I’ve enjoyed doing things alone all my life. I’ve taken many solo trips around the United States and Mexico. I eat out alone, go to shows alone and explore my city alone. Although I have a brave and adventurous spirit when it comes to solo travel, I very much feared venturing into the woods alone. Sometimes I was nervous sleeping in the woods even when I was with a large group of people.
In many activities in my life, I have followed the lead of others. I waited for the right invitation, the right moment, the right gear and the right people. As the years have passed, I felt as though I hadn’t fully experienced the outdoors the way I wanted. This year I turned 34, and I decided to change all that.
I made more friends who love hiking and who actually make it a priority to get outdoors. I wanted to get on a trail at least once a week, so I designated Sundays as my hiking days for the summer. I did some research and learned that the Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge is great for beginning backpackers.
My first time there I went with a friend for a day hike. We had planned on going six miles out but ran short of time, so we stopped at four miles and turned around. The next hike, I set out alone and planned to go the full six miles to Tunnels Falls. But as soon as I set foot on the trail, I met and instantly bonded with a Spanish tourist, and we decided to hike the twelve-mile roundtrip together. I felt comfortable with the trail after that.
I was itching for a new solo adventure and I was feeling ready for a backpacking trip, so I started reading about backpacking and brainstorming how to make it happen. I got myself up to speed on basic outdoor survival. I read how to react to black bears and mountain lions. I read blogs written by backpackers who had experienced either the Pacific Crest Trail or the Eagle Creek Trail. I reflected on stories shared by friends and family over the years. I decided the best way to go about it was to be prepared, be aware, and just get out there and learn as I went. I promised myself to let fear go unless there was a real reason to be afraid.
Almost all the gear I brought was borrowed, including a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, two-person tent, chair, backpack — even a down jacket. At around 50 pounds, my bag was very heavy. I planned my itinerary and shared it with a few friends. I told them that my plan on the first day was to hike 13 miles to Wahtum Lake on the Eagle Creek Trail, where I would set up camp at the site near the lake. My back-up plan would be to camp at 7.5 Mile Camp or further along the way to the lake. I also let friends know that I would be leaving my car at the main trailhead and provided them with my vehicle information.
After several hours, I was exhausted. I knew I would not make the entire 13 miles, so I altered my goal. I wanted to at least make it to the 7.5-mile mark, which is what I ended up doing. I was very pleased with my camp spot and I was happy that I had played it safe and decided to stop for the day. After all, this was supposed to be a fun, enriching experience. I ate dinner and sat and enjoyed my surroundings. I realized that I wasn’t afraid. I was feeling calm.
I was, however, tired and cold so I called it a night fairly early. Hand warmers brought comfort to my hands and my lower back. I fell asleep that night easily but woke up a few hours later feeling overheated. I lay in the tent contemplating getting up to go to the bathroom. That was really the first time I really felt nervous. Eventually, I turned my headlamp on, peeked out, and made my way into the darkness. And — wouldn’t you know? — I was fine. I went back to bed.
As I approach my mid-thirties, I’m gaining more confidence in knowing that it’s okay to fail, make mistakes and decide when something just isn’t right for me. I have gained the courage to make things happen rather than wait for things to happen. Now I can say I went backpacking and I slept in the wilderness all by myself and it was great and I would recommend it to anyone. I look forward to purchasing my own ultra-light gear.
My goal for my next solo hike is to backpack all the way from the Columbia Gorge to Wahtum Lake via the PCT, camp, then head back on the Eagle Creek Trail. My longer-term goal is to do the Oregon stretch of the PCT in the summer of 2015.
I don’t know if I’ll make it, but I’m not afraid to try.
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