One reason to backpack solo: You do you.
You can sing to all your favorite songs on repeat on the way to the trailhead.
You can hike as slow as you want.
You don’t have to wear deodorant.
You get to eat all the snacks.
You can stop to take all the photos.
You can stand under a grove of trees changing colors and stand there, as long as you want.
You can have a whole side of the lake to yourself.
You don’t have to share that two serving backpacking meal with anyone.
You don’t have to share your booze either.
You can drink all your whiskey by 7pm in a panic. Because not finishing off that flask means more weight to carry.
You can set up your tripod and take absurd photos jumping and dancing in front of the camera. No judgment.
You can pass out in your tent by 9 and sleep through all your alarms to watch the stars.
You can starfish in the middle of the night, and no one’s complainin’.
You can wake up at 5am for sunrise and be as loud as you want.
You don’t have to share your Mountain House Breakfast Skillet with anyone.
You only have to pump water for one.
You can pack up and hike out super fast the next morning to make it out in time for lunch and cookies.
You can sing to all your favorite songs on repeat the entire way home.
All of the above may or may not have happened.
Actual trip write up available on Minnetonka Moccasin’s blog here.
Gear: Mountain Hardwear Ozonic 50 Outdry Pack, Tarptent Scarp 2, Norrøna bitihorn lightweight pants, Pivotte Touring Tank, Patagonia Performance Better Sweater, Patagonia Nano Puff Bivy, Merrell Capra Bolt Hiking Boots
Uhm YES to all of this! (Though I had to figure out what you meant by “starfish in the middle of the night” – ha!) I shamelessly do all these things on all my solo trips
this is awesome! :) thank you for putting this together
This seems like more than one reason…
I can’t agree more! It makes me even more excited for my next backpacking trip. Also these photos are incredible. I absolutely love them.
Absolutely agree with backpacking solo. One learns much more about survival and opens oneself up to more opportunities, as one is more likely to take risks when they’re alone. Thanks for the article