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On my first solo camping night I was awoken by something scratching on the side of the tent. This happened on and off during the night. At dawn, when I was brave enough to get out of my tent to investigate, I realized that there was a tag on the tent fly that touched the tent when the winds picked up. I promptly cut that tag off.
😂😂😂😂 I literally burst out laughing reading this! But it's a great example of how it's more often than not something totally innocuous! Probably felt like a horror movie in the moment. I hope it's been better sans tag!
@@WanderingSwitchback It was horrifying. I imagined all sorts of things were on the other side of my tent wall. I barely slept. Since that experience, I have learned that it is better to confront the "monster" than to lie in my tent imagining what it might be.
I am really good at getting lost. But i am consequently really good at recognizing when i'm lost and backtracking to find my way again. It is so important to maintain focus when hiking.
Congratulations on 1000 🎊 Yay!! I just got back this afternoon from my second solo camp. It was at an established campground so there were other people around but still a success. I’m working up to a backcountry backpacking trip on my own and I truly feel like I am becoming more capable of achieving that in the not too distant future. You have no idea how much confidence your videos have given me. I never would have thought I would be out there by myself and now look at me!!
That is SO awesome, Yvette! How exciting!! How was this second trip? How are you enjoying getting out there solo? I'm so happy to hear you're DOING it!! And thank you, I'm excited I've crossed that milestone! 😊
@@WanderingSwitchback thank you for asking! It was way less scary than my first time solo. I had better sleeps, felt more confident with my gear and I was able to come out of my tent in the dark to look at the most perfect night sky (only for a few minutes bc baby steps 😮💨😅)
Your videos are sooo helpful and reassuring. Working myself up to do a solo overnight. I am here in bear and lion country. Ok with bears but the lions really scare me. Honestly I am more afraid of sketchy people than any animals though.
I'm so glad they've been helpful for you! Your fears are certainly common ones. I hope this video helped at least a little, and that you get out there for that first solo trip soon!
As always a very good and informative video. The only two things I would have added to this are, as much as possible STAY on the trail to avoid getting lost (of course the campsite has to be set up off trail), and in areas where poison oak is common know how to identify it. I think you already have a specific video about P.O. but since this video is more general, and orientated toward beginners I would include warnings about P.O. for them.
Excellent points, George, and thank you! I think sometimes people get turned around when looking for a place for a cat hole or something, or following the wrong trail, but it ALWAYS serves us well, especially if we do get lost, to stay on the trail. For anyone curious about poison oak/ivy/sumac, here is the video George is referencing: ua-cam.com/video/Dfm3YMOkXj0/v-deo.html
@@WanderingSwitchback I have inadvertently gotten off the trail several times and with patience found my way back each time. One time was really bizarre. It was on a faint trail and I literally took one or two steps off the trail to pee. When I turned back around I could no longer make out the trail. I saw it below me so I scaled down a rock face to get to it, only to be blocked by some thick bushes. There was no way I could climb back up the rock so I had to power my way through the bushes. A little more searching and I found the trail. That was a weird experience. Another time I was following a faint trail and what appeared to be the trail turned out to be erosion. By the time I realized it I was quite a ways downhill so I just kept going down the river drainage picking my way around the obstacles. Eventually I found it. I meant to say don't go off trail intentionally, unless you are an experienced route finder. But it can certainly happen by mistake. In that case patience and remaining calm have always worked for me. 🙂
It's easy to follow something that looks like a trail, but isn't, or to follow a trail that doesn't go where you thought it would, and then you can't find your way to where you want to go. This actually happened to me on a recent trip, and you can watch it all unfold on Monday! It happens to the best of us!
Congratulations to cracking the 1k-subscribers mark! 🥳🥳🥳 As an outdoor and backpacking lover I highly appreciate your videos! Everything's well researched and also entertaining. Thank you! 🙋🏼♀️🇩🇪
Thank you so much, Igraine! I'm excited to have hit that milestone! I really appreciate the support. It's important to me to put out SAFE and helpful information, and I'm glad you find it entertaining! 😊❤
I am so grateful I found your channel!!! I am planning several backpacking trips this summer and segment hiking the Colorado Trail with my dog. I know I will be scared- that is a given, but I won't let that stop me from achieving my goals. I made a list of your tips that I think will help me. My biggest fear I think is running into Elk or Moose and maybe rattlesnakes. Time to binge your channel! BTW- LOVE your trail name. How did you get it? I can't wait to get a trail name.
Ooh, the Colorado Trail will be an amazing adventure for you! Yes, fears will hit along the way, but that's just your brain trying to keep you safe. You've got this! In my experience, elk and rattlesnakes don't really want anything to do with you, as long as you give them space. I got my trail name hiking Angel's Landing (Zion NP) with my wife. If you're familiar with the hike, there's a section called Walter's Wiggles, and as we got near the top, with me steadily (read: slowly) climbing, and her taking lots of breaks, there was a conversation I can't remember, but she said, "Okay, Switchback," and it has stuck ever since. You never know when a trail name will be born!
