Solo Hiking Tips: How to Safely Backpack Alone
Read any hiking and backpacking blog post or magazine article and you’ll see the same three words…
Don’t. go. alone.
They remind us about the female hiker who recently went missing in Hawaii.
Or the British hiker who was recently found dead in New Zealand after a fall.
Or the US hiker found dead in the South Colorado Mountains just a few days ago.
But despite how it appears when you read these scary headlines, hiking solo and backpacking solo isn’t necessarily much more dangerous than going with a hiking companion or in a group.
Provided that you know your risks and manage the dangers, you can enjoy the bliss of solo backpacking and stay safe, happy and healthy.
Here are ten solo backpacking tips that can help you enjoy your trip and stay safe:
1. Tell someone where you’re going
Whether you’re hiking alone or going with a companion or two, always tell someone where you’re going and when you can be expected to return. It’s also a good idea to apply for a wilderness permit so there’s official documentation of your proposed route.
Share your timetable, itinerary and a map of where you’re going, along with a description of your tent and the clothes you’ll be wearing.
2. Plan carefully
Before you set foot on those trails, make sure you’ve gathered as much information as you can from maps, guidebooks, park and forest service staff, websites and online forums.
Use this information to plan your camping trip in advance so you can settle back and enjoy the more awe-inspiring parts of your trip.
Think about where you’re going to hike, where you’re going to camp, local weather conditions, flora and fauna, and even what you’re going to pack in your backpack.
If you can, carry a copy of the information for the local area in your backpack. You never know when it could come in handy!
3. Start small and build your confidence
If you’ve never been backpacking before or you’ve never stepped out alone, take time to build your confidence and expand your skills.
Start small. Do some mini-camping trips closer to home where the landscape and conditions are likely to be more familiar. Stick to well-travelled trails and campsites and learn what works for you and what doesn’t.
Once you feel more comfortable and feel like you could do this alone, you can then explore further afield.
4. Pack light and include the essentials
Make sure you’re travelling as light as possible whilst including everything you need to enjoy a relatively comfortable and safe trip. The last thing you want is to be struggling under the weight of a 70 lb. backpack à la Cheryl Strayed. Think carefully about what you really need and keep an eye on weight.
You should also make sure you’re carrying the following travel essentials:
- Matches or butane lighter in waterproof container
- Map and compass
- Candle
- Whistle
- Extra clothing
- Extra water
- First aid kid
- Knife
- Tarp or tent for shelter
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Ground insulation
- Signal mirror
Some of this backpacking gear might end up saving your life, so make sure you include it.
5. Sign in and out at every trail and shelter register
Make sure you’re adding your details to the trail and shelter registers you’ll find along the way.
They exist to provide hikers and backpackers an extra level of safety, they can help you learn about hazards and dangers early, and they can help you communicate with other hikers along the trail. If they worst should happen, they’ll provide essential information to your rescuers and could even help you get registered earlier.
Describe your route and destination faithfully and add any other information that you see fit.
6. Know your limits
Despite what you might think if you’ve read Cheryl Strayed’s book ‘Wild’, it’s never a good idea to backpack solo if you’re not physically fit and you don’t know your limits.
Before you go for your trip, get a checkup with your doctor and make sure you know where you limits lie. Don’t be tempted to push further than this as injuries and accidents can often happen if you do.
If you’re not in such great shape before your head out on that solo hiking trip, why not prepare by heading out for more hikes, trail runs, or heading to the gym?
7. Brush up on your backcountry survival and camping skills
It would be foolish to head into the backcountry alone without knowing how to keep yourself alive. That’s why we highly recommend you learn or brush up on the following skills:
- Navigation: Do you know how to read a map or GPS device? How about a compass? If not, it’s time to brush up on your skills.
- First aid: Take a wilderness first aid course before you head out and learn what to do when help is far away.
- Survival: Learn survival skills by attending local courses or reading guidebooks on survival techniques.
- Cooking and water purification: Learn how to cook in the wilderness and how to treat water. Choose your purification system and master it!
- Camping: Do you know how to pitch your shelter? Do you know where is the best place to camp? Do you know how to stay warm and cool whilst camping? Make sure you learn these skills before you go!
- Understand leave no trace ethics: We love the backcountry and want it to stay in pristine condition. That’s why it’s important to learn how to take care of it.
- Weather forecasting: Learning what those clouds mean could make the world of difference to your trip.
- Decision making: You should be able to make decisions fast which keep you safe.
8. Know what to do if you meet an animal on the trail
Meeting an animal on your backpacking trip can be both scary and life threatening, so make sure you know how to keep yourself safe if you do cross paths on the trail.
Learn what to do if you spot a bear, cougar, wolf, mountain lion or other animal on the trail and find out what to do if you’re bitten by a snake or other animal. Again, research is key.
Animals usually attack through fear to protect themselves and their young, not because they see you as prey. Learn how to avoid this and you could save your life.
9. Have an emergency plan
Think through what you would do if you had problems on your trip. What if you break your leg? What if you lose your map? What if you encounter a bear? (see above)? What if the trail is closed? What if it snows?
Think through as many possibilities as you can and formulate a plan. Be prepared.
10. Take a GPS device
Most solo hikers these days take a GPS transponder device with them that can help rescuers track and locate their position, and rescue them faster if needed.
According to NOAA, 380 people (on land and sea) were rescued in 2018 thanks to these devices. Although they will add extra expense and a small amount of weight to your pack, the benefits are very much worth it.
Solo backpacking provides a fantastic opportunity to escape from it all and sink into the delights of nature.
Follow the tips we’ve shared here and you can enjoy your trip without putting yourself in unnecessary danger.
Enjoy!
Monika
Hello and welcome. We are Monika & Mark behind Camping Pro Shop where you can find many camping and hiking guides along with essential product reviews. So, if you enjoyed our article please visit us at Camping Pro Shop to learn more. We hope to hear from you soon.
Great article! I agree – small camping trips/day hikes are a good way to get used to backpacking solo before attempting a long distance trip.
These are all very actionable tips! Thank you for helping give me some food for thought as I plan for my PCT thru-hike next year!
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Hi there! Great article!
Thanks for your tips! I find them really helpful!