How To Stay Safe While Solo Backpacking // RISK, GEAR, ISOLATION

[@longwildernesswalks]

Great video, Justin! I 100% agree with all your points. One item I'd touch on is the mental aspect of being alone at night. So many people refuse to take the risk simply because of that alone. For me it was much like parachuting for the first time. The fear is all front loaded, and after that first jump it's nothing to do it again and again. The same goes for sleeping in the wild, alone. Yes, there is risk, but if you use good logic and play by the rules of nature, you should be fine 99.9% of the time. I'll also add that I've been on ~50 hikes with friends and co-workers over the last 20 years, many lasting a week or more. I have more fun completely by myself every single time. I tend to worry more about the other people having fun and being safe than I do on my own experience. But, that's just me. Again, this was a great episode.

[@umaiar]

I'm transitioning from 3 or 4 mile day hikes into backpacking, and just did my first overnight in a tent 2 weeks ago. I went solo. Being in a marriage of nearly 25 years, I figured sleeping alone would, at least, be weird. It's funny, I went into it worried I'd be bored as soon as I got done seeing up camp and eating. I was near a pond, and the blackflies were crazy, but I wasn't even a little nervous outside of freaking with bug bites. Having decided to crawl into the tent right after sundown, I figured I was alone. I remember KZbin people saying that squirrels sound like bears, so I was expecting to be nervous. But I wasn't. Then it happened. Groups of people seemed to show up every 45 minutes or so to visit the pond. I felt trapped in the tent, so ended up staying up until I had an solid hour without any people around. The crickets and frogs knocked me right out, and I slept like a baby. But I was surprised that a fear that I hadn't even considered is what kept me up. I'm a big dude, 6'5" @ 265, but being zipped into a tent and blind to my surroundings, with strangers a hundred yards away, was unnerving. Anyways, I think I agree. Being alone in the dark can be scary. But I think it's the things that you're not expecting and haven't prepared for that actually prove challenging. "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity" - Seneca

[@anisamokrane2008]

@@umaiar how did you deal witht the fear? i am so afraid of strangers when sleeping outside at night. Let's not even talk about bears! omg

[@umaiar]

@@anisamokrane2008 I feel safe when I can see my surroundings, so I just got up and sat outside for a couple hours until the foot traffic eventually died down. Nobody else was camping nearby, and I expected to be alone. I think that expectation was why I hadn't mentally prepared for people being around. One of the groups that showed up was a family, and they talked to me on their way out. Apparently the pond I was sleeping near is used by the locals as a swimming hole, and it's stocked for fishing. I find that understanding why people were showing up helped me to relax when the last group came through pretty late at night. I'll find a spot a bit farther off into the woods next time, but yeah. Dealing with it was just staying awake a bit longer and rationalizing the situation in my head.

[@anisamokrane2008]

@@umaiar thx for sharing ur experience!

[@dangaspar1707]

I agree wholeheartedly. The first time I slept alone 10 miles from the nearest human being was mind-altering. After that, it has become fulfilling but otherwise I no longer give it a 2nd thought.

[@kristymoore7052]

I am solo more times than not, mostly because of others’ life, job, timing. I didn’t want to not go because others can’t or won’t. It has taken some getting used to and I am always aware that there is no one else to help, bail me out, cheer me on, etc. I ALWAYS have my in reach and am thoughtful about what trails, mileage, and other risks. After getting over the sheer fear of the dark alone, I enjoy it.

[@r-pupz7032]

I'm a solo female who is just getting in to backpacking! I'm in the UK but I find your videos so useful. I have pretty severe anxiety, depression and ADHD - I'm also an introvert and I really need alone time to recharge. Getting into hiking and camping has helped my mental health SO much! There are some great trails in the UK but I feel a really strong pull to walk the PCT. It seems like an impossible dream right now, especially being overseas, but I don't think I can resist the pull! Like John Muir said, the mountains are calling and I must go. In the meantime I'm hoping to walk the South West Coastal Path in late summer, it's over 800 miles all around the south west of the UK including my favourite place in the whole country - the Lizard Peninsula of Cornwall. Navigation is simple (keep the sea on one side!) and it's not as isolated as many of the trails you walk, but it covers some amazing cliffs, beaches and wild spaces and I cannot wait! It's a huge undertaking for a relative beginner such as myself, but I've been training and building up to it, and sometimes you just need to take a chance and go for it. In two years I hope to be on the PCT walking to your home country, Canada! Thanks again for all the help, backpacking has changed my life and got me out of a really dark place. Best wishes to you and Steph!

