I am replying to you because by your icon, I believe you are a female. This particular thread interested me because I am a 50 year old female who plans to thru hike when my kids graduate from college. Until then, I am working on hiking a little at a time - this spring I plan to hike a week in VA. I plan to hike solo mainly because no one wants to go with me (its not me, its the hike Any words of wisdom aside from the original poster? I think for the first time out, I would prefer to hike with a partner but that doesn't seem as if it is likely to happen. Thanks Captain, for starting this thread!!