Running/Hiking
It's always a good time hiking with your pals, eating snacks with views, and enjoying each other's company. But your trail friends may not always have the same time available to check out a new scenic spot when the weather is in its prime, so you're put in the position of deciding whether or not you wait 'til the *stars align* again with your friends or send it anyway. I vote "send it anyway", as long as it is a thought out and safe decision. If you are interested in taking a dip into solo hiking, it’s important to consider your preparation, skills, and safety.
So, how do you get into solo hiking? Are there any benefits? How can you prepare so you feel safe and confident in your abilities?
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I got into solo hiking about a year and a half after I moved to Colorado. My first time was in March. I remember there was still snow on the ground at this nearby trail. It had so many switchbacks and I loved every minute of it. Yes, even the hard parts. It was so refreshing and empowering.
The next week I solo hiked again, except this time I went to a different familiar trail. It quickly became my new goal: improve my solo hiking skills. Within the first few months of my solo treks, I worked my way up to 10 miles on my own. I was SO proud of myself. Within a few months of my longest trek, that’s when I began to question how else I could push my body and see what I could do. Enter: my decision to trail run the Grand Canyon Rim-2-Rim. Yes, it’s a slippery slope. From there on out, I was the solo hiking and trail running queen. Especially since my personal training schedule is a little more sporadic than your typical 9-5, solo trekking was and is easier for me to commit to.
PS, if you wanted in on a little secret… trail running is pretty much speed hiking uphill and running downhill. You down?
If you’re looking to get into solo hiking, I’d recommend following these steps:
1. Hike a local trail with a friend or group at least 1-2 times.
2. Once you feel like the trail is more familiar to you, go to that same trail on your own. Make sure to follow the preparations listed below.
3. Enjoy the trek!
I understand how it may seem like it’s easier said than done, but once a trail feels familiar and you are confident in your abilities, go for it. You may feel a bit nervous at first, but remember it’s okay to do it scared.
As you saw, I’m team “send it anyway”. I personally don’t want to wait until I can go with someone to eat snacks on a summit. I’m also someone that doesn’t mind my own company for a few hours or so on a trail. All that to say, there are a few benefits of solo hiking you might not have considered.
1. It’s empowering.
Taking on the trail on your own makes you feel like the strong badass b* you are! You can do hard things!
2. You won’t miss out on amazing views.
Although the mountains will always be there, when you have the hiking itch, you can scratch it on your own.
3. Solo hiking builds confidence.
You are the one doing all the work: preparing, packing, hiking, eating, keeping yourself company. YOU are the rockstar.
4. You set the pace.
You don’t have to feel rushed or too speedy. You can go at your own enjoyable pace.
5. You have time to yourself.
Some of my best thinking is done while solo hiking. Take advantage of this time on your own to work through things as needed. Hiking isn’t therapy, but it is therapeutic.
When it comes to preparing for a solo hike, it’s more than just what you bring and knowledge of the area. You also need to:
1. Know your body and your limits.
2. Never be afraid to turn around.
3. Check the weather before your hike (and during, when necessary).
4. Always bring the 10 essentials including navigation, light, sun protection, first aid, knife, fire, shelter, extra food, extra water, extra clothes. (More on this in the next section.)
5. Always tell at least one person the details of your hike including where you are going, what route/trail you’re taking, what time you plan to start, what time you plan to be back at your car, what you're wearing, and details of your car (make, model, color, and license plate number).
6. Wear the appropriate amount of layers for your hike.
7. Bring plenty of food and water.
8. Download a trail map ahead of time using AllTrails or another trail mapping service. You can also download it to your satellite communication device.
9. Research what wildlife could be present and know how to interact or avoid interaction with them.
BONUS 10: Take a wilderness first aid course to help you feel more prepared and confident in your skills. I recommend NOLS, Colorado Mountain Club, or The American Red Cross. These are not affiliate links, just educational sources I recommend.
It's no surprise I'm an overpacker. Not so much for beach travel or family vacations, but out to the mountains? Absolutely. I like to bring allll the things. Ya know, just in case!
I always suggest being over-prepared versus underprepared, so if you're reading this and thinking, "yeah, I'll never need that", I hope you’re right! It will truly depend on your experience level, trail accessibility, climate and weather, and what you have on-hand (although, I'd recommend investing in these items at some point). Regardless, I'll be listing it anyway just to be safe.
Here is my extensive day hiker checklist for solo adventurers:
- Hydration pack
- Water (bladder and/or bottles) + extra
- Electrolytes
- Food + extra
- Outer layer
- Rain jacket
- Extra pair of socks
- Buff or neck gaiter
- Trekking poles (optional)
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Map
- Headlamp / flashlight
- Satellite communication device
- Repair kit / knife / tools
- Fire / matches / fire starter
- Emergency shelter / bivy
- ID
- Cash/credit card
- Cell phone
Again, you might be thinking, “why might I need matches for a 3 mile hike?” But, as I said earlier, I’m an overpacker. I recommend being overly prepared as a new solo hiker instead of being under prepared. Then, as you get more comfortable solo hiking and you become more familiar with the trails you visit, leaving a few items back at home may be a bit more feasible.
Safety is the number one priority whether you are hiking alone, with a friend, or in a group. It’s important to note that everyone has their own personal limits of what they consider "safe". Some people feel completely safe on a solo high altitude hike, while some people feel unsafe while solo on a local, well-trafficked trail. Please only fly solo when you feel comfortable and confident in your abilities and surroundings.
To stay safe, I recommend:
1. Being prepared physically by following a strength and endurance training program. Check out our Kathletics Trail hybrid training program.
2. Being prepared mentally by visiting your first few solo trails with friend(s) first before tackling it on your own.
3. Make yourself known when passing other trail goers.
4. Pay attention to your surroundings, including in the parking lot.
5. Use all of your senses.
6. If you choose to use headphones, please either keep the volume super low or only use one earbud so you can hear what’s around you. I generally recommend ditching the headphones completely while on the trails, if I’m being completely honest.
7. Choose a form of protection (bear spray, knife, or other weapon) you feel comfortable handling and using in case of emergency.
8. Tell at least one person the full details of where you are going, what you’re wearing, your ETA, etc.
Safety is an extremely important part of enjoying the trails. Even if something seems like it’s overkill, remember it’s to protect yourself in a worst case scenario.
In conclusion, although I may be a big fan of solo hiking, that doesn’t mean you need to be! It’s perfectly acceptable to stick with group or partner hikes if that’s what you feel most comfortable with. But if you’re like me and want to dabble in trekking solo, I recommend being prepared so you can have the best trail experiences available.
Happy hiking and be safe!
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