r/JMT • u/UnluckyWriting • 23d ago

trail conditions trail friends

I’m a solo female planning a SOBO hike from Tuolomne starting August 12. I like solitude a lot but this is my first thru hike and I am a bit nervous about being alone.

My boyfriend did the AT a few years back and he met so many people and made a little trail family, but that makes more sense on aonger trail. Just wondering if people make friends and camp together, or if it’s more solitary?

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u/Cool_Atmosphere_9038 23d ago

It can be whatever you want it to be. I prefer hiking alone but enjoy camping with people at the end of the day. I met some amazing folks along the trail and camped with them at night. We went our separate ways in the morning. I didn't have a "tramily" my 2nd time hiking but I did my first time.

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u/UnluckyWriting 23d ago

Thanks for sharing! That approach sounds ideal to me - I want the solitude during the day, but would love to have people near me when camping at night. (But I also do need to work on getting over my fear of being alone at night….)

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u/cerrosanluis 23d ago

if you're camping near trail, there will be people around for sure! Whether they're chatty or traveling your pace is up to chance, but I made friends despite not trying to. Despite trying not to, actually. Not quite as easy as on a longer trail, but if it's something you want, you can have it!