Backpacking into the wilderness with friends for a night on its own can be an uncomfortable task, but what if you decide to backpack in… alone? Is solo backpacking even safe? Is being alone in the wilderness a good idea or a bad idea?

If you're like me, you probably want to hit the trail as much as possible, but often find yourself not having anyone to go with because personal schedules rarely ever line up. You’re then left with two choices; you either go backpacking alone or you don't go at all.

I've been there myself and I've had my moment of "Emory, you're going to do this!" only to find myself finding every excuse NOT to go backpacking that weekend because I didn't want to spend a night by myself in the mountains.

FUN FACT: I once backpacked in during the hunting season with the intent to camp overnight, only to hunt for the day and return home because I couldn't go through with it so, trust me when I say I've been there and understand where you’re coming from.

For most of us, backpacking alone doesn’t come naturally but if you follow these 14 tips on how to start down that path to being alone in the wilderness and really put some effort into it, you'll get there. It may take weeks, months, or for some, years but when you finally complete that first solo backpacking trip, you’re going to feel empowered and free. From there, it’s a whole new world of adventures.

If that sounds good to you, keep reading.

How to start backpacking alone.

WHY BACKPACK ALONE?

I like people and you like people, but sometimes those people either don’t like backpacking like I like backpacking or their schedules never align with mine. This was the story of my life until I became so frustrated with having trips canceled a the last minute or not being scheduled at all that I decided I’d just go backpacking alone, but that was easier said than done.

I tried backpacking alone once and failed, but I had a breakthrough later on in the Goat Rocks Wilderness that gave me a glimpse of what it was like to be out there solo and it was absolutely amazing. To make a long story short, I had to cut a trip short which required me to hike back out to my truck 6 miles on my own while the others pressed on with their hike. It felt weird walking away from my group, but after about a mile or so I got into a groove and before long I was bouncing down the trail with an odd sense of freedom.

Those 6 miles went by in a flash and when I got to the trailhead I sat down for a minute and thought about how those 6 miles were some of the best I’d ever hiked in my life. No one was there to pressure me to walk faster, take a break, or talk to me. I was on my own to do what I wanted, move how I wanted, and stop when I wanted.

It was incredible, so I leaned into it more and eventually got to the point where I actually preferred backpacking alone for a few reasons.

I could go backpacking when I wanted and where I wanted.
No one but me could cancel my backpacking plans.
I could go backpacking more.
I didn’t have to worry about someone else’s performance on the trail.
Backpacking alone made me feel free.
I enjoyed myself more.
Being alone made me a better backpacker because I couldn’t rely on anyone else.
Did I mention I could go backpacking more?

The list of reasons why you’d want to start backpacking really comes down to the freedom it gives you to explore and the personal confidence it instills in you. But getting from terrified to comfortable isn’t always easy, so let’s break it down and give you actionable steps to start down this road of solo backpacking.

EASE INTO SOLO BACKPACKING

If the idea of hiking and backpacking alone freaks you out, then ease into it. Depending on how freaked out you ARE, you might just want to try going for a drive in the mountains alone. That itself can be weird at first.

From there, just slowly work up to it. Try going for a hike alone on a trail that you know or that’s you know will have other people on it. After you’ve done that a few times and you’re familiar with the feeling of being “alone,” try hiking a longer trail by yourself or going into an area you’re not as familiar with.

BEFORE you go backpacking ALONE, try spending ALL DAY hiking alone at some point. The more time you have in the wilderness by yourself, the more familiar it’s going to feel when you’re out there backpacking alone. All you’re trying to do here is get familiar with the feeling of being ALONE so it’s not such a foreign feeling when that’s finally the reality.

If your jitters are REALLY bad and walking alone down a trail is daunting, start by going for a drive in the mountains by yourself. It sounds silly, but there was a time in my younger years that the simple act of driving alone was weird.

how to start backpacking alone — Image courtesy of kilarov zaneit @kilarov345

BACKPACK IN WITH FRIENDS, BUT SLEEP ALONE

No more doubling up in a tent. You NEED to get used to the idea of being in your tent alone.

