On Walking Alone

[Nightwalker]

My walks have almost all been solo, but then again, I started off as a night hiker in the countryside, about 100 prairie kms outside of Nowhere. These days, I hike during the day maybe two or three klics to a nudist beach, through lightly forested meadows and/or farmland. I did convince the missus to come along – once – but she's not big on hiking. If I can get away at night this summer, I'd like to try the old night walking again. There's an uncommon thrill in being naked in the middle of a country road on a warm summer night, far from water and hence, without the excuse of skinnydipping. Naked where one is not supposed to be, yet obviously without the intention of offending...I've a notion the local Mounties would roll their eyes and let it go.

[Greenbare Woods]

My walks have almost all been solo, but then again, I started off as a night hiker in the countryside, about 100 prairie kms outside of Nowhere.

I started off going naked at night on streets of our town.  I would go past the highs school, onto some open field near an elementary school, through a park, or just down the streets.  Hiking at night in the woods is kind of dangerous  Many things to trip and fall over.  I still sometimes go out naked at night when I'm in a town or city, but where I live is out in the woods so usually naked during days.

I got used to the automatic driveway lights come on as I walked by, but nobody is looking.  Everyone is inside with eyes on their screens.  And, nobody really cares anyway.

Sad that your wife doesn't participate.  My wife doesn't either. 

[jbeegoode]

I like the quiet of the night. There is little traffic. Light is often dim and people don't always believe their eyes. They can't see greater distances like the daytime.

The full moon in the desert directly above can be like walking in daylight. The shadows might need a quick illumination for something to trip on, or critters. Most everyone is asleep and I can mind my own business.
Jbee

[nuduke]

These days, I hike during the day maybe two or three klics to a nudist beach, through lightly forested meadows and/or farmland.

That sounds really idyllic, Nightwalker and so convenient!  Is the beach at the coast or a lake?  I forget where you are situated.

I've a notion the local Mounties would roll their eyes and let it go.

  Ah!  Canada I guess!
John

[nuduke]

I have to admit to being a little scared of night walking in the dead of night e.g. after 11pm.  I have a touch of nyctophobia or scotophobia I think.  Any sound I instantly interpret as some animal ready to attack me such as a stray dog or cat.  I get this even in my garden where I usually can just about see what's going on and it's rarely any animal activity. On the rare occasions that I have walked in the dark at night, I am sorry to admit the walks haven't lasted very long and it's not something I seek to do much nowadays.


On other occasions where I have been apprehensive of the dark was on dawn walks where I started out before dawn in order to experience the dawn breaking.  But on those occasions, of course, it soon gets lighter to twilight and the fear disappears when you can see what's around you.


I once walked naked in a wood in daytime where there was a pack of wild / feral dogs i.e. assorted strays that had formed a pack in these woods and, albeit at a distance, I saw them moving through the woodland.  Didn't go there again!  Oddly it wasn't a deserted area, it was near where I lived in urban Surrey at the edge of a golf course and bordered at the other side by a main road with houses all around.  On relating this anecdote (not mentioning the naked bit ) to local acquaintances, it turned out that this feral dog pack was well known and people avoided that stretch of woods.


Another inhibitor to dark night walking in the UK is the cold and damp weather that we have all the time!  Night time temperatures are rarely comfortable except in high summer (a few weeks only around June).


However, now that the subject has come up, it makes me think about trying it again.  Maybe a walk at dusk, so the darkness is only just falling as I end the hike.


John

[jbeegoode]

The temperature drops off as much as 20 or thirty degrees in this less humid desert shortly after dusk. I've found myself hurrying to get back before, for fear of cold and hidden rattlesnakes. I only go out hiking at night with a full moon, so it is rare.

Dawn is better for me, sometimes just before people get active. Milfmog strategy.

I walk late night in town, but there are street lights and I have to wear clothing, so, I stick to my pretty big yard naked.

