10 Tips Every SOLO FEMALE BACKPACKER Should Know (Before Hiking Alone)

[@TheHungryHiker]

Enrollment is NOW OPEN for The Confident Solo Female Backpacker System through December 15th. If you want to learn how to build up your confidence to start planning your first or next solo backpacking trip, check out The Confident Solo Female Backpacker System ➡ thehungryhiker.myclickfunnels.com/tcsfbs-application-yt

[@juliea8603]

I'd like to add a piece of advise because everything in this video is definitely what you should always know/do....male/female alone or not. I have NOT been BPing solo long, I've only done it twice but, the only piece of advise that actually helped GET OVER the fear of sleeping along in the woods, (which is most often that case according to majority of comments I get) is this. Start small. BP a few hundred feet from the trailhead where you have the security of knowing you can get back to your vehicle, then go further. In my case, my first trip was close to a shelter where I could here other voices even though I made sure I was far enough to not see or BE on anyone. The next time, I took it further to the same area but where no one was around. Take those baby steps if you need them. I'm 54 and a retired MARINE for pete's sake and have no shame in admitting that sleeping along in the deep forest scares the crap out of me. Good luck all.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Absolutely! Starting small (low mileage, low elevation and going somewhere closer to home) is something I ALWAYS recommend to new backpackers, especially those wanting to go out on their own.

[@momsampson8387]

I am now nearly 71 years old and have been solo backpacking for many decades. I have nearIy finished section hiking the PCT in Oregon and Washington. I love it. If you are considering trying this, JUST DO IT! You won't regret the joy of such trips. Juli S

[@TheHungryHiker]

I love this and congratulations on finishing your section hikes of the PCT in Oregon and Washington! That's a HUGE feat and something to be really proud of. You are proof that solo backpacking can absolutely change your life in the best way possible, if you let it. You just have to take the first step!

[@Apeaceofthewoods]

The tips like this that you’ve shared on your channel helped give me the confidence to get out and do something I love. I appreciate you for it ☺️

[@TheHungryHiker]

I love this SO MUCH!!! I'm so happy to have helped you along your solo backpacking journey. :)

[@joanncogil4672]

As a new backpacker hiker this year, your videos have been wonderful. I have learned so much. I always do the “Be bold and start cold” routine!!

[@TheHungryHiker]

So happy to hear that my videos have been helpful for you!!

[@mentalJourney365]

Not me being a solo male backpacker stealing tips from this video😊

[@TheHungryHiker]

You can absolutely steal tips from this video being a solo male backpacker. :) I'm just trying to offer more inspiration and encouragement to all of the ladies out there who are having to deal with people telling them they can't or shouldn't go backpacking alone because the answer is YES YOU CAN!!

[@LivingMoreFully]

Great tips! I hear these "concerns" and "fears" from soooo many people who hear I LOVE solo hiking/backpacking. I imagine it's even worse for women who choose to do so. Your practical advice and emotional support are appreciated. 👍🏼

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you so much!

[@omniscient200]

Kathleen! I went for my first overnight trip last week!! Thank you for the inspiration!! It was a local state park with just a mile of hiking so I could test all my gear! EMPOWERMENT!

[@TheHungryHiker]

THIS is what I'm talking about. Congratulations on your first overnight backpacking trip!! Hopefully you've already started thinking about planning your next trip. :)

[@omniscient200]

@@TheHungryHiker yesss. It was really better than expected even though I hate being cold. I was okay! The fire in the evening was grand! (Okay to have fire in my area)

[@McBlamin]

Confidence, you need to exude it. Have a way, doesn't matter what, as long as you are comfortable and confident with it, to defend yourself - vigorously! This will lead to number 1 - confidence! Make sure that you feel, anyone or anything that means your arm, will go away hurting.

[@iamsarahshu]

Do you have suggestions for things to do once you make camp? I have solo hiked for many years but I just took my first solo backpacking trip in September. I had a lovely hike, felt super comfortable and confident. I made camp, and then felt incredibly lonely the entire night and morning which I have never experienced while day hiking, so it caught me off-guard. I actually cut my trip from 2 nights to 1 because of it. I tried to read a book but I wasn't able to focus on it. I'm usually to occupied with being a mom that I don't have any hobbies at home, so I wasn't sure what I should do once I got there. Should I just start off with busier hikes where there will be other people around? I saw a recent video by MGO where she took an inflatable raft which looked SO MUCH fun but of course very costly especially for something I won't use very often myself as I'll probably only go solo once a year or so (usually I take my toddler and being mom occupies our camp time). I'm really excited to take another solo trip but I need a better plan for what to do at camp!

