This can be kind of scary, but I'm determined. I started by reading the forum posts and blogs of other women who hike and backpack solo. I consulted my grandfather (who felt having a dog was the best defense) and heard my mother's concerns. I talked it over with Dan. And I decided it's something I want to try.
So a few weekends ago I bought myself a can of bear mace, left my itinerary with two friends, and took the first step: seeing if I could spend the night in the woods alone.
Following advice from those forums (and my own common sense) that I would not want to spend the night in a populated campsite, I went scouting in the wilderness and found an isolated site down a logging road. This allowed me to go car camping while staying away from strangers. So I got home from work, packed up my knapsack, and drove out to this beautiful mountain retreat.
It was my first opportunity to try out my new BA Copper Spur UL1 which I spent a long time debating over. I've wanted a solo tent, it was a big deal for me that it be super light, and I balked over the price but I did find it on sale and I finally ordered it. It's lovely by the way - easy up, spacious, and freestanding except for the stakes you use to put out the fly.
I didn't get a very good picture of the tent. Here's a picture of Dodger in the wider head end of the tent when it arrived and I set it up in the living room.
Still a solo tent, but spacious enough for Dodger and I to be comfortable, even if he would rather sleep on my head.
The night was a little scary. I woke up several times during the night, once with a bad dream that there were other people out in the woods and they were screaming that there was a fire. At one point I'm pretty sure Dodger scared something away outside, but the rustling I heard was a small rustling. It was comforting to know I could climb into my car at any time and drive away, but I was brave and I didn't.
Dodger woke me up very early in the morning (see the above picture) by pretending to bark at stuff outside and then looking at me to see if I was awake yet. I discovered that everything in the REI review thread about this tent's condensation is true: the fly walls were sagging with dew even though I'd left the vent open. Next time I will bring my backpack and shoes inside the tent so they don't get wet (which they did when they'd been sheltered under the fly).
Dodger drove me out of bed at 5:30 am and we hiked along the ridge to check out the spectacular views.
I drove home around 9 in the morning, but I consider the trip an overall success.
Pros: Surviving a night in the woods by myself! Starting my own fire.
Cons: My knapsack was still heavier than I would want to hike with by myself.
For next time: I still packed too much food, which I always do. I need to get my pack down to a manageable weight if I want to actually go hiking by myself (with Dodger) and cross a reasonable distance. I think I'm looking at a good 5 or 6 miles in if I want to go to a backwoods site with a nearby ranger I can notify of my trip.
