Start Backpacking Alone (8 GREAT TIPS!)

Start Backpacking Alone (8 great tips!)

Backpacking alone can be freeing, however, it can be equally as terrifying the first few times you do it. For me, it didn't come naturally, but I worked at it and am now to the point where it's not a big deal if I have to go alone.

We all start somewhere on this "alone" journey, so in this video, I give you 8 tips for how to start backpacking alone. There's something here for everyone, no matter WHERE you're at with how comfortable you are being alone.

ABOUT ME:
👋 My name is Emory, and I love helping people learn how to backpack, so I've dedicated this channel to offering practical tips and techniques, down-to-earth perspectives on gear, and general outdoor commentary to help you improve your experience in the backcountry.

Emory, By Land

P.S. Don't forget to check out my beginner backpacking course!

This channel is dedicated to helping you get better at backpacking. I hope these videos leave you feeling inspired and encouraged to pursue that backcountry adventure you’ve been dreaming of!

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[marksharman]

I trekked in the Himalaya, alone, for 25 days. The Tea House system really helped but I did not rely on it entirely. I trek my own country, alone, all the time. To be honest I meet many people who trek alone. I enjoy the experience of being isolated in nature. I'm 67 next birthday, I have been doing this since my early 20s.

[tobystreks]

I ALWAYS go alone. I can’t lie… some nights I don’t sleep well. If it’s light I’m 100 percent fine. Once I zip the tent up to go to sleep…. My mind wonders, I hear every noise. Animals don’t bother me…. It’s people. The best sleep I get is when it’s raining. Maybe it’s weird but I’m not worried about people if it’s pouring rain all night.

[bendaniels]

Years ago I struggled with some personal things and made some bad choices. Being alone always scared me. Because I was alone with my thoughts. I’ve been working on training myself to be content with where I’m at, what I’m doing or who I’m with. I was able to do some of the AT alone a couple months ago, and it was a great experience. I was nervous leading up to it, but the moment I touched the trail head sign I was ready to go and feeling motivated.
What I learned: responsibly putting yourself out of your comfort zone will build resilience and a different kind of confidence. Not only that, but it teaches you to control your emotions and your thoughts.

[countrygirlbaker]

You made great points! The only thing I'd add is that at night laying in your hammock or tent every noise you hear IS going to sound like sasquatch walking right next to you!! However it's usually a deer mouse! So don't be scared anything that may be out there most always just walk past! They are as curious as we

[davidjohnston]

dont ever wear headphones out in the woods is one of the mistakes you'll ever make don't do it - you need to listen to the woods at all times - you
wonder why you get in trouble not listening

[moos]

I have to agree hunting or backpacking alone really allows freedom. I had a hunting partner bail on me mid trip. I stayed camped alone unexpectedly. I was really able to evolve as a hunter on that trip here in AZ. Originally from the Midwest where hunting is completely different. I was mid 30’s at the time. 39 now but I can still get tripped up by noises in the night lol.

[inthewoodsintheword]

My first ever backpacking trip. Didn't know what I was doing. Dropped off at Springer alone ride home wasn't for 2 weeks. Got picked up last road crossing in Georgia. Learned a lot. Through suffering one gains character. Did not follow your advice. About 40 years later still enjoy backpacking alone and with others.

[edhaynes]

You offered some good advice. Myself, I have lots of hiking/backpacking experience from my youth and again for over the past 15 years or so. I'm older and slower and have several heath issues but I still can get out there and get in some mileage. I carry no weapons. People worry about crazy people who might be in the wilderness. I'm in my mid 70's. I hike solo. I tend to stay well off the trails. I AM THAT CRAZY GUY so there's nothing for me to be worried about. :) I don't listen to music. I just "think" and make plans in my head during my hours of hiking. I tend to place my tent far away from others (I snore and fart). But I do enjoy exchanging stories with those whom I meet on the trails. I love to take photos of critters and other things that I observe while on those hikes.

New hikers seem concerned about noise they hear at night. A bird in a bush will sound like a bear to them (why is it always bears?). For those people I would suggest setting up camp near running waters. The natural sounds of the waters will drown out many noises and also help in getting to sleep. If the wind is blowing then setting up camp near trees with the wind whistling through them will also help drown out the noise. Just don't place the tent anywhere that limbs might fall. Of course, the waters and winds can hide the noise of the bears that pass by the camp. (evil grin)

No matter what - people need to get out there and start enjoying the outdoors.

[aylagriffin]

Fellow PNW Backpacker here! My kiddo has been my adventure buddy, and I camped and backpacked with her hundreds of times before I decided to try doing anything solo. This past summer I did my first solo bikepacking trip, and it's amazing how different it is to just be out there alone. But now that I've done it, I'm so excited to get out and do more trips alone, and with my kiddo.

[dorindaalberthal]

Thank you for the helpful information and encouragement . I’m hiking alone more and more and like you said, love the freedom that it brings. I’m so impressed by solo backpackers, and hopefully someday I will have the courage to do that.
Safe and happy trails

[FLsheepdog]

You are soooo right about not depending on others.
Same thing with the gym.
When I started solo it was so less stressful.
With others it felt like babysitting, if they didn't back out in the first place.

[BurroGirl]

I've always had a dog with me - great warning system for bears, intruders. And they are better company than many humans!

[ironpig]

Great video. One thing Id add is when you do go out for first time overnight go when its ideal conditions. Its not the time to camp in the snow or blazing heat. Then work up to those kind of conditions.

