Have you dreamed of exploring nature and living a nomadic lifestyle? Hiking across beautiful landscapes with everything you need to survive on your back? Then solo backpacking is perfect for you.
This liberating and magnificent experience allows you to get down and dirty with mother nature. Plus it’s a cool way to test out your survival skills and build confidence in yourself.
These solo adventures are unforgettable but they can also be a bit intimidating. Luckily we are here to help with our list of 5 essential things to bring along on a solo backpacking trip! Keep reading to learn more.
1. First Aid Kit
Solo backpacking is a lot of fun, but it can also quickly turn dangerous if you get injured and have no way to treat yourself. Be sure to have a well equipped first aid kit on hand and be educated on how to use it.
When you are out traveling alone, you are going to be the sole person responsible for taking care of anything that goes wrong. Consider taking a first-aid course or speaking with other experienced backpackers before heading out on your journey.
2. Proper Tent
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a backpacker is packing a tent that is too heavy or bulky. This will create unnecessary strain and stress on your body since you’ll be carrying it around every day.
You’ll want to pick a tent that only weighs a couple of pounds and has a high rating for durability. You’ll also want to choose a tent that is easy to pitch at the end of a long day of hiking.
3. Sleeping Bag
Another common mistake made by first-time backpackers is not preparing for the cold. Nothing is worse than trying to sleep in the bitter cold after a long day.
To avoid this, invest in a quality sleeping bag. Although this may be one of the pricier items on our list, it is well worth and will last you for many trips.
4. Protection
Solo backpacking can be a bit intimidating, especially when it comes to defending yourself. Whether you are worried about wildlife or other hikers, your enjoyment will depend on you feeling safe and at ease.
Be sure to pack some sort of protection that you feel comfortable using. This can range from pepper spray, a knife, or even a stun gun. Read on here for how this can help you stay safe and protected.
5. Food And Water
This one may seem a bit obvious, but be sure to pack more food and water than you think you’ll need. Sometimes we can over anticipate how much ground we will cover in a day and you don’t want to cut your trip short because you are running of food and water.
Choose things like energy bars or dehydrated foods that are lightweight but filling and full of nutrients that your body needs.
Enjoying Solo Backpacking
Solo backpacking is one of the greatest experiences you can have as a traveler. It gives you a sense of empowerment and deeply connects you to nature.
Keep these five things in mind when packing for your next solo adventure. And for more articles like this, check back on our website!