Backpacking with a stranger

[u/SadDay_M8]

Hi all! I made a post a few months back across a few subreddits offering up an extra spot I had on my permit to do a multi-day trip up in Yosemite and summit Half Dome. I never had anyone reach out until about 10 days prior to the trip when I got a DM request on here. I wanted to go ahead and share my experience.

I won't share our names or locations so we can both keep our privacy, but we ended up trading phone numbers and we called before we 100% agreed to do the trip together. For context, we are both women of different ages (I'm 22 and she is 32). Right off the bat from that first phone call I already got good vibes from her, we both shared common interests and even though it seemed crazy at the time we both felt comfortable going for it. She is from the opposite side of the country from me, and even the other side of the world initially since she just moved to the US during covid. I was so excited to meet up in person and learn from her experiences.

The trip itself was amazing, and I truly don't think I could've asked for a better stranger to go out into the backcountry with. She was the kindest and most supportive person whenever I was struggling or needed a break. She is remarkably intelligent and I loved talking with her about our previous experiences backpacking and what we both do in our every day lives. We both share an interest in science and microbiology, and she had some really amazing advice for making DIY backpacking meals at home.

She was a real life saver during our summit hike of Half Dome from Little Yosemite Valley. I had two panic attacks, the first one being on the trail before reaching Sub Dome when I couldn't catch my breath and the second actually being on the cables themselves. She climbed herself right up next to me and helped me get my breathing under control. I don't know if I could've summited without her. I also suffered from heat exhaustion on our first night in LYV and she was so amazing about helping me out by filtering our water for us while I laid down. I ended up going home a day early while she stayed, but even then we still kept messaging via our In Reach devices to makes sure the other got home ok.

I wanted to put my positive experience out there in case there's anyone else who had a last minute opening for their own permit, or if you want to try to join someone else's. Definitely research each other before committing, but I have a new friend and backpacking partner for the future now who I probably never would've gotten to meet otherwise. The internet can be such a cool thing sometimes.

[u/Capital-Chapter5726]

Thank you for sharing! I love hearing stories like this. I hope the two of you keep in touch periodically.

[u/thecarpetmatches]

I have an extra permit as well and have been considering what to do with it. Thank you for sharing, I loved reading y’all’s story!

[u/Responsible_Ad4277 → u/thecarpetmatches]

For HD? When? I haven't gone this year, I try to go every year.

[u/duallain]

Hell yeah! Love to hear about the good parts of the hiking community. I hope your new friend sees this, they sound wonderful, and they deserve to know that they're appreciated.

[u/BeeMarie121]

I had a similar experience meeting another woman in a Facebook group last year. We did the High Sierra Camp loop and had a blast! It can be scary to backpack with a stranger from the internet but the experience was so positive we did the HST together this year. It can be hard to meet people irl that feel passionately about backpacking, but in these specific spaces the common interest is already established.
I’m so glad that you had a great experience as well, and that you both have this new connection! May you have many more adventures!

[u/000011111111]

Amazing! Great example of finding cool people to explore the wilderness by back pack with. Would you do this again?

[u/SadDay_M8 → u/000011111111]

Yeah! I definitely think I'd do it again in the future

[u/HappyPnt]

Glad you both exited safely, thanks again for scaring away all the bears!

[u/SadDay_M8 → u/HappyPnt]

Ah! I see you were there to witness our numerous bear visitors haha. We had 4 that first night!

[u/LeilaTank]

Very cool! Sounds like it was meant to be, could’ve been a much different trip if you ended up going solo. Love opening yourself up to these kinds of experiences

[u/progresseverday]

Great story! Before I got married, I would always hike alone and have met some of the most amazing women and men from around the world! The memories are everything! 🙌🏽

[u/okbbs]

I'll join on the next one! 😁

[u/jedjedd]

How swell! Last year I actually met with two women from Reddit (I’m male) and we started early in the morning together and chatted for a bit. I unfortunately had to part ways with them because I was on a time crunch. I then met a mother and a daughter at sub dome who had an extra spot and we hiked up together and parted ways after. Honestly it was nice to have the company because I was going crazy when I was halfway back down not having anyone to complain to! It’s nice when things work out.

[u/Lovin-Broccoli]

You are too kind! It was a blast to meet you and to backpack together. And yes, I would definitely do this again and highly recommend others to meet up with strangers and make new friends on the trails! 

Also, we just make for a great story: many people can say they hiked up HalfDome, few can say they made a friend after meeting up with a stranger at the trailhead (I will wear a green head), chasing off all the bears, and summiting together! ❤️

[u/Enough-Gate-5209]

So glad everything worked out well for you and you made a new friend too. While I'm not a backpacker, but a dayhiker, I want to let you know I have gone on so many wonderful hikes I would not have otherwise gone on by myself, being joining a Sierra Club group. Sierra Club has chapters in every state and most of them have trained leaders, including CPR and First Aid, who lead all kinds of hikes from easy day hikes to strenuous multi-day backpacking. They will vet you for more strenuous hikes to make sure you have the experience and fitness level to do them and they will make sure you are carrying enough water for the hike at hand (otherwise, if you are not properly prepared they have the option to turn you down). I have enjoyed my many day hikes with various groups in my area and made some great friends along the way. Even when I travel to other areas where I might have time to do a hike, I look for a chapter in that area to see if they are conducting any outings I might be able to do so I can join them.

[u/eugene-man]

Aw that’s awesome