[@codymcgee6999]

Welcome to the backpacking community!! What an awesome story you have. So glad to hear that backpacking is improving your mental health and enriching your life. That's awesome!! Chase your dreams. ✌️

[@jpriddle]

This is so inspiring! Thanks for sharing with us. Hope you enjoy the adventures.

[@matthewscoggins8668]

Gotta say, thanks to you, Dan Becker, and Joe Robinet, I am finally going on my solo trip. Taking the McKenzie river trail for a few days, then going up to a reservoir to camp for a bit.

[@sirsir108]

I just did that one a few days ago and it was really nice I hope you have a good trip there is a lot of snow past blue pool I made it almost to ice cap camp ground but the snow was a bit too deep for me to want to do the last few miles ... I'm not sure how it will look if it rains some more but as of last Wednesday and Thursday the section with an alternate at deer creek and the burn on the other side of deer creek were doable I found a decent place to cross just a bit upstream. cheers!

[@jackbarker2575]

I’m 14 and i’ve been on several backpacking trips solo. I feel there is a huge difference in going solo rather than with others. It’s always truly awesome to go solo.

[@ronb2008]

Not gonna lie I love that technique you do with multiple Justin's walking around 😂

[@Coloradohiker658]

Great video. After a very long time off, I’m getting back into day hiking. I appreciate your wealth of information, how to deal with stress and anxiety, which is my issue, even though the wilderness is healing. Thanks!

[@BluecollarBackpacker]

I love hearing this and watching your videos. I am an introvert as well and love the solitude and recharging that being in nature brings. I’m looking into getting back into backpacking and your channel has a lot of inspiration and information. Also nice to see someone from Alberta and dealing with all the issues that Canada and the Rockies specifically include. Keep up the good work. And go Oilers, haha.

[@jackiamato138]

Love your solo adventures! Great reminder on a pack liner to also have one available. I really like how you bring a chair to sit and enjoy at camp.

[@shouldhavenotshouldof2031]

Whatever water system you choose to use it’s always worth carrying a small bottle of iodine tablets. Cheap, tiny and ultra-ultra-light. Some redundancies are worth carrying.

[@Lv4_o2]

Great vid, things happen or are forgotten…you showed how to be creative and solve your issue, which is a great teaching/learning moment.

[@brendonm.deverix8491]

Really love the points he makes about going solo. I’ve been itching all winter to get dialed in and I’m just now experience some of the weird feelings of being out there along I’d never thought about. Stuff like bears and sleeping alone in the backcountry you don’t think about until maybe even the first night to set up camp.

[@Teddy-fx6fx]

I really enjoy your content. I am a solo hiker myself and all your tips are pretty spot on. I really enjoy solo,you can do what you want when you want to and go as far as you want to. I always let my wife know where I will be or the spot I will be camping at. I leave a compactor bag in my backpack always because like you said it is easy to forget stuff. That’s an important one. I always use my checklist to make sure I have everything for my trip.

[@maureen7653]

Great video. You articulated exactly why I like to backpack alone! I appreciate you explaining your thought process for risks. Thank you.

[@rodoutdoors]

All my trips are solo. I'm an introvert so getting out there alone feels like home. These days I mostly worry about other people. I'm getting up there in age too so I'm worrying more about my joints and energy levels. I have to be hyper aware of each step I'm taking and make sure I have a good posture. I try to challenge myself for each trip to keep things interesting. Whether it's food, hiking, gear setup, or just relaxing. Coming back safe is #1 priority.

