Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

[Will_E]

Is it culturally acceptable in Colorado to hike 14ers solo?

I've done several hikes alone, but always am afraid that this is not culturally acceptable. Everyone seems to be in groups.

I did all 58 solo.

[SchralpTheGnar]

Yes

[daway8]

Cool man.

Second question, I always feel like I don't belong, because I am from Bosnia and grew up poor. I feel like a peasant while everyone else in Colorado seems to be super elite.

Is this an accurate perception? Do I belong here at all?

I'd say a huge number of people, including myself, typically go out solo though I at times end up teaming up with folks on the trail particularly when approaching challenging terrain.

As for elitism and such - sure there are snobs, both on the forum and in the mountains, but they're are also lots of good people.

Just be the kind of person you want to encounter - cultures change, one person at a time.

[GA_peach]

I'd say a huge number of people, including myself, typically go out solo though I at times end up teaming up with folks on the trail particularly when approaching challenging terrain.

As for elitism and such - sure there are snobs, both on the forum and in the mountains, but they're are also lots of good people.

Just be the kind of person you want to encounter - cultures change, one person at a time.

I agree with everything here, I've done many solo but will join others at times. Do what you enjoy and don't worry about others.

How long have you been in the US?
My wife is Russian and came here in '93 just after the breakup of the Soviet Union. She once nearly had a panic attack walking thru Cheery Creek mall, thinking she could not afford anything and would get thrown out. For her, it was like landing on Mars, she had never seen or imagined such a thing existed. The culture shock back then was huge.
Alan

[druid2112]

One - The irony is great. People like myself, who prefer to do them alone, could not care less what is culturally acceptable or not.
Two - Colorado is more rife with elitism than anywhere I've ever lived or even visited, Paris notwithstanding.
Three - Troll for sure

[ZNixon]

Cool man.

Second question, I always feel like I don't belong, because I am from Bosnia and grew up poor. I feel like a peasant while everyone else in Colorado seems to be super elite.

Is this an accurate perception? Do I belong here at all?

Troll for sure!

[two lunches]

Hiking and climbing 14ers does attract a fairly well off crowd. Try to focus on your own enjoyment, and try not to worry about the people around you. People who have more money than you aren't necessarily any smarter than you, they just got born into a more fortunate or privileged set of circumstances. If you enjoy being in the mountains then yes, you belong in the mountains.

some of us aren't "well off", we just forfeit our financial health in the pursuit of our passions

[jrs1965]

Cool man.

Second question, I always feel like I don't belong, because I am from Bosnia and grew up poor. I feel like a peasant while everyone else in Colorado seems to be super elite.

Is this an accurate perception? Do I belong here at all?

I had done 33/58 solo. Could care less what other people think about solo hikers. Where from in Bosnia? I've spent some quality time in Mostar and Sarajevo...

[angry]

Odd that the user account was created last night and this is the first post. Plenty of people hike alone, not a big deal and nobody cares.

[dp1992]

Certainly, some enlightening responses. I especially appreciate the anecdote about the Brooklyn guy, and having grown up in New Jersey (but born in Bosnia), I can appreciate. Of course, the Mesa quote brought warmth to my heart, being from Tuzla myself. A lot of this wisdom, I will apply to my life here in general, because I've struggled as a new comer. Wish I had asked these things much earlier.

[disentangled]

troll or not, the thread raises a good question. yes, lots of people on this forum hike alone and think nothing of it... but, in terms of cultural attitudes, there is a lot of underlying judgment about doing "social" activities alone, and especially hiking. more so if it's a demanding, difficult, and challenging hike. other people think it's weird if you actually *like* your own company, whether they will say it outright or not. self-loathing tends to be de rigueur. it's true there's elitism on this forum and in the mountaineering community and probably in colorado.... but i don't live there.

[mtree]

Regardless of troll or not, hiking alone is very common. I do it all the time and see many others marching solo. While its true there is an "elitist" segment of the hiking/climbing community - especially on this site - there are far more regular "blue collar" hikers scurrying about on any given Sunday. I figure there's 3 types of hikers out there. There's the average low-key hiker; the elitist hiker; and the most daunting - the elitist who THINKS they're low key. Unfortunately, this site has a disproportionate amount of the latter type than what you'll encounter in the real world. So enjoy your travels wherever you go and don't worry, even the elitist hikers are pretty cool folks!

And remember, the most important equipment you'll ever carry is above the neck. Keep on trekking!