Solo Backpacking Tips
Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk to means no words are put between you and the beauty around you. The miles just flow. It's entirely up to you to say when you eat or take a break. Want to jump in that alpine lake? It's your decision alone. It's a unique experience.
A solo backpacker also is vulnerable. Twist your ankle, and there's nobody there to help you. Have you ever been stuck alone without food for days? How can you make your solo backpacking trip safe? You can't. It's inherently more dangerous to go alone into the wilderness. What you can do though, is make it safer.
Some Solo Backpacking Tips
1. Tell someone where you'll be, and when you expect to return. It's probably best if you leave a map with them, and let them know who to call if you don't return on time.
2. Bring a cell phone. I don't do this yet myself, but many lives have now been saved by cell phones. Turn it off and put it in the bottom of your pack so it won't bother you.
3. Bring the usual safety items (matches, 1st aid, iodine tablets, etc), but double-check to see if they are there and in working order, as you'll have nobody elses supplies to back you up.
4. If you're not sure of your abilities, or have a bad knee or other potential problem, stick to well-traveled trails. On many routes, another backpacker will be by every hour. That's good to know if you're in trouble.
5. Learn well how to read a map and use a compass. If you are two miles off route and can't get a signal on your phone when your knee gives out, you're in trouble. Even if you like to wander, you should be able to know where you are on the map for safety.
6. Know your abilities. Don't plan on twenty-mile days if you haven't done them before.
7. Learn to lighten your load. When you're alone, you lose the efficiency of sharing the load for stoves, tents and other common items. It's easy - and dangerous - to become overloaded when yours is the only backpack. You might want to read up on ultralight backpacking.
Solo backpacking is riskier, but for some of us, it's well worth the risk. Try it, and you might agree. Just be sure to take the necessary precautions.
Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of ultralight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.TheBackpackingSite.com
 Google News Updated : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:45:43 GMT Music, co-op games the dominant trends at E3 - CNET News
CNET News - Among the dominant trends at E3 in Los Angeles this week was music games. Everywhere you looked, publishers were announcing new ones and players were rocking out to them. GameSpot News Blog Postal 3 Heading to PlayStation 3, Slightly Delayed Publ.Date : Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:51:54 GMT Economy Down, PC Sales Up - New York Times
New York Times - By Eric A. Taub The worldwide economy may be faltering, but PC sales are in growth mode, according to numbers released Tuesday by Gartner and IDC, two information technology research firms. Apple Now Third In US PC Market As HP, Dell Lead Sales Increase PCs Show Double Digit Growth in Q2 Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:55:43 GMT What Should Uncle Sam Do? - Newsweek
Newsweek - NEWSWEEK's Business Roundtable takes stock of the real damage—and offer solutions to the economic crisis. Please fill in the following information and we'll email this link. Freddie Mac Paves Way For Major Stock Sale Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:06:17 GMT Yahoo proxy may come down to battle of big funds - MarketWatch
MarketWatch - By MarketWatch SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - It looks like the bar room tete-a-tete in Sun Valley, Idaho last week may have helped one of Yahoo Inc.'s biggest institutional shareholders make up his mind. Yahoo takes on Icahn on its web page Major investor sides with Yahoo board Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:02:11 GMT Live Press Tour Diary: CW Day One (Shannen's Officially Returning!) - Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly - MIA: Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, Shannen Doherty, David Silver, Steve Sanders, Brandon Walsh, Dylan McKay, Andrea Zuckerman and Valerie Malone. Shannen Doherty Returns to 90210 Shannen Doherty back in '90210' 'hood this fall Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:11:43 GMT Norman ties Choi on blustery day at British Open - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - SOUTHPORT, England (AP) - Tiger Woods and Kenny Perry couldn't have picked a better place to be on Saturday. Anywhere but Royal Birkdale. Video: Greg Norman Surprises at British Open Norman and Duval turn back the clock Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:41:24 GMT McCain paying down primary funds in advance of cap - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - WASHINGTON (AP) - Faced with a spending cap for his fall campaign, Republican presidential candidate John McCain is aggressively spending more money than he is raising during summer months and methodically reducing his cash reserves. A Deputy Dilemma For McCain McCain paying down primary funds in advance of cap Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:51:07 GMT Increase Online Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... If you love the thrill and adventure of kayak travel,... Read More Block Island