Hiking with a group or a friend isn’t always possible. People are busy, but that shouldn’t stop us from enjoying the great outdoors. Solo hiking can be extremely peaceful and rewarding when done safely. 

 

If you feel ready to get out there on your own I have great news. I took out my notepad and came up with the 10 most essential tips that will help you stay safe on your solo hikes. Let’s get started! 

 

Tell Someone Reliable Where You’re Going 

 

This is arguably the most important rule and why it’s number one on my list. Notice the word reliable in the heading. You don’t want to tell someone who’s going to completely forget you were even out in the first place. Believe me, it’s possible. 

 

This is exactly how I go about this. I literally write down or text someone the exact name of the location I’m planning to visit as well as the trails I intend to travel on. 

 

Then I tell them, “if I don’t text you back by a certain time, let’s say 8pm, text me. If I don’t reply within an hour I’m probably lost or injured and I need help so call 911.” 

 

Choose a time that will give you leeway in case you decide to stay a little longer in the outdoors. For example, if you plan on getting back by 4pm tell them you’ll send them a text by 7pm, because you never know, you might just feel the need to stay out a little longer. 

 

Check The Weather Before Your Hike

 

It can be very easy to overlook this guideline especially if you live in a place like California where it’s sunny 99% of the time. However, you’ll be surprised how fast nasty weather can form in the mountains. 

 

You don’t want to be caught in a thunderstorm while hiking alone. Flash floods are a real danger and lightning can be as well. Which reminds me, if you want to be well prepared and know exactly what to do if you get caught in a thunderstorm, check out this post I wrote by clicking right here. 

 

When it comes to weather and hiking alone it’s best to stay home if you see any chances of rain, snow, or high winds. It’s not worth the risk. 

 

Go on solo hikes only if you see good weather in the forecast. 

 

Take All The Necessary Gear

 

Whenever you’re solo hiking there’s going to be gear and equipment that’s a bit more crucial than if you were to hike in a group. Cherish your life by always being well prepared. Here are the following items I ALWAYS take when I hike alone. 

 

First Aid Kit: I think this one is pretty self explanatory. 

 

Headlamp: not a regular flashlight. If you’re alone you’ll want a headlamp to keep your hands free. Remember, no one’s going to be with you to help you carry anything. 

 

Lifestraw: You should always carry extra food and water with you regardless of whether you’re in a group or alone. However, the Lifestraw can literally mean the difference between life and death. You can use this to drink from the creek, pond, lake, river etc. without boiling your water.

 

This godsent piece of equipment is light and doesn’t take up much room in your backpack so always carry it with you on your solo hikes. 

 

Whistle: A whistle can save your life if you’re lost or trapped. Imagine how your voice would feel after an hour of screaming for help. Not to mention, a whistle can be heard much farther away than your voice. 

 

Plus, it’s so small and light that I carry one with me everywhere I go. I keep it attached to my backpack using a keychain. It’s also very effective for scaring wild animals. 

 

To signal for help with a whistle simply blow three consecutive rapid bursts and wait a few seconds for a response. The three bursts stand for SOS. 

 

Satellite Communicator: Literally the best gear you can take on a solo hike is a satellite communicator. These amazing communicators use GPS to locate your position and allow you to send and receive messages without cell service. 

 

You can send your location to first responders from anywhere in the world. The downside is they’re a bit costly. Unfortunately, I haven’t gotten my hands on one just yet, but when I find which one is the best and test it out I’ll update you guys on the make and model. 

 

Map: It’s good practice to take a map with you at all times. Not a map from your phone. You need an oldschool foldable map. They’re super lightweight, inexpensive and barely take up any room in your backpack, but they can save your life. 

 

Flint Firestarter or Lighter: If you don’t know how to use a firestarter it’d be a good idea to start learning. Starting a fire is possibly one of the most important lifesaving skills we can learn as outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen. 

 

However, if you haven’t found the time I perfectly understand. A waterproof lighter will do the trick. To build a fire, always remember, you start with tinder (no not the app) which is anything dry and paperlike that will catch fire quickly, then add twigs, followed by slightly thicker branches and keep moving up in thickness until you can burn a log. 

