Local women hope cautionary tales will help others who hike alone

Many local residents choose to hike alone, enjoying the meditative qualities of the desert landscape in solitude. With the canyons and mountains in Moabs backyard, local hikers regularly step out for a quick hike during their day. But even the most experienced and prepared of hikers can face surprising challenges in both the front and backcountry.

Four local residents recently sat down with The Times-Independent to share their stories of facing unexpected danger when hiking alone, and the strength it took for them to survive.

Remaining calm is crucial because its your survival, said Carol Almson, who has been hiking in the desert since 1980. You have to be self-aware. If theres some sort of danger you have to have a technique to protect yourself and not just give up.

Staying calm and not just giving up is exactly what each of these solo hikers did in order to skirt the dangerous situations they encountered.

Last year, Almson was walking alone on her favorite Bar M trail when she encountered a man who stalked and intimidated her. Knowing she must remain calm, Almson said she kept a quick pace and never broke into a run. Because of the mans large size and erratic behavior, she feared the pepper spray she carried wouldnt be effective.

I had all these things going through my mind as to what was happening and what could happen, she said.

Almson eventually outpaced her stalker on the trail and escaped danger. Yet she was so shaken from that incident that she stopped hiking for almost a year.

Im over 70 years old and Ive never been stymied like this by anything in my life. It just unnerved me, she said.

But with enough time, the images of the stalker began to fade, and Almson now says her reticence towards hiking alone is gone.

Women must treat the potential for abuse seriously but not allow themselves to be easily intimidated, she says. We who love the beauty and the spirituality of the Colorado plateau will not stay home.

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Local women hope cautionary tales will help others who hike alone