Safety Tips for the Trail: A Backpacking Guide

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9 MUST-KNOW BACKPACKING SAFETY TIPS

Solo hiking and backpacking is a hotly contested activity in the outdoor world; you either love it or hate it. However there is an allure to spending a night out in the wilderness alone. The quiet moments become meditative and you escape the distractions of everyday life. Before you head out on your backpacking or solo backpacking trip, take a little more care to double check your safety. Here are several backpacking safety tips to help you stay safe on the trails.

1) CARRY THE TEN ESSENTIALS

It doesn’t matter if you’re solo or in a big group, always pack the Ten Essentials when your backpacking. It seems like a no-brainer, but when you’re used to splitting up gear with a partner, it’s easy to forget a lighter or an extra layer. Here’s a look at the Ten Essentials you’ll want in your pack:

  • A headlamp (always with extra batteries of course!)

  • Extra food, don’t forget the camp stove

  • Fire starting kit. I like to bring a lighter and a Light My Fire fire starter (this is like a flint, for emergencies).

  • A way to filter water. Backup filtration, such as a few iodine and chlorine tablets don’t hurt.

  • Tent or other shelter. Take the pieces of the tent out of the bag to save a few ounces.

  • First Aid Kit – preferably one specific to backpacking

  • Extra layers. It gets cold at night and if you’re stuck in an expected bout of bad weather, you’ll be thankful. Include items such as a hat and gloves.

  • Navigation. Always bring your GPS loaded and ready to go as well as a paper map with a compass. Learn how to use a both your GPS and your compass before heading out solo.

  • Sun protection such as sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.

  • A knife. Infinitely handy in the backcountry. A sturdy switchblade will do.

  • Additional Items: An emergency beacon. For solo backpackers, this can be the difference between life and death. Be sure to check the batteries and test the signal before heading out.

Aside from the Ten Essentials, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got everything you need with you on the trail. Are you traveling over snowy terrain? Is it muddy and do you need waterproof boots and gaiters? What about bug spray? Oh and you never want to forget those coveted pair of cozy shoes to drive home in (your feet can thank me later).

2) DO YOUR RESEARCH

Far too many people head out into the wilderness without doing their homework. Before you head out on any backpacking trip (ESPECIALLY if you are going solo backpacking), be sure to understand what your particular trail entails. It helps to put all of this on a digital document (called a Backpacking Trip Plan), that you can then leave with someone you trust.

 

3) NAVIGATION KNOW-HOW

If you are the group leader of a backpacking trip or if you embark on a solo backpacking trip, you have the reins. This means that you’re in charge of getting from point A to point B. What happens if your GPS fails? Do you know how to read a map and find your position with a compass? Are you traveling off-trail in the backcountry?

Even if you plan on traveling along a popular trail, it’s important to know how to navigate. Social trails, or trails that people create by going off route, pop up all the time in popular wilderness areas. If you’re traveling during a snowy season (or before the snow melts) the trail can often be covered.

A lot of backpackers rely too heavily on their phones or the wisdom of their partner. Before you head out alone, get comfortable with navigating using the old-school map and compass. Practice on easier trails at home, but I also highly recommend that you invest in a GPS. I literally never go anywhere (hiking or backpacking) without a GPS of some sort with me (if you look carefully in a lot of my photos, you’ll see my Garmin 64st handheld GPS hanging off my backpack in nearly every photo). GPS and map navigation is an essential skill that every backpacker should invest time in learning how to do themselves.

Navigation goes beyond map and compass. Avalanche safety is a serious endeavor in any alpine terrain. Just because it isn’t winter doesn’t mean avalanche conditions don’t exist. Follow the latest reports, read recent trail reviews, and study up on avalanche terrain if you’re traveling in the mountains while there’s snow on the ground. Lastly, don’t forget to hone your rock navigation skills if you are traveling over mountain passes with rocky trails.

 

4) HAVE A PLAN, AND TELL SOMEONE YOU TRUST

We already discussed the importance of creating a solid Trip Plan before you hit the trail. This document is like a solo backpacking bible, and you’ll want to leave it with someone you trust.

No one ever anticipates having a problem in the outdoors, but it’s important to be prepared for the worst. Use the plan you devised to prepare for your trip as well as give valuable safety information to the person you trust. Include your tentative outdoor safety trip plan with your proposed areas where you will camp and when you plan on getting back to the trailhead. Be sure to set a check-in time. If your trusted friend hasn’t heard from you, have them attempt to contact you directly, then the authorities if you haven’t responded within the hour. I recommend including the following in your trip plan (note: these items have been recommended to me by actual search and rescue personnel):

  • Description of your vehicle, include your license plate number

  • Description of your tent or pack

  • Description of you. Note any unique characteristics such as a tattoo, facial hair or hair color.

