If you go on long hikes alone

[eb777888]

Do you bring anything for protection? If so, what? My first thought is bear spray, which was recommended we carry after our dog was attacked but wanted to come here for ideas. Thank you!

eta: protection from humans, I repeat protections from humans lol

[jinkies]

I have pepper spray on the dog's leash because I'm very nervous around other dogs since being attacked last summer. But that's it.

I don't live or hike in bear territory though. Biggest risk would probably be hurting myself somehow. I do always have my phone easily accessible, location services on (we use Life 360), and make sure to tell H (or someone) where I went.

[eb777888]

jinkies, I don't live in bear territory either but for some reason bear spray was recommended over pepper spray, I don't recall why. I would feel more comfortable if I had *something* I guess.

[starburst604]

I don't really hike and don't live in bear territory, but if I did hike solo a lot I'd definitely want something to feel safer from an attack by anyone or anything. Bear spray sounds like it would cover anything that might attack so I don't see why not!

[Susie]

H and I did a lot of back country hiking and backpacking before the kids were born, and we made it a point to not go alone.  My DD (8) now wants to go with me, and that brings a lot of the elements of "alone" because she would not be capable to navigate for help, at least at first.  H wouldn't be coming unless someone else were watching DS (4), and that doesn't happen all that often.

Bear spray doesn't really speak to my worries, and I don't carry it despite some black bear activity in the area.  I'm more concerned about hypothermia, exposure, water, that sort of thing.  We carry space blankets, lots of layers and dry clothes, first aid stuff, water filter, extra food, maps, compasses, head lamps, extra head lamps, extra batteries for the head lamps and the extra head lamps (lol), and we tend to stick to marked trails where rangers and other hikers are more likely to be.  We aren't yet at a place to be thinking about doing unmarked trails where often you don't see other people all day.  She will need independent orienteering skills before we do that.  If I get hurt, she needs to be able to go for help.  We might also talk about an EPIRB, because until she can drive, she might not be able to actually get help in some of the places H and I used to go.  Phones aren't much use in that area.

[TR]

Bear spray may have been recommended because maybe it sprays further? It's less concentrated, though, so if you're wanting to stop a person, I'd probably do real pepper spray. If you get pepper spray, get the gel kind in case you're downwind.

And I'd want some kind of phone or communication device that doesn't need a signal because I think the biggest risk to solo hikers is getting injured and being unable to get help.

[plutosmoon]

I am just as likely to encounter a bear on a walk through my neighborhood as I am in the woods. My last house we had a backyard bear, he never bothered me when I went outside. I usually just have my phone and water. I think we have black bears, who tend to avoid people. I live in an Appalachian trail community, so you are rarely alone when on the trails, the people I encounter while hiking are usually friendly.

[bears]

I don't carry anything for protection, but there's not much of a predator threat where I live.

If you are nervous about a dog attack, definitely don't rely on the mace made for protection against dogs. I used to carry that while running in the country where dogs would follow me for long distances. I had to use it once and it didn't deter the dog at all! It was like I was squirting a water bottle at him. I think it just pissed him off.

[sproctopus]

Jan 29, 2024 12:59:03 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

jinkies, I don't live in bear territory either but for some reason bear spray was recommended over pepper spray, I don't recall why. I would feel more comfortable if I had *something* I guess.

My husband carries bear spray, bug spray, first aid kit, and an air horn on all his hikes.

[InBetweenDays]

Bear spray and a Garmin InReach. Plus the 10 essentials.

We have black bear (I've only seen on one backpack trip) and mountain lions (I've never seen) but don't have grizzly.

[pandorica]

I work in the woods a lot by myself in the summer. I carry bear spray and a folding knife (the knife is useful for a lot of non protection things too). I'm generally more worried about people than bears, though there have been a few times I've been slightly freaked out from knowing there was a bear nearby (either from scent or having them destroy our equipment haha).

I also have a tablet with maps, a GPS, and a compass.

[lahoagie]

If it is a remote trail I will bring my garmin in reach. I usually have a small first aid kit and sunblock in my running pack along with some gels and maybe some nuts to eat. I am not good at directions so I tend to stick to well marked trails or trails I am familiar with. If things don’t look right, I’ll turn around. We do have black bears here so I try to make some noise around blind corners so I don’t scare a bear but I hardly ever see any. I am probably more worried about rattle snakes which I have seen quite a few.