I once went on a backpacking trip with someone who was creeped out by camping next to me in their own tent for the night and basically didn’t sleep a single wink. It’s totally fine. Remember, this is a PROCESS so give yourself a break and trust that you’ll get there eventually.

Start by getting used to sleeping alone when you're with friends. At first, camp near where everyone else is, then for your next trip and those following, move your camp further and further away from other tents.

When you can relax in your tent without hearing those camping around you, then you're likely ready to move on to the next stage.

START DOING BACKPACKING TASKS ON YOUR OWN

Don’t allow someone else set your backpacking kit up, plan the trip, or anything else. You need to be the one doing that stuff.

One way to do this is to take someone backpacking who’s never been before. You get to play guide for a weekend or a night and get the practice of being the one in charge. When I started doing this myself, my knowledge and confidence went through the roof! Having someone else’s enjoyment and safety on your shoulders makes you think differently and it will prepare you for when you’re finally alone.

BACKPACK ALONE SOMEWHERE FAMILIAR TO YOU

If you’re headed out on your first backpacking trip ALONE, I’d suggest going somewhere you’ve been before. It’s stressful enough going alone for the first time, so go somewhere you know and feel confident in.

Also, don’t make it a huge trip of it. A short overnighter just a few miles in is totally fine.

If you’re not yet comfortable with the idea of being alone in the woods, an entry point for this step might be just CAMPING at a campsite by yourself for the first time. Let's get you camping at a popular location first so you can see what happens to your thoughts when you're alone at night.

The enemy here is your brain. You have thousands of years of human history and survival telling yourself you shouldn't be alone in the dark. This is good! It keeps you alive, but it will also keep you awake and if you're not in control of it, it will eat you alive.

At this stage, practice relaxing. Do whatever you need to do to feel comfortable at night being alone.

DISTRACT YOUR BRAIN

The caveman inside of you will hate you when the sun goes down. In fact, it’ll hate you when you leave the trail alone because we’re social beings and being alone is not “safe” based on millions of years of evolution. Know that going into this and understand that whatever you’re feeling inside that tells you to run the hell back to your vehicle is just part of how you’re wired.

It’ll go away or subside eventually, but at first, you need something to distract yourself from those primal fears. We’re all different so do what you think works best for you, but I’ve found that music really helps. I’ll toss some tunes on for a short while until my brain calms down and will do this even in my tent at night (given I’m not camped near anyone).

I’ll also make small vlogs for my wife and kids to show them where I’m at and what I’m up to at that moment. This helps to snap my brain out of the state it’s in and allows me to take my surroundings in. I also think the act of talking out loud about something is beneficial.

This idea of distracting your brain could be done with literally anything. A book, a hobby like photography, art, or anything else that allows you to break that mental loop you’re experiencing at that moment. Heck, a great-tasting snack will even do it.

Whatever you enjoy and think will take your mind off of the dark place it may be in, do that.

CAMP WHERE YOU FEEL SAFE

Going back to the idea of being a caveman, I’d suggest camping somewhere that feels safe. For me, that looks like an open space with some sort of a view of the surrounding area. Basically, anything but being camped in the woods where creepy sounds are plenty and light is nil. Others, maybe they feel safest by a body of water like a running creek, a cliff wall, or something that creates a barrier between them and the wilderness.

The fact is that some places out there just feel creepy so do your best to avoid those and pick a spot that makes you feel safe and secure.

Image courtesy of Dino Reichmuth @dinoreichmuth

TIRE YOURSELF OUT PHYSICALLY

I’ve found the more awake I am going into the evening, the more my mind begins to play tricks on me so I do my best to wear myself out as much as possible so my mind has only two things it’s focused on; food and sleep. It’s for these reasons that I tend to wait until dusk to pitch my tent because the more time in camp I have to think, the more I start to really think about what in the world I’m doing out there.

If you’re headed out solo, I’d suggest either doing some bigger miles so you’ll be tired in camp or waiting until the afternoon to hike out to camp so you’re not just sitting there alone for hours on end waiting for the sun to go down.

It’s not an exact science, but the main concept here is the more tired you are from your hike, the less your brain will think about being alone and the better off you’ll be out there.

