Solo Bushwalking

[Steve]

What's everyone opinion on solo bushwalking?

I know what everyone says; its strongly recommended that you never walk alone. The point being your personal safety. That's very well and all but I don't see why its so much of a fuss. The statistics are right though, if you injure yourself on a solo walk you have less chance of survival than if you were with another person. That isn't to say that more solo walkers are injured than walkers in groups of more than one. I'd think that there would only be a small number of solo walkers that get themselves into trouble; I'm referring to walkers that know what their doing, I wouldn't recommend inexperienced walkers ever walking alone. If you use log books, let people know where your going and how long you intend to be (and take an EPIRB if you can afford one) then it shouldn't be an issue. Even more-so if you have appropriate gear and know how.

I like solo walking for the following reasons: you can get an early start, you don't have to put up with people complaining about anything and everything the whole entire walk, you can travel at your own pace (usually always held back by slow group members), you can take all the photos you want without people telling you to get a move on or leaving you behind, you can alter your plans and take sidetracks without opposition, and the pure silence and beauty of being alone in one of the most beautiful places on earth. That's not to say that I don't enjoy walking with groups, but I really enjoy getting out there and doing some solo walks every now and then.

Depending on the location would of course determine whether it would be appropriate to walk solo or not. The length of the walk would determine safety also. If it were an over night walk, one traveling over long distances or a less common track with few walkers then that would border line on whether you should risk your safely for the journey. Depending of course on prior experience.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[MJD]

I love solo walking. Go where you want, when you want, at your own pace. Stop to take pictures at your leisure. Camp almost anywhere. Pick your weather. There’s nothing more satisfying than sitting in the sun on the top of a remote Tasmanian peak with nobody else around. You do need to know what you are doing (particularly if off track) and its certainly not for everyone.

[flyfisher]

I have spent many happy days walking and fishing in the western lakes area,with access and deep penetration of this area made easier by the use of some of the vehicular tracks which are legal.
Many have been very long day trips from our shack at Great lake but with a sprinkling of overnighters to places like L.Butters, L. Meston, L. Naomi etc.
Many of these fishing/exploration trips were done with my brother in law but he has lost his keenness so I now often go alone.
Solo trips are not my preference but far better than not going for lack of a companion. I carry an epirb and always tell my wife where I'm going and any possible variations to my route,and when she should expect me home.
I do enjoy the the flexibility of time and route that solo allows, but I am also aware of the risk involved. Lovely to get out there without a timetable though.

Flyfisher

[Son of a Beach]

Yes, solo walking is obviously that much more risky that walking with a group, so it is that much more important to take all the precautions (that you should take when walking with a group anyhow). Ie, leave detailed walk plans with somebody who can alert authorities if you don't make it home, etc. I used to do a fair amount of solo walking, as I'm not much of a communicator, and like spending time alone whether walking or not, but particularly when walking there is something very special about being along in the wilderness. I guess it seems less like wilderness when there are other people there? However, my own solo walking has mostly been on, or close to well used tracks, so that if I did get into trouble, I'd be not too far from other walkers.

I'm considering a solo walk next week actually. It would mostly be near the southern end of the Overland Track with maybe a bit of off-track bits here and there. I'll probably borrow a satellite phone from somebody I know, as I don't have an EPIRB or sat-phone. In fact I've never carried either before, but these days, they're more accessible, so I may as well take one with me... just in case.

[Pedro]

I love walking in the Tasmanian bush.

I love walking with my wife - Lake Rodway last fagus time, Crescent Bay last Monday.

I love walking with close friends - the Du Cane Range in February with Mendelt. Olympus, Acropolis and Labyrinth at fagus time with Mendelt and Rick.

I love walking with groups - Salters Point with the Australian Plant Society last Sunday.

I love walking solo - the NE Ridge of Anne a few weeks ago.

I think that there is a common theme here- I love walking. Walking alone is great, but is a different experience to walking with others. Sometimes you need to go alone, either because there is nobody around at the time or because nobody wants to do what you want to do. The important thing is to be out there and doing what you enjoy and feeling comfortable doing it.

