Thanks for reaching out. I never set off on a hike or backpacking trip without them. Great great information for solo backpacking. There are many tools and services that will help you with this. This is really helpful, and nudged me towards buying the wind jacket. That’s why, with a few exceptions, it’s not practical to simply repurpose car camping gear. I read the accounts with great interest of British Alastaire Humphreys as a solo hiker and bicyclist. Makes me so happy to know that it’s helping people like you. This waterproof DCF bag (1.9 oz) can hold 7-8 days worth of food during multi-day backpacking trips. I’m going to do the O Circuit this November, it will be windy! Dan Human (author) from Niagara Falls, NY on August 16, 2013: Hi Crusty - may of the solo hikers I know are in their fifties or sixties, so you are in good company. You can't beat glowing embers, setting sun and brilliant stars at night. I hike with my dog on most short duration trips, which is only tad different from hiking solo lol, hence great information for me. Plus the cool thing about going solo, is that you get major bragging rights! Quality backpacking gear will ensure your adventures are a success, so look for products made with strong materials that can withstand wear and tear, like SilNylon, polypropylene, and polyester. Backpack, Shelter & Sleeping System 2. I will not mind if she doesn't return, because I always order another copy when I give some book to some one. I use a Jetboil Mini fuel canister with my camping stove to boil water for my dehydrated meals. Dan Human (author) from Niagara Falls, NY on May 29, 2012: As a SAR volunteer and someone with my ear to the ground for outdoor accidents I hear far too many incidents of hikers that venture out unprepared. I recently switched to the Montbell Versalite from the ultra-popular and affordable Frogg Toggs ultralight rain jacket. I recently moved on from my Carhartt meshback trucker to this ultra-comfortable hat from Vuori. Dan Human (author) from Niagara Falls, NY on February 24, 2012: It's good you are getting out though. This area is similar to the Pacific Northwest in the US, really rainy & can be cold, so it takes a lot of planning. 5 pound full comfort base weight and a 9.5 pound consumables for thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail. After a few failures by either overpacking, under packing, or straight up bringing the wrong stuff, I finally have what gear to bring backpacking dialed in. How to Safely Hike Alone. Your email address will not be published. The weight of your consumable items is not fixed and will vary from day to day. But without friends, there’s no chance of splitting up gear and your pack will be heavier when going solo. These shoes saved my Colorado Trail thru-hike. If you see a solo hiker, resist the urge to chastise their decision and you'll most likely have a pleasant trail conversation. I’m trying to get my weight down and seem to be stuck on clothing. signals. The nature is alive and willing to communicate with people. When you make the transition to ultralight, a lot of free space will open up in your backpack. How many days are you giving yourself to hike the trail? Thanks again! Hey, Stefan! Something I want to do. Have you tried those 5 gram stakes from Ali Express yet, and do they hold up in sand? Remember, too, that you’ll be splitting up gear like tents and pots and stoves when you hike with a friend. We've taken the time to put all of our favorite backpacking gear in one place. Jason Licerio from Philippines on May 05, 2013: Andrew Spacey from Near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire,UK on May 04, 2013: I really enjoyed this article. Do you have any ultralight packing tips or tricks? This sturdy and straightforward watch helps navigate, records my heart rate, tracks altitude and distance traveled, syncs with my phone, and much more. Made from super lightweight DCF, it’s very well-engineered and has held up to heavy rain, howling winds, and everything in between. I love taking long solitary walks and sleeping outside by myself- though I have only had a small handfuls of opportunities to do so. Very annoying. Here are some helpful books, websites, and tools that have been invaluable along my journey as an ultralight backpacker. It wicks moisture away extraordinarily well and fits me like a dream. There’s no official weight chart for backpacking classifications, so defining them is completely objective. That said, it’s nice to have a filter in case you want to clean standing/dirty water along your trek. The base weight of my 2020 ultralight backpacking gear … They aren’t revered as much in the US, though they should be. I’m gonna try the Chaco Z1 at REI. Buy now from Amazon. My first attempt at 'the loop' of .8 miles was a real eye opener for me. 172 o. My lightweight sit pad is a new addition to my gear list and will be a fixture of my setup for years to come. Though Ultralight Backpackin’ Tips was published in 2011, it’s full of thoughtful information that is still 100% valid today. I want to get better at solo hiking and hiking in general (doing longer backpacking trips and the like). Nice article, and anyone who reads it, don't ever feel weird about wanting to go out on your own. What more could you ask for in a pair of hiking shorts? 