Long-winded...sorry...
This thread means more to me after having just returned from only my 2nd solo backpacking trip ever (Uintas - Ryder, McPheters, and Kermsuh Lakes, and Hayden Peak). I love the different opinions and comments about soloing, guns, companions, fears, pros, cons, etc. Thanks for you comments!
For me the hardest part is the nighttime while I'm trying to sleep. It's unnerving to me. I "hear" all sorts of stuff...even with earplugs in! My co-worker suggested Valium. =)
Some of my thoughts intermingled with some questions:
- A gun is heavy and undesirable but would most definitely give me some peace of mind. Concealed permit needed? I guess bear spray could be a good option.
- Taking a dog would be awesome! I wish I had one. Any loaners out there? Haha. I've heard mixed reviews about dogs keeping bears away.
- Animals. I fear them. Mostly irrationally and mostly at night. Moose, cougars, bears... But, I realize the chances of an encounter is super low. On a rafting trip (Green River/Deloation Canyon) I had a scary experience. I was sleeping in my tent about 100 feet from the other people in my group. In the middle of the night a large animal rolled up to my tent and I could hear it breathing and huffing (and maybe even stomping)? It just sounded big, mean, and angry! I went from dead asleep to wide awake with a POUNDING heart with lots of adrenaline. It stayed there for several minutes. I was paralyzed with fear. It finally went away. A girl that was in the nearest tent asked her boyfriend if he "heard that"? "What? That was nothing...it was a deer...go back to sleep!" Haha. Anyhow, a year or two later, I heard that they had to put down a
problematic bear at that very camp! I reckon this is why I fear animals at night!
- Soloing is slightly lonely but it's great to just do your own thing. No contraints, noise, begging people to go with you, etc.
-I'd say about 15-20% of the people I see in the backcountry are solo. What do you think?
- Safety - Definitely need to be experienced, be smart, safe, let someone know, etc. I soloed Hayden Peak and thought, "Man...this would be a bad place to roll an ankle, break a leg, or take a fall!"
- Tents - I like using one to keep the creepy crawlies off me as well. That, and it provides an impervious barrier between me and the hungry bear.
- I took an mp3 player for when the trail got really long and monotonous. Is that bad to take tunes into the backcoutnry!? =)
Nick, how many solo trips did you end up doing this year? I'd be curious to see what people prefer. Solo vs. NOT solo. Can you do a poll? =)
Cheers,
Mike