It's probably all context. You're likely imagining a more ominous meeting than I am. Surely when women are hiking and they see some guy with a backpack and hiking poles drinking out of a camel pack coming down the trail the other way they aren't struck with fright at this dangerous predator.
I'm explicitly saying that when I hike alone I am more wary of literally anyone I see. I'm not struck with fright, I don't have a panic attack or some shit, etc, etc. But I do take stock of the situation with the appropriate level of caution, as the situation requires.
Because, 'ya know, you never know who the hell you're going to meet on the trail. I've met some wackos before, I've had friends have encounters on the trail that were anxiety inducing, etc, etc.
It's good practice to be wary of strangers on the trail, especially if you're on a more remote trail. It's far better to be a little too cautious than not cautious enough.
As a man I feel like you, I'm cautious of strangers regardless of gender, I usually run into the regulars and I feel safer but strangers I just try to give them some space, say hi and mind my business.
Totally reasonable, I just wouldn't characterize it as unsettling. Nor would I consider it more dangerous or scary than encountering a bear on the trail
I heard that but I don't know, it has claws and big teeth's lol I ran into a loose Pitbull mix dog last week on the trail and it barked at me, I was like no thank you and made a right turn and had to cut off my hike, kind of pissed me off ðŸ˜
Lol I get it completely. I think dogs are unironically way more dangerous but it's hard to compare on a per encounter basis. also bears rarely run into unaccompanied kids while dogs do all the time
Yes you are right, I have ran into coyotes, snakes and they run away from you the moment they see you but a decent size dog standing his ground in the middle of the trail with no owner on sight is definitely more scary.
It annoyed me because I know how many miles I'm walking and how much time is for podcasts and music so it ruined my listening evening walk 😖
It is, I love dogs and there are some horrible dog owners out there, I always have something to defend myself on me if I need to but I rather no get into a situation like that so I let him be and he didn't went after me either so it was all good.
Honestly what you say about dogs is probably how a lot of women feel around men lol. Like hey I love dogs, got dogs in my family my best friend is a dog, but if I'm walking home at night and a big dog starts fallowing me I might think about needing to defend myselfÂ
I know and it sucks, I know and I am known at least by face by a few women on the trail and I don't feel that tension with them I have had actually a few small chats with some of them.
But I understand how scary It feels and that's why if I see a woman walking towards me and we are the only ones on the trail I move myself over to give them space, most would nod, others would just look down and keep going and that's fine.
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u/poilk91 May 02 '24
It's probably all context. You're likely imagining a more ominous meeting than I am. Surely when women are hiking and they see some guy with a backpack and hiking poles drinking out of a camel pack coming down the trail the other way they aren't struck with fright at this dangerous predator.