Solo Camping- How I Manage the 3 Major Fears- Injury-Wildlife and Other People
Solo Camping- How I Manage the 3 Major Fears- Injury-Wildlife and Other People
Most campers have some anxieties and fears about solo camping and their personal safety. I will share my experiences and concerns and how I manage them. The top three concerns I have and have heard from others are Injury-Wildlife and other People. Some answers are straightforward and others are more complex. Follow along and share your knowledge and experiences in the comments. #solocamping #campingfears #womencamping
I carry a 1916 brass knuckled dagger, Bear spray, air horn, “billy club” tazer, machete and pew. (Granted, not always at once 😅-Most of these items stay strategically located in the RV for convenience.) But all of these self defense measures are/will be enforced against humans, over any wolf bear or cougar. I hope to never use them against wildlife.
I listen to a lot of true crime stories and heard a lot of twisted stuff happening to women camping in the woods, not always alone either. Predators will go after women in pairs too. I keep a variety of weapons on my person and would definitely bring them with me camping, including bear spray 😊 I’m lucky to know when it comes to fight or fight situations I’m definitely a fighter so I’ll get my lick in somewhere. I’d prefer to camp closer to other campers so if I’m loud it will alert those around me. I know most campers want to be solo with nobody else around, but one of the best deterrence to criminal behavior is knowing your neighbors, neighborhood watch, that kinda thing. Birds of a feather tend to naturally look out for each other.
What a nice brave lady good for you and enjoyed your narrative on camping wonderful
Thank you for your video
All these 3 fears are on my mind when I’m out in the wilderness. I need to purchase bear spray and get a proper first aid kit set up.
❤courageous woman
Super info 🙏 thanks
Thank you, I really enjoy your video thanks for taking the time to do it about this important topic. I am in Argentina and I always see videos from ppl in USA and Canada talking about bears, they do not live here so that is fine. One thing I just learned was to use a radio with a recorded frequency for emergencies. And other super important is letting someone know that you are going camping, telling this person the time you plan to get back so that if something happens to you someone knows you should have been back and can start searching for you if needed .
Thank you, Wendy. As a male and ex forces, I can’t say as I’m too worried when I go into the sticks, but I thought your video was verry good and might help others.
Thank you for sharing your adventures and your wisdom.
Thank you for this, I’m a young widow and I’ve been wanting to go camping alone but every one talks me out of going alone but yet won’t join me, so I’ve been getting safety tips so I can just do it ❤
I think what people sometimes forget is that there is risk in EVERYTHING we do, especially these days in the US with all the mass shootings. I think I feel more risk in a crowded urban environment than on the trail because I feel humans are far and away more dangerous than wildlife. But in anythose location, or when traveling (car, plane, whatever) the best we can do is align our personal risk tolerance with taking reasonable measures and then get on with LIVING. Great conversation Wendy.
On the bear front, I have to do some personal research because I think the responses appropriate for black vs brown bears are different (I could be wrong, but need to do my due diligence). N Cascades national park here in WA is planning to re-introduce brown bears soon and I have to admit, that is wildlife that scares me.
I delivered mail in 🇨🇦 for 23 years. I was always more afraid of Cougars than dogs !
Definitely inspirational.
You have my respect, girl!❤❤
I too believe people are inherently good.
As a gay man I certainly feel a vulnerability likely akin to women and other minorities. Because of my voice and mannerisms I would be the key target of a small-minded assailant. It’s very sad, but we are not in a reality where people like me are always safe.
When it comes to violence I’m decidedly opposed for religious reasons, thus I have no idea how to protect myself.
Thank you for your informative and insightful video. I got a real laugh out of your description of encountering the breakfasting bear. Sadly, i’m 68 and have never, ever gone camping. It’s something i’d like to try at least once or twice before time runs out. I should add that i am a senior, solo world traveler. In 2014, at 60 y.o, i traveled to So. Africa (knowing no one there) and saw both Jo’burg and Capetown followed by San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2018 and Montreal, Canada followed by Algeria and Turkey in 2019. I never felt safer than when abroad.
