Thread: Camping Solo

Originally Posted by debruiser

Ok. So just decided that I wanted to go camping during the week, (all my friends work weekdays) so it'd be a solo camp trip for maybe 2 nights. The Mrs just said "no you can't go" but her theory on why is "because I might hurt myself". Was going camping at a reasonably popular spot not too far from town. Going during the week so it wasn't too busy. I really don't think there is anything to worry about....

Who out there goes camping solo? and what precautions do you take?

Do you have a good argument for me to convince her it's ok?

I love solo hiking in remote national parks or state forest as high and as far from everyone as possible. If it is snowing I am extra happy.
It is a trifle dangerous but so is crossing the road on a pedestrian crossing or riding a bike on any road. The last two kill a lot of people!

Take a Spot Messenger or Saterlight phone if going any where out of mobile phone reception. The Spot allows you to reassure family your safe and happy or get help if an emergency occurred. If in mountains weather can snow even in summer so have layers of clothes and a water proof layer. Take baby wipes to keep clean if going with out showers or water for washing.

I do not take a phone

Let people know where your going, when you expect to be home and enjoy the solitude and relax. I am not a believer in taking medicinal substances which can add a lay of unneeded risk IMO. Do not try stressful hikes unless your fitness is already more than good enough. A Good GPS and maps "you know how to use" are a must for hiking.

A normal established camp site does not need most of above I.M.O. you could mention Fishing in a boat 5km of shore has much more risk as well. Get out and enjoy it.

man... you guys make me look like a sook!

thanks for the comments, I'm definitely getting out there next week! Now to get a power socket wired into the camper trailer!

Originally Posted by weakestlink

I love solo hiking in remote national parks or state forest as high and as far from everyone as possible. If it is snowing I am extra happy.
It is a trifle dangerous but so is crossing the road on a pedestrian crossing or riding a bike on any road. The last two kill a lot of people!

Take a Spot Messenger or Saterlight phone if going any where out of mobile phone reception. The Spot allows you to reassure family your safe and happy or get help if an emergency occurred. If in mountains weather can snow even in summer so have layers of clothes and a water proof layer. Take baby wipes to keep clean if going with out showers or water for washing.
.

Snap. Solo 3 days into the ranges last july -8deg the water in my water bottle made a breakfast slushy. I carried a Yellow Brick. Took only 5mins of walking to warm up

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N...G1670x1400.jpg

Debruiser,

I go solo camping from time to time....I just need to get away and be in the bush to relax, de-stress, calm down and unwind. If the missus can't come away, I'll go by myself. Sure, I could get hurt, but that's no different from home because I apply the same approach to risk as I do at home/ in the garage/ in the garden.

SWMNOBOBAFAR was the same when I started going away by myself, generally worried, but it only took me getting home safe and sound once before she just got used to it and realised that the bush isn't a dangerous, violent anarchy.
There are a number of ways in which you can appease her and make her feel better about letting you go....the SPOT messenger, staying in mobile range and giving her an update every hour, taking several weapons in case of bogan attack, making sure you have an ambulance crew with you all the time and a fire brigade back-up truck at all times too. Perhaps even think about asking the Army if they'd like to send some volunteers to look after you.

OR, you could have a conversation with her that involves her being reasonable....

You are a man. You wish to go out into the bush for a couple of days of peace and quiet and to explore and feed your inner hunter gatherer. It's important to us blokes to get back to basics and sit by a fire at night. Perhaps she doesn't understand this yet....or she doesn't 'get it', which is fair enough.
She is a woman. She doesn't want you doing anything adventurous as it might mean you get hurt. She likes nesting and being clean and safe and secure.

All perfectly understandable and nobody's arguing with the fact that we're different....but why should she get her own way and you get to be miserable thinking about where you could have been and gone and what you could have seen and done. Why do you want to go away in the first place? Is 'getting hurt' the real reason for her not wanting you to go away? The options to me would be fairly simple (I'm a simple sort of chap, complexity and I are really not the best of bedfellows):

Option 1. Compromise. Go camping but tell her where and stay in touch, give her updates. Too easy.
Option 2. Do not compromise (Go camping). Tell her you'll be fine and you'll be back in a couple of days. Even if she kicks up a fuss, look her in the eyes and tell her you're going anyway. She will respect this. Especially if you come back with a beard. And flowers to show her you're grateful for her faith. Either that or upon your triumphant return, she'll cut your balls off and staple them to the shed door so you'll know who's boss forever.
Option 3. Do not compromise (Do not go camping). Stay at home. Help her with whatever she needs doing. Go shopping. Visit her Mum. Do not get hurt. Be safe, warm, have a cup of tea. Watch some telly. Maybe do some flower arranging and make the place smell nice with a couple of scented candles. Lovely.


I'm being facetious of course.....but if my missus told me 'No you can't go', I'd be very concerned about her lack of willingness to compromise or respect the wishes of the other person in the relationship.


Other things that might help her feel better about 'letting' you go away:

• Explaining why you need to get away and its benefits
• First Aid Kit - a serious one.
• First Aid training/ certification.
• Leaving the chainsaw at home.
• Leaving all the beer at home. If she thinks you'll be sober, she'll be happier. Get some on the way instead. You'll need it in case you get 'the yips'...or in case a bunch of strangers come and say g'day.
• Safety gear (recovery gear, gloves, steel toe boots, it all adds up).
• Comms
• Back-up comms
• Clean socks, jocks, 2 fleeces in case of a sudden 'cold snap' and a beanie
• Put a nice picture of the two of you on the dashboard
• Tell her you're going to write poetry. You will actually have to write some or she'll know so do it before you get into the beers or it'll be gibberish.
• Take enough water for 3 weeks in the desert
• Take enough food for the entire Light Horse Brigade (incl horses) for 3 weeks
• Take enough fuel to get you to Perth and back
• Spares and tools for an entire convoy of Defenders

(apologies for not being very helpful)

Originally Posted by richard4u2

have been flying solo since 1994 and loving it, you want to go some where you just go there . there is nothing better then sitting in a camping stop and listening to couples argue trying to back a van in somewhere or lots of other stupid stuff, enjoy , when you get back home you will feel heaps better

Hate to say this, but being somewhere, that no one is going to be reversing a van in near you would be much better.


Martyn