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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Five simple rules for going solo

By: Bartley Kives

Posted: 10/22/2011 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Self-portrait of the hiker as a solitary man (BARTLEY KIVES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

MOOSEHEAD LAKE -- When the alarm goes off at 5:45 a.m., nobody in the tent complains. When I start fumbling around in the dark to begin packing up my gear, nobody at the campsite complains.

When breakfast consists of a Clif bar, there's no milk or sugar for the morning tea and I start plodding along the trail with the help of a headlamp before dawn, nobody is around to complain.

Such are the simple pleasures of solo backpacking, which allows you to enjoy the wilderness at your own pace. In the wilderness by yourself, you can start when you like, pause when you like and eat -- or not eat -- whenever you like, without any of the consensual decision-making and mutual compromises that accompanies any form of travel with other people.

Solo wilderness travel, of course, is not just about being selfish. If you're willing to travel alone, you'll probably get out more because you don't have to synchronize your holiday time with anyone else.

More importantly, you tend to find yourself more immersed in your surroundings when you travel alone. On your own, your senses tend to be heightened to the point where you hear every creak of a swaying tree, notice every blur of movement in the bush and smell every mass of rotting leaves.

This can leave you freaked out by fear, overcome with numinous awe or simply just leave you feeling unusually content. The latter emotion predominated during a solo hike during the Thanksgiving long weekend, when I encountered 18 people over the course of the 63-kilometre Mantario Trail and thus never quite felt entirely alone.

The presence of other people, however, makes a trail like the Mantario a good choice for solo backpackers. That's because as much as travelling solo is fun, it also comes with inherent risks.

A twisted ankle, for example, is just a major inconvenience during a trip with other people. But on your own, this common trail injury can be life-threatening.

So if you're considering a solo trip, you need to be a little cautious. Here are a few tips to consider before you head out by yourself:

1. Choose a familiar, well-travelled route.

Given the inherent risks of solo travel, it's a good idea to hike on your own in places you either know or where the terrain is easy to navigate. The first time I went on a solo backpacking trip, I chose a loop trail in Riding Mountain, where the paths are wide and practically idiot-proof. Once you're comfortable on your own, you can tackle more difficult routes.

2. Tell someone where you're going.

You don't need to see 127 Hours to learn the wisdom of observing the No. 1 rule of wilderness travel. Always tell someone precisely where you're going, how long you intend to be there and when you'll be back. If you can, leave them a detailed itinerary of your intended campsites. Also leave instructions about what to do if you don't call in at a predetermined time.

3. Carry a map and compass.

With two or three sets of eyes, following a trail is pretty easy. On your own, it's remarkably easy to get turned around. So pack a map and compass and use a GPS as backup, remembering to carry extra batteries. Just keep track of where you are at all times. And if you find yourself off the trail, never forge ahead -- it's better to double back to the last trail marker or familiar place.

4. Don't be too proud for electronics.

If a cellphone works where you're going, take it. You only have to use it in the event of an emergency. If there's no coverage, consider purchasing Spot, a lightweight GPS device that allows your friends and family to monitor your progress in the wilderness.

5. Pack light, but not too light.

A heavily burdened backpacker can not climb rockfalls or descend cliffs as safely as someone with a lighter load. It's simply safer to travel light, but do not scrimp on essentials such as a First Aid kit, raingear and enough warm clothes and extra food to survive bad weather. If you don't own a lightweight solo tent or shelter, borrow or rent one. And take hiking poles with you to better distribute the weight from your pack on uneven terrain.

bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 22, 2011 C12

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