Planning a solo backcountry hike/retreat

[Deleted member 33052]

I'm so excited! Learning about hypothermia and how to deal with bears and cougars. Wilderness medicine. Layering for rain. The proper way to guy a tarp. Need to learn more about wolves - apparently, there are plenty of wolves in the backcountry. I'm terrified of cougars, yet it sounds like they're most predictable of the predators.

I'm working out, building the right muscles for alpine hiking. I was totally unprepared for my last alpine hike and I never want to feel like that again.

The alpine trails are pretty much impassable until late spring so I have tons time to prepare. I feel like a kid counting down for Christmas!

If anyone has any advice, I'm happy to learn...

Oh, btw, I do have ways to protect myself, if need be.

 

[Gs172003]

Just be careful. Other than that have fun!

 

[MrMoonlight]

Sounds like a nice trip, I see why you are so excited. My biggest trouble seemed to be my feet though by the sounds of things you are a fairly experienced person. I always worried about good boots an inner thin (slip) sock with plenty of outer wool socks or whatever space age material they come in today. Moleskin (blisters) I'm sure you know can be a lifesaver.

Man I'm excited for you, there is something about getting back to nature that revitalizes the soul.

Oh maybe tie a bell to you pack or shoe to alert bears to you being in their home. Be sure at the trailhead parking place to leave an itinerary of your planned adventure facing outward through your locked car window..and with a friend /family member. If you found yourself in trouble of hurt it will give rescuers somewhere to begin and a timeframe if it's a multi day trip.

Don't forget a camera because we want a few photos!

 

[Friday]

I love this.

Good on you.

Oh... and yeah.... I’ll update later with a few tips/tricks.

 

[Gs172003]

Bear spray isn't a bad idea either. Even the zoo keepers at the zoo carry it on them for large carnivores.

 

[Neverthesame]

I always wanted to try this. Don't know why I haven't.
Guess I'm a city slicker at heart. I hope it's enjoyable for you.

I remember a couple of things from a course I took years ago.
Plus a few things l learned the hard way.

• When setting up camp at the base of a slope. If there are no trees in a "corridor" leading uphill, that's probably an avalanche zone.
• Take off layers before you start sweating.
• Point the door of your tent, downhill. If you don't and it rains, you'll wake up in a swimming pool. (Learned that the hard way).
• The best way to warm up is exercise.
• Don't feed the bears. ;)
• While you can use pine cones as toilet paper. It's not pleasant in any way, shape or form.
• Alcohol makes hypothermia worse.
• Bears scrape bark off tress to mark territory. They also run faster downhill than up. (You shouldn't run from bears anyway, but I always thought that was interesting.)
• Suspend your food at least 10' (I think) above the ground.
• Chipmunks and squirrels are jerks.
• Most importantly though. Have fun.

 

[Deleted member 33052]

Cool! I'm already learning! Thanks, friends, for your great advice and suggestions!

Ok, I have a bear bell and bear spray. I always carry a dagger in case I can't ward off an attack, and I'm not afraid to use it. It's Damascus steel, though, and I hate the thought of getting it dirty...

I've bought a grenade-style siren, which should help if I see that I'm being tracked. I'm going to bring a slingshot, too, and practice shootings targets for the next couple of months. Something occurred to me, though. My pets are thoroughly repelled by the scent of tea tree oil, so I thought of spraying a bit on myself at the trailhead as a deterrent. I would love opinions on that.

The areas I plan to hike have bear caches, thank goodness, and I was thinking of bringing mostly packaged food to avoid attracting bears.

Oh, and for my birthday, my family gave me a satellite GPS tracker! My daughter worries too much about me when I'm off the beaten path, so I've promised her she can track my hike from home.

Now I need to google moleskins... :)

I always wanted to try this. Don't know why I haven't.
Guess I'm a city slicker at heart. I hope...

I don't suppose you live on the west coast...?

 

[Gs172003]

Cool! I'm already learning! Thanks, friends, for your great advice and suggestions!

Ok, I have a b...

Moleskins are to put over areas of pressure on your feet to cover or prevent blisters..

Something else make sure you have a way to get clean water..

 

[Deleted member 33052]

Here on Vancouver Island, hikers drink straight from streams and falls. I carry a purification straw, just in case, but I've been drinking stream water for 10 years now. This means I won't have to pack more than a couple of litres of water, thank goodness.

When I'm camped, I will boil lake water unless I'm I in a rush, and then I will purify.

 

[Freida]

are you doing the pacific crest?

 

[Freida]

OH! take your full backpack to the gym with you and work on an incline treadmill. That builds the correct muscles. And don't forget bug spray!

 

[Deleted member 33052]

@Freida, I really want to do the West Coast Trail, but it's complicated nowadays. The trail is closed for about eight months of the year, as it's too dangerous in the rainy season, so it gets booked up often a year in advance. It's too popular and too busy in the summer months. I've read that it gets really dirty and crowded :(

I did the little Wild Pacific Trail last fall and it was beautiful. Again, too crowded, though.

This time I'm planning an inland alpine hike which links a half dozen mountain lakes. The first two lakes are considered front country (although they're deserted off-season and too challenging for weekend campers), and the rest are backcountry. I want to get to four lakes, but I'd be happy with two, this first time.

When I was there last fall, I didn't see or hear one single piece of evidence of another human being for two days. It was heaven. I admire the "leave no trace" attitude of backcountry hikers.

I was thinking of working out with my pack! We have some little mountains around here to practice on. I don't dare get four hours up the mountain and decide I can't do it...