 

Compass: Your map will do you no good if you can’t tell which way is north. Luckily, compasses are small, cheap, and don’t take up much space. You can keep one attached to the inside of your backpack with a keychain similar to how I mentioned carrying a whistle. 

 

Don’t worry about getting a fancy high tech compass. Anything durable will be just fine. 

 

Don’t Wear Headphones 

 

I love listening to music as much as the next guy, but the reality is we’re not taking a walk through the park. We’re on mother nature’s turf now, and that means danger can be lurking around any corner. 

 

Bears, cougards, rattlesnakes, bad weather, these are just a few reasons why you want to be fully aware of your surroundings, especially on solo hikes. A more common reason is to be able to hear the bikers racing down the mountain. Yeah, you know exactly what I’m talking about. 

 

It’s also nice to be courteous to hikers who are trying to pass you from behind. If listening to music for you is a must, keep the volume low and periodically remove your earphones to remain aware of your surroundings or keep only one earphone on.

 

Get Informed About The Wildlife and Terrain

 

Confucius is known for his wise saying, “success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.” When it comes to our lives and wellbeing we can never be too prepared. 

 

Before your solo hike do some quick research (either online or by asking someone) to inform yourself about the types of wildlife you can expect and whether you should take additional gear. For example, some places suggest you carry bear proof containers to eliminate food odors or bear spray for protection. 

 

Certain areas may be known for natural disasters especially at different times of the year. Had you done your homework, you could have potentially avoided a serious catastrophe. 

 

When you’re hiking alone, it is vitally important to know the area you intend to visit. 

 

Don’t Venture Off The Trail

 

The fact that we’re outdoorsy means we have an adventurous spirit. However, I highly advise hiking off the trail when solo hiking. This is one of the easiest ways to get lost and never be found. 

 

Here in Southern California we’ve had 2 hikers pass away in the mountains in the last 8 months. Both were hiking alone. One body was never found. Hundreds of hikers go missing every year in the US. Many resulted from venturing off the trail either intentionally or accidentally. 

 

Bonus Tip: Even if you have a map with you and/or are using gps to track your hike, it’s a good idea to take pictures of the trail signs and noticeable landmarks along the trail to minimize your chances of getting lost. 

 

Don’t Share Your Plans On Social Media

 

Mother nature is not the only threat when you’re solo hiking. The sad truth is there are people in the world who have ill intentions towards others, and they’re looking for any chance they can get to cause harm. 

 

If you plan to hike alone, do not share it on social media. At the very least don’t mention you’re hiking alone. This rule applies even more so to the ladies. 

 

The area where I grew up hiking had graffiti everywhere. Many people who were involved in gangs and crimes would go up to the mountains to use drugs and vandalize whatever they could get their hands on. It’s sad but it’s reality. 

 

If you live in a very safe area, this rule may not apply as much to you, but why not decrease your chances of running into a crazy person if you can. 

 

Trust Your Judgement 

 

We’ve all had the gut feeling where we sense something is wrong, but we don’t listen to ourselves and we end up paying the price. When you’re hiking alone, always trust your judgement

 

If you see bad weather forming and you think you should head back, listen to yourself. If you think you saw a cougar run off into the woods, head back. If you ran into a person who gave you a bad vibe, it’s probably a good idea to call it quits. 

 

Solo hiking is not the time to take risks. 

 

Don’t Push Your Limits

 

I’m a very competitive person, so I’m always competing even if it’s against myself. When I’m hiking alone, however, I like to focus more on relaxation rather than trying to break new records. 

 

“The ones who push the limits discover that the limits sometimes push back.” – Frosty Hesson from the movie Chasing Mavericks. Pushing yourself past your limit is great, but it increases the chances of something going wrong. 

 

Remember, when you’re alone, the objective is to reduce all risks. Instead of rushing, try to focus on unique plants and animals that you hadn’t seen before. This will help you soak it all in while keeping you aware of your surroundings. 