Out of town at Terra Sante, there are many acres of free roaming, where a flash light and nude in public doesn't upset the hippies. I arrive nude, and just take the towel and s torch with me, do a sweat, hang with friends watching the stars and moon after sunset, sometimes roam around some, depending on the evening temps. The sauna heats me up to tolerate the cold.
Jbee

[nuduke]

Ah, memory of the blessed milfmog.  We have a lot to thank him for in naturist hiking methodology and particularly for instigating the eternal 'How was your month for Free Range Naturism' thread which is still going strong!  It started on TSNS although it was 'How was your month for SN' on that forum.  Remember the monthly tables of naked activity?
I wonder where he is and what he is doing these days?  I wish we could make contact again.
John

[jbeegoode]

Yup. I'd like to know how his sauna came out.
Jbee

[jaybirdsen]

 RW Emerson hit the nail on the head I think when he stated in his essay on nature:

"In the woods we return to reason and faith." It is a wonderful essay.

For my part here is part of a story I posted here years ago about a nude hike in the sierras and my experience with reason and faith..

I walked the trail in covered forest a few minutes and was completely stunned as the forest and trail opened up to the edge of one of the most beautiful hidden alpine meadows I had ever seen.  I was so taken by the beauty and my innate desire to be one with nature that it was several minutes later as I followed the trail as it skirted the edge of the meadow that I realized I was barefoot and nude having stepped out of my clothes and pack leaving everything in a pile where the trail met the meadow.  It was past mid-afternoon and as I gained my senses a bit I realized that no one would probably be out in this area this time of day and rather than walk the hundred or so yards to collect my clothes I left them lay there and continued exploring this new found sylvan wonderland chock full of all the things a meadow and pine forest can offer the senses.  the trail carried me away from the meadow and deeper into the woods and my soul was flying along above me in the warm pine scented air the breeze rushing through the pine needles wafting around me warming every inch of me as I strode through sun and shade in these magical woods. I felt a true out of body spiritual and sensual oneness with my surroundings.  Each bare foot fall on meadow grass or pine needle covered trail or sandy loam sent an electric like energy from the earth through my being and out to the sky above.  Nature and her beauty can only truly begun to be felt when fully nude on a day like this. The sights the sound of birds and insects, the aroma that can actually be tasted I think and of course the warm breeze and welcoming embrace of mother nature winding around every inch of the largest organ of the body, our skin.  I was completely rapt in this sensual trance as I walked through these lovely woods.

[jbeegoode]

I sent you a PM about this story. Please, reply.
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

Thanks for bringing me back to Emerson. I like your story. It expresses the jist of this naturist thing well.

Jbee

[jaybirdsen]

Hi JB. I responded to your PM. Did you get it?

[jbeegoode]

YUp. Thank-you. I'll keep you posted.
Jbee

[Free hiker dave]

I have accepted nude hiking as a lone or solitary activity. It is challenging to find compatible hiking partners who are comfortable with nudity for themselves or with others. I have learned that accepting nudity is a big ask. In addition to nakedness, the fact I rarely use trails is a stumbling block for many. I chalk it up to fear fostered by too many childhood fairytales about getting lost in the woods. And, of course, there is the discomfort of having to pass through a lot of undergrowth, leading to scratched legs and such. But then, again, my hiking is also spent looking for fossils and insects, photographing and documenting what I notice. These things are rarely seen on trails. Doing these activities with a fellow hiker is usually unworkable unless they have most of the same interests.

[jbeegoode]

DF and I tend to get in the zone, solitude and the moment. It isn't always good when someone feels a requirement to make a social constant conversation out of a hike. Most of the time, We like each others quiet company.

Some hike with goals in mind, stress the exercise, and walk quicker. We often wander in amazement, taking photos. We'll get to be breathing hard sometimes, just to do that.

T So far, the nudity hasn't been much issue when getting together with others to hike or camp.
Jbee