Such dreadful behaviour by my fellow 'man' is something I've only really become aware of in the last few years as I've read about it more and more. Such behaviour wouldn't come within a thousand miles of entering my head, so it never properly occurred previously. So sad that this sort of thing happens. It could almost do with an awareness campaign, something like hanging a number of blank frames on the wall, each with their own title "this could have been a beautiful sunset" , "this could have been autumn colours in the forest" or similar, and the exhibition titled something like "Wonderous landscapes, by women, that will never be...." and an explanation below. I wish I knew the answer.
Ralph, I wish I had a solution or knew the answer, but comments like yours greatly help us women not to feel alone with this. It is an uncomfortable topic, and I understand people would rather read about something more joyful. So, thank you for taking the time to read and comment. It means a lot to me!
Ralph your idea of blank frames for an awareness raising campaign is brilliant...it's something that could be so easily done on a local level around the country. You've got me thinking now...!
Thank you, Susanne, for continuing this important conversation and for sharing my post – I hope that many more women and men have a similar reaction and perhaps share their thoughts amongst friends or communities outside of Substack. My hope is that this topic becomes something that is talked about more openly and attitudes can change. Even the smallest of changes can make a huge difference.
Going out to the woods, as spring’s energy stirs amongst the trees, is a healing balm after so many months of cold and rain over winter. It’s a wonderful feeling to feel the stillness and hear the birds around us as well as being a great way to feed our creativity. Your words and beautiful images paint a picture of woods that are just the sort of place I love to wander around and immerse myself in – accompanied of course!
I really admire you for your determination to continue enjoying these walks alone – when I was younger I had far more bravado, but the number of times I’ve been ‘spooked’ has worn me down and I don’t think I could walk mindfully if I’m looking over my shoulder most of the time.
You’re right, Diane Pappas’s comment rings so true, sadly – “we all lose”. I’m hoping that, by opening up and discussing these conversations here, it has given many a bit more courage. The last word goes to Ben – isn’t he handsome!
Your words that your past experiences have "worn you down" are painful and sad to read, but I can understand very much that you prefer not to walk alone.
Thanks again for starting this important conversation. I find it so important to talk about things like these - even if they are uncomfortable.
I think this is a really important topic and I’m happy we’re talking about it. Generally, I love to photograph on my own and so far have not had any unpleasant encounters in nature. My biggest fear is traveling in subways in the city. I hate the feeling of being underground in a tube. I have had several unpleasant encounters with men on the subway train and felt I could not get away.
I try to avoid subways at all cost. However, the point is well taken. when women are out in the world There is a sense of constantly looking over our shoulders to make sure we are safe.
Your fear of traveling in subways is felt and I totally understand why you avoid them. I have to say I feel much safer alone in the woods than in the busy streets or on public transportation.
Thank you for joining in on the conversation, Susan!
Very important post and absolutely gorgeous photographs as always Susanne. My two cents:
Women’s safety is a complex issue anywhere in the world. For about ten years, I did a show on Television on women’s issues from a rights and gender perspective. And every time we talked about safety for women, the solutions that we got were women must be careful/ they should dress appropriately/ they should take precautions. So the onus is on the woman to take care of herself.
Sure, we can’t be stupid about these things but no one really talks about how a safe environment has to be created by the governments across the world/ no one talks about how we should bring up our boys and teach them gender equality/ no one talks about how these issues should be a part of the school curriculum so that awareness starts right from early years to change the mindset.
Hope I am making sense. I feel both men and women must work together to bring in these changes. I can go on but this would become a post in itself! Thank you for sharing your thoughts around this. I am glad you did. Hugs.
Oh, don't get me started on that whole "woman should dress appropriately"...
You summarized it perfectly - we need to take of ourselves. The chances that it will change for the better are just not realistic. But I agree with you wholeheartedly that education about gender equality should be something that should be part of the school curriculum everywhere.
Beautiful photos! - I was one of the women that commented on Lin’s post about not feeling safe alone. I have had a couple of creepy-ish encounters, but the thing that made me stop hiking alone was actually a mountain lion, not a human. During COVID I would often hike my favorite local trail alone. One day after I came back, I saw a photo that someone had posted that very morning of a mountain lion on a tree limb. I knew exactly what tree that was as it’s a very recognizable old oak tree that hangs over a narrow part of the trail. I had just passed under that tree limb. Although I did not see the mountain lion, it made me question how smart it was to hike alone, with no defenses. I now always hike with a buddy. - I love that the mountain trails here are so full of nature. Many times we’ve seen coyotes, rattle snakes, burrowing owls, groups of migrating butterflies, quail. It’s nice to experience all of this with a buddy!
