I realized that all my hiking friends would be out of pocket and I posted in a hiking group online and Lesbian Friends of Charlotte that I needed someone to do 8 miles at Crowders with me! Hard to tell whether this is any safer than going alone but a woman in LFOC responded and it worked out. Amazingly inspiring woman, who has experience hiking (though this was her first in Charlotte) and she helped make sure I didn’t bust my ass. Very grateful to add Becky to the roster of hiking friends! 8.24 miles in 3h20m.