[@davidshirley6850]

Great content as always any chance you are doing a review on the new osprey exos pro you are using?

[@falvz4197]

Saw in the desert video looked like Justin was testing the Atmos… and didn’t seem to like it. I’m tossing up between the Exos pro and Atmos. There’s a kilo in it but… the load I want to carry (somewhere between 11kg overnight and 16kg multi day) seems to be right on the boundary of the two. Gear is so expensive in Australia it’s either one or the other…

[@Junkorgem]

I’m glad you made it across the creek.

[@barbara-holley]

Be nice to yourself is a good reminder! Thanks for all the helpful tips. Always remember, a simple bandana here's how that would work: Step 1) Take your bandana and fold it in half, then in half again, until it is in a square that fits over the top of your empty water bottle. Now keep in mind that the more times you are able to fold it the more layers the water will have to go through, the cleaner the water will be. Step 2) Make a small bowl out of the bandana in the top of the bottle. This will act as a funnel for the water as it passes through the bandana filter. Step 3) Start by slowly pouring the contaminated water into your 'funnel'. Maintain an even flow as you pour the water. The water goes through the bandana and not over the sides into the bottle you are using to collect the clean water. Filter it again by repeating the process, just be sure if you are using the same bandana you either wash it first or use the same side to filter through again. Step 4) Add any purifying tablet, boil, or if you do not have a heat proof bottle and it's a survival scenario, you can dangle your water over a heat source pasteurize the water by getting it to these temps (that's why I like to carry a highly accurate instant-read meat thermometer, it's not just for cooking purposes and checking the temp. outside): 63ºC (145ºF)* 30 minutes 72ºC (161ºF)* 15 seconds 89ºC (191ºF) 1 second 90ºC (194ºF) 0.5 seconds 94ºC (201ºF) 0.1 seconds 96ºC (204ºF) 0.05 seconds 100ºC (212ºF) 0.01seconds I hope this helps someone!

[@mendyviola]

I only day hike, but there has been more than one occasion where I evaluated what I was facing (terrain/weather/ability), and said “Nope!”, and turned around and headed back and returned to camp and/or took a different rout. I won’t risk falling down a cliff, getting washed away by rushing water, getting caught exposed in a severe thunderstorm, etc. you have to continuously ask yourself “do I REALLY want to do this?”

[@eric55406]

Thanks for this video Justin. I'm getting back into backpacking after a few years off and hoping to do more backpacking including some solo trips. I've never done a solo backpacking trip so this is useful information for me to keep in mind.

[@sirsir108]

I usually go for solo plus dog adventures but last week I went out on a true solo trip it was nice because there was a sketchy water crossing across a few trees that required scrambling that I wouldn't have asked the dog to do and that saved me of a long Forrest service road detour and when I got up to the snow there was a lot of bushwacking and post holing that again I probably wouldn't have wanted to ask my dog to do plus less food and less water makes things lighter I like that when I go solo the logistics are easy and making changes on the fly are easy getting time to be with your thoughts

[@KirstenBayes]

Fun adventure! Always enjoy watching desert travels: so different from the rainy islands I tend to spend time in.

[@hope2someday691]

Dyneema is great but, when it’s windy or rainy sleep is tough. I’ve considered getting a second tent Nemo Hornet or Big Agnes Coper Spur for exposed conditions. Love my Altaplex but we do need our sleep.

[@paulb6428]

Great video! I like to lower my pack with some rope, prior to climbing down.

[@WeekendsOutsideFL]

You’re out in my native neck of the woods. I grew up in Western Nevada, sagebrush scrublands and semi arid climate at 4500 feet

[@iegorkarpov6560]

Hi Justin, How about bringing those Aquatabs in case your filter clogs up? This could be compact and lightweight back up solution for water filtration.

[@JustinOutdoors]

Yup, have them in my first aid kit

[@skidaddledude1997]

If you have a large plastic bag, you could put your water in it to let it stand to allow the sediments to settle out before you filter the water? It does take time though.

