Signing up alone? No worries!
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Thinking about signing up for a MammothMarch on your own? No worries, you’re not alone!
It’s not always easy to find friends who are ready to tackle a 20 or 30-mile hike with you. 😉 Schedules clash, the distance may sound intimidating, or your usual hiking buddies might simply not be ready for the challenge. But that doesn’t mean you should put your own adventure on hold.
The great thing about MammothMarch is that solo hikers are never truly solo. From the moment you arrive, you’re surrounded by a welcoming community of like-minded adventurers who share your passion for hiking, nature and challenging themselves.
If you’re nervous about registering alone, here are a few reasons to take that first step.
1. Is it safe? Yes!
First things first, this is a question we receive a lot, especially from first-time female participants or their loved ones. Hiking 20 miles in the woods all by yourself can sound intimidating but we’re here for you so you can experience your (first) MammothMarch in the safest and most rewarding way possible:
You are never truly alone. On average, around 1,000 participants line up to tackle our events, so the chances are slim that you end up on the trail all by yourself. 😉
We have several aid stations along the trail (3-4 on average) to refill your water bottle, stack up on electrolytes and grab snacks so you don’t have to worry about carrying too much weight all while getting fueled throughout the day. Plus, these are manned by our volunteers who can assist with any questions or even call one of our shuttles if you want to tap out.
Most of these rest stops feature portable toilets plus other restroom facilities along the trail inside the Park’s trail system. Bathroom breaks in the middle of the woods is something you should not worry about!
A full-time EMT team is on site for the whole duration of the event in case emergencies or even smaller issues arise.
Around 65-70 percent of our participants are female with a lot of them taking on their first MammothMarch solo. We’ve got your back!
2. More hikers sign up alone than you might think
Arriving at an event by yourself can feel intimidating, especially when you see groups of friends checking in together. However, there will be plenty of other hikers in exactly the same position.
Some participants sign up alone because their friends weren’t available. Others enjoy completing personal challenges independently, while many simply decided that they weren’t going to wait for someone else before doing something they really wanted to do.
Once everyone reaches the starting area, it becomes much less important who arrived together. You’re all there for the same reason: to take on an unforgettable challenge and see how far your feet can carry you.
3. The starting line makes conversation easy
Starting a conversation with a stranger isn’t always easy, but at MammothMarch, you already have something in common.
While waiting to begin, ask someone if this is their first MammothMarch, how their training went and much more. You can compliment someone’s hiking gear, ask where they traveled from or simply introduce yourself.
A quick conversation at the starting line could turn into several miles of hiking together. It might even be the beginning of a new friendship.
4. You’ll naturally meet hikers with a similar pace
One of the best parts of a long-distance hiking event is that there’s plenty of time to connect with people along the way.
As the hike progresses, participants naturally settle into their preferred pace. You may find yourself walking beside the same person or group for several miles, stopping at the same refreshment stations and encouraging one another through the more challenging sections.
You don’t need to formally ask to join a group. A friendly hello and a little trail conversation are often all it takes. Before you know it, you may be sharing snacks, stories, laughs and plenty of motivation.
5. The MammothMarch community is part of the experience
MammothMarch is a personal challenge we all tackle together, not a race against other participants. Everyone has their own goal, pace and reason for being on the trail.
Some hikers are aiming to complete their first 20 miles. Others are returning for another medal or taking on a 30-mile challenge. No matter the goal, participants understand what it takes to keep moving when the miles become difficult.
That shared experience creates a special kind of trail community. You’ll hear words of encouragement from people you’ve never met, celebrate milestones together and help motivate each other when tired legs start asking difficult questions.
Even if you don’t hike with the same people all day, you’ll rarely feel as though you’re completing the challenge alone.
6. Hiking solo gives you freedom
Signing up alone also gives you the freedom to create your own MammothMarch experience.
You can choose your own pace, take breaks when you need them and focus on your personal goal without worrying about keeping up with someone else. If you meet hikers whose pace matches yours, you can join them for a while. If you’d like a little quiet time, you can continue on your own.
There is no pressure to stay with one person or group from start to finish. Some hikers enjoy company for most of the route, while others move between periods of conversation and peaceful solo hiking. All that can be challenging, but also liberating.
Both experiences can make the day incredibly rewarding.
7. You may leave with more confidence than you arrived with
Registering for a MammothMarch alone is about more than completing the distance, it’s an opportunity to step beyond your comfort zone.
You made the decision to sign up. You prepared for the challenge. You arrived at the starting line, even though you may have felt nervous. Every one of those steps is an accomplishment.
By the time you cross the finish line, you may have completed an incredible distance, met new people and discovered that you’re capable of far more than you imagined.
That confidence doesn’t disappear when the event ends. You take it home with you, along with your medal, your memories and possibly the contact details of your new hiking buddies.
A few tips for your first solo MammothMarch
If you’re attending alone, keep these simple tips in mind:
Arrive early so you have time to check in, get comfortable and speak to other participants before the start.
Introduce yourself to hikers nearby. A simple question such as, “Is this your first MammothMarch?” is an easy way to begin.
Join the event’s local Facebook group before the hike. You may find other solo participants who would like to connect on event day or even in the weeks leading up to it.
Follow your own pace. Don’t push yourself too hard to remain with a faster group.
Stay open to the experience. You never know who you might meet or which conversations will help carry you through the miles.
Your next hiking buddy may be waiting at the starting line
Don’t let the lack of a hiking partner stop you from saying yes to an adventure.
You may register alone, drive to the event alone and walk toward the starting line alone, but once your MammothMarch begins, you’ll be part of a supportive community taking on the challenge together.
Team up with another solo hiker, join a friendly group along the way or enjoy the freedom of hiking at your own pace. However your day unfolds, you won’t be without encouragement, conversation or friendly faces for long.
Take that first step. Your next hiking buddy might just be waiting for you at the starting line! 🥾✨
Ready to begin your next adventure? Explore our upcoming MammothMarch events and find your starting line.