What about Sasquatch, Dogmen, and feral people?! 😱😳 Those are what scare me the most! I can handle wildlife and regular crazy people, but taking on a Bigfoot is another story! I worry about getting dragged out of my tent in the middle of the night and becoming the next Missing 411 case! 😂😂 I even setup those trip wire alarms around my camp sometimes, depending on the area I’m camping in, especially when in the Appalachian mountains!
Thank you for this video. I love solo camping and definitely have dealt (and still deal with) all of these concerns. I actually gave in and bought a tent even though I prefer hammocks because I moved north and the hammock just made me feel like I was a bear pinata. I will say that some places the dangerous humans are more likely than others to be in the backcountry (trappers in particular). I live in Alaska and so many women go missing up here. I have modified a lot of my equipment to be "stealth" to help keep me from drawing the attention of others in the woods. I learned to make a dakota fire hole to cut down on campfire visibility and to guard against the terrible glacial winds that come though the valley where I live. I really hope I’m still camping solo when I’m your age. Thanks again for these informative videos.
My favourite talk so far on black bears.❤ Your talk begins with all positive encounters. You close your talk with practical aids to carry, but say it in such a way that I hear one does not need to hike alone in fear. The vast majority of videos on bears aim to cash in on the very rare bad encounters. (Videos I call "animal porn.") We are graced with nature and its presences, something you remind us to honour over and over again.
Heat combine with mousquitoes 🩸🩸🩸
Thank you for the video Wendy. I live in Taiwan and would love to solo camp. We have bears in the mountains as well as numerous snakes and monkeys. My biggest fear is feeling guilty that I’ll go off without my son and husband hahaha I really do want to go solo but I know they wouldn’t be happy! Does your family ever have this problem when you go off to solo camp?
😊😊
I just discovered your channel. Wow! My husband passed away a few months ago and not going to lie, it’s been hard. But I love nature. Mostly hiking. I’m going to push myself to get back into it and your videos help. Thank you so much for showing us your adventures. I’m getting excited and motivated. Peace to you!
Such good advise Wendy. My fears are bears. Have you ever had any unusual occurrences while be out in the wilderness? Yes it is a shame being weary of other people.
In other words, be prepared and be smart.
*EXCELLENT* video and topics!!! 🙂
I spent many years solo’ing throughout the ‘Great Southwest’ of the U.S. of A.. Mostly deserts, some mtn./forests. Fortunately, I only had one negative/harmful encounter with anything, though certainly a few ‘Close calls’ (Of the arachnid/snek/bear/mtn. lion variety.) The one bad one involved a pack of coyotes, in AZ, that surrounded me one night, and thought I’d make them a tasty meal. I still have the ‘yote-skin hat, but the shoes were stolen some years back.
For me, other than mine own ignorance, the greatest threat I’ve ever faced came from other humans. A lone Woman might seem like an easy target, but I’m also a USMC Veteran, and have been a ‘Tomboy’ my entire life. I was raised wrestling/fighting with my three older brothers, and anyone else that felt saucy enough. 😉
However, solo’ing comes with very real dangers. A simple accident can threaten your health/life, and if you’re all that’s there, well.
I now partner with a very trusty Doggo (Husky, who’s half insane, so we get along famously). He’s proven to be the best investment I could ever have made, and I know he’s chased-off three bears (Two I heard/saw, one left his scat beside my chair, so yeah, ‘Thanks’ for that one!), and perhaps a mtn. lion or two (Cat pee is very pungent, and was found the next morning on two forays.). Early warning and deterrence is his specialty, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Curious, since you are Canadian, and the videos I’ve watched thus far, have you camping there? I know that firearm ownership is a touchy subject, and don’t wish to offend you/anyone, but how does it work for folks like yourself, who venture out INTO the wilds? Are you prohibited, or is it a choice not to? Being American/A Veteran, I never leave home w/o my 2A. I pray I never have to use it, and I offer another Prayer when I return safe and sound, w/o having to. I trust it, and I feel very much safer having it, but that’s me.
Again, lovely video, and another ‘Thanks!’ 😀
💚💚💚
Very nice my dear friend 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙋🏻♀️
I’d prefer a firearm
Hi there. Just joining the camping/backpacking/hiking community (well… I’ve always been somewhat of a hiker, but just getting into camping).
