Solo camping concerns

**Dudorino** · 06-22-2011, 13:05

I'm heading out to Vail Colorado next month and plan to do some hiking and hanging. I can't get anyone in my group to participate, so I'm going alone. I have a few questions for you guys that hike in that area.

1. Do I need to hang my food in a bear bag?
2. Do I need to be concerned about any non-human predators?
3. Is going alone a bad idea?

What else am I missing here? Thanks

**Greg Dunlap** · 06-22-2011, 13:29

biggest concern is that your going from 2300 feet to 8000 feet. Plan your trip accordingly. Hanging food is always a good idea, even if to keep the racoons from getting into it.

As far as going alone or with a group, that's something you will have to determine for yourself. Are you comfortable enough with your wilderness skills to accomplish a hike into the wild?

**shumway** · 06-22-2011, 13:32

I presume the Rockies would be similar to up here in Alberta. So yes, bear bag. Possible other predators would be wolves and cougars, though they tend to stay away from people.

Lots of people hike and camp alone. I have plans to take a Spot signaling device if I hike alone in the future. Increase the odds of getting help if something unplanned happens.

**smurph** · 07-19-2011, 00:19

Originally Posted by shumway

I have plans to take a Spot signaling device if I hike alone in the future. Increase the odds of getting help if something unplanned happens.

+1 on the Spot Personal Tracker. We use them when we ride (dual purpose bikes). Loading unique messages into them is great. Though if you have it set to share your location with those on Facebook and you hit the personal message that sends a 'I love you honey and wish you could join me' message, know you'll be ridiculed by all your friends for at least a month. DAMHIK.

You can also join the Spot Adventures where you can store your tracks for 30 days and export them to google earth to show your route. Great for Ride Reports/ Trip reports. Just make sure to keep it on you and not on your bike or other as you need to have it within reach should you need to send for help. And it needs a pretty clear view of the sky to transmit.

I do enjoy solo trips. A bit nervous at first but you dictate what you're going to see and do. No one bugging you about your pace.

Happy trails

smurph

**Shug** · 06-22-2011, 13:33

Originally Posted by Dudorino

I'm heading out to Vail Colorado next month and plan to do some hiking and hanging. I can't get anyone in my group to participate, so I'm going alone. I have a few questions for you guys that hike in that area.

1. Do I need to hang my food in a bear bag?
2. Do I need to be concerned about any non-human predators?
3. Is going alone a bad idea?

What else am I missing here? Thanks

1) I would hang my food.
2) No...just act crazier. Stealth a bit out of sight is good.
3) It is wonderful but does take a bit to get used to.
Be confident and all is good. Go for a solo overnighter somewhere familiar before you go to prime yourself.
Shug

**shumway** · 06-22-2011, 13:39

Here's a suggestion from my experience. Don't camp too close to a rushing river. I did that once. It masked all other sound. It had me freaked right out knowing something could approach and I wouldn't hear it. I spent the day looking over my shoulder. My imagination was playing tricks on me. I didn't see anything that was actually a concern.

**Dblcorona** · 06-22-2011, 13:56

And to add on to Shug's advice:

4. Talk into a camera often.

**ibgary** · 09-04-2012, 15:20

Originally Posted by shumway

Here's a suggestion from my experience. Don't camp too close to a rushing river. I did that once. It masked all other sound. It had me freaked right out knowing something could approach and I wouldn't hear it. I spent the day looking over my shoulder. My imagination was playing tricks on me. I didn't see anything that was actually a concern.

I on the other hand love sleep by a river, I like to travel by kayak.. I also like to take a book, but I almost never read it.
Ive done lots of solo camping and the 1st few times I was nervous. Now is rather camp in NF alone than in a campground.
Deffinetly hang your food. Don't eat near the hammock. "There more scared of you than you are of them" ya right.

**OutandBack** · 06-22-2011, 14:00

Originally Posted by Dudorino

I'm heading out to Vail Colorado next month and plan to do some hiking and hanging. I can't get anyone in my group to participate, so I'm going alone. I have a few questions for you guys that hike in that area.

1. Do I need to hang my food in a bear bag?
2. Do I need to be concerned about any non-human predators?
3. Is going alone a bad idea?

What else am I missing here? Thanks

1. Do I need to hang my food in a bear bag?
Always a good idea.

2. Do I need to be concerned about any non-human predators?
NO, IMO the Colorado Mtns are extremely safe.

3. Is going alone a bad idea?
No, I do it all the time and most times prefer it.

**sr1355** · 06-22-2011, 14:19

Originally Posted by Dudorino

I'm heading out to Vail Colorado next month and plan to do some hiking and hanging. I can't get anyone in my group to participate, so I'm going alone. I have a few questions for you guys that hike in that area.

1. Do I need to hang my food in a bear bag?
2. Do I need to be concerned about any non-human predators?
3. Is going alone a bad idea?

What else am I missing here? Thanks

My two cents....

1) Always hang food when in bear country, first, it's a fun way to past an hour trying to score that perfect hang

and second.... I wouldn't want to have a trip cut short because I was lazy with food storage....

2) My expereince in CO in NO.... you should be fine just practice clean camp principles when it comes to food and cooking...

3) Going alone can be very liberating, you set the pace, you pick the route, you determine camp selection, etc....

My only recommendation would be to leave a trip detail with someone and what they should do if you have not made contact by the predetermined time...

OH... Most of all have fun and enjoy yourself....