Solo hiking/camping

I regularly go on 6-10 mi short hops near where I used to live.

For most anywhere, overnight backcountry camping requires registration (sometimes, but not usually, a fee).

Always have a map. Better yet, a topo map. Even better: both. Know which blazes or cairns to follow. Something like RoadID is a good idea.

Must have:
A good knife.
A good water filter.
A lighter and/or waterproof matches.
A hat

Nice to have:
A head lamp (Princeton Tec Remix is good value) + extra batteries
A small journal and something to write with
NSAIDs (asprin, naproxen ibuprofen)
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)*

*Benadryl does additional duty as a frontline antiemetic and, when taken with NSAIDs, eases muscle pain more effectively.

JenAndSome wrote: »

Follow_me wrote: »

Carry a pistol

That's a possibility but I am not sure how necessary it would be. I keep one in my home but don't really feel the need to carry though.

If hiking in city, state or national parks be sure to check regulations before packing a pistol. Unlocked firearms are often prohibited.

jchite84 wrote: »

I guess I'm used to more remote/bigger wilderness where it would be hard for me to imagine coming across another person, let alone a person intent on hurting me while backpacking/hiking.

Honestly, this is also a function of gender. Even in remote areas, it's always a concern for me and most women I know.

jchite84 wrote: »

There seem to be 2 camps here: 1 that is giving advice regarding wilderness preparedness and 1 giving advice regarding crime prevention. It's interesting to see the trends about people's priorities. I guess I'm used to more remote/bigger wilderness where it would be hard for me to imagine coming across another person, let alone a person intent on hurting me while backpacking/hiking.

Yeah, I live in New Mexico and we have a lot of un-populated and/or sparsely populated wilderness, desert, and mountains. Much of the state is without cell coverage unless you are in or around a city or town and right on the interstate...even some highways that crisscross the state have blackout areas.

I wouldn't be remotely worried about crime or other people, I'd be first and foremost worried about falling or injuring myself and nobody finding me for weeks or months or ever. Secondary concern for me would be wild animals, in particular bears, wolves, and coyotes. I've gone on week long hiking trips where I haven't seen a single soul other than my partner.

Also, for day stuff it's important to let people know where you're going and anticipated return. Just returned from a couple nights camping in my camper this weekend...the family and I and some buddies headed up this forest road we often camp off and it's usually fairly un-traveled...maybe see a couple cars drive by per day. My buddy brought up his dirt bike and took off. He didn't really say where he was going, but gave us an estimated time of return. I let about 30 minutes go past when he told me and hopped in the jeep. It had been snowing and whatnot so I could follow his tracks...sure enough, he had lost the bike in the mud and was attempting to hike back to camp...about 10 miles.

I love solo hiking and backpacking. It's nice to be all alone out in the wilderness for a few days.

As others have said, make sure someone knows where you're going and when you're due back. Also make sure your gear and skills (navigation, staying dry, how to use your gear...) are up to snuff. You should be fine. People do get hurt in the backcountry, but not as often as you might think. Here in Colorado millions of people go hiking every year and only a few run into problems. Most of those can be avoided with proper planning and skills. You're probably in a lot more danger walking down the street alone than you are hiking alone.

Register at the trailhead or with family etc, be aware, be a prepared and smart outdoor adventurer, and if at all possible have a way to communicate. Cell phones do not work everywhere, but I personally do not skip going to places where they don't... In those cases maybe avoid totally deserted areas.

My favourite trips when I was younger were winter back country ski touring treks, solo, on New Years Eve. While most were getting drunk or whatever, is it skiing in pristine snow in the moonlight. Amazing memories.

I definitely identify.

Feel free to go hiking and camping alone to your hearts content. That's what the experience is really supposed to be all about in the first place.

Things to keep in mind before you go, since you will need to be self sufficient the entire time. These are presented in no particular order. Though all of them are important to keep in mind at all times. This may be a long read. All these things have served me well as I always camp/hike alone.

