, Great job on, trusting your gut instinct! As an ex-police detective, I can tell you that you should always trust your gut. Many women get into trouble because they don’t want to come off as “rude,” instead of listening to their gut. If your senses are telling you, there is a red flag, trust it!

[@jerryayres5744]

I used to teach martial arts and self defense. A book I made required reading for my female students especially was “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin Debecker. The main theme throughout the book was to trust your instincts. Lots more to the book but that whole business of trusting your gut was the one thing that helped a lot of women avoid uncomfortable encounters.

[@Cindyscrossstitch]

Other women hikers experience the same thing. It is important to follow your gut feeling, its never wrong. Glad your fall wasn't to bad and you didn't get hurt🌻👣

[@legnar455]

I don’t think men realize all the precautions women have to take for mundane activities that they take for granted because of the world we live in. I totally get where you’re coming from and would have felt just as uncomfortable. I probably wouldn’t have been so nice but I’m way older than you and have learned to shrug off the urge to always be accommodating as women are raised to be. Stay strong and never be afraid to refuse to answer or ask why do you want to know. 💪🏻 I love your videos.

[@gryffyleelee]

So right. Women are taught to be polite from a very young age and it's very dangerous.

[@kriskabin]

Well said, & true! Men need to think more b4 opening their mouths. Respect women's boundaries & realize it is a very different world for them compared to women. * It's a very privileged world that I know most men don't grasp, unfortunately. (This is coming from a Trans person who sees this issue from both sides & the outside. You have my total sympathy cis-gendered girls & women. I SEE the disrespectful scary situations that you face with clueless &/or predatory males.) 🙄

[@gryffyleelee]

@@kriskabin thank you! And I see your struggles too!

[@lisamonalisahikes]

Don’t apologize, trust your gut. I travel for a living and usually if you think something is off … it’s off

[@mdbdoc]

concur.

[@wendygrw]

Respect to you following your gut instinct about the male hiker who asked intrusive questions. Glad you are able to out hike folks like that!

[@maika0395]

Good that you talked about the weird conversation. The thing is: a lot of men don't get why women get uncomfortable by this kind of questions. They do not have the same experiences that women (already as teenagers) have (catcalling, being harassed in public transport, etc.). So I really hope that speaking about being uneasy helps them understand and hopefully change their behavior

[@kloppskalli]

I am probably 2 times her age too but do I really need to change my friendly / naive behaviour because there is bad guys somewhere out there? I dont want to overthink everything I might be allowed to ask or not. I was like that as a teenager. Thank god I am more relaxed now and not afraid to say sth wrong. Have your bear spray ready or deal with it 😛

[@PSUhockeygirl]

@@kloppskalli Yes, you do need to change that behavior. We don't have the luxury of assuming you mean no harm so we have to assume you're one of the creeps.

[@maika0395]

@@kloppskalli I had been wondering when the first comment like that would appear. Can't you just acknowledge Taylor's experience and accept that it makes some people uneasy having to answer questions about hiking/ camping alone or their camping location?

[@sarahwilliamson6264]

Women have had to think about what they say since early teen years so as not to give certain men the wrong idea, not to mention having to be constantly alert to potential physical danger from ill-intentioned men. It shapes how women interact with the world everyday unfortunately and reading the news will tell you it’s not unwarranted. It’s just not that hard guys once you know how this is received, and if you are the good guy you likely assume yourself to be you can show that by not asking intrusive questions that make other people concerned about their safety!

[@guido.demedici]

I would strongly disagree. Your statement should be rephrased to “only certain kind of men”. ….. any male with average education and manners clearly is aware about the level of discomfort this type of conversations cause. Having said that I would recommend to any female hiker to CCW on remote trails.

[@LeoneDyerCoach]

10:09 Not being dramatic, you were listening to your gut instincts. The guy was probably safe but just incredibly poor social skills. A great message for everyone to acknowledge. Especially those who are following you and other AT hikers to respect privacy if we happen to cross paths.

[@susannewilliams7664]

Because, you just never know...🐾

[@paulkenny267]

Always admire your Independence, Courage and Creativity on the trail. Surely a reflection on your life direction, Taylor!

[@shoresy6183]

As a male hiker I've actually asked these sorts of questions just trying to make casual conversation, only to realize my error after the fact. When you think about it, some of those questions are right up there with the most common questions people are going to ask while on the trail like: What's the trail like ahead? Any good water sources? etc. The question about "Are you hiking alone?" is definitely strange, but not unheard of. I get asked that all the time and I always answer the same way: No, I'm a bit faster than my buddies. They're just behind me. Always best to be cautious and trust your instincts.