1. I’m excited for you! I’ve traveled solo through Europe several times just using a backpack. In terms of warmth-to-weight, the Plasma 1000 down jacket is second-to-none. The last time I had been backpacking was on an ill-fated weekend in 7th grade, but despite my inexperience I was determined to go. I figure that if he had the courage and the spirit to press on, so could I. Suhail Zubaid aka Clark Kent from Mississauga, ON on September 18, 2013: Just wanted to let you know that I read the book by Bill Irwin (Blind Courage). The design looks solid, and the stakes are about as light as they come, so I’m very intrigued. I have never and probably will never attempt the wilderness all on my own. Just stumbled on your blog and think it’s great! Let the journey ahead decide what you pack and leave all your other unnecessary gear behind. The Joy Of Solo Backpacking Have you ever gone solo backpacking? On average, I carry about a liter of water (35.25 oz | 1 kg) at a time during my backpacking adventures and filter water as I go. Very helpful. I’m going up to the mountains in 2 weeks so I’ll pick it up before then. Take care. Pooling the weight of your tents, stoves, pots, water filters, knives, etc. You never know. Montbell gear is usually about 10-15% cheaper here. The heavier your backpack, the more susceptible you become to slips, falls, twists, sprains, and breaks on the trail. Absolutely nothing wrong or weird about backpacking alone, I think it's mostly women who see it as weird, since they rarely do anything on their own. I’m really grateful you gave me all the great info about where you live in Japan. When you make a purchase through our site, we may earn a commission. Yes, I believe I do remember occasional trash cans along the way. Why? I have been feeling the need to go on a long hike solo. So it happened. It is incredibly warm and gives me an extra 10 degrees of comfort at night. They’re great sandals to hike in if the weather is nice and you want a break from your boots. This dream list has options for any type of trail treader. As a lightweight solo backpacker, I generally average around 8 pounds of equipment for a summer three day trip. Cheap backpacking gear is prevalent throughout outdoor outfitter stores — you just have to know what to look for. The bag connects to the sides of the sleeping pad while locking in heat and allowing room to stretch out. On a 2014 attempted trek of the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland, a brutal storm put me and my inefficient gear to the test, and things went downhill fast. I hope you have a great summer full of top-notch adventures! The typical base weight limit for an ultralight setup is 10 pounds or less. Tarps are great for experiencing a oneness with nature. I appreciate your feedback. You just need to be willing to get a little creative. CARRYING. I solo paddle too, mostly in the Adirondacks for longer trips. And you're right about that feeling you get when you are alone and experiencing something that is hard to capture in words or photos; sometimes it feels like that sunrise is just for you. Required fields are marked *. I used to sleep on the gigantic Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xtherm MAX, but I switched to the smaller three-season Xlite pad and trimmed 11 ounces off of my base weight. Over the years, I've read in the news about backpackers or day hikers getting lost, experiencing sunstroke, and even being attached by a mountain lion. Each item on this list links to my complete review of it, where you can get more details and find links to online retailers for purchasing it; in a few cases, those links are to a multi-product review, like “22 Essential Backpacking Gear Accessories.” Dream Backpacking Gear List. They’re incredibly affordable — only $13 — so if I break or lose them, I won’t lose any sleep. All we can do is learn all we can and plan, plan, and plan some more. Either way, you’ll be fine. The TOAKS 750 ml titanium pot (I leave the lid behind) fits the bill and has been as useful and durable as advertised. I live right at the base of the Northern Japanese Alps (Toyama Prefecture), and the view is unbelievable. Each item on this list links to my complete review of it, where you can get more details and find links to online retailers for purchasing it; in a few cases, those links are to a multi-product review, like “22 Essential Backpacking Gear … It helps masks odor from bears, rodents, and can be used with a rock sack and paracord (.5 oz) to suspend and hang my consumables when hungry creatures are a threat. Just me - I left the family down in the valley. Yes, finding a partner that shares your speed, values, and goals is hard. I came over here originally 16 years ago to teach & after bouncing back & forth between America & Japan, got married to a woman from this area & moved back permanently 6 years ago. They should be able to dump some of my gear list helpful is solo hiking reading this hub allowing to! To know which kind of location will be rain at some point along you and. 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