[erbear]

I always bring my phone and pepper spray. I’m worried about humans, not animals.

[mcmel]

I go birding alone and always carry a knife. I have 0 concerns about wildlife, even bear, but a whole lotta concern for people.

[eb777888]

I don't think I was very clear, I'm not really concerned at all about wildlife, this is to protect against a person.

Thanks everyone! Lots of good points I hadn't considered.

[RoxMonster]

I hike alone a lot but day hikes shorter than 3-4 miles usually. I don’t live in bear country and we don’t have many animal predators here. The worst I’ve encountered once is a wild Turkey that followed me for a bit lol.

I don’t take anything like bear spray or mace. I do have a first aid kid in my day pack. Also everywhere I hike alone around here has cell reception so I take my phone. If I didn’t have reliable coverage or my hike was longer, I would get something like a Garmin InReach.

The #1 thing I do if hiking solo is tell H where I’m hiking and ideally what trail(s) as well if I know. I text when I start my hike and text when I’m back at my car. If he doesn’t hear from me in a reasonable amount of time for that distance, then he knows something might be wrong.

[agnes]

I don’t really have anything for protection. I just try to be aware of my surroundings like normal, hike during the day, stay on more crowded trails, and keep my iPhone location on so my H knows where I am at all times.

Honestly, I’m more worried about coyotes and rattlesnakes going after my dog. And even then I don’t actually have protection for him. Just loud noises and avoidance and staying on path

[heyyounotyouyou]

Jan 29, 2024 14:39:07 GMT -5 erbear said:

I always bring my phone and pepper spray. I’m worried about humans, not animals.

For real. Animals are the least of my worries. Men scare me more then bears or mountain lions do. 

I keep pepper spray, a whistle, and my phone with me even if it’s only a 5 mile hike. 

[heyyounotyouyou]

Jan 29, 2024 15:01:26 GMT -5 agnes said:

I don’t really have anything for protection. I just try to be aware of my surroundings like normal, hike during the day, stay on more crowded trails, and keep my iPhone location on so my H knows where I am at all times.

Honestly, I’m more worried about coyotes and rattlesnakes going after my dog. And even then I don’t actually have protection for him. Just loud noises and avoidance and staying on path

Do you get your dog the rattle snake vaccine? 

my sister has her dog wear a spiked collar for coyotes. They go after the dogs neck for the kill and this will not allow them to do that (at least for her small dog). 

[agnes]

Jan 29, 2024 15:28:12 GMT -5 heyyounotyouyou said:

Jan 29, 2024 15:01:26 GMT -5 agnes said:

I don’t really have anything for protection. I just try to be aware of my surroundings like normal, hike during the day, stay on more crowded trails, and keep my iPhone location on so my H knows where I am at all times.

Honestly, I’m more worried about coyotes and rattlesnakes going after my dog. And even then I don’t actually have protection for him. Just loud noises and avoidance and staying on path

Do you get your dog the rattle snake vaccine? 

my sister has her dog wear a spiked collar for coyotes. They go after the dogs neck for the kill and this will not allow them to do that (at least for her small dog). 

I didn’t even know there was a vaccine for that! I’ll have to ask my vet about it

[InBetweenDays]

Jan 29, 2024 14:54:14 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

I don't think I was very clear, I'm not really concerned at all about wildlife, this is to protect against a person.

Thanks everyone! Lots of good points I hadn't considered.

My answer would still be bear spray, the 10 essentials, and some sort of device for communicating with emergency services in case I get lost or injured. Which around here most often means a Garmin InReach or similar as we lose cell service very quickly on trail.

[eb777888]

Jan 29, 2024 15:49:58 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

Jan 29, 2024 14:54:14 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

I don't think I was very clear, I'm not really concerned at all about wildlife, this is to protect against a person.

Thanks everyone! Lots of good points I hadn't considered.

My answer would still be bear spray, the 10 essentials, and some sort of device for communicating with emergency services in case I get lost or injured. Which around here most often means a Garmin InReach or similar as we lose cell service very quickly on trail.

I ordered pepper spray. And the point about the phone being out of service (it is on these trails) is a really good point and one I hadn't considered so need to address that. 

