Travelling solo can teach you many things about yourself and how to be independent. And hiking can be a fantastic activity, especially when you’ve got the chance to explore a new trail. If you’re going on a solo hiking trip for the first time, you should keep some essential safety tips. While you’re not likely to encounter any danger when you’re out on the trail, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Essential for Your Solo Hiking Trip
- Tell Someone Where You’re Going
This might seem like an obvious tip, but it’s so important that it bears repeating: when you go out on a solo hiking trip alone, make sure someone knows where you’re going and when they can expect you back.
Not only is this helpful in case of an emergency, but it’s also an excellent way to stay motivated during the hike itself — knowing that someone will wonder where you are if you don’t check back in at a certain time can give you an extra boost of encouragement during those times when all you want to do is turn around and head home. If you don’t want to tell anyone, leave a note with details of your planned route and when you expect to be back, so others know where to find you if necessary.
- Always Carry A Phone
Cell phone reception is spotty at best on a most solo hiking trip, but keep it on your person even if you can’t get service. A dead phone can still be used as a flashlight or a camera in emergencies, making it essential to your hiking gear list.
- Keep Emergency Contacts On Hand
It’s usually not enough to just have someone know where you are. You should also have your emergency contacts on hand if something happens while you’re out on the trail. This is especially true if you’re on a solo hiking trip. You should have a list of names and contact information for family members or friends who will be able to assist you in an emergency.
It’s also essential to register with park authorities before leaving on your hike. That way, if you don’t make it back by a particular time, they’ll know where to start looking for you.
If you have any chronic medical conditions or allergies that could threaten your health in the event of an injury, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet while hiking. That way, if you’re hurt and unable to communicate effectively with first responders, they’ll still be able to get the information they need to treat you properly.
- Always Bring A Map And Compass
When we use our smart phones in our daily lives, it’s natural for us to assume that they’ll work everywhere we go — even those places without cell service. Unfortunately, that’s usually not the case. If you get lost on the trail, and there’s no service available on your smartphone, this could lead to a dangerous situation if you don’t have any other way of finding your way back home. Make sure you have a paper map of the area as well as
- Know The Area
Whether it’s a day solo hiking trip or an overnight expedition, choose a trail that suits your skill level and experience. It’s best to avoid anything too extreme or complicated until you get used to navigating alone in the woods. If you’re still unsure of which trail to pick, find one that has been recommended by other hikers before. That way, you’ll be sure that at least somebody else has already gone through it and survived!
- Pack Plenty of Water and Food
Food and water are essential no matter what solo hiking trip you go on, but they’re even more critical when hiking alone. Make sure that you pack enough so that if you do get lost or delayed, you’ll have enough until help arrives. It’s also important to ensure that there’s plenty of water along the trail if it’s not available at any campsites or other locations along your route.
The Bottom Line
It can be a bit scary to pack up and head out for the weekend for those just starting out on their first solo hiking trip. You don’t know exactly what the terrain will look like or what the experience will be like.
This makes planning your solo hiking trip the more important. You need to have a pretty solid idea of what type of supplies, equipment, and gear you will pack for your first time. The more prepared you are, the better the trip will be!
