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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 26, 2012 14:06:52 GMT -7
I'm sure just about every male on here can chime in saying they've solo camped many times. I believe Dink may have mentioned she has done so. This is something I've never done.
Would like to hear of your experiences solo camping especially if you remember your first.
Did you get any sleep or were you sitting up in your tent scared straight?
Did you carry in your own gear or did you rough it?
Did you set alarms in your camping perimeter?
If you remember, what lessons did you learn?
How has this experience changed to the solo camping you do today?
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Post by graf on Sept 26, 2012 14:39:40 GMT -7
I used to tent camp in the winter January or February, did so by myself because everyone thought I was nuts to do it and no one would join me. Hardest was digging through the snow to set the tent up the walking through deep snow to the lake to set my tip ups for ice fishing. I slept good probably from exaustion, LOL always had a gun for protection, took my gear in on sled. I did not use any perimeter alarms not much going on that time of the year in Michigan, bears hybernate, only a few wolves out. I find solo camping very serene and recommend it highly.
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Post by xwing on Sept 26, 2012 14:48:59 GMT -7
most memorable solo trip was in november of 2010. Was deer hunting during a bad cold front that moved in. Late Saturday evening I knocked down a nice buck but he did die right away . He took off down the creek in heavy cover and I had to blood trail him 1/2 mile. Weather turned bad stormy /rainy and cold...afternoon high was aroun 40degrees and temps were expected in low 30's overnight. During my trek I got turned around in the failing light...and it was sprinkling. I decided to forgo trying to make my way back to the truck which was by now a good 2 miles south of where I was. I broke out my PSK and began getting set to spend the night there. I was able to call home and let them know what was going on and not to worry. And because it was an andriod I was able to pull up the weather channel and get the forcast for that area...not good rain and thunder storms and a forcast low of 29. I field dress the deer by the creek and moved up the ridgeline to higher ground to find a spot for a shelter. I broke out mt PSK and built a small but cozy shelter and used my space blanket over the roof to repel the rain. I had a nice little fire going in no time and cut a piece off the tenderloin of the deer for dinner. I had no seasoning but I think it was the best venison I ever ate. I fiiled the shelter with dry leave and pin needles for a bed. I was dressed warmly with heavy jacket and insulated bibs ( I dress really warm for sitting all day in cold weather up in a tree with wind) laid down after texting Brad and Vicky to say goodnite and buried myselfin the leaf litter inside shelter. I rained of and on all night but I stayed quite dry and was actually comfortable. I woke up around 6am gahter my thing and dragged the deer to the edge of field, went and got truck ,loaded the buck and went home. Fat and happy That is my most memorable solo trip
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Post by garret on Sept 26, 2012 15:45:36 GMT -7
solo camped many times back in the uk, but dont forget we have no large carnivors in the uk, the worst thing that would likely to happen is a curious fox or badger would come wandering into camp.
sometimes the mad axe murderer that the imagination supplies is a little worrysome though lol
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Post by dtucker on Sept 26, 2012 16:25:03 GMT -7
I have a few times... The most memorable one was on Cumberland Island (the last barrier island between GA & FL) I was there for 5 days by myself. It was the best vacation I have EVER had. The ferry drops you off at Sea Camp and you hike at least 5 miles to the primitive campground. There are others on the island but this is my favorite except for Brickhill Bluff which is the very end of the island. I was never scared I have been there quite a few times but always with someone else. I did sleep with my mace and axe right by my hand, but I always do that camping. I woke up every morning drank my coffee and ate. Cleaned up camp, packed my lunch and headed to the beach with a good book, my lunch and camera. Then hiked some of the inland trails in the afternoons, went back to camp and settled in for the evening and did that same thing every day until I left.. It was GREAT ;D
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Post by wtrfwlr on Sept 27, 2012 6:19:40 GMT -7
All of my camping is solo. Heck, about everything I do is solo. One of my most memorable trips was my river trip through the White River Refuge which is 168,000 acres of virgin hardwood forest and bottomlands. I could write a book about that trip, oh wait I already did? I kept a daily journal. Some here have already heard about this trip but I'll tell some of it again for those that haven't and to answer the questions in the OP. I took my 15" aluminum boat and loaded up all the gear I thought I would need and headed over to East Arkansas near the town of Brinkley where the Cache River crosses. I had my mother drive me over and I launched my boat and I was off, alone. I headed down the Cache river to where it flows into the White river, then further down through the refuge to the Mississippi river. From there I could then get into the Arkansas river which would take me back up through the state in a Northwestern direction through the locks and dams all the way back to Little Rock and home. Now this wasn't primitive camping, I did have my boat with lots of gear and ice chests to keep food and drinks. I did pitch my tent on the river bank for each nights camp and built all of my nightly fires with a flint and steel (hadn't heard of firesteels back then) I had lighters with me