Hiking Solo as a Woman

Was it crazy for her to do this? Can hiking alone ever truly be considered safe?

Although there are arguments against it, hiking alone, similar to solo traveling, is often deemed unsafe. However, as an avid practitioner, I have a distinct perspective on the matter. I perceive it as an empowering and profoundly serene experience, serving as an effective means for self-reflection. It allows me to detach from all external disturbances and connect harmoniously with nature. Nevertheless, it is crucial to adopt safety measures in order to enhance personal security.

First, let’s address those crucial steps before we proceed.

• Carry a spot beacon or satellite phone. Both of these lightweight items allow you to call for help and to regularly message your family and friends with your location as well. Satellite phones don’t come cheap, but our lives are worth it, yes?
• Understand what the animal situation is. Educating yourself about your surroundings is imperative. In Glacier National Park, for example, I needed to carry bear spray, and in Alaska, I carry bear cans, and I made sure I understood how to use it.
• Stick to trails. Popular, well-marked trails in national parks are a much smarter choice than heading into the backcountry in Alaska solo, for example, where it’s too easy to get lost since there’s no trail, and where it’s unlikely that anyone else will be out. But on popular trails, you’ll never have to truly be alone.

Start small

You don’t have to embark on a long, multi-day expedition and cover a great distance for your initial trip. Begin with a small-scale approach. Commence by undertaking a single, hassle-free overnight journey, requiring less provisions and attire, which will facilitate uncomplicated packing and promote a straightforward organization of your belongings. The objective of this first expedition is to acquire experience and boost your self-assurance, thereby fostering an inclination to embark on subsequent trips.

Pick a familiar trail, somewhere you’ve been before

By choosing a familiar and previously visited destination, you can reduce the fear of encountering the unknown, thus making the prospect of embarking on your first solo backpacking journey much less intimidating.

Keep it short

When selecting a destination, opt for something within a round-trip distance of 10 miles or less. It is recommended to venture at least 3 to 5 miles away from the trailhead in order to fully experience tranquility, escape urbanization, and gain a sense of achievement. This will allow you to enjoy yourself while ensuring a relatively low level of risk.

Choose a fairly popular, well-marked, regularly maintained and easy to follow trail

Even if you are hiking alone, you will not feel lonely on a popular and frequently visited trail. It is highly probable that there will be other hikers and backpackers accompanying you on the trail. If you want to ensure the presence of other individuals during your first solo backpacking trip, it is advisable to plan it for the weekend when there is a higher likelihood of encountering more people on the trail.

Know your limits

To ensure honesty about your skills and capabilities, begin with smaller, shorter trips closer to home for your first solo backpacking experience. This allows for the option to retreat to the trailhead if things go wrong or you feel unsafe. If you need to return to the trailhead sooner than planned, don’t feel ashamed. The objective is to set realistic expectations, increasing the likelihood of a successful trip.

Be prepared and equipped

To ensure you are well-prepared, it is essential to have sufficient food, stay warm, remain dry, and consistently have access to water, either by carrying it or locating it along the trail. When individuals encounter difficulties, it is often due to wandering off the trail, insufficient food preparation, becoming excessively cold, or running out of water. By taking thorough precautions, you can avoid any of these unfortunate events.