I've spent nights at the Pool of Memories alone and loved the solitude (solitude and loneliness are two very different things!). I've spent a frosty night at the Pool with my wife and loved having someone warm to cuddle up to. I spent a couple of nights at the Pool with Rick in deep snow and enjoyed having someone to share the spectacular experience with. Its all good.

I carry very good gear, including an EPIRB and a 3G phone, but I've never had to rely on them. Still, its nice to be able to phone home, as in this shot on top of Mt Massif

Sadly, my wife was busy preparing dinner at the time and didn't really want to hear about the view from Massif - who would have thought it.

I like to think that if things went pear shaped, I could get by, but who knows. A long time ago, I was involved in a couple of climbing trips that didn't work out as planned on Pillar and Hauy - we self rescued in each case. Blood everywhere, but we managed to walk out and drive to the RHH for stitches and layers of plaster. I hope that the EPIRB won't be the first thing I reach for when things go wrong.

Pedro

[corvus]

Pedro welcome aboard, good post I share your sentiments .

[Nuts]

..

[Son of a Beach]

May stumble across you, I'm heading up as far as Pelion Pass and back to LSC (sorting out food caches). Be heading up on the weekend. (I'll say a quick g'day if you want solitude )

Sounds nice. I'm all for meeting people on the track, as there are plenty of moments of solitude in between, and as long as I'm not in an overly crowded hut/campsite full of noisy, snoring, farting, smelly people with smelly socks hanging all around the heater for atmosphere, and I get a nice quiet spot to camp (with or without other like-minded people is fine), then I'm happy.

If the weather is good, I'll probably wear a BWT T-Shirt (so I'll be easy to recognise on a good day), however, it will be Launceston Show days that I'm walking on, so the weather if very unlikely to be good. I'll probably be exiting via the Cuvier Valley track on Saturday so we may just pass like ships in the night (with Mt Olympus in between?).

[johnw]

I didn't think I'd feel comfortable walking solo until I tried it. Although I do most of my bushwalking with my youngest son, he sometimes has other commitments. On these occasions I've been doing a few solo day trips, and wouldn't mind trying some overnighters or longer alone. I'm an experienced walker and very conscious of the safety issues mentioned previously. I leave written details of my plans at home and take as much safety/comms gear as practicable (eventually I'll invest in a PLB). I try to stick to walks that are relatively "safe" and where more likely to occasionally bump into other walkers. However I've found that I enjoy the solitude and think it intensifies the appreciation of your surroundings. One slightly disturbing thing I've noticed though is that I start talking aloud to myself about the route I'm on, as if there is someone else there..."we need to climb over this rock" etc

[corvus]

Sorry to mention this but to my knowledge all of our recent deaths in Tas Bushwalks have been Solo walkers-yes I have been known to walk alone and still will

[Robbo]

Sorry to mention this but to my knowledge all of our recent deaths in Tas Bushwalks have been Solo walkers-yes I have been known to walk alone and still will

So will I Corvus but as with all adventure activities the greater the level of adventure the higher the risk. Its a matter of choosing what level of risk you are willing to take, I guess.

Robbo

[sirius Tas]

As a retired Surveyor from FT and having spent 37 years plus wandering around the countryside, I personally prefer to do day walks mostly alone though where possible I do take my 4pawed companion. My working life quite often demanded that I was working alone and more often than not in quite inhospitable terrain and bush types and as such a rigorous safety plan developed by FT was always in place. If you didn't arrive out of the bush and radio base by a certain pre-determined time you knew certain aspects of the safety plan would start to be enacted...and as time progressed...these actions would become more serious.
So I guess in my private life I have tried to emulate the same procedures. I do take a Sat phone on most occasions....which I haven't had to use in an emergency...but is sure comforting to know that I can phone out of any where I may be...even in the deepest gullies or canyon or dense canopy. I must say that in reality...a group of two people is only marginally safer than being alone...and for optimum safety a group of at least 3 or more is required to be of any real benefit. If you do walk alone the one safety procedure that is paramount...I believe anyway...is to leave written instructions with a decent map...detailing your intended route with coordinates if possible and appropriate return times. Verbal instruction is a complete waste of time. Also carry a proper first aid kit with whistle, thermal blanket, roller bandages etc. etc.
Having spent the past 2 years or more Geocaching I've noticed a definite tendency towards longer journeys and in most cases have completed these solo with no particular qualms what so ever and I'm sure will continue to do so.

