#Solo Hiking #Hiking #Hiking Tips In this Video, I talk of the Danger in Hiking Alone, as well as Items I recommend that you carry should you Hike Alone.
That LARGE 10 to 12 Foot Dog-man or SASQUATCH Who probably came down from Canada through time or many live in that area as they do all over , You mentioned apple orchards , They love apples and the plentiful deer , I never was the same after my two experiences, I did backpack alone with a bit of a moon in the Sierra Nevada mountains which are much wilder than what you showed me , Not bad there though , When you camped before your surgery , Recent I believe , You saw that weird black like dog or ? Running ? Got an answer or an opinion ? Then the place you camped the people left in the middle of the night and you followed too , Out of the sky possibly at the first encounter u hurt your foot getting into the drivers seat to get out of dodge like now ! Never thought of turning around to view it if lucky ? there’s weird stuff I never thought would be in our mountains as a kid , Did your was it A - Fib or that cardio issue you had get fixed ? Do you notice a difference in how you feel now and in which ways Kevin ? You could answer me it would be a good Christian thing to do and I would appreciate it immensely, Sincerely Kevin Standow ( fishing fanatic since five )
PERSONAL LOCATION BEACON - ESSENTIAL most important hiking safety equipment Emergency shelter (bivy), water filter, first aid kit, fire starter All of the other things are extra weight
Hey , What you experienced in your Van you could also experience out in the country too , Not just a mountain deal , As much as it’s definitely not cool , It’s a reality that’s either always been there or something fairly new , A still working in a high position for the FOREST SERVICE , Ron Kast or something like that ? As I stated he’s in a position in management and has been in the Sierra Nevada mountains all his life and has seen at least six and had a real up close and personal one with a juvenile as a kid , He was on an hour long Podcast to be interviewed recently a few weeks ago , He told why their policy to say it was a bear to employees or get demoted or be viewed as having a ….. problem if you resisted and claimed these things existed , They do and he admits it from a personal and professional position , He is in the Forest Service for at least twenty five years and he is not scared of being reprimanded as he’s a longtime employee with power and said all we knew and have been waiting to hear for years ! The Parks generate billions of dollars and if people knew truly what was up there ……. Read Missing 411 and The Canan project both by David Paulautes ( spell ? ) You will quickly understand , I responded to this so read it or don’t but it’s the truth .
Several years ago, I fixed my nieces survival kits for Christmas. I think everyone thought I was crazy and my nieces thought it was a joke. I made them get each item out and I went over them one by one explaining what it was for and why they might need it. I implored them to just put it in their car and if, while away at college, they were hiking a trail with friends to just throw it into the pack with their water and snacks. Fast forward a couple of months and their mother was going on a solo day hike. Lol ... they wouldn't let her leave the house until she put one of the kits I made them in her pack with her water. Long story short ... she hyperextended her knee and twisted her ankle about half way through the hike. She was barely able to walk, had gone way off trail after the fall, and darkness had set in. With the kit she was able to build a fire, make a tiny lean to, and wrap up in a mylar blanket. She prevented hypothermia, the rescue helicopter was able to pinpoint her location due to the fire and her signaling with a flashlight which let the rescue squad hike in and get her out by sun up the next morning. Even if a kit is small ... it might just save your life.
A few days ago I was hiking alone on a trail near Lake Simcoe, Ont. I noticed a wooden teepee structure off to the side about 50 feet from the trail so I went to take a closer look. I turned around and couldn't find the hiking trail! For about ten minutes I wandered around in circles looking for it. What a scary and helpless feeling it is to be suddenly lost in the woods. It's amazing how easily it can happen. Thankfully I found the trail again and made it back home safe.
I've spent decades hiking, camping, hunting, fishing in the woods. I have a great sense of direction. But even with that, I've found my way out twice by compass alone. Always trust your (quality) compass. And yeah, it's scary.
@@stormyboy129 exactly. Always carry a compass and know how to use it. GPS requires batteries. I prefer compass since eventually, batteries and battery packs will drain or fail.
