A Tent of One's Own: Camping Solo

By Monet Yelsnick

Sometimes you get the urge to get out and do a nice overnight hike but simply cannot find a hiking/camping buddy! What's a girl to do? Do you stay home and wait indefinitely for someone to feel like coming along, or do you go for it and accept all the risks of going into a secluded wilderness alone?

I got this call recently, and I had to answer. Scared silly, I decided to give a solo trip a try. Now, I am terrified of the dark, have terrible eyesight in even the brightest of light, and have stayed awake all night staring at my window in case someone tried to break in. I knew this would be a challenge. To my credit, my fear was not unfounded. We have all heard the phrase "woman attacked on the trail" in the news probably more times than we can count. Plug it into google, and you will get pages of results. We are told not to go anywhere alone, to keep our wits about us, and never allowed to be lost in the moment and our own solitude without risking imminent danger. Still, I felt like I wanted to risk it. I watched many YouTube videos on hiking and camping alone as a woman, and frankly, I felt better knowing many women did it successfully.

Although I had tried to be prepared, I made so many mistakes! It was nearing sunset when I arrived at my location, so my hike was out. Additionally, I knew I had to work on building a fire because there was no one else to start it, and it sure wasn't going to start itself! I started my fire to say I did it, sat by it for as long as I could muster the courage and then I got into my car when darkness fell for some comfort. I found myself afraid– I imagined someone coming up to my car and attacking me, going over and over again in my head how I would get out of a sticky situation if someone showed up at my site, just really being my own worst enemy.

I forgot my camping fuel for my stove, and it was much too cold and wet to start a fire the following day (especially because I didn't move my wood far enough under cover), so I ate whatever I could find in my camp pack, and then I packed it up early. What I did do was rejoice in my ability to build a great fire by myself, to enjoy the solitude of my favorite land and do it with myself– not to have to wait on someone to live my life. All this to say, even if it's a disaster and you forget everything you think you need, you can still have an excellent time. I still had a rewarding time, felt so proud of myself, and for the moments I was reprieved from the terror of my mind, I was alone in my favorite place at total peace. Though a solo overnight may not be for everyone, my future self included, it can be a rich learning experience, and I have some tips on doing it with the most success:

SOLO CAMPING TIPS:

Camp in your car. It gave me immeasurable peace of mind to have a locked, hard-to-penetrate barrier between me and the unknown. I was also camping in the winter, so I warmed the car up for about 10 minutes before bed and was able to stay warm throughout the night.

Make a checklist of your must-haves before and actually check it off before you go. Have someone you camp with often look over it too to ensure you do not forget anything

Go somewhere you're comfortable and familiar.

Don't go totally off the grid. Going to a popular trail and campground is okay if you're afraid to be completely alone!

Bring some creature comforts. I downloaded a few movies and podcasts because I knew I would struggle to sleep without them.

Bring a weapon if it makes you feel better– be sure to look into local laws and ensure everything is properly licensed and you are trained and comfortable with whatever you bring.

Make sure you have sufficient sources of warmth. It's easy to underestimate how much heat another person in the tent creates for us.

Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

Monet Yelsnick is a musician and outdoor enthusiast in Seattle, WA