11 Safety Tips for Solo Hikers

[@Howelton2020]

Also take a piece of colored chalk to mark rocks and trees, or colorful ribbon to tie to branches in case you get lost. Stops you from circling the same location.

[@dariomarsanic9423]

Very cool tip.

[@itsacorporatething]

Well it stops you from circling to the same location more than once

[@miasilvas]

I’m 18 and i really love to start changing my lifestyle and getting out and enjoying nature while getting some exercise. I just really also need to get over my anxiety and long distance driving fears lol

[@FordScorpio24V]

Great video and good advices, but I think one is missing: #12 Do have a "Plan B". What I mean is, that you have to have a plan B for the most important things. A second lighter, food for 1-2 days more you need or whatever. For example, last year I was hiking solo in nowhere in Norway (Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella) with no path and I dit not see anyone for a week. And there, I lost my phone with my gps/gpx, my tickets home, with absolutly everything. I had luck, that I took printed map, a compass, a printed tourplan and printed ticket home. Hiking without a path, without gps and without a clock was the hardest I've ever done, but still possible and the compas and the maps rescued my live. And with the tickets I could travel home.

[@fredhartman1325]

You are a joy to listen to, and admire your enthusiasm and personality!

[@lucyjanecruz]

Do not ring random doorbells or knock on doors at night in the US, especially Texas. It will not end well.

[@uniteuntie2661]

I did this once in Texas. A horse was running around the highway in the middle of the night . I did the right thing knocking on that door, but I thought I was about to get shot

[@adelekhagna]

I recently learned something very interesting about self defense : when you are not a fighter a lamp of 300 lumen or more is very effective to paralise someone by blinding the person. And I also discovered a peperspray that works at a distance of 10m (as a non fighter if the person is closer than 2m its over for me. And with a regular pepper spray I will have the risk to smell the spray myself). It's the Jpx4 and the JPX2. It's heavy and expensive but I believe it might worth it, just for the peace of mind.

[@kaisahommer4965]

Can I just say, the background of your video is giving me major nostalgia! You talk so calm and I am so excited to hike alone!

[@pensairadar]

Welcome back! We missed you.

[@akif684]

#12 ask for firemans for tent place or church or mosquie or police station they always show somewhere to setup a tent #13 if you bitten by snake learn how to use triangle bandage its a common technique in australia #14 if snow or sub zero temps expexting go somewhere close (shephard house church firemans garage ) its really kept your body temp good degrees #15 ask locals twice if you looking somewhere they are saying always short distances example : trail is 15 km but he saying 10-8 #16 if you broke your leg you can use trekking pole as a supporter #17 pepper spray #18always be positive when you are not in your hometown or country people understood you are not from here and wants to help but yoy need to be positive and smi le alot :)) #19 learn how to use map and compass its sometimes more pratical than a gps #20 if you are planning a fast trek you should look for water resources its helps to cut your base weight or carry a water filter #21 accept the nature you are not in your home and its not same as your home everyting is more harder. nice video see you 🤗 akif

[@mendyviola]

Since telephones were invented, I always called my mom at every stop (a quarter coin per stop). Now a days, we have cell phones and satellite devices. Your latest location and a regular check-in plan with someone you trust is your best bet if something goes south. I always carry mace/bear spray and a whistle since the ‘80’s. Never had to use them, but felt better having them of I needed it. Share where you were(past tense) to the “public” by several days at a minimum. Check in with park rangers/hosts at logical points, or if cross country some public service facility. NEVER hitch hike unless it’s desperate/urgent circumstances. These days you can call an Uber or Lyft if close to town,or the local police.

[@johnclements6614]

Thanks for the video. The good thing about keeping your phone and wallet on you is that it is easier to just leave if you become unsure of someone. Hope your graphic novel does well and I hope the singing is good as well.

[@irenekanel.ac.7721]

A European friend of mine told me that if you can't find a place to sleep, contact the church they will usually put you up, also in really small villages reach out to the mayor/burgermeister (it is their job to welcome guests)

[@KeyserTheRedBeard]

awesome upload Floor Denil. I crushed the thumbs up on your video. Keep on up the really good work.

[@SuperPetergamer]

one of your videos popped up on my feed lol I ended up watching all of them. you're so awesome!

[@marcvangastel2157]

Nice, Floor, you're radiating and signaling much more self confidence. Good lessons for all.

[@sirravi]

Very helpful tips! Thanks a lot!!

[@aoge5566]

Love your videos. I decide to hike gr20 next month but I am so nervous because it’s my first time to finish my solo hiking. Wish to hear more hiking experience from you.

