Picture this: you come to the end of the trailhead after hiking 10 km, and you see a friendly face you haven’t seen in 7 days. It’s the only face you have seen in the last seven days because you just finished 7 Days of backpacking solo through the wilderness. In that time, you hiked up mountains, camped in some luscious forests, and had to drink out of some of the most beautiful rivers. The best part about it is that you could do it all by yourself and were fully immersed in nature.
There is nothing like the thrill solo backpacking will give you; it’s just you, your gear, and the great outdoors. It’s pretty clear why backpacking is becoming one of the most popular outdoor hobbies worldwide. The feeling everyone loves about backpacking, the sense of pride, and the feeling of adventure is only amplified when you’re backpacking solo. But with that excitement comes an amplified amount of danger and preparation that needs to be taken to keep yourself safe.
But that’s why I’m here! I have been camping for a long time; my first solo adventure would have been when I was 13, and my dad let me camp in the bush behind our property for three days without assistance. Looking back on it now, it might not have been the safest thing, but my dad was an experienced backpacker, and he helped me with everything I’m going to help you with today, ensuring I had a safe and enjoyable adventure.
From trip planning to everything you need on the trip, we have a lot to go through
Master The Art of Trip Planning and Preparation
Planning and preparation are the most crucial part of having a safe solo backpacking trip. It might not be the most glamorous part of the trip, but it must be thought about and taken very seriously. So, this section will walk you through the most important parts of planning and leading up to your solo backpacking trip.
The first thing to do is look at your destination. Looking at recent data on your destination is extremely important. You can do this by looking at the most recent Trail reviews you will be backpacking on. This will show you whether any trails have any Hazardous zones or if trail sections have been closed and detours have been made around them. You want to make sure you can make it to where you’re planning when you’re planning, and if there’s going to be something in your way, that’s going to make that longer, you’ll want to be prepared for it.
Another thing you will want to prepare for when you come on your solo backpacking trip is to check the local weather station daily. The weather can be unpredictable, and forecasts can change daily. Make sure you check them every day up to your trip, not just the location of where you were starting but also the location of every point you are going to be and the days you plan to be there.
Now, here’s something that a lot of new solo backpackers overlook. When planning your solo backpacking trip, give someone you trust, like a friend or a family member, your daily itinerary and include things like the following.
- Your planned route (with alternates if you have them)
- Expected campsites for each night
- The make, model, and colour of your car and where you’re parking it
- A list of the gear you’re carrying
And an essential piece of information to give this contact is something we like to call a “worry time.” You set This time with this person, and if they do not hear from you, they should start contacting people to send out search parties to look for you. Ensure that when you are setting this worrying time, it gives you a buffer for any unexpected delays that you might run into.
Another part of the planning process that I think is common knowledge but many people seem not to do is practice with your gear before you go out. I can’t stress this enough: you need to understand what you can do and how your equipment works. The last situation you want to be in is the sun going down, and you’re trying to figure out how to set up your tent. The easiest way to do this is to have a little weekend camping in your backyard, set up your tent, use your camping stove, put all your water through your cleaner, and start a fire with wood you gathered on a hike. This will let you figure out any problem in a stress-free environment.
Remember, planning isn’t the most glorious part of this trip but the most essential part. Proper planning prevents poor performance, so do your homework and prepare yourself for a stress-free solo backpacking experience.
Pack Smart: Essential Gear for Solo Backpacking Safety
Packing for a solo backpacking Adventure can be one of the most exciting parts of preparing for your camping trip. There are so many excellent camping and backpacking gadgets nowadays, and bringing them all is tempting. But with you being the only person having to Lug everything around, sometimes leaving those cool gadgets at home is the best choice.
One thing I learned very quickly as a solo backpacker is that keeping your pack as light as possible is one of the best things you can do to make yourself as comfortable as possible on your solo backpacking trip. It would help to never let everything out of your pack on a solo trip.
First Aid Kit: The number one thing that should never leave your pack, other than if you were refilling, is your first aid kit. If you don’t already have a first aid kit, you can check out my Ultimate Guide to backpacking first aid kits, and if you do have one, you can check out my backpacking first aid kit checklist. This will cover everything you should have in your first aid kit when going out hiking, camping, and backpacking. Remember to add any personal medications you have, extra pads for blisters, and you always need some duct tape for emergency repairs. Also, ensure you know how to use everything in your first aid kit. Your first aid kit is useless if you don’t know how to use what is inside it.