[@robbrown1918]

No, you were NOT being “dramatic.” You were trusting your excellent instincts. You are an inspiration!

[@RickINFJ]

It made me uncomfortable just hearing you talk about that person. You totally did the right thing putting him far behind. I'm a 'throw caution to the wind' kinda guy, and very introverted. I would have bailed too. ❤ the KZbin dog whistle idea! Rest well Nahamsha ✌️

[@jeffweber8244]

As a hiker about twice your age, I’ve told my wife and daughters how funny it is that when I’m alone female hikers won’t even make eye contact with me, but when I’m with my wife everyone says hi. Signs of the times.

[@chrisfraser3235]

yes and i wonder if the guy was her age and she found him attractive than the questions would have been ok? I think if thats going to scare you you might think of not going out in the woods by yourself?

[@Karen-dq8nw]

@@chrisfraser3235 Male privilege

[@Karen-dq8nw]

A sign for all time. Men can be violent and dangerous. Always have been.

[@gryffyleelee]

​@@chrisfraser3235 how dare you blame her for following her gut instinct. It's all we women have to keep us safe. She was right to be cautious. You obviously don't get it.

[@chrisfraser3235]

@@gryffyleelee let me guess your one of those people that still wear a mask when in your car buy yourself so you don't get covid?

[@maryowens1970]

Hi Taylor, ..I pray for you everyday and I never miss your videos. As a mom and a grandmother, I can imagine the feelings that your family feels as you check in nightly. I know this is way behind you now and I am thankful for that. Other hikers should already know trail etiquette but hopefully this is an awareness of what not to do. It is scary times now and you just have to put yourself first and say whatever you need to say to remain safe.

[@HikingSteve]

I appreciate your explanation of that unusual conversation. I think you did the right thing by listening to your intuition. Some people just have bad social skills, but I can certainly understand how creepy that could be also. You did the best by following your gut. Stay safe! I enjoy following your progress and learning.

[@betsyb1374]

It's good to follow your intuition - thanks for speaking out on this topic.

[@ffstopP]

You're hiking smart, as always. Thanks for sharing the sketchy parts of your experience - it helps us all. Stay safe. Stay positive. Stay the course. Walk on.

[@JulieGayheart]

Love that you continue to share all the realities and aspects of the trail. Thank You!

[@Lt.Hikes0329]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the hiker who made you uncomfortable. One of the most important things is to always “listen to your gut”. So glad you are being safe 😊

[@Karen-dq8nw]

You are 100% correct to get away from someone like that. I have become comfortable with lying to strangers as needed. We are taught not to lie and to be polite but that isn't necessary in situations like this. I thought about what I would say if I saw a KZbinr I follow on trail - I'd probably say "wow I really enjoy your videos!" Not interrogating someone about their plans. Uff da.

[@Drone256]

"Are you hiking alone?" would normally be a weird question to ask a female but on a thru hike things get weirder. On my thru hike more than one female stopped to chat with me and volunteered that she was doing the entire hike alone. Hiking alone or in a group is a big difference on a thru hike. It's at the forefront of everyone's mind and something people just talk about on trail.

[@marilynm5024]

Falling is scary. Glad you didn't get hurt. Another beautiful day to hike. That hiker sounded really strange. Hope you don't see him on trail again.

[@paulalee9324]

I’m a marathoner and casual hiker, I love LMNT, even drink it on my off days when recovering from a long run. Thanks for the caution on the conversation, you can never go wrong being extra careful. My mama’s heart was anxious seeing you close for the night. I hope no bears and no strangers! So glad your fall was graceful. Happy trails!

[@developerCorner]

I love your authenticity and how you communicate.

[@bobburton5612]

You have good trail sense! Always be on guard and trust your instincts. You hike more miles than most on trail so those awkward interactions are over when you go on. Enjoy your time on trail, you encourage a lot of us to get out on the trail although a lot shorter in duration. You are the real deal and have great trail sense and very helpful tips for lots of us. Happy Trails!

[@MrMorton]

I think these conversations are extremely helpful. I could easily have seen myself blundering in to an uncomfortable situation in error. I appreciate your candidness 🌸🧡

[@PSUhockeygirl]

And this is the correct response. Be aware, be informed, reflect on your own behavior and make steps to avoid being perceived in a way that you don’t want to be/aren’t trying to be.

