Why You Should Take a Solo Backpacking Trip

Do you dream of backpacking but can’t convince your friends to go with you? Or keep trying to organize a trip, but can’t coordinate everyone’s schedules? What if you decided to just make it happen and take a solo backpacking trip?

Beyond simply not being beholden to anyone else, a solo backpacking trip is an awesome way to discover what you’re capable of and gain confidence in yourself.

As an outdoor educator and creator of the Backpacking Badass program which teaches women how to hit the trail confidently and self-sufficiently, I love solo backpacking. Here are the reasons I would recommend taking a solo backpacking trip to anybody!

WHY GO ON A SOLO BACKPACKING TRIP

Going on a solo backpacking trip is super rewarding, but I think the two biggest benefits are the freedom & confidence you get from going on your own adventure. You’re free to go wherever you want, whenever you want, and you are the one who will make it happen.

GO TO THE DESTINATION YOU CHOOSE

If you love mountains, but your outdoor besties prefer the desert, a solo trip is your chance to go to your dream destination. When you’re going on a solo backpacking trip, the decision on where to go is completely up to you!

If you’re going on a hike with a competitive permit lottery, like Half Dome or Mount Whitney, going solo might even give you a better chance of snagging a coveted permit.

>>>Learn more about snagging permits for lots of popular California hikes here!

GO ON YOUR SCHEDULE

You also have the freedom to take a solo backpacking trip whenever it’s convenient for you. Coordinating time with friends can be quite difficult, especially for multiple days on the trail, but on a solo trip, you can go whenever you’re free.

SAVOR ALONE TIME IN NATURE

Sure, it’s lovely to appreciate the sunset with your favorite people, but it’s also wonderful to soak in natural beauty by yourself. Sometimes you just need a break from everything, including social obligations (especially if you’re an introvert), and a solo backpacking trip provides that alone time.

LEARN WHAT YOU’RE CAPABLE OF

When you go on a group backpacking trip, you can rely on other people for skills you don’t have, whether that’s navigation, meal planning, or building a fire. When you go on a solo backpacking trip, you need to do everything yourself.

Before you go on a backpacking trip, you should make sure to learn all the skills you need, and on the trip, you’ll get to see what you’re capable of (and what you might need to learn more about for future trips).

BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE

Taking a successful solo backpacking trip – and success has many definitions – will prove to yourself (and others) that you can do hard things.

If your trip goes perfectly smoothly, you’ll get more confidence in your planning abilities. And if something goes sideways, you can gain confidence in your ability to pivot and make the best of it.

---

GRAB MY [FREE] OUTDOOR BACKPACKER STARTER KIT

I created the Ultimate Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for you (and it's FREE)! This starter kit is filled with 14 pages of my best hiking and backpacking tips to help you learn what it takes to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient outdoor backpacker!

---

TIPS FOR GOING ON A SOLO BACKPACKING TRIP

There’s a lot that goes into a solo backpacking trip, and my Backpacking Badass program covers everything you need to know, but here are just a few tips to keep in mind before heading into the backcountry alone.

START SMALL

If you’ve never solo backpacked before, you don’t need to be like Cheryl Strayed in Wild and go on a thru-hike! Start with an overnight trip or maybe just a couple nights.

TEST YOUR GEAR

It’s always a good idea to test your gear before you hit the trail, especially for a solo backpacking trip. If your stove or headlamp doesn’t work in the backcountry, you won’t just be able to use your friend’s gear when you’re on your own.

So do a quick test of everything crucial before you pack it. If it’s new gear, make sure you know how to use it, and if it’s tried and true, it’s still worth checking to make sure it’s functioning properly.

STAY IN TOUCH

Even though you’ll be in the backcountry alone on a solo backpacking trip, that doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected.

Before you go, be sure to share your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member. Let them know your intended route (including the trailhead you’ll start at), when you plan to be home, and when you will be considered overdue.

I also highly recommend bringing a satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach or Zoleo, so you can update your contact during your adventure and reach out if anything goes wrong.