[@natanaelaranda8949]

SNAKES IF YOU DON'T SEE THEM OR THEY DON'T SEE YOU, YOU WONT HEAR THE WARNING FROM THE SNAKE, MAKE SHURE YOU TAKE, SNAKE BITE GURDS ON YOUR BOOTS, ALSO THE BEARS IF THEY HUNGRY AND SMEAL FOOD OR GARBIGE, THEY WANT TO ATACK ON YOU, CARRY A LARGE TANK OF TEAR GAS FOR BEARS, AND IF HE COMES CLOSE ABOUT 40 FT SPRY ON HIM, AND MAKE SHURE, CHECK WHE THE WIND IS GOING, BECAUSE YOU MAY ACCIDENTALY SPRAY YOUR SELF, AND THE BEAR MAY ATACK YOU AND YOU BLIND ?? I HOPE WILL HELP YOU ? ALSO IF YOU ARE NERVOUS ALONE, TAKE WITH YOU A FRIEND OR TOO, TILL YOU GET COMFORTABLE BEING ALONE?? ALSO TAKE A MOQUITOS REPELENT, BECASUE IT'S A LOT THERE??

[@adelekhagna]

Also I try to make my backpack look like a day pack as much as possible as people believe I don't sleep alone in the wilde and I don't get followed by some creeps met in town before the night.

[@ALinn-vr3nl]

smart!

[@ansc6472]

Adele a little paranoid

[@xenn4985]

@@ansc6472 the man who sleeps with a machete is a fool every day but one

[@brycehenry3269]

Lol I’d love it if some stranger knocked on my door in the middle of the night asking if they can set up a tent in the middle of my garden for the night because there’s no camp sites or hotels available 😹. That’d be the greatest. I’d surely say yes and allow them to pick any vegetables and fruits for their own sake.

[@TheRelul]

this channel is so underrated

[@ruvanvitharana1739]

Thank you. You gave a lot of confidence on solo hiking. So far I did long hikes/trekkings with a group abroad. The only place I hike alone is in the Belgian Ardennen :-)

[@pilipala2008]

Hi Floor, Just want to leave a message here. It was amazing to run into you in a cafe on a Thurday afternoon 😉 How random! Love your videos!

[@floordenil]

Haha that was so funny!! I actually work there, always welcome for coffee :)

[@csillavegh1906]

So good to see you here, welcome back to KZbin channel :) Also all your safety tips are useful, thanks for them, specially the satellite communicator. If I shall add, would be a topic of water supply. From all fountains shall we drink? Any water filter equipment recommendation? etc. May I ask what is your next hiking plan? Also was wondering if El Camino on your backpack list? so famous like the Tour du Mont Blanc ...

[@magnumopus1628]

I'm sorry but I was hoping you would at least mention any type of self defense gadget. I'm a 26 years old guy and I would never go several days on my own in places I've never been to without my peppergun and knife at the ready. I've been a scout and we used to do this 4 days (in between our summer camp) where our chief randomly picked up one unit during the night and drove us to a place and left us there with a map with suggestions on the nearest town (at least one day on feet) a little bit of food and some water. We had to go to the town and offer to do any type of work in exchange for a dinner and *maybe* a place where to spend the night. It just happened that our unit ended up in the same place where a female unit was stationed, where a farmer offered to give us some food and let us sleep in his backyard. That night he drank at least 3 bottles of wine and started harassing some of the females in the other unit and we stopped him various times until we all decided to leave. He then nonchalantly picked up a shotgun out of a drawer and stared flagging us. He didn't shoot, but it wasn't a happy moment. And this is just one of the situations I've experienced. A friend of mine (a very attractive girl) went to Australia on her own and started hitchhiking and had some "problems" along the way. When she returned she was a completely different person. I always suggest to have at least 2 or 3 self defense "gadgets" on you. Even more if you are a girl. For example you might want to take a look at the JPX4, which is one of the tools I always carry on my belt.

[@trevordeane3940]

In your first comments you suggested that your chances of being attacked by wildlife was greater than by a human. I would strongly disagree with this comment. Although there is a chance of coming across an animal with a bad attitude or personality, from my experiences in life it is more likely you will encounter a human with the bad attitude or bad personality.

[@danraviv7393]

I think that depends on the location of the hike, is it a populated area or not, a country with a high crime rate, or lots of dangerous wildlife. Statically the most dangerous cause is weather/falling/dehydrating.

[@matthewstorm5188]

When it comes to animals, ticks are a FAR bigger danger than any type of large game animal.