[@guido.demedici]

Hey, saw your video and thought I shoot you over some sec advice, coming from my time as a former SOF operator. 1) best defense is avoidance. Walk away from creepy or suspicious individuals. Avoid getting into trouble by being vigilant and by listening to your gut feeling. Walk away from meetings and situations where you feel uncomfortable. Learn to recognize drug consumption in the face of an individual, these are particularly dangerous. 2) the kind of questions from that guy are not normal. He was conducting what we would call a reconnaissance and shaping operation. No man with good manners and good intentions would ask that BS. 3) avoid the usual camp sites on remote trails. Practice stealth camping. 4) do CCW, a small 9mm fits into small pockets. Carry pepper spray. 5) carry satellite communicators, let your hiking progress be checked by trusted third parties online. Agree with them on mandatory check-in times. Having said that I have done long distance remote trails in Canada, the US and elsewhere. And yes, there are very nice people on the way but also some real creeps. Years ago I was with my then 9 y old son on a remote trail in Canada, met a weird male with an aggressive dog coming from the opposite direction, had a friendly chat for a few minutes, left, soon after I realized he was following us and kept his distance. At sun down I chose the next creek, walked off the trail in the creek bed an hour in order to lose his dog and then camped wild. The whole night I was awake with my rifle close by, praying that there would be no confrontation. Next day we bushwhacked across a mountain range and never returned to the same trail again.

[@vickifg13]

You were not being dramatic. You were being safe. I always pray for safety every night for all the hikers I follow. Happy Hiking.🥾⛺️💞

[@theathiker68]

You can never be too cautious about these things. Having 2 daughters myself I think this is really important. Thank you for sharing Taylor!

[@LadySlippersHikes]

Always listen to your gut in these situations. Maybe practice saying something like “my friends are right behind me” so that the necessary lie comes more naturally. Be safe. ~~Slippers

[@amandag7810]

Never second guess yourself. One thing I’ve always loved about your solo overnight videos is how you will bail if the situation doesn’t feel right. I’m planning for my first solo camping trip soon and the way you honor your intuition has informed the way Im planning to stay safe. Thank you for posting this and happy hiking!

[@jonathanvanderwoude6332]

Thanks for the trail updates, and welcome back to New England.

[@fattatter]

I wish all people could be as happy and seemingly genuine as you! You are a great role model to the young ladies out there!

[@molly_1205]

ALWAYS trust your gut. Glad you moved on and hope your honesty about the situation will educate others - both those who ask intrusive, creepy questions and those who get them.

[@toadlguy]

If he was older, he may have just been concerned that you were hiking alone, but if that’s the case he clearly wasn’t thinking how you might react. I must say, I felt better when you were hiking with Cody, even when you weren’t right with each other much of the time. I think you are terrific, but maybe if anyone else asks, you could tell them you are with some others, why should they care, anyway 😊

[@GraeGloomvale]

As a fellow female hiker, I also feel uncomfortable when asked where I'm camping and if I'm alone. Most times, I'm sure it's harmless but you just never know and I think it's wise to be on guard. I've also been similarly vague in my responses, and I've also lied to people that my husband is waiting for me down the trail or something to that effect. If that guy asked if you were alone, I don't think he watches all of your vlogs or he'd know the answer. But if he is watching this, hopefully he learned something about what not to say!

[@HeatGeek1]

MOST people are perfectly harmless in asking these questions, they just want to get to know you. For the most part long trails engender more social openness. It's hard to remember in the moment, but nobody likes to think of themselves as the potential bad person. The very fact that he was significantly older than you probably made him feel like he wouldn't come off as a threat to you. You certainly did the right thing in doing what you felt you needed to do to protect yourself. Objectively, he didn't do anything wrong either. He could have worked a little harder to read the situation, but nobody gets it right all the time. ADDITIONAL NOTE: I constantly find myself juggling privacy issues in a professional setting with my clients. It's quite the issue on both sides of the equation. In order for me to provide the most help to people I need to learn something about them, but at the same time I myself am an intensely private person. Best I can do is to hold good ethics with the information I retain about people, and also understand that people want to know about the person they're hiring to help them, despite my personal desire for privacy.

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

If someone creeps you out, and they ask where are you going, tell them you are going to town and meeting someone at a certain time. That will let them know, or think, someone is expecting you.

