<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content=text/html;charset=iso-8859-1>
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16544" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY id=MailContainerBody
style="PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; PADDING-TOP: 15px; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; TEXT-DECORATION: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none"
leftMargin=0 topMargin=0 acc_role="text" CanvasTabStop="true"
name="Compose message area"><?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" />
<DIV>Dear Veena:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In a nutshell, YES, it's safe to hike alone whether going north, south, or
sideways. I have found backpackers to be helpful, friendly, if not a bit quirky.
I don't worry about them. You do have to carry a grain of caution in the back of
your mind when dealing with everyone else. If you do a trail journal, don't
disclose specifics of your itinerary. Don't camp near roads or in campgrounds if
you're alone. If you meet someone who makes you feel hinky, ask if they saw your
hiking partner up ahead or wave and call out as if you see someone familiar up
the trail. A little caution goes a long way; don't let it consume you and you'll
have a great time. Ruth</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></BODY></HTML>