Navigation Tools: Your smartphone is not enough to be your only GPS. Yes, it does work, but too many things can go wrong with it; it could get water damage, the battery could die, you could drop it, and it could break. Bringing an old-fashioned map and compass is a sure way that you will be able to navigate no matter the situation you are put into. If you do not know how to use a map and compass, I have a guide you can find here. Also, laminate this map so there is no chance that it will get water damage.
Warm Clothing: I don’t care if it’s the middle of the most significant heat wave ever. Always having a pair of warm clothing is a must. You never know what Mother Nature will do, and being prepared for cold nights is essential.
Multi-tool and Repair Kit: Now, my favourite piece of gear is the multi-tool. The multi-tool is an all-in-one tool that you need for when you are out backpacking. The possibilities of using a multi-tool for something are genuinely endless. If you don’t already have a multi-tool, check here for the best multi-tools for backpacking.
Repair Kit: Repair kits are one of the most forgotten things but one of the most helpful things you can have in your pack. You can save my Backpacking Repair Kit Checklist when planning your solo backpacking adventure to ensure you never miss anything. You will be surprised how far a bit some Zip ties, needle and thread, and duck table can get you out of.
Now you have all your safety gear and essential backpacking gear, so you have to try to balance your pack and make it as light as possible. Remember, the ” just in case” items are usually better left at home. Don’t be the person carrying a 12-foot machete with you while backpacking; go the extra weight at home.
So, ensure you take time to think about what you need vs what you want. Also, look for things that can do multiple jobs to avoid packing for things that do a job that you already have a tool that can handle, and once you have all these things laid out, look at my How To Balance A Backpack to ensure its as comfortable as possible and you don’t end up with a sore back
Stay Connected: Communication Devices for the Lone Hiker
As much as getting away from people and technology might be one of the driving factors of why you are looking to go on a solo backpacking trip, staying connected is vital to staying safe on the trail. And if anything goes wrong, you are going to want to be able to call for help. So here are the best ways to stay connected and safe on a solo backpacking trip.
- A reliable smartphone. This one is probably pretty obvious, but it is one of the best tools for your backpacking adventures. It can serve as a GPS, camera, and a way to call for help (if you are in service range). But remember portable chargers! Your cell phone is only helpful if you have a battery, so an oversized mobile battery bank that can charge it multiple times is just as important. Another pro tip is to put your cell phone in airplane mode when you are backpacking, making the battery last much longer.
- Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Satellite Messanger: You need this when you are trekking alone and your cell phone fails you. Cell phones are only good when they are within range of a tower, but this is good anywhere because they use satellite technology to send out SOS signals. PLBs are more reliable and don’t require a subscription; they are only for sending SOS emergency signals. When satellite messages require a subscription, you can send custom messages and track your progress, which is excellent for any loved ones watching you from home. I have a post on Personal Locator Beacon vs Satellite Messanger. You can check it out if you are trying to decide what is better for you.
- A whistle: Having a whistle is necessary and can help you save your voice in an emergency. It’s lightweight and cheap, and it is hard to have any problems with it. Three short blasts are the international distress signal, and this will never fail you when a smartphone, PLB, and Satellite messengers can. That is why it’s essential to have all three methods when hiking alone: if any method fails, you have others to fall back on.
Before your trip, you want to test all of your devices. Make sure everything is charged, and you know how to use all the features of each. Also, let your emergency contacts know what devices you are using and how they work.
Staying connected in the backcountry is about balance. It’s nice to enjoy solitude, but we need to be responsible and safe when we do it. Think of this as a safety net. With the proper devices and knowledge of the devices, we can have the best of both worlds: the solitude and the safety of having communication at our fingertips.
Master Basic Wilderness First Aid
Accidents still happen no matter how long you have been hiking and camping. That’s why everyone in the backpacking space should have some knowledge of first aid. And if you are going to be a solo backpacker, this is even more important because you can’t rely on someone else’s knowledge to help you. My recommendation is to sign up for a wilderness first aid course. They are extremely helpful and give you some good first-hand expressions of what I hope you never need, but it is always wise to know. These courses are usually provided through outdoor stores where you buy your backpacking equipment.
But sometimes these courses can only be yearly or bi-yearly, so when you are waiting for the next one to start, there is another thing you can learn and work on.