[@hokudadog7637]

Maybe. If he follows her, then he will find out the actual truth. She did the right thing in being vague.

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

@@hokudadog7637 I don't think so. In these situations it is always better to be in a public place around people. She should have actually gone to town and not camp alone in the woods in this situation, just to be safe. Also being self assured and self aware goes a long way. That would give any creep second thoughts because she wasn't an easy target.

[@chrishaley877]

Every hiker has every right to feel weird about an encounter on trail, and walk away from it. It’s good to share your perspective on the encounter, in the hopes that others learn from it. I’d just like to caution people (the commenters more so than Taylor) to be careful labeling people as “creepy” after hearing one person’s account of a “1 minute” (as Taylor put it) interaction. Try not to assume bad intentions. (I’m not sure if you folks have noticed, but there’s a lot of socially awkward people in the world today). Maybe the hiker was nervous , star struck… I acknowledge that, as a man, I cannot fully understand what it’s like to be a woman in these situations. But we shouldn’t pretend to know what the other hiker’s intentions were either ✌🏻

[@LaurenOliviArt]

Lol was the interaction with you?? Just messing around. But I’m curious if the guy who watches saw this video. You make a good point and something I thought about. Woman have to be very cautious

[@chrishaley877]

@@LaurenOliviArt It was most definitely not me. Was just trying to add a little balance to the comments.

[@SpacialMeg]

Answer a question with a question my mom always said. Are you camping alone? You can answer back the same thing. I always do this when I don’t want to give extra information too. Hope this helps!

[@sallys2423]

YES!

[@michaelcroteau5919]

As a guy twice your age who hikes, there’s little that creeps me out more than guys like that. I’ve stumbled into conversations like that and I’ve used my arrival to distract and break up the conversation. Keep following your gut instincts, it’s what I teach my daughter! Still super excited to try my new Nemo tent!

[@gryffyleelee]

Good for you for helping out young women that are stuck in an awkward conversation!

[@fretlessed25]

From a guys perspective, whenever I run into 1-2 female hikers, I am intentionally brief with no more than a "Hi" or nod as I pass on the trail, unless they engage me in more conversation. Really- if I was a female hiker on the AT, I would always have pepper spray, regardless of each states laws (as some liberal states are more restrictive). I would hope the police would have sympathy for my situation of being concerned for my safety as a female hiker and I would also play dumb and say I didn't know I was breaking a law in that state.

[@Burps___]

I’d carry bear spray…for the bears and for creeps. Glad you’re fine, Taylor.

[@davem4193]

That's good advice. I carry a snubnose for the same reason. A lot of thru hikers don't want to carry any extra weight but a can of bear spray or a lightweight handgun are worth their weight in gold when you need them.

[@dennisrowan9700]

Bersa .380. Light, accurate. Carry in fanny pack. Be safe, Taylor.

[@hindsfeetonhighplaces]

@@davem4193 The issue with that is legality. Going through NY and MA (not sure about other states gun laws, but I KNOW they have strict gun laws). But the bear spray is legal and a acceptable along the entire trail. (Not anti-gun, I hiked for years with my 1911 until I realized how much weight it saved me to carry a can of bear spray).

[@davem4193]

@@hindsfeetonhighplaces yeah that's why I mentioned bear spray as well for people who don't want to deal with the red tape of a firearm. I know in Mass they will issue non-resident carry permits but NY is about as absurd as it gets. NJ is awful as well. An LEO friend once told me that bear spray is only effective on 90% of the human population whereas a taser is 100% effective. Bear spray is 100% effective on bears if you hit them in the right spot. I'm typically more concerned about 2 legged predators than bears but I did once get false charged by a mama bear while hiking in the White Mountains. It ended well though, I did draw my .38 Special in case but she stopped and I apologized to her and backed away slowly haha.

[@meltdownman1]

@@davem4193 how can you legally carry a pistol across state lines? I've seen other people say they do but none of them have mentioned how they get around the legalities of carrying and whether or not it's a concealed carry permit.

[@deborahchadwick210]

No, you are not being dramatic. So glad you out hiked him. Falls are scary! I will be glad when you are back in town at night!!