[corvus]

Good post sirius Tas, only question is the the cost of a Sat Phone ??

[Taurë-rana]

To bushwalk solo or not to bushwalk, that really is the question much of the time and the answer is obvious.
I like walking by myself as I can walk at my own pace and I love the solitude but the more risky walks I probably wouldn't do by myself if I had the option. Like Sirius, I take a good first aid kit and leave written details of where I'm going. I'm wary about straying off track and I also take emergency warm/waterproof clothes, something to light a fire with and lots of spare food. I haven't yet solo walked overnight I have to admit though, but if the weather forecast was good, I would.

On another track, it seems that there are quite a few geocachers turning up here lately!

[sirius Tas]

Hi Corvus and others.....the original cost of my Sat phone was $1000 and an ongoing cost of $28 p/month...so while it isn't cheap...neither is good bushwalking gear...having just spent almost a similar amount on a light weight one person tent, sleeping bag and backpack. I decided some years ago when I was doing remote camping with the family...camping spot only accessible by a short trip in a rubber dinghy...and rough 4wd track in...that the choices were pretty limited....so opted for the Sat phone. I guess now when walking solo I'm reaping that decision...and the peace of mind it gives. I did think about the EPIRB option...but having read so much about it with it's obvious limitations...its use really is a last resort...and obviously costs a fortune with the search and rescue teams...once enacted...and you may get lumbered with a huge bill?? The more expensive Sat phones can switch to normal digital phone...but twice the price.
My thoughts on walking alone are similar to Annie ...and carry exactly the same gear....and would probably balk at the much longer and harder walks...especially until I gain much more experience....which is why I've arrived at this site.From what I've seen...you guys are pretty switched on...and I'm sure I'll gain heaps of knowledge..plus the ability to tee up some longer walks etc. I guess for a few of us(geocachers)...bushwalking and geocaching have become inextricably combined....so hope you guys don't mind a couple of us over here. Cheers all.

[heplittledoggie]

Hey there FlyFisher, do you have a NextG phone? I've used mine all the way out to Pillans, with a couple of bars of signal from any rocky knoll. Haven't tested yet but I'm guessing similar through to Mackenzie and The Walls. Your handset has to have the tick for regional and rural coverage though. I use the Telstra F165, which is supposed to be the best for coverage.

[flyfisher]

G'day there heplittledoggie, I also have a Telstra F165 so I should have the same coverage, but as yet untried.
It worked well on the track into Travellers rest lake, and towards Lake Ina but I havent been out to the Pillans Julian area since I have had this phone.
Hopefully I will get out there this summer, for some polaroiding - if we get a nice sunny patch when I can get away.
Were you out there fishing or just passing through.

Flyfisher

[kantonysen]

To go bushwalking solo you need to be fit, carry extra gear and be experienced in my opinion. Being in a group may not necessarily be of benefit with some health issues that might not necessarily be anticipated such as stroke or heart attack. When people walk in groups they do not always stay together and so solo walking can take place. Years ago a group almost lost a member when the person had lost contact with the group and had made a wrong turn on the Pine Valley track.
Last year I noticed a bushfire near Lake Lea, even though I had no reception on my Next G phone I dialled 000 anyway, and was able to report the fire.
Keith

[heplittledoggie]

Hi flyfisher, I was out there in March fishing Wadley's / Pillans. My mate caught one on the way in and that's all we saw for three days. Mind you the gale blowing around us didn't help! I'm waiting for some settled weather myself.

Maybe we should start the "fly fishing the western lakes" topic? While we obviously mix solo walking and fishing this is probably getting toward the fishing end of the spectrum? Just thought of another one, the "where does your NextG phone work in the bush" topic?!

