[Jordan]

[Jordan]

[Bedivere]

[DIYSteve]

Eschewing certain gear is not a condition of a solo backpacking trip. Duh. Pack whatever you want to pack. Duh. My longest solo trip was 11 days back in the late 1980s. I had a map, compass and watch. It was great. I saw only two other parties days 2-10. I never got the heebie jeebies -- maybe because I had a wrist watch to protect me

[BlameTheDogz]

[Pyrites]

The hard fear I had to learn to turn off way vehicle being broke into, and or worse. Crossing icy bridge at namesake creek in the dark caused me to focus, but never worried me like the car.

[meck]

Not much to add (but gonna add anyways): Backpacking solo is fun, but as others mentioned, it will probably make you a bit more conservative in your risk assessments & choices (as is needed). Fear of "bumps in the night": If an axe-murderer or alien (or <insert other crazy danger here>) is gonna get you at night, it is gonna get you no matter what since it will have the element of surprise on sleeping you, and you will die, that's that. So now that you know that you have no chance against that possible "danger" , you can let it go and worry about those things you can control. Ear plugs are great. Practicalities from my experience: 1. Since you will be solo (no one to call to, to find your way back to camp), having some reflective webbing/tape/line or cord tied to the top of your tent and pack can make them easier to spot at night, after answering the call of nature, with a flashlight. 2. Mini-binoculars are really useful in route-finding (above treeline) and observing wildlife. I always take a pair. 3. In addition to a whistle (carried with you), a small signaling mirror is good to have. 4. Trekking poles & extra webbing or tie straps: many discussions about whether folks like to use them or not, I like them. When offtrailing alone I view the poles as an insurance policy. If you injure a leg, using the poles, or part of a pole, along with webbing or other tie straps, you can fashion some sort of splint to at least give yourself the chance to self-extract, or reach a more visible location for rescue.

[texasbb]

[zephyr]

[texasbb]

[meck]

@ texasbb: I like your idea too about the tent light-up. I usually go with two lights as well so I'll try that next time. I'm used to camping typically in the trees so I usually don't have much moonlight to work with when answering nature's call.

[hikerman77]

kiliki - The search for Kris Fowler (aka Sherpa) has been ongoing since last year when he disappeared. Kris was hiking the PCT and disappeared last October. His family has been supportive of the effort of the SAR groups, Sheriff department and all the volunteers looking for Kris. There are over 6000 members on Facebook who are helping in any way possible to help bring Kris Home.

[FiveNines]

[HitTheTrail]

what's with all the high tech for taking a leak? Use a pee bottle and never have to leave the shelter of your tent (or hammock tarp).

[CarriesNineFires]

Or just get up and pee; nothing's going to happen. How far do you need to walk from your tent to do it? If you need to have a squat in the middle of the night (I never do, and the human body generally follows that rule) and want to make it easy have your dump site picked out beforehand and pre-dug if you're going for maximum efficiency and ease, and enjoy it. I cherish crapping in the woods. Logs belong amongst the logs. I always lay a cross of sticks over the freshly-buried grave to mark my passage. And I appreciate a fine view for the process. When conditions permit I prefer stripping down to the naked state to really get the feeling.