---

PSST.. ARE YOU READY TO FINALLY UNDERGO YOUR OWN BACKPACKING TRANSFORMATION?

Join me (and your peers) on a transformational adventure, where you will learn how to confidently go on your first ever (or perhaps your first solo) outdoor backpacking trip without the constant fear of getting lost, the debilitating worry of being unprepared, and the lurking feeling that you lack the "know-how" and skills required to stay safe on the trails. Click below to be the first to know when my one-of-a-kind backpacking program re-opens again for enrollment!

Become an Outdoor Backpacking Badass Waitlist

---

PACKING LIST FOR A SOLO BACKPACKING TRIP

Here are a few absolutely essential items you should make sure to pack when you’re prepping for a solo backpacking trip. This is NOT a comprehensive list though, so be sure to check out our Ultimate 3-5 Day Backpacking Packing List to dive in deep on what I recommend bringing on a backpacking trip.

*Please note that this list contains affiliate links.

1) Backpack: Deuter 45+ Liter backpacks make are excellent for backpacking trips of a few days for one person. This was the first backpack I used when I started backpacking, and I still use it often to this day. It's very comfortable, has plenty of pockets and makes packing really simple!

2) Tent: My favorite backpacking tent is the Big Agnes Copper Spur. It’s so well designed and really just such a great tent!

3) Sleeping Bag & Pad: I always recommend getting a down sleeping bag if you are going to be doing a lot of backpacking, and I love Big Agnes down bags.

The Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XTherm sleeping pad is my favorite sleeping pad. It's lightweight and easy to pack. It's super comfortable (no body parts touch the ground), and it's warm!

4) Headlamp: I pretty much don’t go anywhere without a headlamp. I have a Petzl headlamp, and it has been going strong for over 3 years now. It's also always good to pack an extra set of batteries for your headlamp – or a battery pack if you have a rechargeable headlamp – whenever you hike or backpack.

5) Water Bottle and CamelBak: CamelBaks are awesome for hiking! They are the easiest way to stay hydrated, and I typically always bring one with me. I recommend getting one that has at least a 3 liter reservoir. Also consider bringing a Nalgene or water bottle for backup. Then, if a leak develops in your CamelBak, you can at least transfer water to the Nalgene and still be OK.

6) Water Filter: A water filter will allow you to fill up from water sources along the way if they are available on the trail you’re hiking. Do not drink the water in the outdoors without filtering it first! I've become a big fan of the Katadyn BeFree , but the Sawyer Squeeze is a great affordable option as well.

7) Camping Stove: I love my MSR stove system. I bought this after my Jet Boil broke down, and I like it a lot more. It works great at high altitude and takes only about 30 seconds to bring water to a boil.

8) First Aid Kit: Another important item to have is a small first aid kit with the basic first aid essentials in it. The Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit is a solid option, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

9) GPS: I am a data nerd, and you should be too! I know so many people don’t utilize GPS when they hike, but I consider it an essential piece of gear. My favorite these days is the GAIA GPS App, which you use on your phone so you don't need a standalone device. Gaia is offering a special 20% discount on a premium account to those who subscribe online through my link.

10) Satellite Communicator: Cell service is often spotty or non-existent in the backcountry, and I think a satellite communicator like the Garmin inReach Mini or ZOLEO is a crucial piece of gear, especially when you’re solo backpacking, so you can send texts or call SOS if something goes wrong.

---

Hope this post helps inspire to hit the trail on your own solo backpacking trip! Have you solo backpacked before? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!

More ESSENTIAL BACKPACKING RESOURCES

Also be sure to check out these essential backpacking resources!

• 15 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid Your First Time Backpacking

• 7 Reasons Why Women Make Great Backpacking Leaders on the Trail

• Essential Backpacking Hygiene Tips & Feminine Care in the Outdoors

• 11 Essential Tips for Backpacking in the Rain Like a Pro

• Training for Hiking How-To Guide

Cheers,

Allison - She Dreams of Alpine

---