Anyway, my daughter and I signed up for a self defense day course sponsored at a local church by the police department. What I really liked about it was that it was facilitated by a female to give perspective.
Simple moves that males may not be expecting to happen, thought patterns, and regrouping with a different minute mindset can be the difference between just injury or full fatality.
Usually the local police department or a call to 211 (United Way) can guide as to when/where a class may be given. Cost free except for time 😉
Awesome advice Wendy ! Nothing beats being prepared… gives the ultimate sense of security! You can’t control how critters or humans act but you can gain confidence in handling those situations if you’re properly prepared. Thanks again !
Just got back from a solo camping trip in Minnesota. Let’s not use euphemisms. Women alone aren’t afraid of people we’re afraid of men.
Wild Boars are the most dangerous in our area, especially when there are several of them because they can destroy a campsite.
I’ve lived solo for years in camps from southern Arizona desert to the Rocky Mountains. Weather is the most humbling element. As critters go the two-legged are the most dangerous, but most are friendly. As four-legged go I hear so much fear of bears, but they’re the least to fear from my experience. My only encounter was with a black bear while camped south of Humphrey Peak. Asleep in my tent a black bear walk up pushing the tent wall with his nose up to my shoulder and taking a deep breath. My reaction was taking a deep breath and the stench of bear and sitting up abruptly I hollered BEAR!!! The next thing heard were breaking limbs of a dead log and pounding footsteps at a dead run away from me. I laughed and went back to sleep. Several encounters with two-legged predators I ended deploying a big dose of pepper spray and promptly left untouched.
Men are the main danger, yes.
You are my inspiration ❤
A great informative video. Am 63 and did my two first solo-backpacking trips last year. Each was just one night in the wilderness. I was much more at ease after having survived the first one. :)! Thanks for sharing and inspiring us to stay active and adventurous.
New to your channel. How old are you?
I am so grateful this video, and your channel has popped up 😊 I have let fear keep me from certain things like solo camping and hiking and you’re truly an inspiring woman! I am eager to prepare myself so I feel well equipped and your videos have brought great comfort, thank you 🙂
❤your amazing. I love camping and im 51. Im not afraid to be outdoors. Im looking to get a blow up tent to camp. Thank you. Joy
You are an inspiration!! As a approach 70 this year, I find that there re so few role models of active, vibrant older women. Society just assumes we will roll over belly-up and stagger though life in a diminished capacity. Is it possible to share your age? I have a list of older role models. It’s when I look at their ages that I am most inspired to keep moving forward. Thank you!!
I just found your channel, Wendy. I’m a 74 year old woman who lost her canoeing partner 7 years ago. I inherited his canoe and own my own kayak. I’m wondering how heavy your canoe is, as I’m unable to handle the 16 foot one that I now own, which has kept me ‘grounded’….I don’t enjoy kayaking as much as canoeing, so would love a solo canoe. Please give me your best advice on which is best. Thank you so much for this video. And Happy camping!
I make sure my gun is visible and most people just move on
Concerning strangers; if they show that they enjoy anything that you have to offer, as far as spoken words; you try to keep the quality of your words good, and so are they – trying to keep the quality of what they’re saying fairly good – then it may be OK to briefly enjoy their company before parting ways, and proceeding onward.
If they’re not showing their appreciation, then it may be best, after exchange of a few words, to just continue on your way.
You have inspired me at 59 as a woman to solo camp in my home of Wyoming. Thank you for your knowledge and strength.
As a male and lifelong outdoorsman, women are going to be safe even if caught with your pants down. 99% of all men will show respect and privacy, were I salmon fish, women will often pee by a rock same as the men. No big deal. For bears, road flares are also a good deterrent in close contact.
You are an inspiration, thanks
You’re very adventurous and brave lady Wendy, I’ve just I’m a new member of your podcast, and I’m find it very interesting and informative! May you always have a peaceful journeys and camping! Thank you! Blessings!
We rarely talk about how dangerous driving is. I take long solo rides on my bicycle. A dog running out is my biggest fear as I travel low traffic roads during weekdays. Luckily, most dogs are noisy cowards. I speak nicely to them and keep going. Take care & keep active; sitting on a sofa is bad for your health. 😉