I backpacked and camped solo 99% of the time. Have smashed open my knee bleeding into my boot (had to camp there and heel a few days), slipped in mud wrenching my leg with my entire weight falling on it behind my back and I could hardly walk, lost for two days in the woods, and had a huge Baja rattlesnake tracking the movement of my leg just inches from it (two miles from my truck and 80 miles from the nearest town). I always felt I was doing what I loved and if I died doing it so be it, better while doing what I loved than some other way. Always very well prepared when going out alone and didn't even worry about being lost for two days (came into snow and lost the trail) because I had an extra week of food that I could stretch into three weeks if necessary. Better to live the adventure than to live a boring life afraid of getting hurt.Now in old age I look back and think what wonderful adventures I had.
@@bobrown1160 Great! Life is good, live it! LIVE your life NOW because it races by so much faster than you realize. One does have to do what is necessary to financially sustain oneself but that does not have to exclude adventure. LOL I told myself when young to do stuff then because when I get old I might not be able to physically. I was right in that LOL! All the best to you.
my Dad is the exact opposit of your comment despite the fact he lived in a village in the middle of no where not even locatable on a map. Now he lives in a big city and is afraid of taking any risks which led him to live what i consider the most boring life ever i don't plan on living the same thing as him.
@@ksweew7476 Well speaking from my personal experience, as you age things can change. I thought the same as you do about my Dad. My kids probably think the same of me now LOL.
@@patland1762 Yes of course but when i said he is afraid of taking any risk it's that he is scared of even venturing in woods or stuff of that genre, he wouldn't even mount a bike, he is 70+ years old though but as far as i can remember he was always like this. And he is scared of even me owning a bike, he always think of the worse like if someone was hiding in a bush to kill him during hiking. He calls every person that does something a little bit dangerous crazy. And to be honest despite his intellectual potential and skills, his life is not what you'd expect at all from it and it's really disapointing. He transfered a little bit of that fear of the risk to me and now my biggest challenge in life is to fight against it, luckely or unfortunately i had rough times during childhood so i had to try stuffs because of the fact i was forced to react and adapt, so i have a bit of liking for the risk. But now im at a point in life where nobody or nothing is going to challenge me naturally and i have to go towards it. Which makes me really bad at doing anything unless im being cornered, that is true for a lot of people but i really feel like it's on another level for me. All of this isn't necessarely because of my dad but i feel like im the only one that can carry myself out of this because my dad cannot teach me a lot about it and that even as when i was a kid. I still respect him. But i don't want to be like him.
50 years ago I hitchhiked from San Diego to Niagara Falls and back across the transCanadian highway to the west coast and south from Washington back to San Diego …..by myself. Spent a night outside in Timberwolf country near Thunder Bay and another night outside in Banff National Park. Saw a huge moose and a bear there near Lake Louise. Beautiful turquoise water from the glacier. Took about the entire month of September to complete that circuit. Oh, to be 20 again.
An actual ranking of hiking alone dangers: 1. People (particularly strapped spaz’s waiting to blow away anything that moves) 2. Ticks with Lyme disease 3. Falling trees and branches 4. Falling Rocks 5. Gravity in general 6. Hornets, Wasps 7. Extreme temperatures 8. Rain, snow 9. Lightning 10. Boars 11. Feral dogs 12. Poisonous snakes 13. Yourself 14. Black bears
@@progradepainting3755 People outside of civilization are more dangerous than in a city when they want to kill you, due to no restrictions and total freedom to do so without consequence. Humans are more varied and intelligent than animals. You can learn the behavior of animals, you can't do the same with humans as easily.
@@progradepainting3755 Agreed. If you are hiking where you have to worry about other hikers, then you are definitely hiking in the wrong area. Get away from the cities and into the back country. I have never once had an ounce of concern about other hikers that I met on the trail after a lifetime of hiking in the US and Canada. Being in the backcountry where you have to carry everything on your back is very different from camping in a public campground where any jerk can show up in a vehicle after a short drive from a city and loudly and drunkedly ruin your night. Most people who want to party don't want to have to carry their booze very far, and booze is so often the source of conflicts everywhere. I have never seen someone drunk in a place they had to backpack to. Nobody goes backpacking to cause trouble with other hikers. Those folks generally stay close to their vehicles and their alcohol.
I know this is an unpopular opinion: I think if people are relying on their cell phone to get them out of a hiking situation.. they really need to stay close to safety..