 

Choose a Popular Trail With Signs

 

One of the best ways to stay safe is to choose a trail that has a decent amount of hikers on it. If anything goes wrong, it’ll be nice to get help from a fellow hiker. Choosing a well trafficked trail also ensures the trail is not overgrown and thus leading to a lower chance of getting lost. 

 

The second criteria is to make sure the trail has signs. You don’t want to accidentally take the wrong trail and find out 3 hours later. You can check to see if the trail has signs by calling the ranger station or going online and looking up pictures, but the former would be much more effective and easier. 

 

There’s a huge misconception about hiking alone. If you take all the necessary precautions, however, you’ll find that solo hiking can be just as safe and more enjoyable than hiking with a group. 

 

You’ll notice more things, go at your own pace, and allow you to learn new things about yourself. I always feel more connected to mother nature when I’m hiking alone. I hope these tips keep you safe, allow you to enjoy solo hiking as much as I do, and remember, leave no trace.  

 

I get this question all the time, and for a good reason. No one wants to spend another hefty lump sum on a second pair of hiking boots for the snow unless you absolutely have to.

 

Hiking boots can be used in light snow. However, they must provide insulation, traction, and be waterproof. If the boots fail to meet the three requirements or the snow is too deep, investing in a second pair of boots for the snow will be necessary. 

 

Hold on right there! Before you go buy a second pair of hiking boots for the snow, I’d like to teach you a few hiking hacks that will work exceptionally well in case your boots don’t meet the 3 requirements. They’ve worked for me and I know they will work for you. Let’s get started. 

 

How to Determine if Your Hiking Boots Will do Well in the Snow 

 

First and foremost you need to find out how much snow you’re going to be hiking in. For the sake of this article I’m going to define light snow as roughly 2 inches or less of snowfall. You can easily determine this by checking the weather forecast. 

 

If you see anything above 2 inches of snowfall you’re more than likely going to need hiking boots specifically designed for the snow. Anything above 6 inches will require snow shoes, and exposed and steep conditions (regardless of snowfall inches) where snow may turn into ice will require crampons. 

 

However, if you determined your hiking location received light snow, your hiking boots should be sufficient. Just check for the following 3 general guidelines. 

1. Ensure Your Boots Are Waterproof 

 

Many hiking boots nowadays come waterproofed straight out of the box regardless of what season they were designed for. If you are unsure whether your boots are waterproof or not, simply do a quick google search for your specific brand and model. However….

 

Heed this warning: Many hiking boots, which claim to be waterproof,  WILL leave you with soaked feet in the snow such as my Moab Merrel 2 boots. 

 

They’re amazing boots, until you hike in the snow or one of your feet goes straight into the creek on your last creek crossing just before you get to the car….you know what I’m talking about. 

 

If your boots aren’t waterproof or even if they are but you want to take extra precaution, here are two of those hacks I was talking about which will help MINIMIZE the amount of water getting into your boots. 

 

Waterproof Your Boots with A Spray

 

Remember, there is no magic spray that will completely waterproof your boots. If you’re hiking in the snow, your feet will get wet. I’m emphasizing it so you are completely aware of the situation before you go out on your hike. 

 

As far as which product I’ve used, I’ve found The Art of Crep Protect Spray to be the best at minimizing the amount of water seeping into your boots. 

I like to use multiple coats on my boots (at least 3 for each boot) before heading out into the snow. Spray your boots from about 7-10 inches away for best results. 

 

I don’t like to spray the inside of the boots because I feel it’s unnecessary, and I’d like to avoid as many chemicals as possible near my skin, but I’ll leave that one completely up to you! 

 

It takes about 8 hours for each coat to dry, so make sure to begin the process a few days before you go on a hike. 

 

Use Hiking Gaiters

 

Hack #2 includes using gaiters to keep snow, water, dirt, and rocks from creeping into your boots especially around the ankle. There are three different types of gaiters: hiking, trail running, and mountaineering gaiters. 

 

Although we’re talking about hiking in this post, I’ve found the following all-around-use gaiters to be sufficient, and the best part is they don’t break the bank! They are lightweight, ACTUALLY waterproof, and breathable. 

