I’ve pondered this on and off and have mixed thoughts. Having a friend(s) along can help keep a minor event from turning into something more serious, that’s an important fact. But…hiking alone lets you keep a distance from the influence of your rowdy friends to do something foolish (approaching storm???-it’ll blow over) and makes it a little easier to be prudent. Cleaning windows at home can be as dangerous as a solo day hike. You prepare, try to be smart about the activity at hand and resign yourself to the fact that life can be a crapshoot, gender notwithstanding.