My dad, who was a lifelong mountaineer and who climbed every notable peak in the Sierra's, was getting up in age and decided to take a day hike alone during the week in the off season into Desolation Valley but got a late start. He was very familiar with the route but on the way back from Pyramid Peak it started getting very dark just as he reached the Horsetail Falls area where the trail turns to steep boulders only about a mile from the parking lot on hyway 50. With overcast sky's it got pitch dark and dad fell on the rocks and got a little banged up, though not seriously injured he realized it would be too dangerous to get to the car. Though he didn't have a flashlight he did have a space blanket to keep him warm since he was only wearing shorts though he did have a jacket as the temperatures plunge after sunset at that altitude. He spent the whole night leaning against a lone tree just a few yards from the roaring waterfall. Thankfully dad made it home safe the next day. The moral of the story is no matter how well you know your location or how experienced you are you need to plan for the unexpected as the video warns.
Hiking a trail by myself, 110 lb female, only 20 minutes into the trail at wekiva state park Florida, full grown black bear emerged from the trees 60 feet ahead. If I wouldn’t have stopped to observe a turtle, we’d have had a face to face possibly. Very scary as it was isolated location.
Excellent video, thanks. I live in Long Island, NY and do alot of hiking just north of NYC in Harriman and The Gunks. In the past 7 years i've been involved in 2 different rescues of hikers who didn't have proper footwear and weren't being cautiously respectful of the environment. One slipped on a rock on flat ground while chatting with her friend next to her; not looking at the ground, broke her leg; needed to be carried out on a stretcher at night in Feb. The other last year slipped 10 feet from a ledge and cracked her skull, nearly died. The group I was with carried her on a litter 3 miles to the emergency team; she survived. Anything can happen on even the simplest hike.
TY for your selfless volunteering! 😁👍Also for the harrowing rescue stories. IKR. Couldn’t agree more, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. 👍Funny you mention The Gunks. Was just there, June, brief visit, just a gorgeous area! 🤩😎👍
@@HappyEddyMcGuire Indeed! Many many moons since I’ve been to Bear Mountain. 👍Spent my teenage years in Rockland county, so yes, Great Times w friends and family there. Cheers! 😁😎
Great video! The only thing I need in my kit is rope and the jacket. I hike by myself 95% of the time, I’m always checking my cell service. If there is no service I only hike about 40 minutes in. If you have cell service you can pin your location in google maps and send it to a friend or yourself so if you get lost you can use it to find your way out. When hiking on new trails always hike in one direction when reaching cross roads, example hike in always turning right hike out always turn left. Always periodically turn around when hiking in, to see what your surroundings look like facing the other direction and especially when at cross roads. Listen to your surroundings be aware. When using bear spray be very very careful you do not get any back draft it can effect your ability to get away safely. This guy has some great tips. Everyone please be safe!
One thing I'd add that can go wrong is gear failure. You blow out a boot sole or something like that, things get interesting real quick if you have a ways to go to get out of the woods. One thing I've experienced was a strap failing on a backpack and that presents all sorts of problems because it throws you all out of wack ergonomically and you end up tiring out certain muscles way faster due to the weird loads they aren't used to. In terms of wildlife, deer worry me the most because they're so unpredictable and they can get sizeable. One gets freaked out around you, ends up making contact at 20-30mph and your day will definitely take a turn for the worse.
Thank you for making this video. I have 3 sons and we are relocating up Northwest to Oregon. I like being able to show them these videos because I’m just Mom you know, i appreciate when they can hear someone else saying exactly what I tell them. City boys need to definitely be educated before going out into the woods. Anything can happen. Better to be prepared than sorry. Thank you sir 👍😊🌎
@@Vpopov81 I run into rattle snakes all the time. Luckily I’ve been able to get around them with no problem, but it always gets the heart pumping. I’ve dealt with dehydration for myself and other hikers I meet on the trail. My med kit has been used multiple times but mostly for people I’ve run into on the trail. Of course my scariest moment was of the human kind. A guy tried to come up behind me but I saw his shadow in front of me. I flipped around and scared the guy. He took off running before I could ask his intentions. My mistake was hiking with head phones so I didn’t hear him behind me. I’ve learned a lesson that day😳.
