First Solo backpacking trip

marty bradbury · #1 03-01-2019, 07:35 PM

Hi Folks. So I have been hiking for quite a while now and have done a couple over night trips with friends. Thinking about a solo trip. Anyone else here ever go solo? How was your first solo trip. Would love to hear about it.

DenverSteve · #2 03-01-2019, 07:46 PM

Solo hiked, packed, camped, motorcycled........ for years. I still would if I needed/wanted to go somewhere and no one wanted to go with me.

fitness1 · #3 03-01-2019, 08:02 PM

A large percentage of my mountain excursions have been solo packs. Favorite was The Cirque of the Towers (Wind River range Wyoming)

I was in the Cirque for 5 days all by myself and saw three other climbers the whole time. The solitude was wonderful.

Only downside is pack weight when you go it alone - nobody to split everything up with!

Kerbie · #4 03-01-2019, 08:05 PM

I've done a week-long hiking trip solo. My hiking partner missed the trip with an injury, so I just went by myself. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it would never be my preference because of safety concerns.

frankmcr · #5 03-01-2019, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marty bradbury

Hi Folks. So I have been hiking for quite a while now and have done a couple over night trips with friends. Thinking about a solo trip. Anyone else here ever go solo? How was your first solo trip. Would love to hear about it.

Make sure people know your route & schedule.

marty bradbury · #6 03-01-2019, 08:50 PM

So was the first time you did it a little unnerving?

Kerbie · #7 03-01-2019, 08:58 PM

I wouldn't call it unnerving, although I remember once having a sobering thought when I realized I was probably 10 miles from the nearest human being. I think my solitude made me a little more aware of my surroundings, just out of heightened caution.

Imbler · #8 03-01-2019, 09:02 PM

I've gone on weeks long backpacks, but always with others. If I went solo, I'd invest in one of those satellite watches with the emergency beacon on it.

On the hikes I've taken, there were always ways to get hurt, and of course some of us our at the age where we can't exclude a medical emergency.

I've read too many of those stories where someone has to cut their leg off with a pocket knife because it was trapped under a boulder. I know, I'm just a worrier!

The Bard Rocks · #9 03-01-2019, 09:10 PM

I've solo hiked almost from the beginning ('60's), did a lot of the AT that way. Since I've been married, my wife usually accompanies me and that's good too. Lightens the pack some too to have someone to split it with - but you can get some VERY lightweight stuff these days, so the pack does not have to be particularly heavy any longer.

I find it equally enjoyable, different things to enjoy each way.

marty bradbury · #10 03-01-2019, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitness1

A large percentage of my mountain excursions have been solo packs. Favorite was The Cirque of the Towers (Wind River range Wyoming)

I was in the Cirque for 5 days all by myself and saw three other climbers the whole time. The solitude was wonderful.

Only downside is pack weight when you go it alone - nobody to split everything up with!

Beautiful!

marty bradbury · #11 03-01-2019, 10:45 PM

My wife is freaking outvas she doesnt want me to do it by myself. Lol

perttime · #12 03-02-2019, 01:10 AM

Now that I think about it, I haven't been in the woods overnight alone. Day trips sure. I've got smarter over the years, and would not go climbing near-vertical cliffs on my own.

Dru Edwards · #13 03-02-2019, 09:50 AM

What a great thread. 13-14 years ago, I did a solo hike every Sat or Sun in the White Mountains of NH over 2 summers. I did half of the 48 4000 footers.

I did go up once by myself with my tent. Hiked up a mountain, pitched my tent and dreamt of a bear crashing through the tent.

Make sure you remember where you put your tent up! Although I was on the trail, I went for a walk at night and then had trouble finding the tent in the dark (it was Sept). Not a comfortable feeling. That's my advice - there's no one else that can help you with your memory.

I could mention a lot of other hiking tidbits but it sounds like you're experienced.

marty bradbury · #14 03-02-2019, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

I've solo hiked almost from the beginning ('60's), did a lot of the AT that way. Since I've been married, my wife usually accompanies me and that's good too. Lightens the pack some too to have someone to split it with - but you can get some VERY lightweight stuff these days, so the pack does not have to be particularly heavy any longer.

I find it equally enjoyable, different things to enjoy each way.

I have read quite a bit about the AT. Lots of history, maybe someday. Quite a few of my hikes are on the PCT on this side of the states.

Bob Womack · #15 03-02-2019, 10:58 AM

Right around 1970 I was inspired by reading Colin Fletcher's The Complete Walker and The Man Who Walked Through Time right after they came out. I ended up solo hiking and camping for years in the Appalachian's and the Great Smoky Mountains. At one point before I moved out of the area I was working on hiking all of the trails in the park. In that period I became known to the park rangers in the Smokies by name. That was a surprise.

A few years ago I heard that Fletcher had died. That evening I pulled down my hiking rig, took out the Optimus 80 stove (he used a Svea 123), brewed up a cup of tea, and watched the sunset, drinking my tea in his memory. The sound of the stove was as comforting as ever.

I've since tracked down a 1st edition copy of The Complete Walker just for fun and got inspired again.

Bob