- Wound Care: You must learn how to clean and dress wounds properly. Appropriately, the most minor wounds can be affected in the wilderness
- Sprains and Strains: These are one of the most common injury on the trial. Know how to assess how serious it is and proper treatment
- Recognize Hypothermia and Heat Exhaustion: These can be hard to catch early when backpacking solo. Ensure you know the early signs and that you are doing self-check-ins at least every hour
- Basic CPR: The more trying you have, the better. Think about taking a CPR course as well as the wilderness first aid course
- Dealing with blisters: This is every backpacker and hiker’s biggest enemy. Learn how to prevent them and treat them effectively because this is something that you will constantly battle with.
The goal is not to become a doctor but to make you knowledgeable and skilled enough to evaluate a situation to ensure your safety. You might need to do a minor treatment before you continue a hike, or you may need to reset a shoulder as you wait for help to arrive. Being more knowledgeable in first aid is never a bad thing.
One last pro tip: Know where you are hiking and learn about the dangers. Poisonous plants? Snakes? Know these dangers before you even leave your house.
Wildlife Safety: Respectful Coexistence On The Trail
Wildlife can be the best and worst thing about backpacking; it gives you some of the most amazing moments viewing animals in their natural habitat, but it also has the chance to put you in the most dangerous situations possible, which are even more scary when you are alone.
How to exist with wildlife:
- Proper food storage: You need a sturdy stuff sack and the ability to hang correctly; this sack must also be airtight so no smell can get out of it. This applies to food and anything that is scented (food, trash, toiletries). Find a full guide and complete this here
- Make Noise: As much as you don’t want to run into a momma bear and her cubs, she doesn’t want to run into you, Making lots of noise when walking lets them know where you are so they know to avoid you. So talk or sing to yourself. Every once in a while, let out a loud “HEY, BEAR!”. Put some bells on your backpack so you are constantly making noise. These things will go a long way.
- Know your animals: Different animals require a different response. You want to appear big and intimidating to many animals, but some take that as a challenge. Know the animals in your area and how to respond if you encounter them.
- Carry Protection: Bear spray is a must if you are backpacking. This is your last line of defence, so you had better have it and know how to use it.
- Respect their space: If you get close to wildlife, give them as much space as possible. And do not try to interact with them in any way. Avoiding them is always the best option.
Remember, when we are out in the wilderness, we are in their house, so be respectful to keep ourselves and them safe.
Trust Your Instincts: The Solo Hiker's Sixth Sense
Every Hiker has this superpower of a gut feeling, so make sure you listen to it. It would help if you learned to trust your instincts; they usually point you in the right direction.
Instinct is your subconscious pointing out subtle clues your mind hasn’t picked up on yet, so when you hear that little voice tell you something, you better listen, and this applies to all aspects of your adventure:
- If a trail doesn’t feel safe, you should turn back
- If the weather looks like it is turning sour, get shelter
- If a stranger on trial gives you the hebby jeepys, trust your feelings and keep your distance
Remember, there is no shame in not completing your trip or turning around partway. That trail will always be there; your safety will be your top priority. With that said, don’t let fear stop you from doing something that you want to try. Solo backpacking for the first time can be a terrifying thing. So be confident in yourself when you get out; you have read this blog post and are already on your way to building a great foundation. So be assured, but also be alert!
Navigate Like a Pro: Staying on Track When You're Alone
In a world of smartphones and GPS watches, it’s easy to be overconfident in navigation and quickly skip over this section. But when you are on the trail, and all your technology fails, this can go badly quickly. This is why you should have the trifecta of navigation tools.
- Map & Compass: The best way to avoid getting lost, is having a compass and map because they can not fail. This will help you find yourself out of any situation. Just ensure you know how to use a compass and map before entering the wilderness.
- GPS Device or Smartphone: These are the best at giving you exact locations and tracking your route; apps like Gaia GPS and AllTrails are my favorite ways to track an adventure, but they can fail and leave you stranded. If you are going into the backcountry using these make sure you download the maps for offline use before you leave.
- Natural Navigation: Navigating nature’s cues is very helpful; things like the position of the sun, star constellations, or growth patterns of plants are not always easy to notice but can give you an idea of what direction you are heading in.
Here are some pro tips for staying on track:
- Always know where you are on the map: Ensure you know where you are on the map at every main junction in the trail, if you don’t hit junctions very often Make a plan to check and figure out where you are every hour.