@@sharondruzbanski4205 I’m sorry….you saw his shadow…but flipped around fast enough? Was he 30 ft tall? If his intentions were malicious, I doubt you turning around would be enough to scare him off unless you were also wearing a Jason mask and carrying a bloody machete. Note: in lieu of a fire arm, carry a bloody machete and wear a Jason mask while hiking…waaaaay more effective
I live on The Central Coast of NSW Australia and I was into long distance walking, absolutely loved it it was my recreational hobby. However the complete enjoyment stopped because of one very odd sensation I got whilst walking the near deserted track that ran along the side of the National Park. Before you enter the track you come off the main freeway and go down into a small ravine, it’s hard to describe but you kind of walk down on to the track from the freeway. I would prepare for my walk with a little food and a large flask of water and I would listen to music as I walked. I was almost to the end of the desolate track and I was looking forward to reaching my Designated spot where I would just sit and rest for awhile have something to eat and get plenty of water into me. On this particular day it was around 3 pm in the afternoon the sun was out it was a beautiful day I was listening to some music I felt good and quite happy and calm when suddenly this awful fear came over me and I can’t really explain it I thought this is silly I’m almost to the end of the track breakthrough the fear and keep walking the fear became even stronger. I did obey the feeling and I turned around and started walking back in the direction toward home. The fear started to leave me after a minute or so. I wasn’t afraid anymore and I made it to a built up picnic area where I felt at ease. I sat there for a while and thought you know I will take my Dads advice and not venture into that lonely area again. I have never walked on that track again. I have always had strong intuition and that intuition probably saved my life. I had a few ideas as to what it may have been that was making its way toward me. A man with bad intentions maybe , angry dogs that were prowling the track, maybe, I have uncounted wild dogs on another Central Coast track before so have other bush walkers. My Dad said that the track that gave me the creepy vibes is on old Aboriginal sacred burial ground. There is also an old Cemetery a little further up by the roadside. Dad said all that area up there is haunted. I don’t believe in ghosts. I had another encounter with a guy when I was walking alone this time on a track that is more Frequented by people and there are houses along the hilltops of this track. I won’t go into detail with this encounter but if it wasn’t for four workman making their way up the track toward me I don’t think I would have survived. This guy that approached me meant to harm me. When your face to face standing on the edge of a ravine with a mad man and your life events start to play in your head that isn’t a good sign. The police did catch the man he tried to rob a woman in a shopping mall about two weeks after my Harrowing experience. I am to scared to walk alone on the beautiful tracks we have on the coast now so I had to give up bushwalking. I never considered the dangers of walking alone in pristine areas, they are such beautiful places that you forget about the dangers. I swim now in the huge saltwater baths for recreation. I live right by the sea so I can do this every day.
I too was hiking alone, a new forest I hadn’t hiked in when I got that eerie, breath on the back of your neck feeling I put my knife in my hand and walked back out. Nothing happened but I never went back there.
Thank you for your sensible recommendations regarding solo-camping. In 2018, I spent 23 nights in the forest, 20 solo. When Covid hit in 2020, many other engagements were cancelled, and I spent 38 nights in the woods, 35 solo. I'm a little less risk-averse than some, and the forest I spend most time in has no campsites, dumpsters, etc., and includes (partly) PA Gamelands 39, where people hunt for bear. So the bear in my forest never get near me (I find their scat, and paw-prints), because they are wary of humans. I'm always armed, but am more concerned about two-legged critters than four-legged ones, and have made my peace with soloing. But your advice was sane and judicious, and ought to be considered. Thank you for sharing with us.
This is an excellent tutorial. I spend allot of time alone in the Appalachian Mountains. Fly fishing, hunting and trapping. Your kit is exactly what I’ve learned to carry in my pack. Exactly. Good job you know what you are talking about. Black bear are like people, occasionally you run into one that has a bad attitude. Especially backpacking alone. Food smells linger. It is a good idea to carry a firearm when alone in bear country. When a bear especially a male pursues you, your world pulls into one concern. Stopping the threat. Great video
The 750,000 black bears of North America kill less than one person per year on the average, while men ages 18-24 are 167 times more likely to kill someone than a black bear. Don't bother with a gun, you're far more likely to accidentally shoot yourself (as well as coming across as a nutcase to anyone who isn't from america 😂).
as a woman i would not want to hike alone, more scared of men who want to rape and and kill me and chove in in a ditch for their sex fantasies. I just hike short trips with a trusted friend or a group. some men see woman as easy sexual sadist prey
I used to believe going solo heightened my senses, I then realized it was being in population that dumbed them down. For this reason going solo is the only way for me. Great advice on this vid 👍🏼
I firmly believe that somewhere down the line if someone had watched, listened and remembered the advice contained in this video it absolutely will have saved some lone hikers life. Thank you
I ride and hike alone. The must # 1 carry item would be a PLB (personal location beacon) and your bear spray. There are other items to carry but you must practice using them . But get a PLB and get the one that is waterproof even if your not on boat.