[@MillerIndustriesInc]

Can you do a video about backflushing water filters, how often to do it for optimal performance, whether it can cause any damage, the best filters in this regard? Thanks

[@venkatinator]

Where did you store your food overnight, on this trip?

[@mobius9818]

5 stars for the introvert insight, as well as the other insights. A healing endeavor...

[@goose__down]

Where was this trip?

[@kentrails]

Love seeing you get out in my neck of the woods! How did you like the Desolation Canyon loop? I did it with a buddy of mine in the winter.

[@MDubNM]

Great video, Justin. This looks like an excellent loop, where is it if you don't mind me asking?

[@kevinquick7521]

Have you considered ear plugs. They make some soft ones for sleeping. Would help quite a bit.

[@danielmuller4213]

Great video, Justin! I see you using the Exos Pro 55, haven't found a video of you talking about it yet. Are we going to get a Review or a Comparison to the Flash/Focal? ;) thinking about switching to the exos pro, really would like to hear your thought on it!

[@deborahhill3105]

Phenomenal video work! I live on the east coast so never have hiked terrain like that.

[@musingwithreba9667]

Ugh...that wind with the sand blowing in would have driven me crazy! I was out for my first solo overnight a few years ago, and a storm started kicking up rught before I got to camp. It took me nearly an hour to pitch my tent because it kept blowing away 😂 (stupid Canadian Sheild...solid rock!) But I finally got it pitched and I fell i to the tent with some tornadic weather flying around me. The wind was so loud I couldnt have heard a bear or an axe murderer coming if they were after me! I was so tired after a 7 hour hike in the heat and humidity I slept pretty good! I love going solo!

[@musingwithreba9667]

@@happydogg312 not even Jason Voorheese with a machete!

[@RealBoiJare]

I’m going on my first solo backpacking trip today! Wish me luck ya’ll!

[@mikes9393]

How’d it go?! What trail? 😁

[@wolfeadventures]

Can you do a video solely on soling in grizzly country?

[@david_onthetrail]

Marty up North does a few on solo hiking in Canadian Grizzly country, worth checking him out too.

[@wolfeadventures]

@@david_onthetrailthank you.

[@jbvertexx]

Take a look at Justin's playlist on his Great Divide Trail thru-hike in 2021. It's a must-see if you're following Justin.

[@user-ul5yu5hk9k]

Water purification tabs are a nice redundancy as well as filtering and boiling water

[@TheDaemonKing]

Nice Video! Btw is it unthinkable to use a drone? Or is there something you don't like about using drones?

[@JustinOutdoors]

They are illegal in most places in North America and are a pain to use. It's almost an hour to take it out of the pack, set it up, fly it, and then put it away. They are also quite heavy with the drone, remote, and all the battery capacity you need. If I was doing shorter day hikes, I'd be more inclined to bring a drone. But for the types of trips I do, it doesn't really fit for me.

[@sisyphous5849]

How do you feel about the Osprey 50 pro, is it better than a framed or frameless UL pack?

[@SecretCollage]

Thank you for living by example!

[@MrBBCZ]

HI Justin. Have you thought of trying rain jacket Black Diamond Storm Stretch? Its been on the market for many years but I havent seen much reviews..

[@Self_Proppelled]

A small drone might help with navigation. Nothing like a birds eye view of the topo

[@wimhuisken2784]

Great , but what are the tracking polo are you using?

[@ronb2008]

Also what is that reservoir you're using at 11:09? I've had two QuickDraw reservoir's spring holes within a year of purchase and was looking for an alternative.

[@maxwellerickson7066]

Definitely the CNOC Vecto

[@Mike_Blanda]

Justin , what kind of pants are these? Are the water resistant…? Great video by the way! Definitely appreciate the content 👍

[@SasSaga]

#1 thing for safe solo hiking….InReach Mini 2 satellite personal SOS device…

[@fjallife]

Hiking solo 👌

[@jeremyhansen7055]

What trekking poles did you use on this trip?

[@WeekendsOutsideFL]

How come these hyper light or ultralight tents get so dang expensive when they appear to just be a tarp that you stick a trekking pole under? Forgive me, I am a newbie, they just don’t seem ideal compared to a solid REI entry level backpacking tent that is strong and 3 times less pricey.