 

They’re called Azarxis Hiking Gaiters. 

I love these gaiters. They’ll do a great job at stopping snow from getting in through the ankle area, but keep in mind the front of your boot and the sides will still be exposed. 

 

To sum things up, if you’ve done everything you can to waterproof your feet and you’re okay with getting your feet somewhat wet in the snow, you can mark this section as a pass for your boots. 

 

2. Your Boots Must Have Traction

 

Most hiking boots do an amazing job at providing sufficient traction in all weather conditions, which is great because there’s not much we can do to increase their traction other than using microspikes in very icy conditions. 

 

You could technically apply a salt and glue mixture to the bottom of your boots if you really wanted to, but I wouldn’t advise it for the snow. If you find that you’re slipping frequently in dry conditions you’re better off investing in a new pair of hiking boots that will also suit you well in the snow.  

 

What I do HIGHLY recommend is using your trekking poles to increase your traction. My girlfriend and I learned this the hard way at Big Bear, CA. Most poles come with different adapters for different conditions including mud, snow, and dry conditions. 

 

Trekking poles are godsent in snowy conditions. 

 

3. Your Hiking Boots Must Be Insulated

 

Most all-season hiking boots will not provide the necessary insulation for snowy conditions. Your toes will get numb from the cold. Luckily for us, there’s more hiking hacks we can use to compensate for the lack of insulation. 

 

Wear 2 Pairs of Socks

 

Yup it’s that simple. Want to keep your feet warmer? Simply use two pairs. You should have bought your hiking boots at least an extra half size bigger therefore, you should have enough room to double up on socks. 

 

Use Snow Socks

If you didn’t go up a half size when you bought your boots, you can use socks specifically designed for the snow. I recommend cushioned high socks for hiking in snowy conditions, preferably made of wool, polyester, and/or nylon. Trust me, you’ll thank me later for this one. 

 

So what are my favorite hiking socks for the snow you ask? Believe it or not I used Stance Star Wars Snowboarding Socks for the longest time and they worked like a charm. It was a night and day difference from regular socks. 

 

Unfortunately, those socks are no longer around. However, you can find very similar ones right here: 

Musan Wool Ski Socks Unisex

There’s no doubt hiking and high elevation go hand in hand. However, high elevations in the mountains are the perfect recipe for unexpected thunderstorms, and where there are thunderstorms there’s lightning. 

Here are five guidelines you can follow which can potentially save your life or the life of a loved one if you find yourself in the midst of a thunderstorm on your hike 

 

1. Get to Lower Elevation Immediately

If you’re at the peak when the thunderstorm begins or is approaching, you should start heading down right away.

The reason is pretty simple: the higher up the mountain you are, the more likely it is to be barren and the higher your chances are of being struck by lightning. Lightning is more likely to strike a plateau, ridge, or summit, so get down quickly and safely. 

 

2. Find Shelter

It’s perfectly safe to take shelter in a cabin, your car, or a deep cave, such as the Vanalden Caves in the image above. If you can’t find any type of shelter, look for a depression or valley.

By the way, if you want to see more regarding the Vanalden Caves, click the link here. You would never think these types of caves exist in LA, but they do, and they’re breathtaking.

A low point in the mountains (preferably with dense trees) can also good for taking shelter. Just keep an eye out for flooding if you choose any low-point areas, and keep your distance from large trees. 

Shelters you’ll want to avoid include shallow caves and open structures such as picnic pavilions as these are more likely to attract lightning.  Also avoid sparsely covered areas including meadows, fields, and large clearances.

Never take shelter under a large tree ESPECIALLY if it’s dry and standing alone. 

 

3. Remove Backpack and Trekking Poles

Once you’ve identified your proper shelter, remove your backpack and trekking poles. You don’t have to leave them outside the shelter, just keep them a few feet away, especially if you’re outside such as in a valley or low point that I mentioned in point number 1.

Your backpack and trekking poles won’t attract lightning, but they do conduct electricity, and we definitely don’t want that.

