Going Solo
by Jesslyn Marie
published in Issue No. 5: March/April 2020
Image by Jesslyn Marie.
Solo backpacking can be extremely intimidating, and this was the number one thing several of you asked for when polled about what topics you’d like to see me cover. While there are plenty of ladies out there who jumped straight into it without ever having gone before (even in a group!), that’s not for everyone— and that’s okay! I certainly didn’t. I spent years going with others before I ever even thought about delving into solo trips and, even then, it was mostly thrust upon me in an unexpected manner (a story for another day). As daunting as it may seem, there are several ways you can ease your way into it. In this piece, I outline a handful of things I’ve found helpful in my own journey, as well as some safety precautions to keep in mind.
Image by Jesslyn Marie
Day Hike Alone
Start by doing some day hikes alone. This will get you well-acquainted with the feeling of being alone on the trail but without that whole “night” thing. Let’s admit it— even as adults, we’re still scared of the dark to varying degrees, especially in the wilderness. Going out on well-traveled, popular trails is an excellent introduction, as there will be plenty of other people around, but do keep in mind that this could vary greatly depending on the day of the week (weekends are typically busier!). You can slowly build up your confidence and work your way towards less-traveled trails and, eventually, ones that are completely new to you.
Practice Makes Perfect
Even before you go out, practice using your gear. I recommend trying this on day hikes so you can get a feel for everything you’ll be doing “out in the elements.” Pack your bag up as if you were camping and hit a trail for a couple hours! Set up your tent, blow up your sleeping pad, cook a meal; this allows you to figure out the kinks in your process before committing to an overnight stay somewhere. You’ll have a better idea of what you do (and don’t) need to bring, how to pack your bag, what changes you might need to make to your gear… maybe your stove isn’t working well in windy conditions and you need to acquire a better one. These kinds of trial runs are what we call “shake downs” and allow you the time and space to properly assess your gear (and your knowledge of it) without any harsh consequences.
Go Somewhere Familiar
The best piece of advice I have for the camping part of solo backpacking would be to stay somewhere that you have gone before for your first few times out. Maybe that’s an established campground or a day hike you’ve done, but these places should feel relatively “safe” to you; you know the trail, you know the spots where you can pitch a tent, how long it will take you to get there, etc. The more “unknowns” you can nix from the equation, the better an experience and less fear you will have. My recommendation would be to change it up each time you go out, rather than going to the same spot three or four times. You’ll acclimate, so to speak, to varying environments and get yourself used to the feeling of being somewhere “new.”
Start Small
Backpacking doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go big or go home. I’ve camped out only a mile or two into a trail, and I still felt just as much removed from civilized life as if I were 20 miles into a mountain range. While it’s no guarantee that mishaps won’t happen (those can occur even 20 feet away from the parking lot!), it’s not nearly as imposing. If it’s starting to get to be later in the day and you’ve decided you’re really not feeling it, you can still get back to your car before dark and there’s no harm done. Heck, even I’ve turned around and gone home because I didn’t feel entirely “into it” when the wind was howling to high heaven in the winter. You are not a failure for bailing out for any reason, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Take a Dog
Simply having a four-legged companion can do wonders to calm your nerves on the trail, though it does add some other factors to consider, such as waste and extra supplies. In the literal sense you are not alone, but in many other ways you are. The vast majority of dogs (unless specially trained) cannot go find or call for help, and they can not assist you with first aid or create shelters. Likewise, they can’t help themselves when injured. Dogs are great companions and adventure buddies, but be sure you know first aid for them, too. As a courtesy to others, be sure they are under unfaltering voice command if you choose to go off-leash (check regulations, as this is illegal in many places)— the last thing you want is for your companion to be bothering other hikers/dogs or chasing wildlife, which could be potentially dangerous.
Safety
Safety is always important and most especially when you’re alone. You don’t have anyone else to rely on if something happens to you, so keeping your head above water, metaphorically speaking, should be at the forefront of your mind at all times. Always keep your first aid kit in an easily accessible location and know what is in it and how to use it. Items that you don’t know how to use are literally dead weight. If need be, educate yourself by taking a Wilderness First Aid course (First Responder/EMT for the more ambitious). Carry a GPS system with an SOS feature in case you become stranded, and always have a map and compass in case your GPS dies (and know how to use them!). Bright colors, be it your gear or your clothing, are easy ways to stay visible, as well. If you ever needed to call in Search and Rescue, making it easier for them to see/find you could be crucial.
