The Danger of Solo Camping

#Fishing #Exploring #Outdoors #Solo Hiking #Hiking #Hiking Tips #Survival #SHTF #Survival tips #Bigfoot #Unexplained #Sasqauch #Bugging Out #Survival #SHTF #Solo Camping #Camping #Camping Tips #Solo Hiking #Hiking #Hiking Tips In this Video I discuss a variety of Dangers that could potentially be life Threatening when Camping Solo. This applies to any form of Camping. I Do NOT recommend Solo Camping, or Solo Hiking due to reasons I mention in this Video.

[MattiasHolger]

I hike and camp alone. In big wild areas. At least 40-50 days every year. I know the risk but I will do it as long as I can. I need it. I just have to do it. Its in my blood.

[MadMax]

As far as fear of humans while camping alone let me tell you what my dad told me. A long time ago on a camping trip when I was like 12-13 a group of people approached our tent late at night around 10 pm. This wasn’t a campsite this was dispersed camping with the closest person being a half mile to mile away. As they got closer they noticed us and saw our lights in the distance. While I was very scared and didn’t know who these people were, my dad told me something I’ll never forget. While we may be scared they’re probably just as scared as they have no clue who they may be approaching. We may be the crazier ones. Also always carry a gun. Not in your backpack but on your hip ready to go. You never need it until you need it.

[PDS]

I've lived alone as an adult for most of my adult life. I no longer can afford the expensive cost of living and was thinking about camping to get away from the hot summers and the slow months of work. I will be alone there too. If I died alone or something happens that leads to my passing, I'm okay with that. I guess that's the risk you take when you live alone as I do.

[CLOSEDCASKET-lv]

I walked the appalacian(solo) in 1972, right after I came home from Vietnam, as a former infantry Marine, to try and calm my PTSD. Took me 5 months and cost me $0.00. All my food, water and warmth came from the land. It helped to calm my PTSD alot. Semper Fi

[SO-zizq]

I'm in the UK so no issues with bears. But some years ago I was solo camping in Scotland. I was miles from anywhere and settled down in my tent for a good night's sleep. In the early hours I was woken by noises outside - as I listened I was sure there were a number of people creeping closer to my tent. There was no good reason for anyone to be doing this so I was sure it was trouble. I quickly got out of my sleeping bag and jumped out of the tent rather them risk having it collapsed on top of me. As I emerged into the cold night air I shone my torch around wildly trying to spot whoever was out there. And I did. The empty field I had pitched in earlier was now teaming with rabbits! Absolutely hundreds of the bloody things. I was so relieved I just started laughing and got back into my tent feeling like a right numpty. So good luck to all you guys who have to risk encounters with bears, wolves and such...the rabbits were enough for me!

[yukon]

Thirty years as a police officer taught me to always be armed when camping alone or with my wife. Because of that and my experience, I don't worry much about other people or animals. Now that I'm approaching 70 though, the prospect of health problems or injury when solo camping are something I take seriously. I invested in a personal locator beacon, which seemed to be the best alternative since I refuse to give up the things that mean so much to me like the great outdoors. Most of the areas I frequent have no cell service, so the beacon, while not the perfect solution, at least was a reasonable alternative. I'd rather die doing what I love rather than surrender to old age and fear, but there's nothing wrong with taking all of the reasonable precautions available.

Stay safe everybody!

[johnpew]

Health problems and potentially dangerous animals are a concern. Still, I am more concerned with other human beings as a potential source of danger. For example, I used to camp by myself during hunting season. I would take a pup tent and spend a night or two in the woods. The last time I spent a night in the woods, I returned to my truck later the next day, only to find that someone had taken a dump beside my driver-side door. I know it was a human because they left their toilet tissue. This situation was bizarre, and a creepy feeling came over me. I believe someone had been watching me the entire time. So, yes, I always think about a bear or mountain lion getting into my tent, but it is a human being with bad intentions that I fear most.

[rxonmymind]

I'll never stop saying this.
A $2 whistle might save your life. Put that whistle around the neck of your children when you go hiking in case you get separated.
Carry a whistle even if you go boating. It doesn't just have to be hiking It could be you training for a ultra marathon by yourself through the woods and you trip and fall into a crevice and you can't get out. The search party is looking for you and it's been one day two days three days.
But if you have a whistle with you you can breathe into that if you're too weak to move because you're injured.
Always, always, always carry a whistle with you.
A $2 whistle might save your life and that of your kids.

[jasonblackburn]

Been solo backpacking, canoeing, kayak camping for 30+ years. I will never stop doing it. If I have a heart attack or stroke, I'd much rather have it in the woods than my home, nursing home or hospital.
Having said that, I don't feel like I take unnecessary risks. Everything in life that is worth doing comes with risk.

[ridesmule]

I spent the better part of 9 1/2 years in a western U.S. wilderness area. Most of the time I was alone. I have wintered twice alone with no cabin, minimal supplies and gear and unable to get to town until spring. This was all long before cellphones or internet.
You are absolutely correct.
I have had animal encounters in the day and in the middle of a pitch dark night. (Bear)
I have nearly been killed or injured many times by falling trees or limbs, small and large rocks coming down the mountain from above, once it was a large ice sheet falling from a rock face above me. I have slipped on an icy surface and nearly slid over a large drop. I was skinning an elk once in the cold as darkness began to quickly decend and accidentally drove my skinning knife deep into my thigh. I've taped my wounds shut with toilet paper and duct tape because that is all I had. I have got a short way from camp and found myself having a very dangerous animal encounter only to realise I left my gun in camp. I had the tooth ache from hell once, nothing to do but ride it out until I could get to town again. I could go on but my point ( and yours) is made. You are right, when you are alone you need to think about your footing and where your hands and legs are when using a knife or axe. You need to be in s situational awareness mode or you will find yourself in trouble and may anyway. All of this doesn't mean you shouldn't camp alone or need to live in fear. Those 9 1/2 years were the best years of my life. Good video, important stuff. Be well.

