Backpacking Solo?

I can't speak for anyone other than myself but I couldn't care less if anyone here carries or not. I also am not seeking anyone's permission. You may not agree, but these are legitimate questions being asked by adults who would like to know some of the pros and cons of the various choices available to them.

I'm 43 years old and have never once in my life needed my seatbelt. Not once. I still buckle up every time I get in a vehicle.

Carry. Don't carry. By all means please keep up with the enthusiastic chanting of "don't pack your fears" as it's certainly entertaining.

Flame on kids.

When I pack this it's because I am afraid of packs of rural dogs that I regularly encounter during bikepacking trips on the Navajo Nation. Never deployed, but just in case…. i guess I'm packing my fears.

My thinking will be the same when I head north to Alaska/Montana with the packraft.

That phrase is a part of established bpl jargon and shouldn't offend anyone.

"Flame" = this is chaff

huh… last time i checked, bears are not the size of squirrel. their large predators with broad shoulders. if you cant hit a bear running right at you or one up close in your tent… you dont have any business carrying a firearm. fyi, most people that own and carry a firearm, target practice and become good marksman. how in the hell could you miss a bear thats in your tent? lol!!!!!!!!!! thats like missing your mouth with a straw when taking a sip. wow!

I never read "Don't pack your fears" as an offensive statement. Inaccurate at times but not offensive.

Comments about compensating for inadequacies are childish.

OK so I decided to see what all the hubbub about the OP trolling was about so read through some of the old comments. I guess I missed the doozies as they were deleted. I don't feel inclined to stalk his profile to see what he's done on other threads as I have better things to do with my time.

But he said this:

"its proven that bear spray actually is pleasing to a bear."

Partially true. Apparently some people have sprayed bear spray around the perimeter of their camps with the misguided belief that it would detract bears. In that scenario, bears are indeed attracted to the spray and have been observed rolling around in it. But all of the studies I've read, and they've seemed more than credible to me, statistics have shown that it's much safer to try and stop a charging bear with bear spray than with a gun. I'll post the link to a NOLS lecture later that discusses all this in much better detail.

So if the singular threat you're concerned about is bears, then I'd first and foremost carry bear spray. I already stated this above but if I was being charged, I'd go for the spray before the gun every day of the week.

It's highly likely first of all that it's just a bluff charge. I don't want to kill or injure an animal that I have no intention of eating unless it's truly a matter of life or death. I honestly feel that I can make that determination better with people than I could with a bear.

If they are truly attacking you, the bear spray has been proven to be the best option to thwart the attack.

"do any of you here do a lot of solo trips? any suggestions on meeting new people to set up trips?"

I'm not against backpacking solo but I guess I'm fortunate as there's either a) a friend who wants to go or b) it's an opportunity for me to get out into the wilderness with one of my kids.

When I hiked a section of the Wonderland Trail solo, I ran into other hikers several times per day. It really didn't feel like a "solo" experience.

My recommendation would be to start on a busy trail like the AT where you can hike some sections solo but will meet up with other hikers at the shelter at the end of the day. See how that goes and then take on more ambitious solo adventures from there.

Also try to solicit hiking partners here at BPL in the appropriate sub-forum.

how I love these gun vs. bear vs. pack your fears threads. They've come to be an entertainment staple during the long, dark PNW winters. Don't let me down now, guys, by terminating this with undue haste.

"if you cant hit a bear running right at you or one up close in your tent… you dont have any business carrying a firearm. fyi, most people that own and carry a firearm, target practice and become good marksman. how in the hell could you miss a bear thats in your tent?"

I think the relevant question is, with that bear juking this way and that at a closing speed of over 30 mph and adrenaline surging thru your veins, can you put a round where it'll stop the bear before he rips you a new one? Anything less will just pi$$ him off and likely result in him ripping you a truly gaping new one. Lots better marksmen than you probably are will mostly say that's a question they'd rather not have to answer in the real world.

"I think the relevant question is, with that bear juking this way and that at a closing speed of over 30 mph and adrenaline surging thru your veins, can you put a round where it'll stop the bear before he rips you a new one?"

With training, most things are possible. The military and police conduct stress inoculation training. This is accomplished through a variety of means. When I conduct baton/OC training, I have the students run for a long enough distance in full gear to get their heart rate up. When I was certified as a defensive tactics instructor, we were put through much worse than that. Basically military-esque smoke sessions prior to entering a scenario.