[@bigpimpinbig1]

haha nice video! are you from Belgium? I feel like I recognize the subtle accent ;) I also go hiking, but, as a guy it seems people are a bit less surprised. It's cool you're doing this, my gf loves hiking but would never wanna go alone. I think it's much more intense than going with people. Especially when wild camping.

[@santanudey798]

remember one thing: Ego of mountain is higher than yours.

[@1234567pivot]

You always make me chuckle, keep up the good work.

[@dienowska]

When you hitchhike, in addition to everything you said, first think of where you want to go and then think of (or look at a map for) a place that isn’t going where you want to go. Then when a car stops and you approach the car, you start the conversation with “hey thanks for stopping, where abouts are you going?”, which gives you a few seconds to make the split decision of whether or not you can trust the person. If your gut feeling says no, then after they say where they’re going, you say that you’re going elsewhere and back away from the car. If they decide to get out of the car and start trouble, that gives you some time to run and hopefully hide. Pepper spray in those situations is pretty useful. Another thing, if you sat in the car and things are bad, say that you desperately need to use the bathroom, then when they stop pretend you’re in pain and look for the moment when you can grab your belongings and dash out the car. Hence, never put your backpack or anything into their trunk, always keep it with you.

[@clarissawestbrook2203]

These were great tips ❤❤❤❤🥾🥾🥾🥾

[@ElGohary-vanLoo]

Kungsleden opgezocht, omdat ik erin interesse heb om te lopen, en kwam ik tegen jouw films! Daarna heb ik alle filmpjes die je gemaakt hebt gekeken! :) Mooi! Prinses. haha

[@merakijewelry3882]

The Garmin inreach mini 2 you can buy for 250 euros. You can send messages and receive it. Direct contact with the police etc. Keeps live updates. Worth the money. :)

[@coloradodayhiker]

Holy cow you're a high energy person. All that fresh mountain air. Lol. Great video and advice.

[@megalicious7757]

Still shaking my head at your 'night at a creepy stranger's home' story.

[@floordenil]

Me too 😅

[@83N74M1N]

@@floordenil I guess even though something is just in your head, the natural reaction of your body when it thinks you are in danger is real

[@jocahuxjocahu7830]

I really enjoy your videos, my experience in trekking is reduced to the GR 221 in Mallorca which is where I live, and some sections of the Pyrenees, do you dare with the GR11? more than 800 km and more than 30,000 meters of positive slope? Maybe this summer I will do a section of the Kungsleden. Regards!!

[@allaprima]

Great video🤓

[@adriaanrijkse]

My garmin can sent a gps signal to a person I pre uploaded! This can help as well I think.

[@NickandRachel]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@ericam.8433]

Super helpful, thank you!

[@ruslana7260]

Watched all videos.. You are cool girl forreal! ❤️️ Hope, you are going somewhere to hike this year 🤗

[@etoewi118]

Nice to see you again🌼

[@wimpeeters9087]

Via via hier terecht gekomen...meteen even wat afleveringen bekeken! Als fotograaf ben ik jaloers op de plekken die je bezoekt. het inspireert me om ook eens wat meer naar lange afstandswandelingen te kijken :D!

[@TheSwankyfish]

Come to Nepal, you will love it here 👌

[@laksanaadi878]

Soo interesting. Thanks for the insight!

[@ALinn-vr3nl]

1. take a womens self-defense course, taught only by feminist women, preferably lesbians, not a martial arts course. there is a well-vetted body of knowledge about feminist self-defense. the group discussions are the most valuable part. its not mostly about fighting techniques. Seriously, every woman should take these classes, at least every 5 years, for life. until you can find such a class in person, read everything you can about FEMINISTself-defense, from women. 2. NEVER get in a car with a man. even if a woman is in it. that is the most likely situation for being kidnapped, trafficked, raped or murdered. and never give a man you dont know a ride, even if a woman is with him. If a man pulls over for you, say you changed your mind. Or hold a sign saying "female driver." 3. hike and camp with, or near, other women. introduce yourself to women on trails. if there is no man with them, tell them where youre going and where your starting and return points are, and vehicle/license plate. all of this is based on crime data, and professional feminist self-defense advice. thank you.

[@ansc6472]

A Linn Misandrist??? Lesbians very dangerous 😨

[@MoosebearAdventures]

Great vid.

[@vlove8859]

Really good Tips

[@nutsbutdum]

Do you get any vaccines before going on a hike? If you know for example that there could be ticks or other insects which can transmit disease(like Lyme disease).