[@danielsingh9415]

After camp chores are done, brain storm ur next trip & document things u would do differently or eat etc like what if it snows & u can't see the trail, how will u navigate, how will u avoid trail hazards like cliffs or falling in the creek & getting ur gear soaked etc. Or combine loves or hobbies, my Mom gave me a dragon kite with a long tail, so I'm always looking at the wind reports, and places to fly one of my kites, usually a dual line stunt foil kite 🪁 and 100 foot long streamer tail, and smooth wind. Or chasing Northern Lights, astrophotography, meteor showers, or just watching the sunset... Or moon rise... My Mom died in 2017 after a lengthy illness, and I found a final wishes letter amongst her things a few years ago. She wanted her ashes buried at Inkspot Lake by the light of the rising full moon, near the base of Dunn Peak, by me & my sis. I knew OF Inkspot, but never hiked there, it's in the backcountry near my hometown of Little Fort BC 🇨🇦 (speaking of, I still don't have a paper topo map of the area, just Alltrails map on my phone, downloaded & ready for out of cell phone range use, I should print it out) more later...

[@TheHungryHiker]

Personal opinion here, but I enjoy hiking bigger mile days when I'm solo backpacking because that generally means I'll spend more time on trail and less time at camp. Less time at camp means I won't have to find extra things to do to keep me preoccupied while I'm in camp and I'm usually pretty tired once I get there. Once in camp, I make sure to start with my camp chores like setting up my tent, filtering water, sorting out my food for the next day, making dinner, creating a route for the next day, etc. Once camp chores are done, I'll get into my distractions like watching the sunrise, talking to other backpackers who might be staying at the same site as me, reading a book I downloaded, edit photos from the day or even get to bed early. When I'm out on trail, I'll typically go to bed with the sun and get up with the sun because no service means less distractions (and more sleep/rest) while I'm out there.

[@AkinaLOL]

I would love to have a group like this to join and help me grow but I don't think I can join this one and I don't think there are any like it around where I live. (Me and that little red wooden horse are from the same place) 🤭

[@TheHungryHiker]

I have students in The Confident Solo Female Backpacker System located all over the United States and world! You don't have to be in any specific place in order to get results and achieve your backpacking goals with this program.

[@tonycook8727]

What mapping sofware were you using?

[@TheHungryHiker]

I use (and love) onX Backcountry for all of my pre-trip planning and on-trail navigation. If you're interested in checking out onX, you can get either 20% off your purchase of onX Backcountry OR start a free 14 day trial of onX Backcountry Elite by using promo code "HungryHiker" and this link: www.onxmaps.com/backcountry/r/thehungryhiker

[@Taz90]

What advice would you give a female who is new to hiking, who is visually impared/ legally blind, who is preparing to hike the AT NOBO next year?

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thru-hiking a long-distance trail like the AT is no easy feat, but where there's a will, there's a way. You got this!! I'm not personally familiar with hiking the AT, but I do know that the AT is a fairly well-traveled, social trail that doesn't seem to have as many miles in-between town stops like other remote long-distance trails do like the PCT or CDT. With the AT being such a social trail, you're pretty likely to meet up with a trail family while you're out there (if you're open to that kind of experience), which means you're less likely to have to hike the trail alone. What I recommend for someone new to hiking, besides each of the tips I provide in this video, is to start small. Start with hiking trails nearby that are familiar to you, are fairly clear and have easy accessibility. I'd also consider using trekking poles for extra support and stability. Most importantly, enjoy the time you spend out on trail and take your time. Good luck!

[@Everywhere2]

Hard to find a video like this for men. It's almost like the reason women have to be extra careful is not . . . bears.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Yes, exactly! You probably won't ever find a video like this for men either because no one ever thinks twice about a man wanting to go out in the backcountry himself. Even though both men and women are perfectly capable of hiking alone, for some reason when a woman wants to do it, it can often times become a "safety" issue. I'm here to normalize women going out in the backcountry safely and comfortably.

[@candacetoms4927]

Trip planning logistics was something that always intimidated me about planning a backpacking trip. Once I got comfortable with it, it became one of my favorite things to do in my free time. I love looking at maps to find new places to explore, and digging up as much detail as I can about an unfamiliar area. Now my backpacking trip bucket list is so long, I’ll never get through it, but that means I’ll never run out of new places to visit! I can’t thank you enough for creating this program and teaching me how to plan trips like a pro! ❤🥾🏔️

[@TheHungryHiker]

I'm right there with you!! I've spent HOURS staring at maps of areas I want to visit. Even after I visit, I always come back to my maps and look to see other places in the area I'd like to go. Trip planning was really intimidating for me at first, as it tends to be for a lot of people, but once you find your favorite resources and have planned a couple of trips, the whole process can be fun and exciting. Now trip planning helps me extend the excitement and anticipation of all my backpacking trips!!