From my experience, I think anyone who carries should put themselves through this kind of supervised training. With rights come responsibilities. In this case, we in the US have the right to carry but also bear (pun intended) the responsibility to carry and deploy these firearms responsibly. As always, shooting a person or animal in self defense should always be an absolute last resort to save self or others from serious bodily harm.

actually, im an excellent marksman. USMC 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion/ 2nd Marine Division. scout sniper E-6. well trained. excellent marks. no, i will not miss

48 confirmed/62 probables

I'm so dumb I don't even know what trolling is (ignorance is bliss)

Research has shown time and again that out in the open, bear spray is more effective than guns (for most people because most aren't proficient with a gun) And I'm sure for bad dogs it's the same.

As far as whether or not carrying a gun is the right thing to do, well, there's just no way to know for sure. But things do happen, and it's rarely in the deep wilderness, but usually in the more easily accessible places.

Bad people really can be around. Right now for example, there are warnings out about hikers going alone into the eastern half of the Superstitions. A friend of mine got ran out at gun point some years ago. He didn't know if they were growers or what.

"actually, im an excellent marksman. USMC 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion/ 2nd Marine Division. scout sniper E-6. well trained. excellent marks. no, i will not miss

48 confirmed/62 probable"

I assume you're talking about humans here. Funny thing, David, I know a guy who was Force Recon in Viet Nam. It took him a long time before he even mentioned it in private, like most who are involved in that kind of outfit. And here you are publically bragging about your box score to strangers. Let's just say I'm dubious and leave it at that. Let's also just say I hope a bear never calls you on it. For your sake.

you dont think military personnel are in danger of their natural environment during deployment? we can and will take out wild animals if they pose a threat to ourselves and or mission. fyi, i can provide my military credentials and accomplishments. perfectly legal.

Shouldn't someone be packing for a solo trip?

Pack, not weaponry

actually, im an excellent marksman. USMC 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion/ 2nd Marine Division. scout sniper E-6. well trained. excellent marks. no, i will not miss

48 confirmed/62 probables

First of all, congratulations on your service. I enjoyed the Marines I was with in Vietnam — shame the Navy treated them so badly though. Although I have enormous respect for Marine snipers, I do not see that your statement proves much of anything related to the current discussion.

Furthermore, the main point is backpackers in general who think they should be carrying — usually a pistol of some sort. Your own statement points out part of the problem — you assert that it would work for you because you are highly trained. Most backpackers are not so trained.

–MV

you dont think military personnel are in danger of their natural environment during deployment? we can and will take out wild animals if they pose a threat to ourselves and or mission.

Tom is right — a statement like that does not sound as if you've spent much time out there.

–MV

you assert that it would work for you because you are highly trained. Most backpackers are not so trained.

i think all that participate in the great outdoors should be prepared for whatever obstacle they may face. i hate hearing about lost hikers who were killed by large predators.

HELMAND PROVINCE… insurgent eliminator

None of this is passing the sniff test. I guess I should have heeded the warnings.

Classic BPL…

great winter storm day entertainment guys !

Billy

I think the relevant question is, with that bear juking this way and that… – Tom

Bears juke? Damn, they're getting smarter every day. Next thing I know, someone will link a video of them operating door handles.

no, i will not miss – David

This is very good news, as you can save a bit of weight. Thumbing through my copy of the Herrero book, I see the main argument for hand cannons is the expectation that you'll miss the headshot and thus need the power to take out something structural. With your excellent skills a basic 9mm should be more than sufficient!

a photo

Oh hey, you found a picture of Miles!

-J

The image you posted is of Cpl. Miles Cooley

http://marines.dodlive.mil/2012/12/12/marine-becomes-more-than-a-rifleman-as-scout-sniper/

"When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."

"actually, im an excellent marksman. USMC 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion/ 2nd Marine Division. scout sniper E-6. well trained. excellent marks. no, i will not miss

48 confirmed/62 probables"

Are you seriously bragging about your kill count?
Please leave this forum and never come back.

Are you seriously bragging about your kill count?
Please leave this forum and never come back.

i kept you safe. didnt i? respect… learn it

"The image you posted is of Cpl. Miles Cooley"

sure did. and?