is a seaside jewel lying 12 miles off... Read More The Cairns Fishing Adventure A Great Australia Road TripYou love... Read More If you're a birder, you want to keep a list... Read More For most people, outdoor cooking is synonymous with barbeque, but... Read More Dude Ranches first gained popularity in the 1920s, in large... Read More Don't all of us love to have the money to... Read More (NC)-With approximately 42,000 mosquitoes for every person in Ontario, most... Read More Are you sick and tired of not knowing what to... Read More Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More The quaint little balcony was large enough to accommodate two... Read More SAFE WALKING TREKKING OUTDOORSIf you are contemplating a long distance... Read More Mystic Seaport celebrates the seafaring past of New England. Known... Read More Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More Back from our family's vacation to Costa Rica, I am... Read More Western Australia ? South-West Coast driving holiday. Great Australian Road... Read More Normally when you think Safari you think Big 5. The... Read More In a previous article, I wrote primarily about box ovens.... Read More White-water rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences... Read More Maybe your favorite backpacking food is a freeze-dried turkey dinner.... Read More The Kuan Yin Shrine in Bangkok is in an old... Read More One morning in mid summer, I headed out for some... Read More Zambia is Africa's best kept secret as far as safaris... Read More Okay, it wasn't quite a sleeping bag. However, it was... Read More WHAT TO HUNT AND WHERE: Alaska is a hunter's paradise.... Read More
Adsense
websites
Kayak Travel and Trips
Block Island ? Memorable Vacations Are Made of This
A Fishy Road Trip in Cairns
Bird Watching Life Lists ? Keeping A Record
Creative Camp Cooking
One of the Oldest Traditions of the American West; The Dude Ranch
How to Save Money AND help the planet
Eight Tips For A Bug-Free Summer
7 Need to Know Campsite Cooking Strategies
Hawaii Snorkeling - An Underwater Paradise
Kerala Backwaters - Gently Down the Stream
Hiking Safely on the Hills
Mystic Seaport Captured ? Links to Our Past Guide, Part 3
Join the American Hiking Society
No Artificial Ingredients Indeed
The Classy Way to Do WA
Bird Safaris: Timbavatis Most Desired Plumage
Creative Camp Cooking - Part 2
River Rafting: An Overview
The Best Backpacking Food
The Kuan Yin Shrine, Bangkok ? the Goddess of Mercy on the Chao Phraya
Hiking in the Forest Knowing When to Slow Down
Zambia Safari Top Five National Parks
My Five-Ounce Sleeping Bag
Alaska Hunting Guide
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Camping - Get Those Tents Up!
Have you ever thought you might like to try a... Read More
Lightweight Backpacking: How Light?
You aren't lightweight backpacking if you are carrying twenty-five pounds... Read More
Review: Russell Shortos The Island At The Center Of The World
Up to now the preponderant view held by many historians... Read More
Inflatable Boat Trailers
An inflatable boat trailer is needed if the user has... Read More
Great Indian Holidays
Holidays in India, awesome in her size and diversity. This... Read More
Driving in Greece - How Bad is it?
Generally speaking, Greek drivers are not the best in Europe,... Read More
Sleeping Pads For Ultralight Backpackers
Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping... Read More
Three Places to Interact with Dolphins in Hawaii
Visitors to Hawaii frequently see dolphins from shore or on... Read More
Old Sturbridge Village ? Links to Our Past Guide, Part 2
Once described in a 1950 article as "The Town That... Read More
Hawaii Snorkeling - An Underwater Paradise
Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More
Pigeon Forge Campgrounds
Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors... Read More
New Technologies in Camping and Outdoor Clothing Enhance the Outdoor Experience
Camping is an excellent way to explore and experience the... Read More
Take a Hiking Pole on Your Next Hike
It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter... Read More
Hiking from Your Own Home
Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in... Read More
The Wandle Trail - Map and Illustrated Guide
The Wandle offered wonderful trout fishing up to the latter... Read More
Retired LoWs Do Yuma
Yuma, Arizona. In the winter, it's the best town in... Read More
Camping Stove Performance: Ease of Use & What to Avoid
Important information about camping stoves...What type of camping, hiking, or... Read More
River Cruise in Bangkok ? Sightseeing on the Chao Phraya
A river cruise in Bangkok gives an insight to the... Read More
Trekking in Jordan
1st day : Airport / Amman, O/N Our representative will... Read More
Old Barney -- A Visit to Barnegat Light, New Jersey
Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More
What You Need to Know About - Camping Vacations
Camping is a delightful and adventurous way to spend your... Read More
Dancing With Whales
We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and... Read More
Costa Rica White Water Rafting Trip
Costa Rica's mountainous topography and copious rainfall are both responsible... Read More
A Hiking Guide to Easter Island
Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More
Gambling Isnt the Only Thing to do in Las Vegas
Do you think the only thing to do in Las... Read More
Outdoors |