Great topic! I took my 12 year old, at the time, on a "day hike" in an area I'd previously lived in for 2 months and knew well. But it had been about 8 years since I was there and things had changed. Old trails were grown over, curious horses were loose, and a few acerages had sprung up. This was on a small island, about 4 miles wide, 17 miles long. We got totally lost and were prepared only for the day trip....we did manage to stumble out onto a road, tired, hungry and cold, about 11 pm. Learned a lot on that one!!! 🥴👍🇨🇦
I hike alone at 76 and have been doing so for several decades. I am well aware that I may suffer a catastrophe and not be rescued in time. That is something I'm prepared for and if I'm not comfortable with a certain area I'll turn back. Unfortunately many inexperienced hikers go alone and get into trouble because they are not prepared. Carry the 10 essentials and if you can afford it a GPS tracker from Garmin (the Inreach) or a PLB (more pricey). I don't carry either but am thinking of buying one. If hiking in the mountains be prepared for a weather change at all times, in any season.
man if I could choose between dying out in the woods for basically ANY reason, including a bear attack (which holy crap people it almost never happens) vs dying in a car accident or getting mugged, its not even close to a choice, so obvious which way I would rather go. I think the best, honestly sorry to get dark but that is who I am, way to go is about your age just walk as deep into the woods as you can, far far from any trail, find a tree that is starting to hollow out, crawl inside and wait...no ceremony no body just returning to nature the way it should be.
@@patrickbertlein4626 you sound like my ex boyfriend. He used to freak out and say if you pay for any sort of funeral I will haunt you. If I die just put my body in the woods for the Animals. Its the cycle of life.
I ran into a pack of house dogs in the woods when I was young. I yelled and they retreated, except for a doberman which stopped and stared me down. I had a .22 long rifle in the chamber and said to him, "don't do it. don't do it" and I had him sighted in. He got smart and ran off after a bit. I've always carried a long rifle, and later, a pistol in the woods. I can enjoy the hike a lot better this way.
Facts I hear ppl saying what a bad idea it is. And I’m like?? my damn whistle ain’t gonna do a thing if a a bear or cougar stares me down. Plus I’m a girl and I’ll trust my gun more than my muscle if some 6”4 guy is trying to grab me.
I would have started with the 10 essentials.. 1. Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger 2. Headlamp: plus extra batteries 3. Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen 4. First aid including foot care and insect repellent (as needed) 5. Knife plus a gear repair kit 6. Fire matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove 7. Shelter carried at all times (can be a light emergency bivy) 8. Extra food Beyond the minimum expectation 9. Extra water Beyond the minimum expectation 10. Extra clothes Beyond the minimum expectation
@@LosDoyerss yup, there are three kinds of predators out there. Two legged, four legged, and good ole ma nature. The above list is good for ma nature, not so much for the predators.
