Yes indeed. On one occasion, I started on a sixty miler with two companions, only to realize that the harmless stumble I had suffered a couple of days earlier had left me with a gimpy knee. The solution was for me to leave camp early ahead of my companions, hike at a steady, but slow, pace, and get to our destination somewhat behind them. I was hiking alone, quietly, and i saw more wildlife on that trip than any other.

I prefer groups that are non hierarchical, in which there is solid understanding of the goals and objectives, and everyone is relatively self sufficient, but anyone is ready to assist in an emergency.