  • Any known allergies or medical conditions

  • The number for the local sheriff’s office. This is typically who you call in a search and rescue scenario.

  • Your packing list – oftentimes search and rescue needs to know how prepared you are for an emergency.

  • A GPX file (strongly recommended).

  • Are you carrying an emergency beacon?

Include directions for your emergency contact to help them prepare for the worst case scenario. Give a time at which they should call the authorities and note who to call. Also make a note to send along the trip plan to search and rescue.

Also be sure to always carry your ID.

I once asked a friend who works with search and rescue to tell me one thing that all hikers should carry. His response was identification. It sounds grim, but if you have your ID on you and things go horribly wrong, the authorities will be able to identify your body without asking your family. I don’t like to think about these things, but if a negligible amount of weight saves your family some trauma, I’d say keep it with you.

5) MAKE NOISE

If wildlife is a concern (particularly if you are backpacking in bear country), stay noisy on the trail. Often times, unwanted animal encounters occur because the animal is just as surprised to see you as you are. Talk loudly to yourself, sing or bang on rocks to make noise as you travel down the trail. This doesn’t need to be a constant orchestra of awful, but it helps to get loud a few times an hour.

If I’m backpacking in a group its easy enough for me to chat with my backpacking partners and be loud enough on the trails as we hike, however, if I’m backpacking solo I usually like to turn on some music. Now, I know many people think having music on can ruin the experience of backpacking or potentially bother others on the trails so I always maintain a few rules. First, music never ruins things for me, music puts me a dreamy state, and really just enhances my overall good-feelings on the trail, especially if I’m by myself. So I personally love hiking solo with a bit of tunes on speaker over my phone. However, I never keep the volume too loud and if I see hikers ahead of me, I always turn my music off so I don’t impose on others experience outdoors. I like having the peace of mind that animals could hear me, even when I’m out solo.

Also keep in mind that most wildlife travels around dusk and dawn, so if you’re on the trail or even at camp during these times, keep it loud to let the wild know you’re out there and don’t want any unexpected visitors.

6) KEEP THE EARBUDS OUT

For many solo backpackers, backpacking safety isn’t just about avoiding wildlife encounters or getting lost. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes about staying safe from other humans. Personal hiking safety from others is an extremely personal topic, all people have a different level of comfort. As a woman, I feel I would be remiss not to touch on a few key things you can do to keep safe on a solo backpacking trip.

First, don’t hike with headphones. It may be tempting to jam your favorite tunes while trekking along solo, but using headphones tunes you out from your surroundings. It’s easy for someone to come up behind you and you don’t even realize it.

So forgo the music and hike like it’s the pre-iPod era, and if you feel like you need something hike with your phone speaker music on low volume. Just be sure to respect others on the trail around you and turn your music off if you come up on hikers along the trail.

This tip relates to the one we just discussed above, it’s equally important not to wear headphones when hiking so you can be aware of any animals that may be traveling near or around you on the trail.

7) DON’T TELL STRANGERS WHERE YOU ARE GOING

It may seem obvious, but you have no obligation to tell anyone what your plans are (other than your trusted emergency contact). I find that, especially as a woman, you feel pressure to be kind and friendly. Don’t let that cloud your judgement on a solo backpacking trip. Keep your plans vague, even if it’s obvious that everyone is hiking the same trail. Don’t let someone pressure you into telling them your life story.

8) GO WITH YOUR GUT

When it comes down to it, your gut gives you the intuition you need. If you meet someone that rubs you the wrong way, don’t be afraid to turn around and head home. If something doesn’t feel right, check in with yourself and ask if it’s worth it to carry on. Remember, there is no shame in heading home if you just aren’t feeling it.

I’ve camped in areas where I just didn’t feel cozy. No particular reason, but my spidey-senses told me something just wasn’t right. I packed up my stuff and moved on, even though it took a bit of effort. Who knows? Maybe an angry bear would have visited me that night, or nearby treefall could have crushed me in my sleep. The point is, don’t hesitate to listen to your gut and follow it.

9) DON’T LET BACKPACKING SAFETY ADVICE SCARE YOU FROM HITTING THE TRAILS

Okay, so now that you’re sufficiently freaked out and worried about going backpacking, I want to circle back and remind you that backpacking is fun! You’re out in the wilderness on a backpacking adventure to learn more about yourself in a beautiful setting. Don’t let all of the safety advice put you off. We always want to go into any situation with a good dose of awareness and advice, but then we need to face our fears and become that badass we were meant to be.

 

written by Allison aka She Dreams of Alpine.

ORIGINAL SOURCE FOUND HERE :        https://www.shedreamsofalpine.com/blog/backpacking-safety-tips

Reposted by www.lostcoastadventures.com