In order to hike safely alone as a woman, you should always tell someone where you are going and for how long. Be prepared to defend yourself. Don’t pick a trail above your ability level. Also, take extra food, water and clothing – and never wear headphones on the trail.
Going into the woods alone can be a risky situation for a woman. Urban parks expose us to the fringes of humanity and deep woods trails can be packed with wild animals and nightmarish terrains.
Hiking solo is always a gamble, and for women, it can be doubly so. Read on for ways to prepare to hike safely alone as a woman.
First, Is It Safe To Hike Alone As A Woman?
Hiking alone can be safe for women, as long as you are prepared.
- If you are going on a long hike by yourself, there are rules to follow to keep you safe and let your family know you are okay.
- If you keep an eye on the weather and pack appropriately, there is nothing that you can’t handle.
- It is always a good idea to take a weapon or even pepper spray onto the trail in case of attacks by animals.
What To Do Before Going On A Hike
Preparing for a hike is very important. Oftentimes, people who just pick a trail as they are driving by end up regretting their mistake.
If you are going to hike, you should have a plan. Let your family or friends know where you will be. Ensure that you know the weather and the trail, as events could alter the terrain enough to make it impassable.
Ensure that you have enough food and water to last for twice as long as you expect to be out.
If you are just starting to get involved with hiking, you should take several practice hikes to make sure that your body is ready for the effort.
Extra weight on the body for a hike can be hard to deal with, so set aside enough practice time to feel comfortable.
How Do You Protect Yourself When Hiking Alone?
Depending on where you’re heading, hiking alone can be dangerous for even the most advanced trail master.
Obviously walking through an urban park probably won’t require much skill, but if you’re tackling an advanced trail out in the woods, you should get several hours of training beforehand.
That said, there are some steps you should always take before hitting a trail – whether you are day-hiking, walking through an urban park, or heading out on an advanced trail for several days.
Give a close friend your location and time you’ll be hiking – Just as with running at night, one of the most important things any hiker can do is let someone know when and where they will be hiking.
That way, if there is trouble, you have provided the authorities a good place to begin their search.
Also, if you have your phone with you, you can allow someone to track your location and have them check on you regularly.
There are models of GPS units on the market, such as this ZOLEO Satellite communicator that will allow you to send a signal to your friends or family in case of an emergency or if you miss a couple of check-in times.
Be prepared to defend yourself if necessary – Defending yourself doesn’t just mean against human opponents, but against animals in the wild, as well.
Taking solo trips into the deep woods can mean you may cross paths with bears or mountain lions.
There are a line of bear sprays that will scare animals away, but having a firearm could be your only defense against larger animals.
If you are in an area that has smaller game, you could lean on a smaller caliber gun or shotgun.
TIP: If you live in an open-carry state, pack a small firearm instead of long rifles, as these weigh less.
Pack extra food, water, and clothing for the hike – The weather will impact how much water or food you must intake on your journey.
It also definitely affects the clothing you’ll bring along (and you should ALWAYS check the weather before heading out).
I’ve read stories of people who started out in shorts and t-shirts on a beautiful spring day in the Rockies, only to freeze to death later in the day.
This is because weather can sometimes change in an instant and if you don’t have the right clothing, you can die from exposure.
When hiking, it is much better to over pack than under pack. Unless you are learned in the ways of botany, finding plants or trees on the trail to feed you in an emergency could be difficult.
Pack nutrient-dense foods that have good fats and provide energy.
If you are on the trail for more than an hour in temps above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll need a nutrition / hydration additive like Tailwind.
This is a supplement that contains calories and electrolytes that will keep you at full power while busting out some serious miles.
Don’t pick a trail above your ability level – I know, everyone has a trail that they really want to hike, but a dream hike could make you bite off more than you can chew and put you in a life or death situation.
If you plan on going out on your own, you really should choose a trail that is a bit below your fitness level.
If you do, you’ll have some juice left in the tank to make a big climb or pick up the pace if the weather begins to get out of control.
Also, you know what is in store and won’t have any breaks in the path or unknown obstacles.
Save up your dream hikes for those times when you can roll out with a big group and enjoy the company of others, as well as nature.
Don’t wear headphones while on the hike – I can’t emphasize this enough, for a couple of reasons:
Some people refuse to exercise if they can’t listen to music, but one of the great things about going for a hike alone is that it gives your body time to soak in nature.
The sounds and ambient noise can be like grandma’s chicken soup for the soul. Being in the woods will awaken parts of you that you never knew existed.
Remember, you aren’t alone in the woods, though. There are bugs and reptiles that emit loud noises as means of defense.
Keeping your ears alert and open for any danger forces your mind to tap into its natural instincts.
You’ll also be able to hear any changes in the weather – like thunder or rain, even if you can’t see foreboding skies from where you’re hiking.
Being downstream from a rainstorm that you aren’t even aware of can make you vulnerable to getting caught in a flash flood or potential hypothermia if you get drenched.
What Are The Safety Rules For Hiking?
Safety is paramount for any kind of hike. When heading out alone, there are a few different rules to follow instead of the ones for going out with a group.
First, always wear an emergency whistle. In fact, you should do this even if you are just walking in your neighborhood, in case you fall and get hurt.
Likewise, if you are alone on the trail and get injured, you’re going to have to save yourself because there’s no one else around to help you.
If you’re unable to get to safety, you’ll have to make enough noise so that someone passing by will hear and come to your aid. That’s where the whistle comes in.
You could even get something like this paracord bracelet that has a whistle, plus a flint fire starter, and compass (plus you could undo it and use the paracord in an emergency).
Additional safety rules for hiking are:
- Food and Water – Always pack enough food and water for twice the trip you are planning to make. Having extra is a good thing as most camping and hiking foods can be stored for long periods.
- Location – Always let your family or friends know where you are going to be and when you’ll be back. This gives a heads up to the park rangers or emergency officials if you get lost or have an injury that makes it impossible for you to walk out.
- Weather – Always keep an eye out for the weather and be appropriately clothed for whatever weather you are hiking in. Flooding can be dangerous, and flash floods have been known to take down many hikers. Lightning is also something you should look out for as trees can be struck and explode from the impact.
Conclusion
As a woman, going into the woods could be dangerous if you aren’t prepared. Following these measures can help to ensure a safe and fun trek on your own.
Before hiking alone, take time to let someone know where you are going and when you’ll return.
Then, double-check the weather, your safety equipment and you water and food supply before setting out.
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