Oh, I can totally understand why you wouldn't want to go alone when there are mountain lions. That is something I don't have to worry about here. I would be scared for me and my dog!🙈
Great essay and gorgeous photos. I think having Ben with you helps bolster your courage to be on your own in nature. He IS a big dog afterall. I'm glad you're not afraid and that you take some precautions. Your photographs are my walk in nature.
This is so well articulated. I remember being a young woman, in my twenties, and a well-meaning male friend telling me to “be careful” as I was about to go for a walk alone. I looked at him as if he’d said the dumbest thing imaginable. I’d been “being careful” since I could remember. Girls are raised to be wary, cautious, and careful, with a plan and a backup plan in case something goes wrong. We accept it as the way it is and we rarely stop to examine, as you have here, the repercussions.
This is so true. Your comment reminds me how unfairly treated I felt growing up. I have two older brothers and they were allowed to do stuff (going out, stay away longer) at a younger age than I was, because I was a girl.
My head and heart tell me that nature is something we should all have access to and feel safe and good within yet more and more, it is not the case for everyone. It is disturbing and very frustrating. I am raising sons and I need them to know how to support women because it is important.
I definitely understand your concern about safety on hikes. I usually take my kids who range in age from 8-15. They love the outdoors and it’s like hitting the reset button for all of us. I have only been brave enough to take one hike at an arboretum this December by myself.
It is so good to hear you all enjoy being outdoors together - especially when kids are that age. It is sad, though, that we have to be "brave" enough to go on solo hikes! I hope you enjoyed it just as much, though!
As a man, I’ll admit I’ve often been blind to this. I take for granted the freedom I have to go on long photo walks without anxiety or fear. Reading pieces like this reminds me that what feels normal to me, such as walking alone, getting lost in the landscape, focusing only on the light, is a 'luxury' not everyone has. And there is no way this should be considered a luxury. Ugh men...
On a more positive note; what a fantastic collection of photos you've shared along with this piece.
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts, Ari! I don't think there is a lot we can do about it, but I find it important to raise a bit of awareness about the issue. Reading your words make me feel like I was successful in doing so.
This makes me very sad, and brings to mind Margaret Atwood’s admonition, “Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.”
No one who can take such beautiful photos, Susanne, is ever naive. Also, I'm sure Ben would protect you. But if a place still makes you nervous, bring a sawed-off shotgun with you and carry it on your walk in a violin case. That way, if a strange man follows you, instead of pretending to talk on your phone, pretend you're playing the violin for him. And see how fast he runs.
It truly is unfortunate that not everyone can simply be in nature and enjoy the experience without worrying for their safety. Thank you for continuing to highlight this important concern.
My mother, who is in her 70s, frequently hikes alone, deep in the woods, and occasionally encounters creepy-sounding men. When she later tells me the story, I never get the sense that she is concerned, which makes me worry that she may be naïve about situations like this.
Somehow I feel that my naivety saves me from being nervous all the time and allows me to emerse myself into nature. I also think that my guts function pretty well as my alarm system. But as mentioned before, my dog makes me feel safe too.
I hope your mother will never experience anything bad out there. Do you tell her that you are concerned?
I have mentioned it to her, but I probably need to be more direct. She hikes with her two dogs, so they provide some protection and give her a sense of security as well.
I also spend time alone in the woods with my dog, but he’s afraid of everything, so I feel like I’m the one watching out for him. While I occasionally worry about encountering dangerous people on the trail, I’m more often concerned about the wildlife in the area, such as bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. I try to strike a balance between staying vigilant and being aware of my surroundings without letting fear take hold and ruin a perfectly good time.
I totally understand that you are more concerned about the wildlife in your case. I would be,too, probably! The strategy with the balance is one I try to follow, too! Wishing us all safe and good times on our adventures! =)
I keep coming back to Lin's essay again and again too... just yesterday morning I was thinking of it as I was on my own taking photographs of a marsh and some barns. I was walking up and down a rural lane and with each car that approached I found myself holding my breath. The threat may only be in my mind but the vulnerability is always there.
I love your resolve to just get out there with your camera but at the same time I'm glad your dog is with you, Susanne, so you can continue to create and be at relative peace in nature in order to bring us such beautiful photographs. Long may that continue.
Love that carpet of blueberry plants lining the forest floor.
Even if the threat is only in your head (which I know all to well myself), it will have an influence on you - physically and emotionally. Which in the end just limits the joy of being outdoors and the photographic process.
I have no idea how my experience will change when my dog isn't with me anymore, but I will think about that when the time comes...
Such dreadful behaviour by my fellow 'man' is something I've only really become aware of in the last few years as I've read about it more and more. Such behaviour wouldn't come within a thousand miles of entering my head, so it never properly occurred previously. So sad that this sort of thing happens. It could almost do with an awareness campaign, something like hanging a number of blank frames on the wall, each with their own title "this could have been a beautiful sunset" , "this could have been autumn colours in the forest" or similar, and the exhibition titled something like "Wonderous landscapes, by women, that will never be...." and an explanation below. I wish I knew the answer.
