Solo Travel In Nature: Hiking And Camping – My backcountry camping story begins in the spring of 2014 with a guided trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I was addicted. I have dedicated my life to spending most days under the stars and leaving my bedroom as much as possible. And admittedly I was extremely lucky in that I never knocked on wood and had a serious accident in the mountains. But somewhere along the way I realized that time is outside and that’s when I find my best thinking. Away from the ringing of mobile phones, car horns and the familiar, or disturbing, voices of friends. My go-to place when I need to find them. That and a thread if not tough camping buddies – and here I am. Active female backcountry camper (the female part I can’t control). And I know it can be scary – a thin sheet of nylon is your only protection at your most vulnerable. So I’ve written down everything I think might be helpful if you’re new to backcountry. I hope it helps!
I was interviewed by Nomadic Magazine in 2021 and their last question sums up my feelings perfectly. How can you convince others who are reluctant to go camping (alone) to go out and do so? I would first tell them to read my blogs about solo backcountry camping to make sure you are doing it safely. Safety and responsibility (for yourself and the planet) are always top of mind. But after that, I would say again don’t jump into it. If you really doubt it, you probably haven’t reached that point yet. Get comfortable with hiking (both solo and with friends, on busy trails, and long-distance trails) and transition to camping. Go camping with friends, then go on your own, go camping with friends, then maybe go on your own. This is good because if there are problems the other campers are usually very helpful and you won’t really feel alone. Then try backcountry wilderness camping with friends (maybe even try a camping trip with friends but where you have your own tent and set it up far away) – be very comfortable with all the travel and safety and how to go to the bathroom in the forest and how to store your food properly. Then, if you really want to, try backcountry camping alone. It’s not for everyone – most of my friends both think I’m crazy but they also have no desire to try it and that makes them happy (I get upset when you invite me to lunch on Saturday – everyone has their likes and dislikes and desires). And for the record – there’s nothing wrong with not wanting to try it. There is nothing wrong with walking back to your car at 2AM because you are restless or unable to sleep. There’s nothing wrong with staying up all night watching Netflix that you downloaded on your phone. There is nothing wrong with using your satellite phone to text your parents. I have done all these things. I am a loner by nature and it took me years to get to the point where I felt comfortable going camping by myself. Don’t rush it. Don’t force it but again – if it’s something you feel like doing – do it!
Solo Travel In Nature: Hiking And Camping
And for full transparency. Some of these photos were not taken on one trip. They were taken when they went out with friends. Thanks to Michael Sugianto, Mitchel Jones and Ryan Clennett for help with these photos.
Solo Camping In The Canadian Wilderness
* The middle step for me was very profitable. This got me into the habit of packing, planning and organizing and taking care of myself. But if I got lonely or forgot something – I knew that friends were around to help me. Same with camping reservations. There will be people around if you need them – but you can often be alone.
I am of the mindset that you will attract the energy you put out. So I do my best to minimize the risk and try not to worry about it. That’s not always the most logical way to think, especially as a woman traveling alone. Most of the women and men I’ve talked to are more afraid of the trail than wildlife (bears top the wildlife category) – and as much as I hate to admit it – this is a valid concern. This is my advice to reduce the risk with unwelcome visitors and what to do if/if something happens.
I will say this with the disclaimer that I have never, not once, in all my years of backcountry camping (solo or otherwise) felt uncomfortable, threatened or afraid of interacting with other people. I believe that people usually have good intentions and although I know that bad things happen and I am prepared. But I don’t focus on that even if I want to. I think if I have a negative interaction my way of thinking will change.
These are the basic skills I needed when I went back camping on a regular basis without anyone else to rely on for help. You can get these skills from friends and family, a guided tour, a safety class or more from blogs or YouTube tutorials.
Solo Backpacking In Yosemite: A First Timer’s Experience
I have two blogs from previous solo backpacking trips that you can check out below. Besides carrying all the weight yourself there are a few packing changes I make when I go out on my own.
You can read my complete list of ten essentials to pack with the button above – these are the things you should always have with you on any hiking or backpacking trip, solo or otherwise.
Honestly my inspiration for hiking comes from reading social media pages. However when LNT’s Social Media guidelines started – I deviated from posting certain places on my site. Not as an act of gatekeeping or elitism, but a bit of a double whammy.
Well, I’ve written a blog post with a dozen free or low-cost ways to find great hiking spots with low to moderate effort. And I think that’s a good place to start.
My First Solo Backcountry Hiking/camping Trip
These are the basic principles that guide all foreigners. It’s what I come back to when I’m not sure what to do when I’m faced with a decision and as you go through them they will feel more accurate. I have included a link to the LNT website that goes in depth on the seven principals.
Route behavior is an important part of egress, especially in remote areas. Most of these tips are pulled directly from the National Park Service:
Know your right of way. Check the road signs, and follow the appropriate right of way. Signs can vary from park to park, but should generally make sense – anyone with an easy way to stop or get off the trail should,
Know yourself. When you meet other hikers and trail users, offer a friendly “hello” or a simple nod. This helps create a friendly atmosphere on the trail. If you approach another trail user from behind, announce yourself in a friendly, calm voice and let them know you want to pass.
Rock Harbor To Windigo
Stay on track. Don’t leave the trail unless absolutely necessary when backing out. Running off the trail can harm or kill certain species of plants or animals, and can damage the ecosystem around the trail. Always practice the principles of Leave No Trace: Leave rocks, plants, and artifacts where you find them for others to enjoy.
Do not disturb the wild animals. They need their space, and you need yours, too. Keep your distance from the wildlife you encounter. Some parks require you to stay away from wildlife, so check the park rules before your visit. Do not leave the trail to try to look closely at the animal because it can damage the habitat and put the animal in danger.
Note the road conditions. If the trail is too wet and muddy, turn back and save the trip for another day. Using a muddy trail can be dangerous, damage the condition of the trail, and damage the environment around the trail.
Take the time to listen. When you walk in the great outdoors, let nature do the talking. Respect both the environment and other users, and do not play music from external speakers. Not only will other visitors appreciate the peace and quiet, but so will the wildlife. Many wildlife species rely on natural sounds for communication purposes, and disrupting those sounds can harm their chances of survival.
Solo Road Trip Planning Guide: Tips For Traveling Alone
Be aware of your surroundings. Always be aware of your surroundings when hiking in our national parks. It will help save you and any members
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