Has something like this happened to you before? 

You’re on a hike with someone, maybe a romantic partner, and you start slowing down, or want to take a break, but your partner wants to push on.

Eventually, you’re left behind as your partner goes ahead without you. And this situation has consequences for the relationship.

If so, you’re not alone. 

The phrase “Alpine Divorce” was coined in a short story about a murderous husband over 100 years ago - but TikTok has lately adopted the label for less dastardly scenarios.

In a recent viral post, a woman sobs as she climbs down a mountain - saying “he left me”.

The video has thousands of comments, many of which share similar stories of being left behind on the trail.

But how common is Alpine Divorce? And is it actually a bad thing to spend some solo time on the trail?

Guest:
Alaina Demopoulos, daily features writer for the Guardian

Related stories:
Women are being abandoned by their partners on hiking trails. What’s behind ‘alpine divorce’? - The Guardian

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Has something like this happened to you before?&nbsp;
You&rsquo;re on a hike with someone, maybe a romantic partner, and you start slowing down, or want to take a break, but your partner wants to push on.
Eventually, you&rsquo;re left behind as your partner goes ahead without you. And this situation has consequences for the relationship.
If so, you&rsquo;re not alone.&nbsp;
The phrase &ldquo;Alpine Divorce&rdquo; was coined in a short story about a murderous husband over 100 years ago - but TikTok has lately adopted the label for less dastardly scenarios.
In a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@everafteriya/video/7608301949011660045">recent viral post</a>, a woman sobs as she climbs down a mountain - saying &ldquo;he left me&rdquo;.
The video has thousands of comments, many of which share similar stories of being left behind on the trail.
But how common is Alpine Divorce? And is it actually a bad thing to spend some solo time on the trail?
Guest:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Alaina Demopoulos, daily features writer for the Guardian</li>
</ul>
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/ng-interactive/2026/mar/17/alpine-divorce-abandoned-hiking-trail">Women are being abandoned by their partners on hiking trails. What&rsquo;s behind &lsquo;alpine divorce&rsquo;? - The Guardian</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

The phrase “Alpine Divorce” was coined in a short story about a murderous husband over 100 years ago - but TikTok has lately adopted the label for less dastardly scenarios.