Solo Hiking, Going It Alone:

For those that love the wild places around us and have always dreamt of going on a solo backpacking trip there are a few things to keep in mind. I must admit, the idea of setting beside a still mountain lake in the early hours of the morning drinking my coffee, while the last remnants of a late night fog still hang above the tree tops stirs my soul. Besides the picturesque moments, hiking solo can be an amazing time to get to know yourself and what you are capable of, but safety should always be your top priority.

1. Planning: Research the area you want to hike and read everything you can find on that area, go to the hiking forums on the internet and talk to those that have hiked your chosen trail before. Know what weather conditions you may encounter and be prepared for them. Plan on bringing an up to date map of the area even if you are bringing a GPS. Always make someone aware of your plans.
2. Making A Trip Plan: Make a written plan of your trip including a complete list of the gear you are taking, a map of the area you are hiking with the trails marked that you will be on, and estimate how many miles you plan to cover per day and where you are planning to camp. It also helps to list the contact numbers for emergency response for the area you will be in. Leave a copy with someone before you leave and a second copy in your vehicle at the trail head with any last minute changes that may have been made. Do not deviate from your plan, if you get lost or injured, that plan will be what rescuers follow while looking for you!
3. Bring Adequate Supplies: Stock your first aid kit with anything you may need, bring a cell phone (you don’t have to turn it on unless you need it), and plan to bring extra food to rely on in case of an emergency. Energy / Protein bars, trail mix, and hard candies are ideal for this purpose.
4. Take Only The Essentials: Make a list of the gear you will need (including extra food and medical supplies) and leave some of the comfort items at home. An over loaded pack at the start of the hike could be the cause of an injury somewhere along the trail.
5. Bear Country: If you are hiking in bear country, never take your safety for granted. Carry a can of bear deterrent spray (pepper spray), and some bear bangers (a small handheld launcher with whistling and exploding cartridges that attach to it) they can be purchased from: http://truflareusa.com/productcatalog.htm                                                                                 Arial flares can also be purchased to use with the launcher.
6. Always Be Aware Of Your Surroundings: If you are alone, or in a group, the best way to avoid dangerous animals, slippery rocks, loose gravel, or muddy slopes that can lead to injury is to pay attention to what is going on around you.

Solo hiking can be the trip of a lifetime, or the trip that takes a lifetime to forget. Make a check list of the gear you need and mark off the gear as you pack it, leave a good clear plan of your trip behind in case you don’t return on time, hike with a partner and gain some experience before trying it alone, and remember to bring your common sense it could save your life.      



Picture from Yahoo images.