two questions

These are really unrelated , BUT... how many of you carry a firearm while hiking or backpacking? Also, how many of you have done a solo backpacking trip? If so, what is the longest you have been alone in the wild? I am thinking doingabout my first solo. Thanks

TN,

Ironically I usually "carry" when I do a solo hike. I have done a 4 day solo before. I do two - three day trips solo a couple of times a year.
Couple of obvious points: Make sure you let someone know where you are going. I usually print my own maps so I print an extra copy and mark my proposed camp sites and route. I usually carry a cell phone when solo "on silent of course". In the mornings I send a text saying that I am fine. The phone will keep trying to send...if and when I get a signal it will go thru. I have thought of getting one of the SPOT satellite transponders but I hate to spend the initial cost and the yearly fee.
Beware of where you are carrying a weapon. Most federal campgrounds prohibit them. I have never had a problem but you could run into a game warden that follows the letter of the law. You are technically required to have a hunting license if you are carrying a weapon in the woods.

HBH

I never carry when I'm backpacking. I have no problem with responsible folks like HBH carrying them though. It's mostly because of the weight for me.

I have been out for 7 days at my longest solo. The longest recently is 4 days. Like Hillbilly said, make sure someone knows when and where you should be. (Be sure to add a time cushion in there for your return; this helps avoid unnecessary worry from home if you're a little late.)

As for the gun, I've never backpacked anywhere where I felt like I might need a gun. Most troublemakers aren't willing to venture out that far, I've never seen a bear, and there's really nothing else out there to bother me. (Coyotes are big sissies!)

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

Also, it's not a bad idea to post your trip itinerary here if you're going solo, so we can check up on you if you fail to report back in when you're supposed to be back.

#1 I have carried, but don't any more. My feelings are that if you carry it must be readily available. While backpacking it is hard to have a handgun were you can get to it fast. Also animals such as bear you will just make them mad if you shot them!

#2 I have done a solo. Was back in the late 70's (think 79) went 35 miles on the OT from Winding Stairs (or there abouts) to the Queen Whilimena Inn. I loved it! Have thought of doing another in the same area in the future.

OH

I've never carried a gun backpacking. I have never really felt the need.

I've done a 3 day solo in CO one summer when I was up there for 9 weeks. It was really fun. Saw all kinds of wild life (haha, thats the only time when I thought about needing a gun). The quiet was nice, but I think any longer than that and I'd go crazy.

Totally on where I go depends on what I do. In NW Arkansas or The Smoky Mountain National Park back country I have my bear spray with me. Not only for bears but for other creatures. It is not unusual for me to have a compact Glock with me if I feel the need to have it. Yes I have my permit. Lately I have the Glock because I loaned my bear spray out to someone and havent otten it back yet. Longest solo is 7 days..Figg

Thanks for all the great responses so far. I have lived in and around Memphis all my life, but I have never owned a gun until last year. Crime has gotten so bad and there were break-ins almost weekly in our area (very nice rural/suburban). So I took the classes and got my permit and also a handgun for mostly home protection, but also to carry when I felt the need for protection. I did carry it to Richland Creek back in the fall my 3 day trip with a friend. When I do my first solo, I will definitely bring it along. I carry in a holster, not in my pack. I am not "into" guns, but don't have a problem with those who are as long as they are law-abiding. I am glad I got my permit and have the option available to carry or not to carry. I am looking forward to my first solo, but I admit a little nervous about being in the wild all alone (especially at night!) Anyone have any memories of their first time alone in the woods at night?

TNFrontier wrote:I am looking forward to my first solo, but I admit a little nervous about being in the wild all alone (especially at night!) Anyone have any memories of their first time alone in the woods at night?

True Story:

I remember laying in my tent at about 8:30 at night. First time solo. The fog had rolled in. It was fall. It was very calm, very dark, and very quiet in the woods.

Then I heard footsteps.

They sounded big; really big. My eyes got wide and my senses sharpened like crazy. I could've heard a mouse poop from five miles away.

The steps got closer. The more I listened the bigger the footsteps sounded.

Closer. Leaves crunched beneath the uncoming beast. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch crunch crunch. My mind was racing. Had I left food out? Did I clean my kitchen gear well enough? Did I accidentally set up my tent on an ancient burial ground? My heart was pounding. I was sweating.

I reached for my pocket knife (don't laugh) and prepared myself for a confrontation with the hulking mass of furious claws and fur and teeth that was lurking just outside my tent. I grasped my door zipper with a shaky hand, my stomach turned as I started to unzip it...I could hear the thing just outside...so close...so dangerously close...

I clicked on my headlamp, and slowly poked my head outside...the heavy fog gave off an eerie glow...

The footsteps halted and I looked in their direction. Just as I was preparing to shriek my best primordial battle cry and charge the fanged beast, I saw the creature in the grayish light of my headlamp...

Staring back at me was a large turkey. 8 PM at night and a freaking turkey is walking around in the woods? Get on your roost already!


You'll do fine. Admittedly, the first night can be a little creepy, but after that it's very enjoyable. There's nothing quite like it.

Jay,
haha, I had almost the same story. When I was pretty young, me and a buddy who was a little older than me went on a "backpacking trip". We hiked in about 2 miles on the BRT from Boxley, and made camp in that first field you come to. After we couldn't get a fire going, broke the handle on a BARROWED water filter, and had a few other minor problems, we were ready for bed. After we got in our tent, we started hearing footsteps also! We couldn't figure where they were coming from due to how tall the grass was. We looked for about 10 minutes and saw nothing. However, to say we were freaked out would be an understatement. We quickly packed everything we had and made a bolt for the car in the dark. When we were about half way back to the car, we heard this loud rushing noise. It was so close and sounded like something HUGE! We looked up and saw 10-12 turkeys flying out of their roost, just as scared as we were. Now I know this isn't about a solo trip, but those dang turkeys will get you everytime.

Everyone has the fear of being alone in the woods at one point or another, but I say just go for it.

I have carried at different times. Not always. It does depend on the area. I think that the more popular trails tend to be the most dangerous, such as the AT. More because of its accessibility - this is the type of trail that can hold the most danger. Like Jay said, you won't find the type of people that would most likely do you harm 5 miles from the trailhead.
You also have to be aware of your surroundings. When meeting someone on the trail, take a quick look at how that person's dressed and what they are carrying. Are they in blue jeans? Are they carrying a daypack or backpack? What kind of shoes are they wearing? Basically, do they look out of place in the area that you are in? Would you expect a hiker to look like they do? If any of things don't look right or you just get a funny feeling about that person, then step it up and get out of there as soon as you can. Remember, if you hike with trekking poles, you have two good weapons to fend someone off while you make your escape. Its much better to run away from danger and survive another day, than stand your ground and risk all.
I don't know how I got off track, but I guess I was just following up on what some of the others have said.
UL

onepaddlejunkie wrote:I love camping in the very dry desert because of the lack of background noise.

That's no lie! Even during the daytime the Arizona desert can be one seriously quiet place. In fact, it can be a little unnerving at times. You sit down for lunch and you can't stop looking over your shoulder to see if a Mountain Lion is stalking up behind you; and the more you think about it, the more you convince yourself there's one there...

When I went hiking up into the Rincon Mountains east of Tucson (shame on me for not posting a trip report) back in November, after ascending about 1500 feet or so, I came into a level valley and the ground changed from bare gravel and cacti to thick, hip-deep grass about the same color as a mountain lion. It was dead still out there and there was no one around for miles. Man that place was spooky.