first time out soloing

“Ok I am going out solo for the first time. I bought all the gear and read all the books. I am planning a one or two nighter in Central PA last week of April...any suggestions for this novice backpacker? Please be serious.

Thanks”

“just remember...there's nothing to fear, but fear itself!

You'll have fun!”

“Leave an itenery with someone.

Don't push too hard on your first solo.

Double check your pack, no one to lean on if you forget something.

Snipe hunting isn't as fun, but you ought to try.”

“Rain or shine just go!!
Keep an open mind!! Watch your step!!
Make a list , check it twice
Bring a camera
Bring good FOOD.
first aid
Candle lantern/flashlight
Seam seal/h20 proof any gear(boots tent)
Bring extra clothing. Better safe than sorry
Maybe keep a log or mental note of things used or things to do different
Tell others where you will be.
If you like fires, good fire starter

I know there is more but PLAN PLAN PLAN PLAN and enjoy it most of all.”

“I went on my first solo last summer here in Cali. Everything was beautiful and great except for a cold bag and nasty old blister poping boots. Also my fishing reel broke while fishing at a lake that I found out later did not hold a fish population. Because of the bag and the reel I cut the 3 day trip down to 2 and hiked out. To make matters worse my brake line broke on my Jeep while driving out.

This was a learning experience and no I am not discouraged. I just bought better gear this year.

Give yourself time to adjust to being in solitude. Many soloists discribe their first day as a little discouraging, the second better, and every day after the first two as wonderful experiences.

I'm planning my first solo this year for May to Dinkey Lakes. I can't wait!

Good luck and have a great time, you will!

^^^ThinAir^^^”

“bring a map,preferably a topo map
dont try to do too many miles,
make camp early and savor the
woods.
finally dont do anything out of the ordinary-like blaze off trail,
if you dont regularly do such a thing.have fun-dont worry”

“Solitary Hiking is a great experience. You can set your own pace and see and hear a lot more, because there are fewer distractions. I don't do anything different or pack anything different on a solo trip, but the experience is different.”

“same here, bacpac.

don't overplan. just grab your bag and go.”

“And report back to us. I'd love to hear how it goes.”

“Go out there. You'll have fun.”

“Do you know where you are going? Have you been there before? I took my first solo in an area that I knew real well and expanded out from that to area's that I had been to before but didn't know quite as good. It made the transition easy and I felt comfortable the whole time. Good luck and enjoy the solitude.”

“Bring a good book”

“Good for you PA. Soloing is the best to me. It is not for everyone, as you soon will find out if it is for you. All the above advice is solid.

Hike your own hike.”

“take all above advice, be prepared , get in shape and relax and enjoy..........have no preferences....let it all unfold and know you are prepared and ready to deal with any situation....write notes in the margins of the map...

solo hiking is AWESOME......it is the direct and personal experience with creation.....you will come home with a very new outlook on life..............”

“Talk to yourself and the animals so you don't forget how to converse.”

“Its like sleeping in your back yard, only bigger.”

“sgt. rock and briar rabbi had the most important advice: let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.

i disagree with rad: "don't overplan. just grab your bag and go." make sure you plan well (food, emergency supplies, etc.) i don't know what overplan is.”

“Overplanning is planning to take the dutch oven.”

“trust yourself,
don't forget the book,
don't forget the tp”

“Advice to me as a new teacher:
Regardless to how TERRIBLY your first year goes,
return for a second year.

You may have a bad experience (tho it's not likely),
and if you do, don't sweat it. You'll do much better the second time. You will prolly learn more on yer first hike than on any single hike afterward.

Happy Baptism!”

“Keep it light.....in more ways than one!

For me its a good motivator.
There is no one else to pass the buck to.
I haven't been out solo since January 2000.
Alone on the high plateaus of West Virginny in the dead of winter is just about my favorite place be!
Eh what, Wide Child?
Er, uh, et tu Wild Child?”

“And don't forget to go snipe hunting.”

“Don't forget a book, and of course the green leafy stuff to let your mind go and ponder life's wonders while staring at the stars.”

“Stay on the dirt and do not walk on the leafs or you will get rested and go to the poleece!

You will need a pakpak. Do you have a pakpak?

Do not chase deers or else everbuddy will yell at you!

Get a tent and lern how to make a tent and sleep in it too so you do not catch amonias.

Get a sleepy bag, too.

DO NOT PEE IN THE TENT!

DO NOT LET RATS EAT YER FOOD IF YOU BRING FOOD!

Put everthing in yer pakpak in food baggys so nothin will get wet much when you go swimmin with yer pakpak on.

DO NOT PUT YER TALE IN THE FIRE!

SMELL GOOD FOR BARES!”

“WOW..thanks for all the great advice and hints..I am going to try the Blue Knob State Park in PA. The Lost Turkey Trail to be exact. It was written up by a hiker in Trail Data Base here in Bk'Pkr.

I will remember all the hints. Thanks Again.”

“Mmmmm...leafy greens!

Think I'll have a salad”