but I just thought it was fun to light them with the flint. I did pack MRE's as well as 'regular' food so I ate really well. Did a little fishing and some bowhunting too but mostly it was just floating down the river taking if the fall colors, taking photos, exploring backwater swamps and generally enjoying all there was to see. I took this trip in early November and the temps and weather were perfect, T-shirt during the day and warm in the sleeping bag at night. The questions, I can't say that I remember my very first solo camping trip exactly, that was a long time ago and they all kinda run together but this trip I remember every detail. I slept great every night except for the one where I got caught out on the river and couldn't find a suitable camping spot. Night fell and I had to make a hasty camp on a sandbar. That was hard as concrete and had quite a ways to go into the woods to bring back firewood. That was the only time I made that mistake again! I was never scared although on my first night a coyote or a bobcat caught a rabbit just after dark maybe 50 yards behind my tent in a thicket. If you have never heard a rabbit scream out when caught it will certainly get your attention! There are plenty of gators, black bears, a few panthers and tons of snakes in those swamps but nothing that really bothered me. I saw no need or even thought about setting any sort of alarm around my camps. The refuge itself is a wilderness area so there are no roads, towns or even houses or cabins for miles around, I was really really alone out there. One lesson I learned, besides the getting caught on the river after dark, is to not set up your tent underneath a hickory tree in the fall! Everytime I would almost get to sleep a breeze would blow just hard enough to drop a bunch of nuts onto the roof of my tent, sounded like a bunch of kids beating on it with drumsticks! How had it changed my solo camping? It makes me wanna go back and do it all again! A few photos-
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 27, 2012 6:34:55 GMT -7
Great stories and memories along with those who learned lessons the hard way. Keep 'em coming. BJ, in the pics your boat certainly looks longer than 15". Sorry, I just couldn't pass that one up.
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Post by hitec4you on Sept 27, 2012 6:43:30 GMT -7
I usually go on a 5 day solo backpacking trip every year. I just cant find anybody that wants to get away from the water, toilets, and showers that the campsites provide. But I love them. I find it real peaceful and relaxing. I did not set any alarms around my perimeter or anything. I do carry a pistol when I go. Use it for protection and as a signaling device. As for some of the things I have learned always prepare for it to get colder than what the weatherman says it will be. hehehe I also learned that a hammock is a lot more comfortable that sleeping on the ground.
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Post by wtrfwlr on Sept 27, 2012 6:44:38 GMT -7
It just appears that way cause I'm such a tiny little man.
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 27, 2012 6:50:33 GMT -7
It just appears that way cause I'm such a tiny little man. Ha! Ha! That's kewl too. ;D My boat is the same size as yours except yours looks better with the camo paint job and yours has an engine.
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Post by offtrail on Sept 27, 2012 17:04:46 GMT -7
Yes I have solo camped many times and yes i am on edge because i do live in a populated area. One night I used railroad ties for a bed and found a big piece of plywood that i propped up behind me to catch the heat from the fire. I did have a tarp and a foam sleeping pad and some food. It was winter out but with that piece of plywood behind me collecting heat from the fire. Kept me warm all night, i don't like tents when solo camping. all zipped up your trapped like a rat in a trap and i don't like that feeling. One night I awoke to find a very large wild dog sniffing around camp, once i started moving it slowly walked off with no fear of me at all. No traps set around camp or early warning set up but should have. Around here anyone can and will walk right into your camp, there just stupid like that. No way would i say it be safe for a women to camp solo around here just to many people.
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Post by fallkniven on Sept 27, 2012 19:44:24 GMT -7
I'm sure just about every male on here can chime in saying they've solo camped many times. I believe Dink may have mentioned she has done so. This is something I've never done. Would like to hear of your experiences solo camping especially if you remember your first. Did you get any sleep or were you sitting up in your tent scared straight? Did you carry in your own gear or did you rough it? Did you set alarms in your camping perimeter? If you remember, what lessons did you learn? How has this experience changed to the solo camping you do today? I think the first few times are a bit worrying, being so exposed. I always set two rape alarms up to paracord. I've had a deer set them off before and I'm pretty sure I jumped so badly I caught air! But at least I know it works and it will wake me up. I suppose if you're really worried and didn't mind spending some money you could always invest in a night vision monocular and maybe an IR torch.
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 28, 2012 5:56:58 GMT -7
More great stories, thanks all. If and when I do decide to solo camp it would be very unnerving for me. While camping with a group there were times I didn't feel so brave 'cause I'm just not used to the noises of nightime activity of varmints on the move. Of course I would sleep in a tent 'cause we have too many snakes which I definitely wouldn't want to share my bed with. As for protection, my shepherd would have to suffice. I know she'd do her job as well in the woods as she does following me around in my house.
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