[@chriswhittington294]

ALWAYS listen to your gut! We were that instinct for a reason. You are a smart lady, Taylor! Stay safe & hike on. ❤

[@ryanfindstruth]

I tend not to even say "Hi" to a woman on the trail because I don't want them to freak out or think I'm a "creep" so I tend to ignore women on the trail unless they say hi or smile first. Appreciate you sharing your perspective on what might be acceptable to say without coming across like a "creep"! Although to play it safe I'll probably just keep ignoring them. I will say that the highlight of my summer hikes throughout the Smokies is when I've chatted for a while with many of the male thru-hikers I meet. Love hearing about their experiences and tips for my future thru-hike.

[@jewels07]

It definitely was an “odd” conversation and I also would of felt a little uneasy. Thanks for sharing so others know.

[@williambranham6249]

There are people in this world who do not have skills or mental maturity to meet another human and interact at a comfortable level. They may be insecure and some of the things they say can come across as inappropriate. Gut instinct will help in most situations.

[@denisebrown2940]

Good morning !!! A great night's sleep is Fantastic. What a beautiful setting.

[@pipakohlmann2067]

Good job for listening to your instincts! As a female young hiker myself, I have felt unsafe by multiple (usually older) men. Once someone followed me for 4 miles after I wouldn´t tell him where I wanted to camp (and other personal questions) until I ran into a couple that kindly let me tag along. I have learned not to answer personal questions that made me feel uncomfortable. I´d rather be considered rude and stay safe.

[@denisseabreu0112]

This is great info! When I hike alone and another hiker comes up behind me. I usually let them know I’m slower than my friends. If I walk up to a hiker, I usually say I’m faster than my friends. It’s always very good to be very specific because predators will always cue in on whether you are being honest or not.

[@ShelbyBlandAT]

Always listen to you gut. Always. Keep yourself safe. Disappointing how a one min conversation can put a knot in your stomach all day. You did the right thing.

[@scottburditt4983]

It's important that you shined a light on this. You are not being dramatic at all. I would define that person one of three ways: incredibly ignorant, intimidator, dangerous. You were right to feel uncomfortable. No hiker should ever rationalize this kind of situation away, and never give people like that the benefit of the doubt. There are endless numbers of nice people on the trail, and NONE of the nice ones would say those things. Those three comments made within a minute(s) of meeting you were wildly inappropriate. That guy, if he's not just incredibly ignorant, is a problem, the kind of problem that causes a person to do a quick mental accounting of which pocket is holding the bear spray. I'm glad to hear that it's behind you and that you learned from it. Enjoy your hike!

[@abomb207]

Thank you for sharing Taylor. For well meaning hikers it’s good for us to be aware of so we can avoid those Qs.

[@A.TAYLOR]

Always listen to and trust your gut feeling! 💖

[@LWilli5]

Nope, not being dramatic. Always follow your instincts and take care of yourself!

[@alexandrahilditch4566]

One recommendation I gave a guy who was asking about etiquette for similar situations was this: Instead of asking where a relative stranger is camping and putting the onus on them, share your plans, i.e. "I'm expecting to camp before Great Barrington." If that person wants to share their plans or meet up, this opens the door. And unless you're speaking to a small child, a pet, or a woodland creature, it's never chill to ask if someone's hiking alone. I suspect women get this question more often than men, both on trail and off, and the questioner usually doesn't realize that the implication is that you are not safe.

[@retireddac]

I have daughters your age. You were being smart and safe. I worry so much about my girls being alone that I sent our English Mastiff to college with one. Stay safe! I enjoy the content.

[@lizzshields8086]

Definitely not being dramatic!! There's a difference between creepy questioning and friendly so you did great and just left. Beautiful day.... this is my 1st video of yours. Really enjoyed it so I'll see you again!!

[@CloverHikes]

A lot of men don’t realize how threatening seemingly innocent questions can be for women. They don’t live our reality in the world. I had to explain to a man that hitting on a woman on trail is different than hitting on a woman in a bar. I told him if I’m not interested in him T the bar, I go home no never see him again, but on trail he may know where I’m sleeping. He hadn’t even considered that perspective. It’s a good conversation to have. Kudos to you for trusting your instincts and getting yourself out of that situation.

[@donaldguertin3968]

Thank you for being smart and following your gut feeling. That is very important, not only women, but anyone anyplace.

[@seansuttles1813]

Always respect that feeling that tells you something is “off”.

[@Jimmie2429]

If you’ve hiked 1500 miles and only ran into one weird guy that made you uncomfortable that’s probably a win. However, those types of questions are 100% inappropriate and unacceptable to ask a young woman. Don’t let that one sketchy guy dampen your spirit, though.