Haha, why am I not surprised? Some folks can definitely do it, but it’s not for everyone! I think it’s understandable to be scared the first time without your dog there. Now you have Ruby trying to kill you in creative ways!
@@WanderingSwitchback 😂😂 I’m predictable I guess! And she does come up with some interesting ways to plan my demise! Today at Marshall’s she wrapped herself around me somehow and nearly tripped me 😂😂
Thank you! You give me hope that I go the places I want to go... by myself ... I don't have a companion to go with, so I'm just going to have to do it. (Frankly, the "non-wild" elements that live along the waterways worry me more than the wild ones!) I feel more confident with the information you shared. Fearless does not mean the absence of fear - it just means that you don't let the fear stop you! Happy Hiking! - Muddypaw 🐾
@@WanderingSwitchback I will definitely do that! More than likely, I'll be making a video of it ... I am percolating on where to go to start off ... Thank you! 🐾
Great video! I love how realistic and practical it is. Really random question - what is that coastal car camping site at the start of the video? That looks amazing!
Thanks, Devin! That site was at Kirk Creek Campground near Big Sur. We got super lucky, because the ocean there is mating grounds for grey whales, and they were literally jumping out of the water and such in the evenings! I still need to edit that one! It’s a dry campground, but really cool to visit.
Definitely in polar bear country! Maybe in grizzly country, depending on the habits of the local bears, but probably overkill for black bears. I know peace of mind can be worth it, though.
Thank you for watching! If you're already a subscriber, thank you!! If you haven't yet subscribed, please consider supporting this channel by subscribing. Comments, likes and shares all help as well! Share these videos so that we can get the word out, and help more people enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly.
On my first solo camping night I was awoken by something scratching on the side of the tent. This happened on and off during the night. At dawn, when I was brave enough to get out of my tent to investigate, I realized that there was a tag on the tent fly that touched the tent when the winds picked up. I promptly cut that tag off.
😂😂😂😂 I literally burst out laughing reading this! But it's a great example of how it's more often than not something totally innocuous! Probably felt like a horror movie in the moment. I hope it's been better sans tag!
@@WanderingSwitchback It was horrifying. I imagined all sorts of things were on the other side of my tent wall. I barely slept. Since that experience, I have learned that it is better to confront the "monster" than to lie in my tent imagining what it might be.
What a metaphor for life! So often, the beasts are nowhere near as terrifying or awful as we imagine!
I am really good at getting lost. But i am consequently really good at recognizing when i'm lost and backtracking to find my way again. It is so important to maintain focus when hiking.
100%! The sooner you can recognize it and backtrack, the better!
I was actually hoping you would make a video like this. Trying to not talk myself out of doing a solo overnight and this was really well timed!
You’ve got this, Amy! When is your trip?
Love this video! My fears are definitely of other people because I would be going solo.
I hope this helped! Solo backpacking is the best! You can do it!
The breaking branch was perfect.😅
Whatever it is, it's definitely out to kill you! 😂 This last trip, I kept hearing something in the bushes- it was a QUAIL. 😂😂😂
Congratulations on 1000 🎊 Yay!! I just got back this afternoon from my second solo camp. It was at an established campground so there were other people around but still a success. I’m working up to a backcountry backpacking trip on my own and I truly feel like I am becoming more capable of achieving that in the not too distant future. You have no idea how much confidence your videos have given me. I never would have thought I would be out there by myself and now look at me!!
That is SO awesome, Yvette! How exciting!! How was this second trip? How are you enjoying getting out there solo? I'm so happy to hear you're DOING it!! And thank you, I'm excited I've crossed that milestone! 😊
@@WanderingSwitchback thank you for asking! It was way less scary than my first time solo. I had better sleeps, felt more confident with my gear and I was able to come out of my tent in the dark to look at the most perfect night sky (only for a few minutes bc baby steps 😮💨😅)
Your videos are sooo helpful and reassuring. Working myself up to do a solo overnight. I am here in bear and lion country. Ok with bears but the lions really scare me. Honestly I am more afraid of sketchy people than any animals though.
I'm so glad they've been helpful for you! Your fears are certainly common ones. I hope this video helped at least a little, and that you get out there for that first solo trip soon!
Thanks so much for this. I have my first solo this month.
How exciting!! I hope you love it!
As always a very good and informative video. The only two things I would have added to this are, as much as possible STAY on the trail to avoid getting lost (of course the campsite has to be set up off trail), and in areas where poison oak is common know how to identify it. I think you already have a specific video about P.O. but since this video is more general, and orientated toward beginners I would include warnings about P.O. for them.
Excellent points, George, and thank you! I think sometimes people get turned around when looking for a place for a cat hole or something, or following the wrong trail, but it ALWAYS serves us well, especially if we do get lost, to stay on the trail.
