Ottakee Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Yesterday I drove 90 minutes from home and went backpacking ALL BY MYSELF. I carried my pack a total of 9.5 miles over the 24 hours. I did a bear hang for my food, gathered water from the lake to filter and enjoyed the quiet. 44 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Excellent!! So glad you got to do this! I’m envious. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Good for you! Looks like gorgeous scenery and weather! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo Blue Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 That’s awesome and impressive! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 3 minutes ago, ScoutTN said: Excellent!! So glad you got to do this! I’m envious. It is rather last minute but so glad I did it. I was gone just 24 hours but enjoyed it. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 Just now, wintermom said: Good for you! Looks like gorgeous scenery and weather! The weather was perfect 60s/low 70s daytime and 47 overnight. And minimal mosquitoes i want to go back there in the fall when the leaves change color 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 1 minute ago, Indigo Blue said: That’s awesome and impressive! I was big and brave….big I have down, brave I am working on. My mother was not happy I did this solo. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookbard Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 wow, that's inspiring. maybe I'll do that as one of my 'fifty things before I turn 50'. It sounds so peaceful. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 4 minutes ago, Ottakee said: I was big and brave….big I have down, brave I am working on. My mother was not happy I did this solo. Wow, you're much braver than me! I love backpacking, but I can't imagine doing it by myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 (edited) Great minds must think alike. I was staring at my laptop earlier today trying to get my brain in gear to work on schoolwork when I decided I needed to go ahead and book that next solo camping trip I keep saying I am going to do. I hopped on the state park camping reservations site and snagged two nights in mid-October at a park I read about recently. I won't be backpacking, but do plan to explore the trails around the park. (I stick to formal campgrounds and well-marked trails, mostly so my husband's head doesn't explode from anxiety while I'm gone.) So glad you had your adventure! Edited September 6, 2022 by Jenny in Florida 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 You are so bad a.. Good for you. When I was young I so wanted to do this. Super proud of you. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Way to go, Ottakee!! You are my hero!! Anne 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 2 minutes ago, bookbard said: wow, that's inspiring. maybe I'll do that as one of my 'fifty things before I turn 50'. It sounds so peaceful. Well, I am over 50 and did it. The 3 ladies I saw day hiking today were all retired. I did see one guy yesterday tut commented that people over 50 didn’t backpack there and women didn’t really either…….😏 3 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 1 minute ago, mom2scouts said: Wow, you're much braver than me! I love backpacking, but I can't imagine doing it by myself. I have done rustic campgrounds by myself before but they have lots of people around. Here there was one couple at the site across the lake, about 1/2 mile away and that was it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livetoread Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 20 minutes ago, Ottakee said: I was big and brave….big I have down, brave I am working on. My mother was not happy I did this solo. What a lovely site, and good for you! I hear you on the mom thing. I have a decent amount of pushback on several fronts when it comes to my solo adventures. My dh is fine with me solo camping at populated campgrounds when I have a car right there, but he stresses if I don't have a car or might want a little more remote. I just don't tell my mother about an adventures until I've returned, and even then, I'm judicious, lol. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 That's fabulous. Glad you had a good time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Beautiful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 You go, girl! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 6 hours ago, livetoread said: What a lovely site, and good for you! I hear you on the mom thing. I have a decent amount of pushback on several fronts when it comes to my solo adventures. My dh is fine with me solo camping at populated campgrounds when I have a car right there, but he stresses if I don't have a car or might want a little more remote. I just don't tell my mother about an adventures until I've returned, and even then, I'm judicious, lol. I told my brother where I was, trails I was taking, etc but didn’t tell my mom I was solo until I got back 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 8 hours ago, Ottakee said: Well, I am over 50 and did it. The 3 ladies I saw day hiking today were all retired. I did see one guy yesterday tut commented that people over 50 didn’t backpack there and women didn’t really either…….😏 “This is just a mirage…” 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 You are such a bada$$! I want to do this too. Where did you learn things like bear-hanging food? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Impressive! Dh and 11yo recently did an overnight under a tarp shelter. I am jealous of the main experience, but then they told me they heard fisher cats all night and I was cured. 😂 I do kind of wish I could find the confidence, because I love nature and solitude. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen3kids Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Congrats Ottakee! That is such an empowering experience. My mum hates when I go out on my own, but I absolutely love it! For anyone looking for inspiration, check out 'shedreamsofalpine' on Instagram and Allison Boyle on FB. She offers some free content, but also some paid workshops too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teaching3bears Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 I find this very inspiring! I’m glad you did it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Ya, congratulations on your first solo trip. Woot! