There's also much to be said for not hiking solo (and certainly not going off-trail solo).
How many people on ETS actually hike in the mountains?
I do! I've posted my winter kit for the Appalachians on here. I suppose it's time to take some photos of the summer kit.
I also go solo and off-trail, but the latter only in my home territory. I've covered the closest 100 miles of marked trails (mostly the AT) several times in every season, and now I'm tracing out old routes and woods roads, marking new loops and connections for future trail/off-trail combo hike. Injury is my biggest concern. Lovely spouse (tm) always knows where I am, when I plan to be out, and who to call if I'm not.
I'd certainly solo alone in Maine on the AT, but not off. Too much big empty, and I don't know the land.
I've also overnighted (on purpose) with just my daypack gear, which is highly informative. If more people tried that it would not be a struggle to get anyone to carry a sufficient kit.