[karinothing]

InBetweenDays, lahoagie, tell me more about the Garmin inreach. I have been eyeing it. WE don't really need it locally (there is cell service everywhere) but are spending 2 weeks in Yellowstone/grand Tetons and will be doing more trails that aren't in a populated area. I am normally a rational person, but I get a bit worried thinking about the kids getting injured (or me getting injured and the kids being alone and having to fight off bears or something lol).

[mswax]

Jan 29, 2024 16:01:09 GMT -5 karinothing said:

InBetweenDays , lahoagie , tell me more about the Garmin inreach. I have been eyeing it. WE don't really need it locally (there is cell service everywhere) but are spending 2 weeks in Yellowstone/grand Tetons and will be doing more trails that aren't in a populated area. I am normally a rational person, but I get a bit worried thinking about the kids getting injured (or me getting injured and the kids being alone and having to fight off bears or something lol).

We have a Garmin Inreach mini. We pay a monthly fee ($10-15?) to be able to send messages and alert authorities for help via satellite (so 100% coverage). I do a lot of backpacking and hiking "alone" with my kids, and while I never felt like I needed it, it gives DH peace of mind.

We were in the Tetons 2 summers ago, and it may have been my favorite place to hike yet. That said, even on our long days (~14-16 miles), there were always others groups we saw along the trails.

There were LOTS of bears. Mostly they kept there distance, but we got about 5-10 ft from one before we saw it, and it totally freaked out my middle guy. We had to turn around after that...he wanted no part of continuing on that hike. We also saw lots of Moose. Such a beautiful area. PM me if you want trail recommendations!

[loira]

We are in bear and cougar territory. My H carries bear spray after a close encounter with a mama bear and cubs last spring in a district park.

I keep Metallica on my playlist for the cougars. vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/b-c-woman-scares-off-cougar-by-playing-metallica-song-1.4535034

[InBetweenDays]

karinothing, We too have the InReach Mini. You do have to get a subscription, but if you get the flexible one you can suspend the subscription so you only have it enabled when you need it (but it is billed monthly so they won't prorate if you suspend it mid-month). There are different subscriptions depending on how many texts you want to be able to send, whether you want it to send tracking points, etc. But they all have the ability to call for SOS.

We too have thankfully never needed it, but we do a good deal of backpacking in areas with no service and H does mountaineering (all 5 WA volcanoes and climbed Mt. Hood with DD!). So it is a serious peace of mind.

Another option you can look into is Zoleo. I don't know anything about it, but my sister is a Search and Rescue volunteer and that is what they use (and she then bought) when they've done backcountry searches.

We were in Yellowstone and Tetons about 6 years ago. We didn't get ANY service in Yellowstone except when we hiked to the top of Mt. Washburn. Then all the messages started coming in to our phone FWIW we didn't go anywhere in either location where there weren't a good amount of other people. Even on the Mt. Washburn hike.

[waverly]

I don't go on long hikes alone, but if I did, I would bring Mace/ pepper spray and a personal alarm.

[InBetweenDays]

karinothing if that is really the only time you think you'd use it, I'd look into renting something rather than buying it.

[al dente]

How long is a long hike?

People have most of the basics covered. I'd want a satellite phone if yours doesn't have service, an extra charger (phone batteries die fast when searching for service), tell someone exactly what trail you're doing, what the starting point is and where you are heading, time it should take, share location if you can, don't wear earbuds so you can hear.
Also, I recently went to a search and rescue thing and they said to take a piece of tinfoil and step on it and leave it in your car/on the fridge. Search people are really good at following tracks if they know what they're looking for I guess?

Tbh though, and not to be a major Debbie downer, I wouldn't hike alone. Look on meetup or Facebook if you don't have someone else that likes to hike.

[eb777888]

Jan 29, 2024 18:10:37 GMT -5 al dente said:

Tbh though, and not to be a major Debbie downer, I wouldn't hike alone. Look on meetup or Facebook if you don't have someone else that likes to hike.

I understand, but I actually prefer to hike alone. I do hike with my family often, but have been wanting to go during the day when David's at school. I'm extremely familiar with these trails and they are well-populated during the weekend but probably not as much during the weekdays. I'm going to go at it on my own knowing some things just come with higher risk but take proper precautions.