Since the start of the trail I’ve been a solo hiker. During my prep time in Austin people asked me if I was going with anyone and I’d explain that “no, but people at the same pace would clump” (at least that is what I assumed based upon my marathon running experiences and it’s best that way because no one feels they have to keep up or that they are slowing you down). We’ll that hasn’t happened. For the most part I’m alone 99% of the time unless I pass a hiker (unlikely) or one passes me (typically the case, because I’m SLOW). So I just do my thing. This has its benefits. I wake and leave when I want to, take breaks and eat when I want to, and stop and sleep when I want to. In a few cases, like when I’m at some Trail Angel’s home, then I have to be a member of a group, but otherwise I’m free to do my own thing when and where I want to. This seems to suit me, even though I then have to accept the relative isolation of that choice.