- Look behind you regularly; a trail can look very different walking in the other direction. So make sure you know what it looks like in that direction if you ever need to backtrack.
- Use landmarks to confirm your location. But make sure they are distinguished. Things seem to look very similar when you are in the wilderness.
The critical thing about navigating isn’t just about not getting lost but making informed decisions about where to take water stops, finding spots to camp, and making wise choices if you need to change your route. The most important rule I can give you is to stop and figure it out right away if you don’t know where you are. It’s easier to make a minor correction than backtracking miles of trail.
Hydration and Nutrition: Fueling Your Solo Adventure
Now this is the most important thing of any backpacking trip, you need to keep fueled up to stay energized and focused.
First let’s talk about water, I can not stress the importance of staying hydrated enough. When you are walking all day with a heavy pack, dehydration can sneak up on you fast, especially if you are at high altitudes or in hot weather. Dehydration can lead to poor decision-making, witch is the last thing you need when alone in the wilderness.
Here are my hydration rules:
- Know your water sources. Plan your route around reliable water sources and always carry more water than you think you’ll need.
- Treat all backcountry water. Whether you prefer filters, purification tablets, or good old-fashioned boiling, make sure you have a way to make water safe to drink.
- Drink regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, you’re already mildly dehydrated.
Now, let’s talk about food. When you’re burning thousands of calories a day hiking, proper nutrition is crucial. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Pack calorie-dense foods. Think nuts, dried fruits, chocolate, and peanut butter.
- Bring a mix of quick snacks and proper meals. Sometimes you need a quick energy boost on the trail, other times you want a hot meal at the end of a long day.
- Don’t skimp on portions. It’s better to have a little extra food than to run out miles from the trailhead.
Remember for isn’t just fuel its also a safety device that you should pack lots of extra of. I always pack an extra day worth of food for every 7 days I am backpacking.
Proper food and water intake is a must to ensure you have a safe solo hike. Never forget to plan this step!
Campsite Selection: Choosing Safe Havens for the Night
After hiking all day, setting up your camp for the night can feel like one of the best rewards. But it’s important to make sure you find a good campsite that’s not all driven by how nice the view is. Here are what i look for when i’m looking to set up camp:
Flat Ground: Flat ground is important for your tent so you are not sliding around when you sleep.
Protection from the elements: Look for natural windbreaks like large rocks or treelines. This will help you stay warm during the night. Also if a big storm is going to hit make sure you are not under anything that can fall on you.
Distance from water: You want to be close to water so its easy for you to gather for dinking and cooking, but staying over 200ft away will minimize the amount of bugs you have to deal with.
Wildlife Consideration: Avoid camping near signs of waterlife, like prints of scatt. In bear country make sure you are not close to any berry bushes.
Make sure you choose your campsite early enough in the day so you have lots of sunlight to help you find a safe spot. It’s never fun to have to set up a tent when its already dark. Also if you are in an area where other hikers might be passing by don’t camp right on the trail, set up off the trail slightly hidden for peace of mind.
Embrace the Solo Backpacker's Mindset
Backpacking solo requires a special mindset. You must be confident, self reliant, and know your limits. Here is the mindset that i have developed being a solo backpacker for over 15 years:
- Embrace Solitude: Learn to be comfortable alone
- Stay Positive: A positive attitude can get you through the toughest of situations, always try to look at the positive things when backpacking.
- Be flexible: Things won’t always go your way, don’t let that discourage you. Always be ready to adapt
- Trust yourself: Believe in your abilities and skills, you are more capable than you think.
- Practice mindfulness: Stay present and aware of your surroundings. Not only for your safety but also to make sure you don’t miss the beautiful things around you.
- Manage \fears: Its normal to feel scared sometimes when you are backpacking alone. Acknowledge them they are there for a reason, but don’t let them overcome you and control you. You got this!
Remember solo backpacking is more than a physical challenge it is a mental battle as well, but this can be a hard one to prepare for before you go out on your trip. But I guarantee every time you finish a solo backpacking trip you will be mentally stronger.
And that’s all I have, everything that my father trained in me for my first 3 days in the back woods behind my house and everything after for the last 15 years that I have been doing it since. Remember preparation is just as important and the atual adventure and your mind is as important as your body. Keep this all in mind and you will have a first great solo backpacking adventure.
I would love to hear about your solo backpacking experiences, did i miss any tips you would have said? Drop them in the comments and we can keep this conversation going. Happy trails everyone!