New to solo camping?

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Tommys

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Is anyone thinking of doing a solo camp? I had an authentic experience.

I can't lie; it's a different type of camping and not for everyone.
Read my experience for insight and resources.
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roots66

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Is anyone thinking of doing a solo camp? I had an authentic experience.

I can't lie; it's a different type of camping and not for everyone.
Read my experience for insight and resources.
Article
Nice article, and very accurate. I have no problem going solo, but prefer to have company because it's always better to share the experience...even if nothing special happens.
 

MidOH

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I like having redundant partners, so we aren't stranded alone.

Or at least have someone to eat, if we both break down.

Mid Ohio forests aren't a ton of fun to sleep in alone, either. 100x darker and creepier, than anything in FL.
 
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The Deputy

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Solo camp 99.9% of the time. Just returned a couple months ago from a 10,000 mile trip to the interior of Alaska, from southeast Michigan. Was gone five weeks, and was planning on being gone for another five or six weeks and was making my way towards Mexico...until my wife said she needed me home to manage things around the house, animals, and help her deal with getting her mom moved into assisted living. Anyhow, solo is the best for me. Drive for as long as l chose, camp wherever l please, stay for as long as l please, drive the type of vehicle l prefer (old and rugged), etc. And, as long as you plan properly, provisions wise...cannibalism isn't necessary.

Me and Victoria (rover) wish we were somewhere warm right now...

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The Deputy

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Mid Ohio forests aren't a ton of fun to sleep in alone, either. 100x darker and creepier, than anything in FL.
Not going to lie...out of all of the areas l've solo/primitive camped...Tar Hallow, Ohio was the one that kept me awake the most. And it wasn't the black bear that walked past me at camp, was fine with that...believe it was all of the burned out meth-lab-looking-trailers on the drive in...lol.

Did have a blast 4 wheeling with the Ohio LR club though, some pretty awesome trails/roads around there.

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Tommys

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Wow, guys, good stories. In the article, I offered an eLearning module with more insights, strategies, and videos. I will open it up FREE to the public on Sunday, December 15, at 6- 9 pm Central time. Join the conversation!
 

FishinCrzy

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Always did like to push the envelope a little. Learn to pay attention to the little things. Trust what your gut is telling you. Hone your instincts. Breath deep. Go a little slower. Don't be afraid to turn around. Know where you are on the map. Don't totally rely on technology. Invest in good equipment. Important: If you are not used to high altitudes these rules should be at least tripled! when one gets above 9-10,000 feet! Carry some of that bottled oxygen:grinning:
 

Tundracamper

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I think the article is more about solo driving. Solo camping at an expo? Hardly! Go 5 miles away from the nearest other person, camp, and then maybe write an article.
 

grubworm

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I like having redundant partners
pretty sure thats a different forum...:smirk:

as far as the article goes, everyone would have different experiences with solo camping. solo camping is just like going on a mushroom trip, you only experience what you take with you...if your life is a mess and your thoughts are constant chaos, then yeah...solo camping wont be all that enjoyable because YOU are bringing that with you.
when i was 19 and stationed at groton, ct...i did a lot of solo camping where i would take my backpack and drive to upstate new york or any of the new england states and just hike out into the woods and camp solo for a few days. i got to unplug from the BS and let nature take center stage and i could self-reflect. i dont know about anyone else, but i really enjoy time alone like that. i figure that if a person doesnt like or appreciate themselves enough to be alone with themself...then how can they expect to be good company for anyone else??

that was 40 yrs ago and now i have a great wife that loves travel and the outdoors and roughing it. we're "alone together" and that makes for some very enjoyable travel.

our lives are so busy and complicated with so many distractions that people really havent taken the opportunity to get to know themselves and i think people are afraid to be alone because they are afraid of what they might find...
 
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highboy4x4

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pretty sure thats a different forum...:smirk:
That's funny right there....

if your life is a mess and your thoughts are constant chaos, then yeah...solo camping wont be all that enjoyable because YOU are bringing that with you.

i figure that if a person doesnt like or appreciate themselves enough to be alone with themself...then how can they expect to be good company for anyone else??

that was 40 yrs ago and now i have a great wife that loves travel and the outdoors and roughing it. we're "alone together" and that makes for some very enjoyable travel.

our lives are so busy and complicated with so many distractions that people really havent taken the opportunity to get to know themselves and i think people are afraid to be alone because they are afraid of what they might find...


I have to say that might be the most insightful thing I have read on this forum to date. So many truth nuggets wrapped up there. Do you charge by the hour or by the word count?? Asking for a friend!
If your not ok in your own skin, then your not ok.
 
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Tommys

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pretty sure thats a different forum...:smirk:
That's funny right there....

if your life is a mess and your thoughts are constant chaos, then yeah...solo camping wont be all that enjoyable because YOU are bringing that with you.

i figure that if a person doesnt like or appreciate themselves enough to be alone with themself...then how can they expect to be good company for anyone else??

that was 40 yrs ago and now i have a great wife that loves travel and the outdoors and roughing it. we're "alone together" and that makes for some very enjoyable travel.

our lives are so busy and complicated with so many distractions that people really havent taken the opportunity to get to know themselves and i think people are afraid to be alone because they are afraid of what they might find...


I have to say that might be the most insightful thing I have read on this forum to date. So many truth nuggets wrapped up there. Do you charge by the hour or by the word count?? Asking for a friend!
If your not ok in your own skin, then your not ok.
My fee is free.
 

rgallant

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I travel solo quite often like @The Deputy I like being able to drift along at my own pace. Here in British Columbia you can camp almost anywhere that is crown land, so pretty much anywhere is in the back country.

The big thing is for me is the complete disconnect from the world, there is rarely a cell phone signal, and only as much light as I need. There is a lot of joy to be found sitting by a small fire with a physical book a coffee (or small whiskey) and nothing but the sounds of the wildlife
 

lolzhax

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I have a 3 year old and a wife that camps with me so I'm never truly "alone" but we did venture out last summer without any other rigs. Our trick is to keep moving otherwise we get bored if there's no nearby activities and we stay anywhere for more than a couple nights.
 
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The Deputy

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I travel solo quite often like @The Deputy I like being able to drift along at my own pace. Here in British Columbia you can camp almost anywhere that is crown land, so pretty much anywhere is in the back country.

The big thing is for me is the complete disconnect from the world, there is rarely a cell phone signal, and only as much light as I need. There is a lot of joy to be found sitting by a small fire with a physical book a coffee (or small whiskey) and nothing but the sounds of the wildlife
Yeah, Richard...always had a few phyiscal books while out and about. But, the ladies in the office bought me a Kindle for retirement gift, which at first l was like...l'll never use this...but l thanked them (l'm not a complete jerk...lol). I'm just old school and love the feel of an actual book...anyhow...as usual l was wrong...the Kindle is pretty compact and l download about ten books before leaving. Plus, you can read in the dark. No getting up to turn off lights.

I believe...one that reads can never be bored...because...are you ever truly alone within a good book?