[@floordenil]

I never took any vaccine for ticks as I check myself for ticks every night in my tent before I go to sleep and I carry dedicated tick-tweezers. If any vaccines are obligated in a country I take them of course (for example taking a vaccine for hepatitis A when going to Thailand) :).

[@IA-om3my]

Very smart, I learned a lot 👌🏽

[@TheTrailDancer]

You're back!!!!! Yeah!!!

[@p0tat0av0cad0]

unrelated but i love your hair!!!

[@CB19087]

13:06 yes, because a normal person won't mind being identified

[@rupert825]

only guilty on the 7th one; i usually listen to music with the speaker at max volume, i thought to this thing, cause if some stones falls down you probably hear it too late.

[@lucilechovo6346]

Thanks for these advices. I m started to do small trip like 2 or 3 days. I did t find the information. From which country are you coming from? Because I didn t recognize the language when you Don t speak english

[@floordenil]

Hi Lucile! Great my advice comes in handy for you :). I’m from the Flemish part in Belgium, so I speak flemish (dutch with a flemish accent)!

[@inoeth]

it's crazy how sweet you are, hopefully I meet you some day on a trail :D

[@natanaelaranda8949]

Floor Denil PLEASE TELL US HOW , YOU KNOW THE CAMPING SITE OR THE PLACES WHERE TO SOLO HIKERS ?? WHEN i WAS YOUNG IN LOS ANGELES CA, i KNOW PLACES BUT HERE WHERE I MOVE, CANT FIND ANY RIVERS OR MOUNTAINS TO HIKE OR CAMPING,? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS, ?? I HOPE YOU RETURN, AND ANSWER TIHS QUESTIONS?? THANK YOU ?? DENIL

[@basutripathy]

Good 👍

[@henri3651]

Excellent video. THANK YOU. I also carry a loaded handgun BTW.

[@ansc6472]

USA 🇺🇸 of course

[@henri3651]

@@ansc6472 😅 Yes, and as Borat would say, "US and A"

[@seamusconlan9673]

I met an aggressive cow one time what a terrible date...

[@delphinelesterlost3285]

I think I'm going to get a whistle, just for peace of mind...

[@dantu5377]

Just get one, it’s $3 dollars and whistles are a better than your own voice.

[@LokeshThakur]

one good rule of thumb someone told me was "always go with an experienced guide the first few times when you start out"

[@brycehenry3269]

That’d definitely be a huge hiking confidence booster for a first starting hiker.

[@jakereyes3430]

and lesson learned (from 127 hours film).

[@ansc6472]

Read and watch David Paulides Missing 411 series of people missing in USA national parks and forests

[@stephtraveler7378]

12) carry a firearm. Regardless of social or political opinions. Just do it. Ruger makes a 380 that weighs a mere 10 oz and fires 10 rounds. Legal in all National Parks to carry. There's a young woman from Memphis that would be alive today if she would of heeded that advise....

[@tsheringchoden6123]

Thank you 🙏🏻 Im scared of 🐻

[@Alaska_Gal]

Me too. But you know what I did? I solo hiked in bear country in Alaska’s Denali National Park. It felt amazing to push through my fear.

[@jazzfan7491]

I really like hiking alone in Southern California. However, it's bear country, not to mention mountain lion country, and rattlesnake country, and I now feel I'd better have: satellite SOS device, bear spray, boat horn...

[@ansc6472]

Watch David Paulides Missing 411 series USA 🇺🇸

[@mikepotter4109]

The thing for me is opposite of picking people up but instead what are you picking up lol

[@danethchhum3153]

Awesome beautiful but a bit dangerous 😣 Be safe my friend ❤️️

[@jonathanleon6615]

Great video, good information! Your cute..you look good!

[@ALinn-vr3nl]

i bet that made her feel really, really, really safe.

[@walteragentplummer7031]

Bear spray

[@tukysweden8110]

👍

[@robertburatt]

No bear spray? That would be effective for humans and other wild life!

[@josephinewallace1199]

The American police would never help you in that situation lol but it's really good to know that police help in that way in other places

[@carlosslim4916]

Hello! I've missed you :) Could you please talk about hygiene (especially feminine hygiene) whilst hiking? I am the girl in the pic btw :)

[@ALinn-vr3nl]

creep

[@ansc6472]

@@ALinn-vr3nl misandrist??

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

If you have to watch this video then you need to stay on the couch.

[@jimizxztheorginal]

Definitely do not "call the police" in the United States.

[@xenn4985]

A gun

[@CaitlinSewsSometimes]

*uncomfortable laugh* or murdered :)

[@lithium1770]

Always carry a gun regardless of where you are. Better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6.