1. Learn more than just basic First-Aid and pack a well equipped First-Aid Kit (another poster listed a small but useful part of that kit). Check with your local Red Cross for classes. You will need to be able to take care of more than just basic scrapes and cuts. Even on the easiest routes major injuries have occurred, I can attest to that as a Wilderness First Responder. The size and scope of your First-Aid Kit will vary in size depending on how long you plan to be out and away from civilization.
2. Check and Track the weather for your intended route for several days in advance of your trip. Regardless of what the weather report says pack for the worst contingencies. Remember weathermen get paid very good money to be wrong more than they are right. Despite good weather reports I have been on routes that ended up being covered with snow the third day in and was glad I brought warm clothes with me. I have also been caught in torrential downpours that were not predicted. Some trails/routes are notorious for weather that changes without warning or create their own weather due to elevation and location.
3. Ask your local Camping Store (Not a big chain store) if they have classes on map reading and land navigation. Learn to read a paper map, use a compass and a GPS device. Even on a simple day hike it is easy to get lost. Not every Local, State or National Park has easily identifiable or very well marked trails. You need to know how to get back to your vehicle should you find yourself off your intended trail.
4. It sounds as if you are already doing this, but learn all you can about local wildlife in the area you intend to Hike/Camp. Prepare accordingly for all of them as best possible. Most large animals are easy, it is the smaller ones like reptiles and even plant life that can be difficult. Again, check with your local Camping Store for information or search the internet for the Wildlife indigenous to the area and study how to identify them, avoid them, protect yourself from them and treat yourself should you actually come into contact with them. This is especially important when it comes to Ticks. Always check yourself thoroughly for them and when you get back to civilization have a friend check you in places that are impossible for you to check on your own.
5. Always take more food and water than you think you will need. If it is a day hike take at least 2 extra days of supplies. If going on multiple day trips it may not be possible to take enough water, so learn how to use/repair/maintain a water filter and bring it with you. Also learn what plants are edible in the area you intend to be.
6. Plan your route and leave a copy with friends/family before you leave. Set an itinerary of where you expect to be and when, even for a day trip. Keep in mind that you will cover a mile on the trail at roughly half the pace you can walk that same mile in and around town. The more elevation loss/gain the trail has the slower your pace will be. Especially as you add the weight of a pack loaded with supplies. To help maintain a steady pace and prevent injury, especially on uneven terrain I would recommend a good pair of trekking poles.
7. Learn how to make improvised shelters of various types for different weather conditions. Again, check with your local Camping Store. If they don't have a class on this they may know of a person that has good credentials to teach you those skills. Included in this training should also be methods for learning to trap/snare small animals for survival food. This should also include fishing without traditional gear.
8. Learn how to start a fire without matches or a lighter. Just because you have a lighter or matches does not guarantee that they will work when you most need them. You can do this in your own backyard by doing some reading about the subject. Though having someone show you and then observe you until you are doing it right is a more effective measure.
9. You already have firearm for self protection at home. Improve on that training by taking additional self-defense classes and getting in as much range time as you can. Supplement that with taking a hunters safety course so you understand what is required to take down a wild animal for both self-defense and for survival food. Not all Local, State and National Parks allow firearms while you are in their jurisdiction. Research the rules and regulations of each area you intend to go to make sure you are not breaking any laws. Also, take a self defense course from a reputable school that teaches you how to defend yourself without a firearm, pepper spray, knife or baton.
10. Find a good all purpose knife. Learn how to sharpen it properly and most importantly keep with you at all times regardless of the length of hiking/camping trip you plan on taking. It will prove to be one of your most useful pieces of equipment in your kit.
11. When it comes to gear such as tents, sleeping bags, cook stoves etc. You do not have to start our with most expensive gear out there. You also do not have to buy it all at once. Hiking and camping will eventually be a somewhat expensive hobby. In the beginning you can start with good used gear and replace it with better gear as you can afford it. Read reviews about any gear you are interested in adding to your kit. If someone is selling a piece of gear at to good of a price, odds are it is not the best gear to have. Other times it is because it is a much older model of the product and the owner wants to upgrade yet still get some return on their investment.
12. When it comes to packs of any kind, day packs or large multi-day packs make fit and comfort one of your top priorities. Try on as many as you possibly can from as many makers as you can. Then buy the best one you can afford at the time. If your pack is not fit properly and is not comfortable you will soon abandon your pursuit of enjoying the outdoors.
13. When it comes to multi-day trips it is best to do all cooking/cleaning (to include personal hygiene) and storing of food a good distance away from where you plan on sleeping, regardless if you are in bear country or not. Call ahead to talk to Park Rangers or Read the Parks Regulations online concerning food storage requirements for that park. You may have to rent bear resistant containers from the Park or a local store prior to being allowed into the back country. Parks that have a large bear population may even require you to take their on-site course for bear safety. Yellowstone and Denali National Parks just to name a couple examples.

Some of the best times I have had were sitting in the wilderness alone, surrounded by nothing but nature and my own thoughts. This may sound like a daunting list to learn, in some ways it is. You do not have to learn all of this at once. Though as you start to push yourself further away from civilization the more of this you will need to know in order to return safely to your friends and family. Good luck and enjoy nature as it was meant to be enjoyed.