Читать книгу The John Muir Trail. Through the Californian Sierra Nevada онлайн

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The disadvantage of travelling with a group is that minor differences in personalities and preferences can be exacerbated by living a physically demanding, unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable lifestyle in close proximity to one another, with little time to retreat into one’s own ‘space’. One person may naturally walk faster than the others and so get tired and exasperated at constantly having to wait for the rest of the group. Some may like to stop frequently for botanising or taking photographs, whilst others prefer to push on. All such differences can be magnified during the sometimes stressful existence of life on the Trail and result in disagreements, arguments, feuds and general unpleasantness.

By going alone there are no such personality clashes, but other mental strains may replace those of the group. When alone there is no one else to provide moral, mental or physical support, and the almost inevitable lows whilst on a venture of this nature can seem much blacker without friendly support, comradeship and assistance. The state of being alone, a refreshing and often vitalising state, could descend into loneliness – a dispiriting, depressing experience. Fears over certain aspects of the trek, such as the possibility of a bear encounter, may prey more on the mind of a lone hiker.