[@Al-S-NH]

Most likely this has happened several times. It's just the first time she's mentioned it.

[@kkozME23]

I am glad for this video and your worries about that conversation. It was completely wrong for him and you handled it well. Good luck with the rest of your trip. I am enjoying traveling with you as I would never be able to physically see these sights. Thank you !

[@robinredondo9427]

You are not being dramatic. If it feels weird, it is. ALWAYS listen to your instincts. Take care….❤

[@Crazy-s8s]

Always trust your gut instincts. I’ve learned in my lifetime, they are always right👍🏻 Thankful you didn’t get hurt when you fell🙏🏻 Thank you for sharing your continuing trek Ms Taylor. Take care and see ya on your next video.

[@annareed2329]

I think it’s smart to trust your instinct. And good advice to others that don’t know what questions are appropriate.

[@brewerm1718]

Sorry you had that experience. I totally get what you are saying about these specific questions on trail, which any hiker would find way too forward and intrusive. I find that older men and even some women on the trail often want to give me advice or voice a judgement about choices I make. They assume I'm new to hiking because of my body type/age/gender who knows... But then I just nod along and explain, yeah, I've hiked this same mountain like 100x and appreciate their perspective. I've also experienced someone pink blazing with me (a term I only know from kyle hates hiking) which was super awkward and hard to escape.

[@CE98]

@@MrJedi5150 not downplaying what you’ve learned through your years. But it’s a different world for young people. We see how scary men are in new ways and we have access to so much information, sometimes it feels safer to avoid. But still worth trying to learn how to not give a crap about peoples feelings all the time, I agree.

[@claudiabowles1961]

You are not being over dramatic! You’re instincts were correct. The questions were not socially supportive or friendly given the situation. I wish socially aware male hikers were having more of a conversation about this with other male hikers. It could be the guy was just socially awkward, but the conversation, justifiably, felt predatory.

[@bevliechty1161]

If he has watched your videos he knows you hike alone stay safe

[@karennadherny7615]

Intuition! If you feel uncomfortable its for a reason. I think its great that you posted about this!

[@frolege1]

Your message about “What/What Not to say to a Female Hiker” was critically important for everyone to understand.

[@JLu20]

Question for guys... is that within normal questions for men to ask eachother on trail? Or is this just a creep trying to sus out the female's vulnerableness...?🤔

[@rootsandpeaks]

@@JLu20 I think I’d be a lot more likely to ask another guy (KZbinr) those questions out of curiosity then a woman. Seems like this fellow was either a creep or had no idea that he might be viewed as a threat and just wasn’t sensitive to Taylor’s situation. - Let me ask you the same question…Would you ever ask those questions to someone of the same sex? - Keep in mind that Taylor is a celebrity of sorts, and people tend to treat celebrities differently.

[@davidprovost3537]

@@JLu20 60+ year old man here - I get the same questions all the time, always have. I feel like people are just curious, but it is intrusive and I can certainly see why it would give a woman the creeps.

[@garylindenmuth7468]

Go with your gut feelings, be safe

[@HughHawthorne]

@@davidprovost3537 Another 60+ guy who does very long day hikes alone-I get that question constantly-but see how it seems different to a young woman, especially if the vibe is a little off.

[@patricek.466]

Trust your instincts-- if you have a "feeling" do what you need to. NO second thoughts or worries ! Glad you are safe .

[@mondoenterprises6710]

Wow. Cell service has really revolutionized the AT hiking experience. All for the better probably. I remember when there was no such thing. lol. I'm sure there are spots where there is none and that can be a throwback to what it used to be. Always good to trust your gut. No need to overshare plans or personal info with strangers. Keep on keeping on!

[@kaiserwilhelmnh932]

Now I'm wondering if I came off as creepy the day I met you on trail. If I did, I apologize for that. I pretty much ask every hiker, male or female, how they are, what they're hiking etc etc. I will now rethink how to engage hikers in the future. Be safe!

[@Outdooracademe]

Pepper spray, bear spray, taser, take anything you can to protect yourself. The NY section seems to be the worst but you're long gone now. It's so great that you mentioned LMNT! MInerals run the show and it's so hard to get people to see that. You're doing great out there! Oh, and bird poop is supposed to be good luck! Old wive's tale.

[@matthewfurlong3889]

“I don’t know if I’m being dramatic.” They always say trust your Spidey sense. You’ll never know for sure whether that guy was harmless or not but you did the right thing. Hike safe. Love the content. Keep up the great work.

