There is a real joy in solo camping and thrill as well. Let’s be honest, for most city dwellers taking on the outdoors by yourself is a major accomplishment. To reduce your concerns about hiking, exploring the great outdoors, or camping alone, you must be prepared. Here’s a good primer on how you can hike and camp solo, while also staying safe.
It’s crucial to let someone you trust know where you are if you’re exploring alone. Set up an itinerary and fill in as many details as possible, including the trail you’re taking, the path you’ll take if there’s a fork, and the name of the campground you will stay at. Check in with your friend again once you have a cell signal, and let them know when you plan to contact them again. They will know what to do and who to call if you do not check in at the expected time. Even if you’re more of a go-with-the-flow type of outdoor adventurer and prefer to drive until you find a campsite, consider providing as much information as possible.
Focus on making the excursion a relaxing one, even if it requires you to traverse a path you are familiar with or camp at a spot you’ve frequented before, rather than testing your limits by exploring new trails and untamed land. Even if you want to explore a fresh terrain, invest in MAPS.ME, an offline navigation app, and check in with the park’s welcome centre for a paper map. Stay on well-marked trails, where you may interact with other hikers as you make your way up the mountain. You may ask other hikers coming down for advice about the conditions if you need assistance. It’s a good idea to introduce yourself to rangers if you’re camping solo for the first time at a national park. They can give you the most recent information.
Before taking off on your journey, practice setting up your tent in your yard until you’re familiar with it, and learn where you should keep your food and toiletries so animals won’t get them. Make sure you know where the closest town is if you run out of supplies while camping. Research your campground and find out where the nearest town is in case you need to get supplies. Make sure your vehicle is ready to go by completing an oil check and brake test so you don’thave to take it to the mechanic for an emergency repair.
