Going out to enjoy an amazing hike is something that can be a wonderful experience for the solo traveler, and the benefits of hiking alone often make it a more interesting activity than hiking as a part of a group. The chances of seeing animals and other wildlife are diminished when a group of humans come trampling through their habitat, so keep your eyes open and enjoy the countryside around you.


However, there are some basic safety tips that you should always consider, and if you are planning an expedition to some truly remote and remarkable areas, it is worth having built your solo hiking experience before embarking on such a journey.

 

Navigation And Useful Tools

Being able to identify where you are and how far you are from your rest spot or your hut for the night is a very important skill, although in many cases if you are walking on well maintained routes, the signposts will do most of this work for you. Having a compass and map and knowing how to use them is a very useful skill, and practicing these kinds of skills in areas you are familiar with before heading out into the wilderness is a good idea. Also, make sure you get a good map and don't just take the illustrated guides provided by tourist boards, as these will often not be to scale, and in some cases can be misleading.

GPS is a very useful tool for the solo hiker, but make sure that it will work and has maps covering the area that you will be exploring before you head out on to the trail.

However, having a GPS doesn't mean you should neglect taking a map and compass, as paper very rarely has technical difficulties or problems connecting, making it a very good backup.

 

Planning Your Expedition

Make sure that you let somebody else know about your plans for your expedition, where you are likely to be during your trip and whether or not you will have any opportunities to check in as you hike. It is important to ensure that you have researched your route carefully, and that it is within your capabilities to complete the route. For example, if you are heading into remote areas of the Himalayas where altitude sickness can be a problem, make sure you have tried a guided trip first so that you will know the kind of symptoms to expect once you are at high altitude.

 

Packing Appropriately For The Journey

One of the most important parts of your preparations for an expedition is to make sure you have the right equipment, and the most important thing is to make sure you have the appropriate clothing. Waterproofs are vital, and if you are exploring in areas where it can get quite cold, appropriate warm clothing is also vital for the trip. Make sure you pack enough food for the time on the trail, and that you have a water filter or water purification tablets so that you can collect drinking water as you travel. If your trip takes you into a very remote area, taking an emergency beacon that will alert local authorities is definitely a precaution to consider.

 

Preparing For The Unexpected

Although hiking solo is an amazingly liberating and interesting experience, there are several things that can go wrong while you are hiking, from blisters and muscle injuries through to more serious problems. While you can take a cell phone with you, it is not always possible to be able to call for help in the wilderness, so having a few survival essentials such a bivouac bag and a first aid kit are great additions to your rucksack. When it comes to wild animals, research the type of animals that are present in the area you are exploring, and try to avoid them as much as possible.

 

Safety Advice For Female Solo Hikers

The vast majority of female hikers find that they are no more vulnerable than male hikers on the trail, but if your route does take you through urban or suburban areas it is possible you may get unwanted attention. It may be worth carrying pepper spray just in case, but for the vast majority of women it will be unnecessary. When it comes to staying in wilderness huts, not all of these will have segregated accommodation, so getting used to getting changed inside your sleeping bag will also help to avoid attracting unwanted attention in the evenings, although problems are very rare.