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny_Weatherwax Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Congratulations on your first solo trip. Now that you've reached that milestone, it will become easier to do and you'll find yourself wanting to go more often. I do hope you consider cold weather backpacking. It takes it to another level. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 3 hours ago, Quill said: You are such a bada$$! I want to do this too. Where did you learn things like bear-hanging food? From a friend 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 38 minutes ago, Granny_Weatherwax said: Congratulations on your first solo trip. Now that you've reached that milestone, it will become easier to do and you'll find yourself wanting to go more often. I do hope you consider cold weather backpacking. It takes it to another level. I have gear to go down to 25° or so. Coldest we have done yet is 32° Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo Blue Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 From my son’s Boy Scouting days, I remember learning how to cut the leg off pantyhose and put a bar of soap in it and hang it from a tree. For hand washing. They learned so much, but this is what I remember. 😂 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Oh, that's wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 That sounds awesome. We have all the equipment.... Bear bag would be tricky to do - even though I know it is the right thing, kind of like flossing teeth. The last time I took my dc camping it got down to 24. In *retrospect* it is a funny story. Do you know approximately how much your pack weighed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 5 hours ago, Ottakee said: I told my brother where I was, trails I was taking, etc but didn’t tell my mom I was solo until I got back I feel better now. Signed, not your mom, but a mom. 😄 Well done on trying something new! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 46 minutes ago, Miss Tick said: That sounds awesome. We have all the equipment.... Bear bag would be tricky to do - even though I know it is the right thing, kind of like flossing teeth. The last time I took my dc camping it got down to 24. In *retrospect* it is a funny story. Do you know approximately how much your pack weighed? My pack was likely 27-28 pounds 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 1 minute ago, Ottakee said: My pack was likely 27-28 pounds That is impressive, particularly since you obviously used a tent! 😀👍 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Wow, that is absolutely amazing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toocrazy!! Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Wow! Wow! I’m so glad you went and that it was such a great experience for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo Blue Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 You have mad skills. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 With airlines being all kinds of crazy right now, I want to drive from FL to NH by myself to visit my grandchildren. My parents are going all kinds of nuts over me being on the road by myself. Having AAA isn't making them feel any better. It's funny because my father is impressed with a neighbor lady who often drives long distances with her kids and sometimes without. I guess it's ok if you aren't his daughter. LOL Anyway, all that to say your trip would have made my parents crazy but it's something I would have loved doing. It sounds wonderful and so serene. I'm envious. Good for you! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livetoread Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 (edited) My bear hanging story, lol. Years ago I decided to take my son, then about 11, on a short backpacking trip in WV. We were going to be there anyway for a family thing, so I decided to stay with him and do a little trip. I knew we were going to be in bear country so I practiced packing our food and hanging it so I'd be ready. Our trial went along a river and there were several designated campsites sites spread out about 1/3 mile or so from each other. In each one we passed, people had set up elaborate tarp campsites and in each one, they had been fishing with fish parts around, fish in coolers, and fish both grilling and smoking. I still hung our trail mix and dehydrated food, but figured we would be well down the list of sites in a bear's estimation! I should add that that part of the trail was pretty wide and flat and connected to a gravel road. It looked like people brought all their gear in on carts. I was amazed. Edited September 6, 2022 by livetoread 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 That’s awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Congratulations on the bear hang! I’m terrible at it or managing to pick camping spots with no branches low enough for me to toss my rock bag over. I have a bear can from a trip a couple years ago so now I take that with me. Of course bears aren’t very common where I am, I’m more worried about little rodents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Also I’m cracking up about your mom being upset. I guess we never outgrow looking out for our kids. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 1 hour ago, Rachel said: That’s awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Congratulations on the bear hang! I’m terrible at it or managing to pick camping spots with no branches low enough for me to toss my rock bag over. I have a bear can from a trip a couple years ago so now I take that with me. Of course bears aren’t very common where I am, I’m more worried about little rodents. My bear hang was not the greatest due to lots of pine 🌲 trees and not great options. Worked well for the tue small critters though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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