[@rpm773]

Well, on the bright side, if the guy didn't mean well he did a hell of a job dropping hints. Stay safe! I really enjoy hiking vicariously with yours and others' videos!

[@coreyseals4269]

You're being smart about it! The key is being safe, and you're a woman on the trail! I'm new to your channel, and please be safe out there! You definitely have a great channel! Happy hiking to you, young lady!

[@virtualmanny]

I work graveyard at a hospital and patients sometimes say the creepiest things like, "Are you alone?" or "It's so quiet here" or "How many exits are here?" or "When do you get off?"...and I'm just like, "Shhh...you're ruining the exam." May the force be with you.

[@laurastone-angel7515]

Thankyou for speaking from your heart and bringing up sensitive topics. This helps the hiking community learn.

[@portermedley8343]

Great video. You're not dramatic and on point with what is inappropriate conversation. Wishing you safe travels!

[@pamaladarsow2763]

I don’t blame you for feeling uneasy . You need to stay safe and be careful . 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💗

[@clairefaye8409]

My wife and I bailed on an overnight backpacking trip last year when a couple of men started asking us invasive questions about where we were staying. We were at a local park and able to get back to our car fairly easy. It was disappointing but we were not comfortable staying there overnight because of that encounter.

[@JRoss707]

Hey Taylor, just discovered your channel. Enjoying your hike. I can relate to the face planting, I had more than one or two on past hikes on the JMT, and believe me, it hurts a whole lot more when you're 55ish. As a solo thru-hiker in the high Sierra, I’m accustomed to running across fellow thru-hikers that happen to be female. I’m very conscious of how I conduct myself, especially having a daughter that just graduated high school. I’d rather come across as asocial than come up and try to converse with a solo female, and I certainly know there are questions you just don’t ask, such as are you hiking alone, where you going to camp, or, first meetup, even asking their name. Now if we’ve leapfrogged each other a day or two, and have exchanged some pleasantries, then I might introduce myself. Another tip, if you’re in the middle of the wilderness and there’s unbounded places to camp, don’t pull up 30 or 40 feet from another hiker an set your tent (especially if they’re F and your M), go down the trail a ways. I hate it when people do this, even if they’re M. It’s common sense, guys, be respectful when encountering solo female hikers on the trail.

[@unixpro2]

Always trust your gut. If the creep alarm is going off, then listen to it and exit the situation as quick as possible. You were very wise.

[@TXMEDRGR]

Maybe you came up with a new phone app, sounds that scare animals. A developer could post various sounds on an app that scare bears, wolves, coyotes, snakes and in your case pooping owls. I'm glad you shared some questions that might make a woman nervous, a good lesson for men. Good luck and please stay safe.

[@jenspencer9906]

I've dealt with this too. This, and the lingering hiker that will try and follow your pace constantly saying "oh, hello AGAIN" Men: women don't go on hikes hoping to find "the one"

[@Self_Proppelled]

That uncomfortable conversation is another reason to carry bear spray. It works on humans too. Keeping a can in your tent at night might go a long way to making you feel safe.

[@mhe8545]

I always have mine with me at all times, and I am not afraid of the dark or the woods. Just a precaution.

[@bobusa1960]

Most people won’t carry the extra 12 ounces or so.

[@Self_Proppelled]

@@bobusa1960 That's so true but often those same people don't mind carrying 3 pounds of camera equipment. I guess it depends on your priorities.

[@bb1330]

I solo hike a lot and I carry a pepper spray in a handy easy to reach place. Whenever I approach a male hiker I have it in my hand concealed by my shirt sleeve, ready to deploy if threatened. It gives me a sense of security. I also sleep with that spray right next to me.

[@adventure_outdoors]

I know that men don't often think when they're asking those types of questions, but good on you for listening to your gut! I'm glad KZbin recommended me your channel. It seems I have some catching up to do 😀

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Glad you didn't hurt yourself when you fell. Thank you for sharing

[@nealjoseph2112]

Asking where folks are camping is a no-no but 'are you hiking alone?' is just wrong and i would avoid that person for sure.. Thanks for sharing, good work!

[@christinekalin3321]

I understand your concerns. I will say, I did the same thing when I met you at the fair in New Hampshire. I saw you and was like Hey, Taylor!! We watched your channel! It was just an unexpected moment for me. I didn’t know you’d be there and I’ve been watching you for years now.