Bears
If there’s one question strangers ask the most about my solo backpacking adventures, it’s whether or not I’m scared of bears. I mean, of course I’m scared of bears but in a healthy way. What I mean by that is I’ve done the work to educate myself on their behaviors, how to deal with an encounter should one happen, and (even better) how to avoid one altogether. I don’t let the thought of seeing a bear stop me from doing what I love, but that doesn’t mean I’m altogether oblivious or ignorant to the dangers, either. When I’m out alone, I’m much more cautious, my awareness of my surroundings is heightened, and I go out of my way to make sure my presence is known. I can’t recommend bear safety classes enough! Carry two cans of bear spray with you, for two reasons: 1.) If you need to use one, you’ll want another handy as you make your way back out, and 2.) although rare, there can be duds. If one can is a dud, you’ll be happy you had the second handy. Likewise, don’t make the rookie mistake of carrying your bear spray in your bag or in another inaccessible location that you can’t easily reach. Wear it on the front of your body (hip belt or shoulder strap is usually easiest); aggressive bears will not wait for you to dig it out.
When and Where
Continuing on the line of safety, a simple thing you should always do is tell a few trusted friends or family where you are going, when you are leaving, and when you plan to be back. Likewise, you can leave a note on the inside of your car, visible through the windshield, saying where you are going and when you plan to be back. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your location, then your return date should be the bare minimum. In this regard, rangers or other hikers who come to the trailhead can be warned/warn an authority when your car is still in the parking lot after you were supposed to have returned, and they can then send Search and Rescue to find you. Along the same vein, don’t stray from your planned route unless absolutely necessary! If something happens to you and you’re not where you said you would be, it only prolongs any efforts of finding you safely. Do anything and everything in your power to stay safe and found as the stakes are much higher if you don’t when you’re alone.
Friends + Family
This is by far and away one of the largest obstacles when it comes to going out alone (most especially as a female). Everyone comes out of the woodwork to tell you how careless you are being, and they actively discourage you from doing it with horror stories of others who did the same. There is no one right way to help alleviate the fears of your loved ones, but I know firsthand how difficult it can be to feel “okay” going out anyways, in spite of their concerns. Honestly, I’d be a bit put off if nobody worried about me at all, but several of those fears are based on a lack of understanding and education on the matter. So, when someone expresses a concern, I lean into it with them by asking questions. What is it that they are afraid of? Why do they feel this way? I don’t reject their fears, I acknowledge them. Yes, I could be hurt and stranded. Yes, I could run into a bear. I make no illusions that these things can’t or won’t happen. But I answer to the very best of my ability so that they feel more confident in the fact that I am being as safe as possible and am constantly educating myself on the matter. Finishing this off, I always add in the positives of my experiences to show just how much it means to me and how it has profoundly changed my life. If I were to live in fear of consequences and risks, I likely wouldn’t even get into my car each day (which is one of the most dangerous things we do). Some won’t ever accept your decision to go solo, but I’ve found that my concerned relatives have become a lot more encouraging and excited to hear of my adventures when they know I’m not being dismissive of them.
These are certainly not all of the ways in which you can help prepare yourself for solo backpacking, but these have proven to be the most beneficial for me. The more you go out alone, the more confident you will feel in your knowledge, skills, and abilities (but don’t get too cocky, that’s a recipe for disaster!). Even if backpacking alone isn’t on your radar, and you simply wish to do more hiking when your friends can’t join you, I hope that many of these items are still useful to you! For those who have and do go solo backpacking, what tips and tricks would you share with others? Or maybe you have more questions or want some friendly encouragement, I’d love to hear from you! Either which way, hit me up on Instagram (handle below in bio) and, as always, the happiest of adventures to you, my friends.
Jesslyn Marie is a Bozeman-based photographer and avid outdoor enthusiast, combining these two passions into adventure elopements. Her main jam is 4-season solo backpacking, but can also be found skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, playing hockey, and empowering/educating women on recreating in the outdoors. Jesslyn has taught women-specific classes for REI, SheJumps, and Bridger Babes, and is the backpacking mentor for Bridger Babes. To see some of her work and follow along, check her out on Instagram (@jesslynmariephoto) or visit her website for more info (.jesslynmarie.com).