[@skidaddledude1997]

How did you store your food overnight, do you didn’t attract bears?

[@JustinOutdoors]

No bears in the desert.

[@davishlamburnt3734]

Do you get paid from Garage Grown Gear if we use your link?

[@newcenobium8872]

Where is this hike?

[@jjlimon24]

What trail is this ?

[@jtdwp]

Great video as always. What chair is that ?

[@lukedeleonardo7924]

Looks like a helinox high back. I got the "chair zero". After this vid.....buyers remorse.

[@rungavagairun]

I apologize if you have addressed this elsewhere, but I tried to look and I didn't see anything about it. Some of your shots seem to be drone footage. You don't have any links that I could see in your description about your drone. I'm more curious to see what you are using because I am wondering how much your setup weighs. Haha. And if you are not using a drone, how are you getting some of those shots where the camera is following you from a distance?

[@DE-qy9om]

I don’t believe he was using a drone in the video at all. Rather looks like Insta360 camera.

[@rungavagairun]

@@DE-qy9om thanks. I saw that camera and even looked at the link on Amazon, but I thought it was just an action cam. I just watched a video about it and I think you are right. That must be what Justin is using.

[@reecemcnaughten4160]

how the fuq do you manage to get it all in that little bag? ps. do you need to carry all of the poops out of the desert ? cant you just do it on the ground and kick some dirt on it

[@daven.7685]

With a storm on the horizon, how much did the risk of flash flood come into your thinking?

[@JustinOutdoors]

It was definitely on my mind. Luckily, there were a lot of exit strategies in this area!

[@raylow304]

I guess not everyone believe in ultralight backpacking. What are the reasons you did not go ultralight, that would be interesting to know. Cheers!

[@ChristisKing117]

Shelter, food, water, fire, map/gps, knife, and I always carry my side arm. 999,999 times you won’t need, but nice to have for that 1 time you will.

[@willek1335]

Good video. 👍

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

Nice video! I think that you forgot to add the end screen video 😅

[@woodchip2782]

I know it could be dangerous but I always have earplugs with me for a good sleep.

[@memathews]

Thanks for laying out the thinking through the risk/reward balance. As a solo hiker and backpacker at least 90% of the time, I use a similar process. I've messed up the balance a few times, blew an MCL, broke an arm (that was in a group backpack), and a few other less dramatic mishaps. But it's so nice to be out solo and today's GPS communication units significantly lower the consequences of a mistake compared to the past.

[@SparkyNorth]

Wife?! I Must have missed that! Congrats!!

[@rungavagairun]

Nice.

[@BarringtonOutdoors]

One of the main worries while I'm out doing solo adventures...

[@fd3654]

👍👍👍!!!

[@JoshBk18]

Have you ever had any sketchy experiences with strangers while out in the wild?

[@woodchip2782]

I’ve already peed in an empty food pouch!😅

[@The_One-Eyed_Undertaker]

That's what you get for taking an UL Dyneema tent to a windy hike. It's like trying to sleep inside a moving bag of Cheetos. Being there, done that. Never again! Silnylon UL tent and ear plugs makes for a comfy and quiet sleep in the middle of a hurricane.

[@jbvertexx]