Ralph, I wish I had a solution or knew the answer, but comments like yours greatly help us women not to feel alone with this. It is an uncomfortable topic, and I understand people would rather read about something more joyful. So, thank you for taking the time to read and comment. It means a lot to me!
Ralph your idea of blank frames for an awareness raising campaign is brilliant...it's something that could be so easily done on a local level around the country. You've got me thinking now...!
Thank you, Susanne, for continuing this important conversation and for sharing my post – I hope that many more women and men have a similar reaction and perhaps share their thoughts amongst friends or communities outside of Substack. My hope is that this topic becomes something that is talked about more openly and attitudes can change. Even the smallest of changes can make a huge difference.
Going out to the woods, as spring’s energy stirs amongst the trees, is a healing balm after so many months of cold and rain over winter. It’s a wonderful feeling to feel the stillness and hear the birds around us as well as being a great way to feed our creativity. Your words and beautiful images paint a picture of woods that are just the sort of place I love to wander around and immerse myself in – accompanied of course!
I really admire you for your determination to continue enjoying these walks alone – when I was younger I had far more bravado, but the number of times I’ve been ‘spooked’ has worn me down and I don’t think I could walk mindfully if I’m looking over my shoulder most of the time.
You’re right, Diane Pappas’s comment rings so true, sadly – “we all lose”. I’m hoping that, by opening up and discussing these conversations here, it has given many a bit more courage. The last word goes to Ben – isn’t he handsome!
Your words that your past experiences have "worn you down" are painful and sad to read, but I can understand very much that you prefer not to walk alone.
Thanks again for starting this important conversation. I find it so important to talk about things like these - even if they are uncomfortable.
Ben is VERY handsome!
I think this is a really important topic and I’m happy we’re talking about it. Generally, I love to photograph on my own and so far have not had any unpleasant encounters in nature. My biggest fear is traveling in subways in the city. I hate the feeling of being underground in a tube. I have had several unpleasant encounters with men on the subway train and felt I could not get away.
I try to avoid subways at all cost. However, the point is well taken. when women are out in the world There is a sense of constantly looking over our shoulders to make sure we are safe.
Your fear of traveling in subways is felt and I totally understand why you avoid them. I have to say I feel much safer alone in the woods than in the busy streets or on public transportation.
Thank you for joining in on the conversation, Susan!
Very important post and absolutely gorgeous photographs as always Susanne. My two cents:
Women’s safety is a complex issue anywhere in the world. For about ten years, I did a show on Television on women’s issues from a rights and gender perspective. And every time we talked about safety for women, the solutions that we got were women must be careful/ they should dress appropriately/ they should take precautions. So the onus is on the woman to take care of herself.
Sure, we can’t be stupid about these things but no one really talks about how a safe environment has to be created by the governments across the world/ no one talks about how we should bring up our boys and teach them gender equality/ no one talks about how these issues should be a part of the school curriculum so that awareness starts right from early years to change the mindset.
Hope I am making sense. I feel both men and women must work together to bring in these changes. I can go on but this would become a post in itself! Thank you for sharing your thoughts around this. I am glad you did. Hugs.
Oh, don't get me started on that whole "woman should dress appropriately"...
You summarized it perfectly - we need to take of ourselves. The chances that it will change for the better are just not realistic. But I agree with you wholeheartedly that education about gender equality should be something that should be part of the school curriculum everywhere.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Shital!
Beautiful photos! - I was one of the women that commented on Lin’s post about not feeling safe alone. I have had a couple of creepy-ish encounters, but the thing that made me stop hiking alone was actually a mountain lion, not a human. During COVID I would often hike my favorite local trail alone. One day after I came back, I saw a photo that someone had posted that very morning of a mountain lion on a tree limb. I knew exactly what tree that was as it’s a very recognizable old oak tree that hangs over a narrow part of the trail. I had just passed under that tree limb. Although I did not see the mountain lion, it made me question how smart it was to hike alone, with no defenses. I now always hike with a buddy. - I love that the mountain trails here are so full of nature. Many times we’ve seen coyotes, rattle snakes, burrowing owls, groups of migrating butterflies, quail. It’s nice to experience all of this with a buddy!
Oh, I can totally understand why you wouldn't want to go alone when there are mountain lions. That is something I don't have to worry about here. I would be scared for me and my dog!🙈
Listen
Great essay and gorgeous photos. I think having Ben with you helps bolster your courage to be on your own in nature. He IS a big dog afterall. I'm glad you're not afraid and that you take some precautions. Your photographs are my walk in nature.
Ben's presence definitely helps me to feel safe. I am not sure if he would protect me, but I like to think he would. Thank you for your comment.
