Tips for backpacking solo

If you've been searching for the best source of information and stimulating discussion related to Spring/Summer/Fall backpacking, hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada...look no further!
User avatar
rlown
Topix Docent
Posts: 8225
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Wilton, CA

Re: Tips for backpacking solo

Post by rlown »

sparky wrote:another time strange flying beeping noises buzzing by the tent sent us packing
That was Sasquatch with an ipod circling your tent and his headphones were turned up to loud. I think they like punk rock.

Besides that fun discussion, lets talk freedom vs. responsibility. some tout Solo as a way to detach and get in touch with "self" so to say. The recent deaths or missing were mostly solo. Snowy got off lucky but did have backup in case she couldn't press the button.

If you go solo, you must accept the risk or leave really GOOD information somewhere for people to find you. If you don't leave good info, you're being irresponsible (my opinion). Makes a lot of people have to work harder to find you if you don't show up in family member time.
User avatar
sparky
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1029
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:01 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Tips for backpacking solo

Post by sparky »

good point rlown, and it is something I have struggled with as it is just they way I am. Leaving detailed itineraries is something I have always done, but actually sticking to said iteneraries just about NEVER happens! I just do what I feel, when I feel it. So it is tough for me, as dumb as that sounds.

I do accept the risk, but my loved ones dont. That is really tough too.

Saying that my last trip I actually did stick to my itinerary, and Larry was responsible for that
User avatar
Cloudy
Topix Regular
Posts: 125
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:08 am
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Location: Central California

Re: Tips for backpacking solo

Post by Cloudy »

The majority of my trips have been solo because I'm never in good shape when I start so I have to rest a lot :-) I really hate being a drag on others. For me, the first few days are always the hardest in both body and mind and it takes awhile to get acclimated with the concept of self-reliance again. Once you do, it's joyfully liberating knowing that you can tarry or press on at your leisure.I find that the exact time of day becomes less important than just looking at the position of the sun. I generally forget what day it is after a week or so and just mark off the days - the sign of a weak mind I guess... I get up when it gets light and go to bed when it gets dark so life reverts to a primordial rhythm.

I believe that you must have a certain amount of self-confidence and motivation to take the first steps of a solo, one week+ hike but every experience builds on the previous and you begin to look upon the trip with anticipation rather than trepidation. It truly becomes a joy to become more aware of the scale of man compared to the grandeur of nature and the fickle elements. You hear and feel the sighing of the wind and the call of birds that you never noticed before. You come to realize that you are just a small, self-sufficient speck in a limitless ocean. I think that it is a humbling and profound experience that truly only comes when there is no one there but you.

That being said, if you have any issues with night terrors, your imagination will run wild. Not always without reason of course. There have been quite a few times when I have been "concerned" at night when something wakes me from my usually light sleep. There was the time when I woke to hear something stepping on and breaking small, fallen branches and was obviously approaching my tent. There was another time when something (deer) walked past my tent and tripped over a guy rope. There was another time when a bear tripped over a guy rope and pulled part of the tent down. Then there was the time below Forester Pass, a pack of howling coyotes could be heard getting closer and closer while I lay there listening in my bag. Then there was the time a tree fell close by during a night rain and I could feel the strong vibration.These are the things that mess with your mind and if you can overcome your fear, you'll be much better off. Earplugs may be a good choice if you have issues with night noises but sometime it's better to hear something digging in your pack right away rather than finding the remnants in the morning. With familiarity, you can eventually distinguish what's what and "usually" it's only the two-legged creatures that I worry about now...

Alan
User avatar
rlown
Topix Docent
Posts: 8225
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Wilton, CA

Re: Tips for backpacking solo

Post by rlown »

Dude, we all rest alot. that's not an excuse. I only solo in the winter (if safe).

We just have no meet up capability.
User avatar
Herm
Topix Regular
Posts: 257
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:33 am
Experience: N/A
Location: Anaheim, CA
Contact:

Re: Tips for backpacking solo

Post by Herm »

I will go solo, and I hope to be out soon. It hasn't been hard at all for me to do things by myself for most of my life. Know yourself - that will inform you whether or not you will enjoy solo backpacking. It is what I prefer, though I am not afraid of human contact.

A few summers ago I met rlown in the backcountry as I was traveling solo, and we just happened to be at the same location on the same day. An unplanned but welcome meeting.

Herm
Last edited by Herm on Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
I am not in a hurry, so don't be hasty.
User avatar
SSSdave
Topix Addict
Posts: 3523
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:18 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Silicon Valley
Contact:

Re: Tips for backpacking solo

Post by SSSdave »

Well I hope you have an enjoyable time at night on your trip timachine
...and what's crunching those twigs out there in the black inkyness? :eek:

Who else is set to start a solo trip in the next few weeks? The two backpacking trips I've done this summer have been with my bro Joe. Next week will go solo from Mosquito Flat to base camp 3 days in Pioneer Basin. Anyone else out in those parts might PM me. Making the rather strenuous hike in for someone carrying a heavy pack a bit mellower, will start hiking after the long drive at maybe 10pm in the evening and move up towards 12k Mono Pass by headlamp, sleeping tentless somewhere along the trail. And no reason to get up early west of the crest so ought still get my sleep and be fresh. On the route out will spend the night at either Trail or Summit Lakes then climb Mt. Starr at sunrise in order to take a telephoto a bit later towards Pioneer Basin with Red & White and Red Slate poking up behind the Hopkins/Crocker Ridge. Hanford NWS expects t-storms into Wednesday then clearing but am hoping for at least some clouds. And am hoping salix arctica are going to change a bit early due to the droughty weather but that is a pure gamble.
User avatar
giantbrookie
Founding Member & Forums Moderator
Founding Member & Forums Moderator
Posts: 3578
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 10:22 am
Experience: N/A
Location: Fresno
Contact:

Re: Tips for backpacking solo

Post by giantbrookie »

To me the biggest thing about going solo (other than the usual safety considerations that would apply to any trip) is whether or not one really enjoys that mode or not and one usually has a feeling for this from having been out on trips with people. When I worked by myself in Montana for a good part of a summer, I pretty much had to backpack solo if I was going to backpack, so I did. I personally like backpacking with others better than solo, whereas I always enjoyed climbing solo a bit better. As far as sleeping, I think I tended to sleep better on my solo backpack trips because I had more room to thrash and roll about in my tent (always backpacked with 2-person tent whether solo or with someone).
Since my fishing (etc.) website is still down, you can be distracted by geology stuff at: http://www.fresnostate.edu/csm/ees/facu ... ayshi.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
Wandering Daisy
Topix Docent
Posts: 6635
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:19 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento area)
Contact:

Re: Tips for backpacking solo

Post by Wandering Daisy »

I believe this subject has been discussed in another thread, so I am probably repeating myself. Solo if staying on busy trails, is really not "solo". I call that disorganized group hiking. My last two "solo" trips were mainly on trials, and believe me, I did not feel that I was going "solo"! Whereas, my two trips in July I went several days off-trail not seeing anyone. The best way to get used to "solo" is to go by yourself on a major trail. Then you can gradually go off trail until you feel comfortable.

Bears and severe weather are two things that concern me when I solo. Fortunately, the last few years I have had less close-up bear encounters. When things get tough, I really have to focus on the essentials, stay calm and rational. No different from what you would do with another person along, except you do not have that "sounding board" and backup. Confidence is a big part about being comfortable alone. I am lucky that I have had extensive formal survival training.

I wear ear plugs at night. I just sleep better when I cannot hear any noises. At least if a bear wants to eat me I will not have to be terrorized by hearing it approach my tent. And for little animals - when I cannot find an item, I blame rodents for carrying it off; then I find the item in the bottom of my pack! When you get old and forgetful, it useful to blame stuff on pesky animals.

I am more cautious when I am alone. If I have any doubt about the safety of an action I usually retreat. But, there always are times when I find myself in the situation of going forward on a sketchy move to more quickly get out of the danger zone where backtracking actually would be more dangerous. I am sure I do not always make the right decision. But I am not sure these things are only a "solo" problem. Same happens when in a group too.

I use a spreadsheet to produce an detailed trip plan with map. Lately I have made a copy and left it with others. I am thinking it would be good to make another copy and simply give it to the ranger when I get my permit. I pretty much stick to my travel plan, except I may be a day ahead or behind and may not camp exactly where planned, but I do stick to the route and also show potential alternate routes.

I end up solo hiking a lot because lately it has been hard to find someone who will really commit to a trip. I have had too many last minute "Bail outs" and find it easier just to go solo. But I really prefer to go with a compatible backpack partner. For years I lead organized climbing groups, and became burned out on that mode (and responsibility).
User avatar
Cheetahwoka
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 11:12 am
Experience: N/A
Location: Three Rivers, CA

Re: Tips for backpacking solo

Post by Cheetahwoka »

Well, I'm probably going out tomorrow for a longish solo trip, but not by preference. Anymore.

When I was much younger, and invincible, and backpacking in the Sierra was new and totally life-changing, I went on mostly solo trips because I could rarely find partners. The solo part of it was part of the life-changing part. During that period in life, my daily life was overpopulated and urban. I didn't really mind going solo, and welcomed it.

It took about 4 days, and like magic on the 4th day of a solo backpack trip things would shift for me. I had only to walk off the trail about 10 feet. The Earth that filled my vision had only small parts affected by humans. The immense life-threatening power of the wind, cold, rain, electricity (lightening), river and snow, and steep gravity-challenging places, and other non-human living things filled my reality almost entirely, except when I could see parts of myself in my periferal vision, like when I watched my feet stepping forward, or my hands steadying myself on a rock. And on day 4 I would 'get' something that I still can't really express. I remember sitting down and thinking, "Here I am wearing nylon. Nylon doesn't grow here. Without it my soft skin would get all scratched up. What other living things are so vulnerable? I feel like I'm an alien here on Earth."

Then I would look at the ants and see how much they changed their little environment for themselves, and I didn't feel so out of place. I started to feel like I'm just another mammal. Yes an extremely overpopulated mammal, but out here surrounded by everything non-human, I'm just another animal. And then I felt AT HOME there, in the wild. Like I could go anywhere, practically, on the planet, even in the wild, and be okay and at home. This may sound hokey, but it's the nutshell version of 4 days of immersion in wilderness.

If you can't get how wonderful this feels, I guess you'd have to be there. That's how solo backpacking was for me back then.

Now, though, I am not invincible anymore, and I want a partner for safety, at least when I go XC. Plus I live in a small foothill town and don't feel crowded. And so that feeling of belonging out there comes on day 2, when I walk off by myself in the morning to look for a little hole to dig.

Hope this is helpful.
User avatar
rlown
Topix Docent
Posts: 8225
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Wilton, CA

Re: Tips for backpacking solo

Post by rlown »

good luck Cheetahwoka if you are going out today. Leave an itinerary somewhere please? even if with one of those on this forum.

AND, if you change your mind mid-step, drop another note.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 32 guests