Some constructive feedback here, hopefully taken as well intended. I've been following your channel for a couple of years now. For this trip, I commend you on discussing the subject of risk management - it's an important and relevant subject for any backpacking, but especially solo. Unfortunately, I'm concerned you're setting a poor example in some respects for your followers. So here points of feedback I have: 1. There is no excuse for entering a slot canyon, in the rain, without having researched the flood risk of that canyon ahead of time. In this case, hope is not a strategy. A storm can be dumping buckets miles away, and a slot canyon can completely flood hours after the local rain stops. If you get in trouble, there is a good probability that your Garmin will not have satellite connection. You can research the propensity of flooding for a particular canyon ahead of time. In the moment, especially when on your own, there is no excuse for proceeding when you're not highly confident that the conditions won't result in a flood. Perhaps this was intentionally introducing some KZbin drama, but it sets a poor example in a potentially serious situation. 2. When backpacking solo and encountering a risky situation, it's important to slow down. Absent a bear charging (saw that video), there aren't many situations where you benefit by rushing to a resolution of a situation while backpacking. Your first morning is an example of that. You were clearly reacting in an emotional state, rushing when you would have benefited by slowing down and thinking through options and next steps. The "risky situations" where you discussed were primarily associated with route-finding over an obstacle. The true risk assessment comes ahead of time, where you establish decision points around whether or not to proceed into a potentially dangerous environment. 3. In general, your filming of yourself stumbling across a stream or slipping on a descent just doesn't provide a good look when you're trying to discuss risk management. You lose credibility. 4. Weather & Elevation. There are tools out there where you should know the lowest likely temperature for a given elevation. Especially with a short trip, there is no excuse for not having a solid understanding of the weather forecast and possible conditions. 3 days out, weather forecasts are highly accurate, and you can get an up-to-date version real-time on your Garmin. Being surprised or unsure of the weather you may possibly encounter and not being prepared for that is simply irresponsible. All of this would be forgivable for an average diary-style vlogger. However, the main theme of your video is risk management while solo backpacking. At the minimum, you could have concluded the video with an honest assessment of what you could have done differently to be better prepared. Again, I hope this is well received. I appreciate your channel. You are building a solid following on KZbin as an expert in adverse condition backpacking. I'm just suggesting that you think about that more seriously in your preparations. Thanks for listening.

[@HarryKuloh]

Seems like the 2nd point of the video (1-to discuss, and 2-*to demonstrate*, risk mgmt) went right over your head

[@jbvertexx]

@@HarryKuloh It was a nice demonstration of risks, but not an effective "management" of those risks. Sorry,

[@willek1335]

As someone who comes from an environment similar to Justin, I would not even consider 1. It's completely foreign to me, at least the type you mentioned here.

[@willek1335]

I also think there's real value in simply documenting events, and let viewers pick it apart like you tried to. Like, now I know about the flood thing in that area, which I didn't know before. Thank you for that. Another example, I've read about hypothermia in cold climates and all the risk factors. I've not seen it, so when Dan Becker went into the field and demonstrated the consequences, unintentionally, then I have way more respect for him for that. I get to vicariously experience the gravity and seriousness of such an event that I can't be taught. He also had no qualms about other youtubers using the footage and pick his trip apart to analyse what happened. I think that ends up saving a lot of lives. He's not a mountaineer expert with 30 years experience, but being that trail blazing test dummy has real value all of its own. I don't have any less respect for dan or Justin, simply for making a couple of errors. My 2 cents.

[@jbvertexx]

@@willek1335 Totally agree. I believe Dan did a retrospective video on that incident

[@gordongarrett6229]

You should carry a weapon and a personal locator beacon.

[@Glastad]

sup

[@bmbpdk]

Its funny, i only feel truly safe when im alone in nature. When camping and hiking alone, i fear no animal, not even our wolf´s, i only fear humans. You find nothing more evil and despictable than humans, wolf and such only wants to eat to survive, and if my number comes up, then so be it. When moving i always think two things: Never jump and three points of contact. And often a fanatical fear of getting wet feet is more dangerous than to carry a spare set of socks.

[@BenjaminMayesq]

Peeing = "#1" struggle 🤣

[@neemancallender9092]

know what you mean I have been solo hiking for 53 years

[@petef15]

Seriously why do none of you guys take earplugs with you?

[@JustinOutdoors]

I always wear ear plugs

[@petef15]

@@JustinOutdoors oh wow must have been terrible wind then

[@NikoleRemaley]

Great video, Justin! I see you using the Exos Pro 55, haven't found a video of you talking about it yet. Are we going to get a Review or a Comparison to the Flash/Focal? ;) thinking about switching to the exos pro, really would like to hear your thought on it!

[@JustinOutdoors]

Check out my gear priority channel