In this blog post, I will be discussing my first solo backpacking experience as a woman, emphasizing how initially intimidating it can be but ultimately a fun and empowering experience. Additionally, I will be providing tips specifically geared towards women who are interested in embarking on solo backpacking adventures.
Before we proceed, I’d like to mention that the following information is based on my personal experience of solo backpacking for the first time. Additionally, these tips incorporate insights gained from discussions with friends, online research, and my accumulated knowledge of backpacking advice for women. It is important, as always, to conduct your own research beyond my suggestions.
What You Need to Know
If you plan to travel alone with a backpack, there are numerous tasks you must complete before and during your trip in order to ensure your safety and make the most of your adventure. To assist you in starting your journey, here are some essential actions you need to take.
Plan Your Trip Carefully
When backpacking alone, it becomes even more crucial to plan your trip carefully and thoroughly, though it is always important regardless of the number of people traveling.
When organizing a solo backpacking trip, the initial step is to decide on the destination. Is it to the Californian mountains for gold prospecting or maybe to Europe to explore your homeland and discover its captivating attractions?
To ensure you don’t get lost and to keep your loved ones informed of your whereabouts, it is essential to carefully plan your trip. This way, you can know exactly where you should be on each day of your adventure.
When backpacking solo, you have complete control over your destination, which is one of its great advantages. You don’t have to consider the preferences of others in your group, enabling you to quickly explore and enjoy the things that interest you without being delayed by side trips that hold no appeal to you.
Once you have made the decision on where you want to go, it is important to keep in mind that this is only the initial step. The remaining half of the battle involves asking yourself a range of crucial planning questions to guarantee the feasibility of your chosen destination and to ensure that your trip turns out to be a resounding success.
Here are only a few examples of those questions:
- Timeframe. How much time do you have to enjoy this solo trip of a lifetime? Of course, if you have planned for a very long excursion—maybe a year or more—the sky is the limit in terms of where you can go. However, if you have a limited timeframe in which to travel, you might want to choose a place a bit closer to home. The last thing you want to do is spend all your time “getting to” your destination, leaving you little time to actually enjoy yourself once you get there.
- What Type of Things Do You Want to Do? Perhaps prior to settling on a destination—or destinations—for your upcoming solo backpacking trip, you should make a list of all the things you want to do. Are you looking to learn about a new culture, eat food you have never eaten, challenge yourself on a mountain trail, or just lounge on a beach somewhere with a good book? Once you decide what you want to do during your trip, deciding on a location will be much easier.
- Cost? Of course, you will also have to consider your budget before deciding where you want to go. Globetrotting through Europe will be much more expensive than a mountain getaway, which is why it is so crucial to plan every step of your trip based on the money you have on hand.
Let Someone Know Where You Are Going
After going through all the crucial questions, choosing a destination, and making a decision, you can proceed to plan your route and schedule. This involves figuring out how you will reach each destination, arranging accommodations upon arrival, and determining the activities you intend to participate in.
It is always a good idea to share your schedule and travel route with a trusted family member or friend. This way, in case of an emergency, there will be someone back at home who knows where you should be each day of your trip.
Benefits of Solo Backpacking
I believe it is widely recognized that both backpacking and hiking offer significant physical and mental advantages. However, my focus is specifically on discussing the reasons behind engaging in solitary backpacking and hiking.
Solo backpacking provides freedom as it enables individuals to hike at their own convenience and explore any destination they desire. Instead of relying on friends or partners, one can embark on exciting adventures whenever they feel prepared and eager, eliminating the need for coordination or waiting.
By going backpacking alone, you will have the freedom to hike at your own pace without feeling obligated to match the speed or wait for fellow hikers. Additionally, backpacking alone provides ample chances for self-discovery and determining your preferences in outdoor activities.
Solo backpacking provides a sense of empowerment and accomplishment, making it one of the most rewarding experiences.
IT WILL PROVE TO YOU JUST HOW BRAVE, STRONG, AND CAPABLE YOU TRULY ARE.
Consider the ample opportunities you will have to engage in journaling, reading, and enjoying moments of tranquility! These activities have become increasingly scarce in today’s world, where social media and technology dominate our lives. The experience of sitting beside a mountain lake, surrounded solely by the sounds of nature and your own reflections, is truly unparalleled.
Choosing Where to Go
Deciding on the destination for my maiden solo backpacking expedition proved to be quite perplexing. I was certain that I didn’t desire utter isolation in the untamed wilderness, yet I yearned for a taste of seclusion. Consequently, I present my foremost suggestions for selecting your inaugural solo backpacking venture as a female.
- Select a fairly popular trail that is well marked, regularly maintained, and easy to follow. E.g. national park trails and backpacking destinations closer to a city.
- Don’t go too deep into the backcountry for your first time. Choose a camping destination under 5 miles from the trailhead. In saying that, it’s also said that you’re safer when camping more than 1 mile away from a road or trailhead, so choose a sweet spot somewhere between those.
- If it’s a more quiet / lesser visited trail then you could consider going on a Saturday night, where the chances of others being around is higher.
- You could choose a destination that has phone service.
To find trails, Google will be the most helpful resource. Another option is to refer to trail reports on AllTrails. If you are located in Washington, utilizing WTA is highly recommended.