[thenomad]

I definitely get not having someone to go with or having people back out last minute, I’ve been there too. I’ve gone on a few solo trips, and have a couple more planned in the next couple years. I enjoy knowing whether or not I go on a trip isn’t dependent on someone else. Besides, it’s hard enough to get the wife to let me go, I don’t need to have one more person in the mix to keep me from going.

[RicMor]

Great video and great tips. I would add: Always tell a friend or significant other about your plan (and share your intended route with them on a map, these days it's so easy to do with all the navigation apps available), and carry a satellite communicator. Trekking alone is very liberating, but it has to be hassle-free for your loved ones too. If you're heading off to the mountains alone and some inconvenience delays or derails your plan, you're going to have some people worrying about you at home if you didn't take the precaution of telling them where you were going and have no way to communicate to them that you're Ok. Do it for them of course, but do it for yourself as well.

[falcon]

I’m a hammock camper, I used to walk alone through woods without lights to get home so I’m pretty used to the woods, I know how much our brains like to play tricks on us. But if you get that weird feeling you’re being watched, 90% chance you are.
But I love camping between the trees, the closed in feeling gives me the comfort. I always try to set up my hammock as stealthily as I can with colours that blend in at night. I don’t live in the US and where I live the only people in the woods at night are crazies and kids who camp or do shit like that.
And civilisation is relatively close to every major camping spot.
I like to be weary about that but in general it’s very safe anyway

[stonetoolcompany]

I've been solo backing (mostly) for around 50 years. I look for the less popular trails where I hopefully will not encounter anybody, but they are getting harder and harder to find. Rule #1 for me is never on a weekend. I have flexibility that way that most people do not. I hammock camp these my back takes it better. Never carry technology or music machines.... They just distract from the environment you are I'm there to get away from civilization. I prefer if I am with someone to separate by 1/4 mile or so.... it's easier and you are not tempted to chatter mindlessly as many people do. I live and pack in the Rockies and have for many years, but though it is bear country, I never carry any kind of weapon except in the rare circumstance I'm with someone who is nervous... bear spray. I've had plenty of encounters though. I do not know of a single case where someone fought off an angry bear with a pistol.... not one! If someone else does, I'd like to hear the story (Alaska is a different story of course).
One entertaining trip happened in '71 as I recollect. Hiking from the Columbia Gorge to Timberline Lodge, we budgeted ourselves 5 days for the 50 miles so as to have goof off time, and knowing the elevation gain is brutal... Just myself and my most reliable adventure and packing companion. We often did 20 miles in a day on the PCT, and hiked hundreds of miles of it in Oregon and Washington... and even a bit in Canada (From Manning south). There are too many interesting side trips to rush along the whole way in that kind of country. Our equipment was basic... Kelty D4 packs, Lowa Alpspits boots (him), and Galbriers for me, Svea 123 stoves, and "grocery store pack food", etc We made fairly good time, and had taken a number of side explorations, goofing off a trying to prove anything.... What do you have left to prove when you've circled Mt Hood in one nonstop "day hike" ...just to prove we could.... much of it at night. I still know of nobody else who ever did that. The most I've ever done in one "day hike" since then was 38 miles.... again much of it at night.... In Montana's Castle Mountains, and it was out of necessity.
Ahead of "schedule", our ride was not showing up at the lodge until afternoon the next day, we made camp about 5 miles north of the somewhere north of Zig Zag Canyon. It was getting dark, we'd done dinner and washed up, and were ready to knock off, talking about what we'd do the next climbing and glissading, etc. Two teenage girls showed up in camp in street shoes and light jackets! They'd come to meet boyfriends who were supposed to finish the hike that day.... presumably planning to camp with them??? They were a LONG way out there for being as ill equipped as they were as night was falling. We couldn't accommodate them for the night realistically, having one tent and two mummy bags, (we never built fires) so after breaking out our supplies and feeding them, we set out after full dark for Timberline Lodge. One penlight was all we had, and of course that is not enough to do anything except ruin your night vision. Taking it very slowly and carefully, much of the trail steep and rocky, especially the canyon, we arrived late at night... around midnight. They went into the lodge to sleep somewhere, we camped in the woods. In the morning the two boys showed decked out in military surplus equipment. Wood frame packs, canvas top boots, camo clothing, big knives, etc. They had left 2 days after we had and expected to make it a day before we planned to do the math!! They arrived by car! Some people just don't belong in the wilderness! He and I were young, tough as nails, confident, experienced, and fearless (but careful and prepared).

[theoutdoordogandhikinggirl]

Being in the outdoors for me is really like freedom. Do what YOU want, take a break when YOU want, hike the number of miles YOU want, eating what YOU want etc...
I have nobody around me to go with me, so I am always out alone. Sometimes I wish I had somebody with me, but my dog is an amazing and maybe the best company I can ask for. Alltough he is tiny....he is amazing.

You absolutely gave some great tips for the beginner solo hikers 👍

[wolfeadventures]

Took me 11 minutes to realize I know this voice. Really enjoyed the video and podcasts.

[pootinplays]

THe first few times I backpacked alone I hiked smaller miles maybe 3-5 miles with my pack and then camped at a campground where I felt more safe as there were other people nearby just to start to get used to it. And then the first time I backpacked into the backcountry I brought my dog. It was only a 9 mile round trip but I 100% agree start out small. Don't feel like you have to compete with all these big 20+ mile a day youtube hikers. They are VERY fit and have alot more experience.