I have been thinking about how my photos in "My Visual Journal" have a whole new purpose for me now.
Love the macro leaf and the steaming backlight through the trees! 🖤
Thank you, Benjamin!
This is so well articulated. I remember being a young woman, in my twenties, and a well-meaning male friend telling me to “be careful” as I was about to go for a walk alone. I looked at him as if he’d said the dumbest thing imaginable. I’d been “being careful” since I could remember. Girls are raised to be wary, cautious, and careful, with a plan and a backup plan in case something goes wrong. We accept it as the way it is and we rarely stop to examine, as you have here, the repercussions.
This is so true. Your comment reminds me how unfairly treated I felt growing up. I have two older brothers and they were allowed to do stuff (going out, stay away longer) at a younger age than I was, because I was a girl.
Diana nailed it!
My head and heart tell me that nature is something we should all have access to and feel safe and good within yet more and more, it is not the case for everyone. It is disturbing and very frustrating. I am raising sons and I need them to know how to support women because it is important.
Thank you for your comment, Yasumi! It is frustrating. And I think we all have to talk about it, not just parents...
I definitely understand your concern about safety on hikes. I usually take my kids who range in age from 8-15. They love the outdoors and it’s like hitting the reset button for all of us. I have only been brave enough to take one hike at an arboretum this December by myself.
It is so good to hear you all enjoy being outdoors together - especially when kids are that age. It is sad, though, that we have to be "brave" enough to go on solo hikes! I hope you enjoyed it just as much, though!
As a man, I’ll admit I’ve often been blind to this. I take for granted the freedom I have to go on long photo walks without anxiety or fear. Reading pieces like this reminds me that what feels normal to me, such as walking alone, getting lost in the landscape, focusing only on the light, is a 'luxury' not everyone has. And there is no way this should be considered a luxury. Ugh men...
On a more positive note; what a fantastic collection of photos you've shared along with this piece.
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts, Ari! I don't think there is a lot we can do about it, but I find it important to raise a bit of awareness about the issue. Reading your words make me feel like I was successful in doing so.
This makes me very sad, and brings to mind Margaret Atwood’s admonition, “Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.”
Thank you, Victor! There might be some truth in those words. Sadly...
No one who can take such beautiful photos, Susanne, is ever naive. Also, I'm sure Ben would protect you. But if a place still makes you nervous, bring a sawed-off shotgun with you and carry it on your walk in a violin case. That way, if a strange man follows you, instead of pretending to talk on your phone, pretend you're playing the violin for him. And see how fast he runs.
Your solution to the problem shows me you have been living too long in the USA, Alex! 😂
You got that right, Susanne! I have to reevaluate my values.
It truly is unfortunate that not everyone can simply be in nature and enjoy the experience without worrying for their safety. Thank you for continuing to highlight this important concern.
My mother, who is in her 70s, frequently hikes alone, deep in the woods, and occasionally encounters creepy-sounding men. When she later tells me the story, I never get the sense that she is concerned, which makes me worry that she may be naïve about situations like this.
Thank you so much for reading, Todd!
Somehow I feel that my naivety saves me from being nervous all the time and allows me to emerse myself into nature. I also think that my guts function pretty well as my alarm system. But as mentioned before, my dog makes me feel safe too.
I hope your mother will never experience anything bad out there. Do you tell her that you are concerned?
I have mentioned it to her, but I probably need to be more direct. She hikes with her two dogs, so they provide some protection and give her a sense of security as well.
I also spend time alone in the woods with my dog, but he’s afraid of everything, so I feel like I’m the one watching out for him. While I occasionally worry about encountering dangerous people on the trail, I’m more often concerned about the wildlife in the area, such as bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. I try to strike a balance between staying vigilant and being aware of my surroundings without letting fear take hold and ruin a perfectly good time.
I totally understand that you are more concerned about the wildlife in your case. I would be,too, probably! The strategy with the balance is one I try to follow, too! Wishing us all safe and good times on our adventures! =)
I keep coming back to Lin's essay again and again too... just yesterday morning I was thinking of it as I was on my own taking photographs of a marsh and some barns. I was walking up and down a rural lane and with each car that approached I found myself holding my breath. The threat may only be in my mind but the vulnerability is always there.
I love your resolve to just get out there with your camera but at the same time I'm glad your dog is with you, Susanne, so you can continue to create and be at relative peace in nature in order to bring us such beautiful photographs. Long may that continue.
Love that carpet of blueberry plants lining the forest floor.
Even if the threat is only in your head (which I know all to well myself), it will have an influence on you - physically and emotionally. Which in the end just limits the joy of being outdoors and the photographic process.
I have no idea how my experience will change when my dog isn't with me anymore, but I will think about that when the time comes...