Solo Tent Camping and Hiking?

When you retire consider a solo tent camping and hiking trip? You never know what you might be missing, perhaps experiences that could change your life.

Donna, a 73-year-old retired financial planner, is experienced in solo tent camping and hiking. Her inspiring ideas and suggestions might motivate you enough to try.

Safety

An important aspect of solo tent camping, is safety. Donna can not emphasize the importance of informing someone about your travel plans before you leave home. She suggests always being aware of your surroundings, checking the park website for rules and regulations, and asking advice from the park rangers before going on a hiking trail. Always note the time you left and your estimated return time on your windshield when you leave on a hiking trail. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/camping/staying-safe.htm

Equipment

When it comes to equipment, choose wisely. When you go shopping, you have many options; however, the essentials you will need include a tent, sleeping bag, chair, food and a way to prepare it, walking poles, a chair, and lightning. Donna prefers a headlamp over a flashlight because she can use both hands.

Donna has a checklist she uses, updates, replaces, and repairs her equipment as needed.

As an experienced camper, she believes food can make or break a camping trip. Keep it simple and bring your own. Most parks only provide basic amenities such as water, ice, and ice cream. She said the importance of preparing simple and easy meals allows you more time to explore, relax, and enjoy your trip. 

Donna suggests disconnecting and unwinding from technology; bring a good book, a fishing pole, and a camera to capture memories of your trip.

Beginners Tips

Donna thinks hiking short trails and stopping to enjoy nature is best. Hiking is not a race; it is a way to enjoy nature. A good option is a cabin if you are uncomfortable camping in a tent. Check with the parks you are interested in for cabin availability. You could also rent a travel trailer or motor home. Donna enjoys going as primitive as possible without water or electricity, but this is not for every. Donna prefers State and National Parks a reservation is recommended so plan you trip, and make your reservation. If you plan on camping in a tent practice putting it up and taking it down before you leave home.

https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm

Donna’s must-haves for camping

• Ground cloth for under the tent
• Tent 
• Storage container for food – Read the park website for rules and regulations
• First aid kit
• Survival kit – including waterproof matches, an aluminum blanket, a poncho, a light stick, a survival bracelet
• Pocket knife
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Walking Poles
• Headlamp or flashlight – Donna prefers a headlamp
• Ice Chest and Ice
• Sunscreen
• Clothes – for all types of weather conditions
• Water and a CamelBak – Donna recommends filing bladder with water, place in ice chest,  it will be cold when you go hiking 
• Chair
• Sleeping Bag
• Hiking Shoes
• Sandals – to give your feet a break after hiking

Conclusion

Putting up a tent can be challenging; putting up a tent alone is impressive. If you consider camping solo, do not let anything or anybody stop you. As we age, we can still enjoy doing what we want to. Camping is a great way to enjoy nature, unwind, and unplug. What do you think, even if you are just hiking for a day? Have you ever considered a solo tent camping trip?

Something for you to think about.