BRING WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL SAFE

We’ve talked about where you may want to camp, what you may what to do to keep your brain on track and how you want to approach this solo backpacking thing so the only thing left to discuss is what to bring with you on your solo hike. This is the part where you have to decide for yourself what you feel is appropriate and it’s also the part where some kind of personal defense or animal defense mechanism is brought into the conversation. Whether that’s a firearm, bear spray, a large knife, taser, or that ninja star you’ve been practicing with your whole life, the idea is that this one is on you to decide based on your personal preference and capabilities.

For me, my trajectory went from carrying a handgun all the time to not taking more than a small pocket knife. I understand and value all opinions and approaches with regard to self-defense so you won’t see any judgment from me on what you decide because the only thing that matters is that you feel safe out there and that you’re responsible with whatever you’ve chosen to bring with you.

MENTAL CHECKLIST AND 14 TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST SOLO BACKPACKING TRIP

Whether you've taken 5 months to get here or you've taken 5 years, you're here and that's the only thing that matters. It's important to plan out your first solo backpacking trip so that it's successful and doesn't leave you stressed out once the sun goes down. At some point or another, things are going to get weird upstairs so, have a plan to battle it when it happens (this literally happens to everyone so don’t sweat it)

Below are some tips and tricks to manage your first trip out alone into the backcountry.

PLAN AN EASY ROUTE YOU’RE FAMILIAR WITH: You don't need any surprises the first time out in unfamiliar country.
AVOID AREAS WITH BEARS: Let's work up to that...or not.
BRING A GARMIN INREACH OR SPOT DEVICE THAT SENDS TWO WAY MESSAGES: Texting loved ones will make you feel closer to home. If you can camp in a location with cell service, then great! Texting someone pictures from the day will make you feel like a badass.
CHOOSE A CAMPSITE THAT ISN’T TUCKED AWAY IN THE CREEPY WOODS: The forest makes a lot of noises at night and it's something you'll want to work up to. At first, pick a spot that is open where you can see a bit of distance. This won't make you feel like the world is closing in on you once the sun goes down.
PITCH YOUR CAMP BY A NATURAL BARRIER LIKE A ROCK WALL OR RIVER: This can give you the feeling of protection subconsciously.
FIND A HOBBY LIKE VLOGGING OR PHOTOGRAPHY: I shoot small vlogging videos for my wife and send them when I can. It’s a way to share my experience AND take my mind off of things. Taking pictures is also a great way to be creative and take the edge off.
EAT GOOD FOOD: Like really good food…. Food is comforting so pull out all the stops!
READ A BOOK: Reading brings you somewhere else and tires out your brain.
PLAY MUSIC: Anytime I'm hiking early in the morning or late at night, I like to play music to help calm my nerves. The same goes for at night. If you're getting the creeps, turn on some tunes!
TIRE YOURSELF OUT: An awake brain is a stressed brain. Hike until you’re tired so all you have energy for is making camp, eating, and falling asleep. If I’m alone, I try my best NOT to be in camp early because it’s boring and lonely. I hike until dusk, watch the sun start setting and make camp. You’ll sleep better and feel better.
HANG YOUR FOOD AT NIGHT: If it makes you feel better, hang your food and toiletries so you know for sure bears won't bother you. This also prevents other critters from getting to your food and making it sound like there's a monster animal outside when it's really just a mouse.
BUILD A NEST INSIDE YOUR TENT: This sounds weird, but it helps not to have empty space in your tent. Bring your stuff inside and snuggle in.
BRING WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL SAFE: If that’s bear spray or a gun, then great. Eventually, you’ll not have to bring those things, but in those early stages, it’s fine. Whatever makes you feel secure is important.
RELAX: Breathe in the mountain air, listen to the birds, and remember that you were meant to be out there. The wilderness is where your entire bloodline lived for a very long time, you just have to reacquaint yourself with it.

FINAL ADVICE FOR BACKPACKING ALONE

Backpacking alone is a process and a personal journey, but it’s 100% worth it. In time you’ll get there, we all do, so just stick with it!

The wild places we visit have the ability to teach us so many things if we just take the time to listen. If you're confident enough to spend a night alone in the backcountry, what can't you do?

Backpacking Alone: A Step-By-Step Guide (with video!)

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