[toddkohut]

I worry about all of these scenarios but I refuse to let it stop me. And I’ve had a heart attack before. Being in the woods soothes my mind though. The physical risks, which are fairly low, are easily outweighed by the mental health benefits I get from being alone in the woods.

[zanefogerty]

Great video. Most people have no clue. I make sure to include 3 things when I go camping: A great flashlight, a dog and a hand gun. Paranoia does creep in when you look out there and see nothing but darkness then hear a twig snapping..I'm subbing

[tailgunnerhikes]

I carry a Garmin Inreach and am tracked. Absolute worst fear is to go missing and family have no closure. Four legged animals don't scare me (but I am not in grizzly area). As long i have the strength to hit the SOS button, I feel reasonably safe. If I am beyond that point, then passing in the wilderness seems better than passing in a hospital bed. At least Garmin will guide S&R.

[robertnicoletti]

Literally thousands of people hike alone. It’s about the solitude. Some people do NOT like being around other people.
Health issues are real. I am not discounting that. I guess you need to have the mindset that you may die. Do not live in fear.
Letting someone know your itinerary. Very good advice.

[stevegabbert]

I've been riding my motorcycles solo for the past 45 years, all over the this country and Canada, more than 540, 000 miles worth. I don't always camp, but I have camped solo many times. In the 80's I pitched my tent solo on Mt. Mitchell, because it was too earl;y for their campground. The Ranger told me to put it up on one of the forest service roads. The only thing that bothered me was the cold. Other times I'd camp solo at race tracks in their parking lots, after the races. Then there was a late in the season camping moment where coyotes were howling around my tent. It woke me up, I sat up and listened to the actual Call of the Wild. Went back to sleep with a smile on my face, that was so cool. I don't eve remember making a campfire, it's usually too late, because of my all day riding, and I NEVER cook at my site. Come to think of it, I never cook anyway, again... because it's usually too late...and I'm lazy. Being constantly in fear is not freedom, remember...I'm riding motorcycles. If ever I was going to get hurt, it would be on them, but I don't worry about that either. Do you realize how free that feels? I'm 70 now, and look forwards to every day that I ride.

[dancoughlin]

There is always some element of risk when going it alone. I've spent a week alone elk hunting in northern Arizona and not seen another person. These hunts were my Christmas present to myself. I love the solitude, the mountains, and mostly, NO OTHER PEOPLE. I don't like depending or putting up with other people. I've always believed that " He who stands alone, stands strongest." You can agree or disagree, I hunt alone and love it that way. I am confident in my abilities and know my limits. Its the way I'm built.

[toddandrews]

Camped for 40 years + by myself. Everyone knew in my 20's and 30's I ran with a tarp, sleeping bag, messkit and coffee pot. No one knew where I was because I didn't know where I was going till I got there.If you're sitting there by a fire scaring yourself you probably should go with others. I figure what happens - happens, other people there isn't going to change it. Enjoy while you can my friend. 👍

[terrysmith]

A friend of mine and I go overlanding usually every year but sometimes he goes by himself. One evening after setting up his camp he was approached by four crackheads in a car, they were out in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately my friend was heavily armed and the crackheads left. My friend then packed up his camp and mooved several miles away to camp for the night.

[robinfleet]

Camping alone can magnify one's fears, insecurities. This is hard-coded in one's make-up and is the primary reason why we group together and form communities...it assuages our individual fears, offers a sense of protection even if that isn't the reality. Merely being in the wilderness with another can diminish the chances, falsely or not, of perceiving a threat and have that instance runaway in the person's imagination. Being alone in the wilderness tests not only one's physical fitness.

[daisygirl]

As a woman who loves to hike and camp, I am now in a place where I live a very secluded life. But I crave being in nature, so I hike all over the place, by myself. I always carry pepper spray, a jagged army knife, water, food and now placement markers in case I am on a trail with crappy signs. I also have tried camping by myself. The first time was awful because my PTSD got triggered when a group of young men showed up at this secluded campground drunk and wild. The second time went really well and I did it for two days. I picked a place that had other campers there so though it was in a secluded area, there were plenty of people around me. Once I set up my tent, every time I had to go pee I would go around my tent area. I did that the whole time I was there. I learned that from a long time ago that leaving your urine scent around your tent help deter wild animals from messing with you. (Still not quite sure how valid that is but, I was told it was a good strategy to put in place while in the wild).

I can't not do things I love just because I have no one to go with. So if I end up dying in the woods due to my health, wild animals, a falling tree then so be it. I'd rather die in the woods with nature than where I live any day. So I guess it's a matter of how you look at it. I also suggest that, though your information on the dangers of camping alone, you didn't give your views any information on tips and strategies to prevent those things from happening. I think the video would have been much more informative had you done that.

Anyways, here's to all of us solo campers who have the balls to do it alone!