[tas-man]

<SNIP>
Just thought of another one, the "where does your NextG phone work in the bush" topic?!

You can add any such info to this existing thread - viewtopic.php?f=21&t=415

[Speculator]

Well, I'm happy doing day-walks solo (I prefer people though), I particularly like sitting on top of a peak by myself, it's a good feeling (providing the wind isn't trying to blow you off).
I'm not keen on doing multi-day walks by myself, mainly because as soon as the sun goes down I go out of my tiny little mind with boredom. I can only read a book for so long!

L8r.

[Robbo]

I have the same phone Flyfisher

I also have a Telstra F165 so I should have the same coverage

In early April I was able to get 2 to 3 bars on Solomons Throne, and the ridge top on the west side of Quail Gully near New Years Lake.

Had the wrong sim card so couldn't all out, but there is coverage there as noted on the BigPond site. Just need to make sure that you have a 'Blue Tick' rated phone for the best rural coverage.

Robbo

[james cav]

I think as long as the indiviual is well prepared and has some reasonable knowlege of the area they are walking then all the best. I have a perticular love for winter walking and for some reason this is not to popular with my friends. So im left walking alone most of the time. I have to say that an epirb would have left me feeling a little more sure of myself at times. I have carried one on a walk with a friend, hired from paddy pallins, and it was all together unnessary. However i think all future solo winter walks will include an epirb. I did get reception at pelion gap one time and wouldnt you know it my wife had her phone off. that was about 2 yrs ago. typical!
As for the virtues of 3G I was out back WA in some goldfields north of leonora and the only phone capabale of reception was this cheap little 3G telstra phone. We also had a nokiaN95 that was utterly useless. That time after seven days of not speaking with my wife or child i am glad to say she answered her phone!

[ClockworkLemon]

What's everyone opinion on solo bushwalking?

I do it from time to time, and I quite enjoy it. Mind you, if I'm walking by myself, I'll only walk somewhere that I'm familiar with. I wouldn't dream of heading off by myself to somewhere that's new to me.

I've thought about the potential dangers and risks while I've been out solo, and I've come to the conclusion that if I take all possible care, then the benefits far outweigh the risks.

[ben.h]

I almost always walk (and mtb) solo. Somehow the peace, serenity and beauty of the bush is lost when walking with others. I see much more wildlife when walking solo too.

[MJD]

Heading off somewhere new by yourself can be fun, especially if out of the way. Spent Sunday wandering around Cummings Head and Mother Cummings Peak without seeing anyone else and with about 4kms off track. Still I've got a good GPS that I keep on to record a "track" that I can always return to if necessary.

[walkinTas]

I mostly walk alone. I always leave detailed plans and times. I too carry a ZTE F165 (and a spare battery), but on my recent walk I had no coverage at all. One side benefit of the phone is the alarm clock. I love walking alone, but know that one bad fall could make all the difference. On one walk I was out photographing in the snow. I knew the track was slippery but I got gawking at something and took my eye off the track. I step on a big puddle of ice and landed heavily on my left knee. Fortunately it was only a day walk and I could limp back to the car with a strapped knee. Obviously when you are alone you need to be extra careful.

I'm not keen on doing multi-day walks by myself, mainly because as soon as the sun goes down I go out of my tiny little mind with boredom. I can only read a book for so long! L8r.

Speculator, this time of year the sun goes down at 8:30 or later and is up again before 5:00. All I do in-between is sleep.

[Darren]

G'Day
I almost always walk alone. Its just what i like. I always say to my missus 'if i dont turn up dont bother comming looking for the first few days then you have about 4 days to find me. Thas when i have puffed up and you just have to look for the crows'
She dosnt think its as funny as me.
Darren

[Pedro]

By day 4, I imagine, it would be time to start looking for Devil scats containing boot leather and scraps of nylon

[sirius Tas]

By day 4, I imagine, it would be time to start looking for Devil scats containing boot leather and scraps of nylon

Touche....in fact you'd be lucky if it took that long from what I've seen.
Cheers...sT