That is an INCREDIBLE hitchhiking story. A great way to truthfully tell people, "Yeah I was part of a bank robbery once."
Having hitchhiked and driven through Medicine Hat before I can picture the roads it all took place on. Such a good story!
I was never worried about bears. I never had lots of smelly food or items on me to attract them, and camping close to roadways is generally not bear country. (Unless it's a back country dirt road.)
At this point in my life I've also encountered probably close to a hundred bears or so having worked in back country northern BC, have gotten bear aware training, and have had to deal with them in close proximity a number of times. I don't have a bear phobia so it was never something that worried or scared me. Look up how to deal with bear encounters and carry bear spray if it is a concern for yourself and you'd like piece of mind.
When I've done any kind of guerilla camping I'm more worried about people than bears. But usually both people and bears leave you alone.
I am a man so first hand I only have that experience. I think as a woman it would be fine, you just have to have your wits about you a bit more and take some safety precautions. I replied to OP above in this same thread with a list of tips. I encourage you to check out that comment.
Overall though, I think the dangers of hitchhiking are blown out of proportion by movies and horror stories. (Yes bad things have happened, but that is incredibly rare.) You will find really quickly with hitchhiking that people are so genuine, warm, lovely and caring to fellow human beings. It is such a joyous way (for me) to connect with humanity and feel and see the good people have to offer. So often I've gotten into a car with a stranger, driven with them for 2 or 3 hours, gotten out never to see them again and thought, "I'm so glad they picked me up." Those moments of genuine human connection with a stranger are magical.
Again I come at this as a man, but I have hitchhiked in 12 different countries at this point. In North and Central America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia. I have driven hours with people I couldn't say a word to because of the language barrier, I have shared meals with families who help me to try foods from their culture I would never have found otherwise, and I have been shown natural beauty I still dream about today.
It is anecdotal for me to say, as it is only my own personal experience, but in the hundreds and hundreds of rides I've taken over the years, the thousands and thousands of kilometers I've travelled, people always ask me about my bad experiences. The sketchy ones. And I have to sit there and really think. Ya I guess there were 1 or 2. Nothing extreme. But I have to really think about it. Because aside from those 1 or 2, there are all the others that have brought joy, adventure and warmth into my life.
I'm happy I started hitchhiking, for what it has brought into my life. Whether out of necessity for travel, or a thirst for adventure, so much of who I am today is because I spent time on the road.
I am a man, (though a boy on my first hitch across Canada) so I cannot relay first hand experience on the safety for women. However I can say I have met many women who have hitched around Canada no problem. People are friendly, and generally good intentioned. There is a higher risk being a woman so it is important to have a variety of tools to mitigate the risk. A few I would recommend are:
-Snap a pic of the license plate before getting in the car. Tell the driver, (after pleasantries and "how far are you going" etc.) that you're just gonna text a pic of their car and plate to a friend, as you do it as a safety precaution. This keeps you safe and let's them know someone is looking out for you.
-When driving to a place, mention you have a friend waiting for you there, and you're gonna text them to let them know you're on your way. Even if you don't know anyone in the town you're heading to, saying that you do know someone and that they'll be waiting for you is another way of saying, "people are looking out for me, don't try anything"
-This tip is for an EXTREME situation. If the situation is really bad, and you don't think the person will stop, or if you ask them and they won't, have a paper and a lighter. Light the paper on fire and throw it in the back seat. They have to pull over to put out the fire, and you can grab your shit and run.
-NUMBER ONE TIP! USE YOUR INTUITITION! If it feels sketchy or weird, don't get in the car. There is ALWAYS another ride, and if someone gives you a weird feeling, don't even risk it. Just make up an excuse and say you've decided you're not going that way, you've changed your mind about wanting a ride, whatever you gotta say. THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER RIDE.
As for cross Canada timing, from NS to BC you could hitch across Canada if you were pushing it in 9 to 14 days I'd say. Driving with a car I've done it in 6, driving almost nonstop. That being said it's nice to take your time to do a bit of exploring, see some of the cities, the natural beauty and different provincial cultures this country has to offer.