For anyone curious about poison oak/ivy/sumac, here is the video George is referencing: ua-cam.com/video/Dfm3YMOkXj0/v-deo.html
@@WanderingSwitchback I have inadvertently gotten off the trail several times and with patience found my way back each time. One time was really bizarre. It was on a faint trail and I literally took one or two steps off the trail to pee. When I turned back around I could no longer make out the trail. I saw it below me so I scaled down a rock face to get to it, only to be blocked by some thick bushes. There was no way I could climb back up the rock so I had to power my way through the bushes. A little more searching and I found the trail. That was a weird experience. Another time I was following a faint trail and what appeared to be the trail turned out to be erosion. By the time I realized it I was quite a ways downhill so I just kept going down the river drainage picking my way around the obstacles. Eventually I found it. I meant to say don't go off trail intentionally, unless you are an experienced route finder. But it can certainly happen by mistake. In that case patience and remaining calm have always worked for me. 🙂
It's easy to follow something that looks like a trail, but isn't, or to follow a trail that doesn't go where you thought it would, and then you can't find your way to where you want to go. This actually happened to me on a recent trip, and you can watch it all unfold on Monday! It happens to the best of us!
Glad I am catching up on your channel. Great video and info!
Thanks, Matt!
Congratulations to cracking the 1k-subscribers mark! 🥳🥳🥳
As an outdoor and backpacking lover I highly appreciate your videos! Everything's well researched and also entertaining. Thank you! 🙋🏼♀️🇩🇪
Thank you so much, Igraine! I'm excited to have hit that milestone!
I really appreciate the support. It's important to me to put out SAFE and helpful information, and I'm glad you find it entertaining! 😊❤
I am so grateful I found your channel!!! I am planning several backpacking trips this summer and segment hiking the Colorado Trail with my dog. I know I will be scared- that is a given, but I won't let that stop me from achieving my goals. I made a list of your tips that I think will help me. My biggest fear I think is running into Elk or Moose and maybe rattlesnakes. Time to binge your channel! BTW- LOVE your trail name. How did you get it? I can't wait to get a trail name.
Ooh, the Colorado Trail will be an amazing adventure for you! Yes, fears will hit along the way, but that's just your brain trying to keep you safe. You've got this! In my experience, elk and rattlesnakes don't really want anything to do with you, as long as you give them space.
I got my trail name hiking Angel's Landing (Zion NP) with my wife. If you're familiar with the hike, there's a section called Walter's Wiggles, and as we got near the top, with me steadily (read: slowly) climbing, and her taking lots of breaks, there was a conversation I can't remember, but she said, "Okay, Switchback," and it has stuck ever since. You never know when a trail name will be born!
My first solo trip without my dog I was terrified…
Side note however, I love to watch thriller/horror movies when I’m camping 😂
Haha, why am I not surprised? Some folks can definitely do it, but it’s not for everyone!
I think it’s understandable to be scared the first time without your dog there. Now you have Ruby trying to kill you in creative ways!
@@WanderingSwitchback 😂😂 I’m predictable I guess!
And she does come up with some interesting ways to plan my demise! Today at Marshall’s she wrapped herself around me somehow and nearly tripped me 😂😂
This is one of my fave videos so far. Could you or someone you recommend , do a video on camping with a CPAP?
Thank you! As a matter of fact, I do have one about camping with a CPAP! I hope you find it helpful!
ua-cam.com/video/nTC0hnxR0tE/v-deo.html
Thank you! You give me hope that I go the places I want to go... by myself ... I don't have a companion to go with, so I'm just going to have to do it. (Frankly, the "non-wild" elements that live along the waterways worry me more than the wild ones!) I feel more confident with the information you shared. Fearless does not mean the absence of fear - it just means that you don't let the fear stop you! Happy Hiking! - Muddypaw 🐾
Thank you so much, Muddypaw! I hope you get out there soon! Tell me about it when you do! ❤️
@@WanderingSwitchback I will definitely do that! More than likely, I'll be making a video of it ... I am percolating on where to go to start off ... Thank you! 🐾
Awesome! Tag me on it when you make it!!
@@WanderingSwitchback If I can figure out how to do that, I will! But I will for sure mention you as my inspiration 🐾
Great video! I love how realistic and practical it is. Really random question - what is that coastal car camping site at the start of the video? That looks amazing!
Thanks, Devin! That site was at Kirk Creek Campground near Big Sur. We got super lucky, because the ocean there is mating grounds for grey whales, and they were literally jumping out of the water and such in the evenings! I still need to edit that one! It’s a dry campground, but really cool to visit.
Great info, thanks!
Thank you!!
Best to camp with a portable electric bear fence. 2.4 lbs for huge peace of mind
Definitely in polar bear country! Maybe in grizzly country, depending on the habits of the local bears, but probably overkill for black bears. I know peace of mind can be worth it, though.
Great video!
Thank you, Elaine!
When I build a fire I start to get scared bc I can't see past the fire. Minimal fires for me.
That makes sense. It really messes with your night vision. Fewer risks with no fire anyway!