In case you’re wondering, the trekking poles in the image are called TrailBuddy Trekking Poles. We wrote a thorough review after putting them to the test for a year. You can check that out right here. Even though they’re one of the lower priced trekking poles on the market, you’ll be surprised how reliable they are.

 

4. Spread Out 

 

Sometimes it’ll be impossible to find shelter, and the only choice you’ll have is to get moving. If such is the case, you and your group will want to take the following precautions.

If you’re traveling in a group, you’ll want to spread out in order to minimize the chances of lightning striking more than one person.

Keeping roughly 100 feet in between each person should be sufficient. I highly advise stopping every 20 minutes or so to ensure everyone is safe and still connected to the group.  

 

5. Avoid Water and Metal Fences or Posts

 

Sorry guys, but this is just not the right time to grab a drink from the nearest swimming hole. As you probably already know, water and metal are two of the best conductors of electricity.

Avoid creeks, swimming holes, metal fences, and posts to minimize the risk of being struck. 

The image above is a series of pools and a waterfall called Kitchen Creek Falls located in San Diego County. If you want to see more on that super amazing place click the link here.

It’s okay to take shelter in a canyon in a place like Kitchen Creek Falls. Just make sure you don’t go in the water.

 

What To Do If Someone is Struck by Lightning 

 

If someone in your group is struck by lightning, you’ll want to proceed in the following manner. Begin by checking for a pulse and breathing.

If the individual is not breathing or doesn’t have a pulse, call 911 if possible and begin CPR immediately. 

If more than one person has been struck, treat those that are unconscious first as they have the highest risk of dying.

It’s not uncommon for people to appear dead when they’ve been struck by lightning. However, there’s a good chance of them regaining consciousness once you’ve performed CPR. 

There is no danger in touching a person who has been struck by lightning. You will not be shocked yourself. This is a common misconception. 

Always be aware of your surroundings when performing CPR in the outdoors. Keep an eye out for wild animals, flash floods, and high winds knocking down branches. If you must, move the unconscious person to a safer area before performing CPR. 

 

How to Detect if You’re in the Danger Zone

 

Use this method to detect how far the storm is from your location. When you see a flash of lightning, count the number of seconds until you hear thunder.

If the number is less than 30 seconds, the storm is less than 6 miles / 10km away, which means you’re within striking distance. 

Please keep in mind that just because you’re not in the danger zone you shouldn’t take precautions. As soon as you see a thunderstorm in the distance, you should highly consider turning back for your safety and the safety of the group. 

 

The Lightning Crouch

You may have heard of the stance called the lighting crouch. It consists of crouching down on both feet with your head between your knees, closing your eyes, and covering your ears with your hands. It’s been recommended as a last resort type of protection against lightning strikes. 

Unfortunately, the lightning crouch is not very effective. Hence, the National Weather Service (NWS) stopped recommending the crouch in 2008. You’ll more than likely still hear or read about it, but just keep in mind it’s no longer suggested by professionals. 

 

Best Ways To Avoid Thunderstorms on Your Hiking Adventures

 

 

There’s no doubt in my mind that the best way to avoid a catastrophe is to plan accordingly. If you don’t want to find yourself soaking wet and dodging lightning bolts in the mountains, simply follow these tips. 

• Check the weather! I know I know, it’s a mind-blowing idea, but you’ll be surprised how many times I failed to check the weather.  

 

• Hike in the mornings. Thunderstorms are most likely to form in the afternoons/evenings. If you’re in and out of the mountains by noon, you decrease your chances of getting rained on. 

 

• Keep an eye on the sky. The weather gods don’t always predict an accurate forecast. Luckily for us, it doesn’t take a genius to spot dark clouds in the sky. 

 

• Have a backup plan. Maybe, if you’re expecting a storm, you can plan out a different trail still within the area, but not so exposed to lightning and rain.

 

• Last but not least, head back. The best way to avoid a thunderstorm is to head back the second you see it forming. After all, an ambulance ride will cost you about $1000, but walking back to your car….absolutely free.