7 Items I must have when solo Hiking
With 500+ miles on trail hiking solo, I have come to enjoy adventuring alone. Being one with nature and experiencing places by myself has only strengthened my addiction to adventure. But starting out, my first couple of solo trips that wasn’t always the case.
I look back on my first solo hike and can’t believe how much stuff I brought. My total weight of the pack without water was 53 lbs. All though at the time when I was hiking, I felt confident and safe, and made lifelong memories on that trip. But I remember thinking that this pack is way too heavy. I don’t think I used half the stuff I brought.
After a couple of trips, I figured out what was essential and what were the comforts. Dialing in your weight-to-risk ratio while still bringing some comfort is all part of the adventure. Here are the essentials I bring on every solo hike I take.
1. GPS
Having a GPS device with me on my solo hikes gives me a piece of mind that in case of an emergency, I can send an SOS to responders. Even though I’m adventuring on my own, I’m not completely alone. But I carry a GPS more for my family’s sake.
When first starting on my solo adventures, I did not carry a GPS device, which put worry and stress on my family a lot. Wondering if I made it to my destination, if I slipped and fell and got hurt, or if heaven forbids getting lost. All of these are still possibilities but now I can communicate with them and they can track me through waypoints.
I use the Garmin inReach Mini 2 and am pleased with the product. It does everything I need and more. There are many different types and options depending on your needs. Be smart and be prepared.
2. Map
Some say that it’s “old school” to carry a map but for me, it’s a solid backup plan. Of course, like most hikers, I use different apps on my phone that describe every aspect of the trail. Most can show your exact location while heading down the trail. But what happens when the phone breaks or dies?
Being able to use a map is a survival skill that is dying rapidly with more technology making its way into the hiking community. I am in no way against the technological tools used for hiking and enjoying the wilderness, but being able to read a map should be a basic skill for anyone solo hiking.
Most areas have a trail map either available for purchase or able to be printed from a computer. Carrying an actual map will not add hardly any weight to your load but might save your life in an emergency.
3. Water Filter
About 90% of my solo hiking trips are designed around water features. Gushing waterfalls, ragging creek beds, or calm placid lakes, most of which are well off the beaten path. I enjoy putting on miles when I hike. So for me, carrying 4 bottles of water all day is not ideal.
Carrying a water filter is an easy and efficient way of getting the hydration our bodies need. In my pack is a 32oz Nalgene bottle that I top off and carry till I make it to the next water source. Keeps the weight of my pack light which helps me hike better. There are many options of filters available, I use the Sawyer Mini. It fits perfectly in my pack and has done a great job.
4. First Aid Kit
While I hope to never need my first aid kit, it is always in my pack and accessible to use. I believe it would be foolish and irresponsible not to carry a first aid kit when hiking, especially solo. We never plan on injuring ourselves but it happens and we need to be prepared.
I do not recommend carrying an entire Trauma Kit, but your basic kit should work well if needed. You can purchase all different size kits with different variations of supplies. I put together a list of what my first aid kit contains.
- Antiseptic wipes
- Assorted bandages
- Gauze pads in various sizes
- Medical tape
- Moleskin
- Ibuprofen
- Butterfly Bandages
- Gorilla Glue (small tube)
These are the essentials in my first aid kit. Depending on where and when I’m exploring the wilderness, I may add an item or two. Always be prepared for the “What if” and bring a first aid kit.
5. Pocket Knife
Being on a solo hike, it is important to me to have a sense of security. Carrying a pocket knife gives me that feeling. Not that I’m going to fight off a bear or other wild animal with it, but if I had to, I would like to have it with me. Knives are tools that can be used as a defense weapon in case of an attack.
Technically I carry two knives when solo hiking. I have my EDC (everyday carry) as well as a multi-tool knife in my backpack. I pack a Leatherman 7-1 Multi-tool which works great around camp and helping start a fire. My Pocket knife is probably the most used item I bring with me on an adventure.
6. A Fire Source
There are so many options for a fire source in the outdoor market it is crazy. Compact butane fuel lighters that are wind/waterproof, Zippos, matches, waterproof matches, flint rod and steel, and the list go on. Any are great to use.
When I’m solo or with a group, I always make sure I have two fire sources available to me. The first one is your typical gas station Bic lighter. They are dependable, light, cheap, and easy to dry out if they get wet. The second fire source is a flint rod. My EDC is the steel that is used to spark the flint.
Not often have I had to use my second fire source but when I have it was because I lost my Bic or it was broken. Being prepared is key to enjoying and surviving solo hiking.
7. Head Lamp
Last on the list but still very essential to me when I solo hike is the headlamp. Multi-day trips my headlamp is strapped to my head most of the time. I never want to be looking for my headlamp in the dark.
More often than not on day hikes the sun is going down as I am coming back to the car or camp. Having it with me has assisted my hike out safely.
As with all these items listed, I always think What If? You can take that question to the extreme and end up with a pack that weighs 80 lbs. But for me, the weight-to-risk ratio of these items is doable to me.
Bonas Item: Bear Spray (when hiking in bear country)
When doing any kind of hiking in Bear country it is highly recommended to carry bear spray. In my 500+ miles of solo hiking, I have never had to use bear spray and I am thrilled about it. I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
When we hike we are passing through nature and all that live there. We must respect the areas we travel through for it is their home. Mother nature is beautiful and wild but can become dangerous quickly. Be prepared with sufficient knowledge of the trail, be prepared with the proper items to bring, and be prepared to answer the call to adventure.