Though there may be negative connotations with going on a solo hike, there are some physical, psychological, and even spiritual benefits to exploring the outdoors on your own. With that in mind, in order to champion a solo hike successfully there are five steps you must take before you go.
Plan out a route.
Any good hiker will know that the easiest and most beneficial part of planning a hiking trip is to actually plan it. This means getting a map, marking where one will be heading, and sticking to it. If your route is carefully plotted beforehand, you can reduce your risk of a solo hike turning into an emergency.
Tell someone the plan.
If nobody knows where you have wandered off, then how will your loved ones know if you are injured or lost or simply taking the scenic route back home? Making sure that somebody knows your plan in its entirety, including where you are going, when you are leaving, and when you should return, makes taking a solo hike that much safer.
Research the path.
Nature is, well…nature. Checking the weather may be common sense to most adventurers but researching things such as whether poison ivy grows excessively where you are going or whether there is a great chance of a mudslide in case of a storm could be lifesaving as well.
Put together an emergency kit.
Whether you are going on a solo hike or simply going to a sports game, bringing along an emergency kit is never a bad idea. Preparing for the worst is at times the best option. Packing items like a first aid kit, emergency blanket, flashlight, signal mirror/whistle, firestarters, and even a road flare is a good idea, and won’t take up more space than can fit in an everyday backpack.
Prepare to stay hydrated.
This is most definitely the simplest way to prepare for a hike. Without water and food, your chances of being in serious danger if you should get lost increase dramatically. By eating and hydrating before your hike and also bringing along water and energizing snacks — such as protein bars, jerky, and trail mix — you are preparing your body and mind for survival, if only for a few hours.
Images via Rick McCharles, Kitty Terwolbeck