In conclusion, yes hitchhiking is more dangerous for women than men, but contrary to what Hollywood would have you believe, you'll discover very quickly how friendly, accommodating and wonderful people can be when you're hitching on the road. Always important to be smart and take precautions, but most likely you'll just have a good time.
And also talk to truckers at gas stations. I've got some really great long distance rides that way and it's really fun to sit in a big rig well above everyone else on the road. Plus, they just wanna talk and tell you stories, and sometimes share snacks!
I've hitchhiked from just outside Halifax to Tofino on Vancouver Island. Right across Canada. Starting in Quebec is easy mode.
I had a tent and sleeping bag with me and would just sleep in the woods on the side of the road, behind gas stations, fields, anywhere just off the roadway, really. Usually out of sight, but plenty of times just in places no one would bother me.
The trip would be fantastic to do in the summer, I did it in summer and fall, and have hitchhiked around some of the provinces, (BC, Ontario, NS, Quebec) extensively.
Hit me up if you have any questions, but I'll also add it's not a "back in the day" thing, it's a today thing and very realistic.
Having hitchhiked in Western Canada a bunch I would say definitely stick out your thumb. You just need to make sure you are in a safe spot for both cars to pull over and pick you, and cars to safely drive past you. Asking people at a gas station or rest stop is completely fine. Sure some people might clutch their pearls and go, "NO! 😱" but plenty of others will simply say "No sorry not going that way" or "Sorry not taking anyone" or make up some other excuse. As long your confident and keep trying rejection won't matter as ling as YOU don't get weird about it.
But definitely try thumbing first. I always hitch with my thumb and if it's been awhile and no luck, then switch to asking people. Have gotten great rides both ways. But wherever you got the notion of thumbing being "useless" is misplaced
A couple of people in this thread have said 9 years. Where is this number coming from? 2013 was 11 years ago but a couple of separate people have said 9 years. Genuinely curious where that number is coming from?
Really? I have it in my Switch but haven't played it yet. Will have to sink some time in it
My phone BLEW up when this dropped. I was doing remote work and in and out of cell service and internet at the time, and happened to be doing a town run on the day this trailer released. My friends all knew I was a big Banjo & Kazooie fan as I had talked about it often and was active on Twitter about getting them in Smash. Having my phone buzz with all the messages saying:
"BANJO & KAZOOIE IN SMASH!!" was amazing. Great memory
The Irish reading this will get a very different picture reading that he's a traveller. It took me a few paragraphs down to be like, "Ooooh, he likes traveling."
Jealous! I would love to find one of these, such interesting creatures
Legends. Love that this is still going
Some years: back to school.
Other years: EI for a while and then several months of travel, back just in time to tree plant again and make that sweet money.
I find tree planting affords you a good cushion to be lost. You can be unsure of where you're headed or what you want, but you can take care of yourself and have some space to breathe because of planting. 🌲🌲🌲
My roommate and I used to go to parties and bring our 3DSs with Smash when we knew there was a WiiU there with Smash. TV next to the beer pong table, people milling about chatting, we'd rock up and let them know, "We brought our own controllers" then connect our 3DSs. I would port a couple of custom characters and we'd have a time. It was especially fun using the custom Mii that looked like myself or someone else at the party
Oh wow I'm usually not a fan of full art trainer cards but that Clive is wonderful
Good on ya, even one tree is a start
There would be plenty more like it if the Brits hadn't deforested the whole island ☹️
In a natural state Ireland would be about 80% forest cover. It was said during the rein of Elizabeth the First, "The Irish will never be tamed while the leaves are on the trees." And so they cut them down.
Love it. As long as you stay close to the trunk you'll be fine, seems like a great place to relax. Enjoy!
What ETB will this be in?
What do you think about the new Etb Promo and also about Noctowl?
PokemonTCG