@@LosDoyerss SERIOUSLY!!?? OK 1ST OFF THE GUN WAS THE 1ST THING MENTIONED!!!! HE SAID FOR MOST MANY CARRY A GUN AND IF U DO THAT'S FINE OK GOOD ETC...!? BUT HE PLAINLY ALSO SAID THAT HEEE DOES NOT OWN NOR CARRY A GUN! SO HE DOES NOT DO GUNS!!! BUT ABSOLUTELY DID MENTION THEM RT UP FRONT 1ST THING!!!??? APPARENTLY U AND THE ONES HERE WITH U DIDNT ABD DONT PAY ANY ATTN TO VIDEOS MUCH LESS UR SURROUNDINGS!!?? AND DUH!!!!!! BEAR SPRAY WAS ALSO A HUGE BIGGIE HE MENTIONED!!!!! IF BEAR SPRAY WILL RUN OFF A FREAKIN GRIZZLY OR BEAR PERIOD!!!! IS ANYONE REALLY STUPID ENOUGH TO THINK THAT I WONT FREAKIN WORK ON UR OTHER PREDITORS!!!??? IT WILL ALSO WORK ON U AND OTHERS HERE!!! BEAR SPRAY WILL ABSOLUTELY DETEER ANY PREDATORS INCLUDING HUMANS!!! WILL TAKE DN A GROWN ASS BIG ASS MAN!!! LIKE HE SAID 2 LEGS R REALLY THE MOST DANGEROUS!! NOT TO MENTION THE MOST STUPID!!! THIS IS WHY HE GAVE A GOOD SOILD LONG LIST OF THINGS!!! ONE SHOULD NEVER EVER RELY SOLELY ON ANY ONE THING!!! AND MANY FOLKS WITH GUNS GET KILLED AND OR DISAPPEAR AND DONT MAKE IT OUT!!! TONS OF HUNTERS WITH FN GUNS HAVE DISAPPEARED AND BEEN MURDERED OR DIED FROM FALLS ETC!!!! THOSE STUPID GUNS SURE AS HELLAINT GONNA HELP U IF U FALL OFF THE MOUTAIN!!?? OR DN A CLIFF OR A REVENE!? ALSO NUT JOBS CARRY GUNS ETC AS WELL!!! SO IF THEIR ALREADY OUT THERE STALKIN WAITING ETC AND U DONT KNOW THEIR THERE WELL HELL THEY CAN SHOOT U DEAD B4 U EVEN KNOW THEIR THERE!!! MUCH LESS HAVE TIME TO GET URS OUT!!?? ANYONE WHO JUST TAKES A GUN AND THINKS THAT IS ENOUGH IS FN STUPID!!! ANYONE SOLO OUT IN NATURE SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE ALL HE LISTED!!!! PLUS OTHER THINGS LIKE TASERS OR STUN GUNS....I MEAN THERE R JUST TONS OF SELF DEFENCE WEAPONS BESIDES JUST GUNS THAT ACTUALLY CAN WORK BETTER IF THEY R DISCUISED!!?? THERE R MANY DISCUISED WEAPONS THAT NO ONE EVEN KNOWS IS ONE SO U HAVE THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE!! AND ALSO!! IF U PRATICE KNIFE THROWING REG OR HACHET THROWING REG U DAMNED SURE KILL ANYTHING WITH A GOOD KNIFE AND A GOOD THROW! HELL!!! DAVID KILLED FREAKIN GOLIATH WITH JUST A SLING SHOT AND A FREAKIN ROCK!!! SO THIS BS THAT U CANT PROTECT URSELF OR KILL ANYTHING COMING AT U WO A GUN IS JUST GUN LOVIN BS! IVE BEEN IN 100S IF NOT 1000s OF DEADLY SITUATIONS AND BEEN ASSULTED ATTACKED ABUSED U NAME IT!!!! AND NEVER ONCE DID I EVER HAVE A GUN ON ME!!! ESP AS A CHILD!!! BUT BY GOD IM ALMOST 59 AND I HAVE SURVIVED AND LIVED THRU ALLLL THE HORRORS MAN AND LIFE AND THROWN AT ME DUMPED ON ME AND FORCED ON ME!!!! AND HONESTLY SELF DEFENCE IS THE BEST!!! GET A GOOD BELT AND U CAN KICK ANYTHINGS ASS!!!! A GOOD BELT PERSON CAN TAKE DN SOMEONE WITH A GUN!! AND IF SOME NUT IS SHOOTING U FROM A DISTANCE WHILE HIDDEN WELL HELL U AND UR GUN R FD ANYWAYS!!?? MANY DONR BELIEVE IN VIOLENCE AND DONT BELIEVE IN GUNS!! HEEEE HAS THE RT TO NOT OWN ONE AND NOT CARRY ONE IF HE SOOO CHOSES!!! HE LISTED A TON OF ITEMS HERE!!!! INCLUDING UR ALLS GUNS!!! SERIOUSLY DUDES!!! THE GUN WAS FHE 1ST GD THING HE MENTIONED!!!! HE ALSO MENTIONED BEAR SPRAY WHICH WILL TAKE DN A FREAKIN BEAR!!!! ANY HUMAN!!!! AND ANY OTHER ANIMAL!!!! KNIFE! WHISLE! 1ST AID SHIT!! CELL PHONE!! BATTERIES CHARGER HEADLAMP....I MEAN OMG DID ANY OF U LISTEN TO ALL HE SAID AT ALL!!!??? I JUST LOVE IT WHEN FOLKS DONT LISTEN TO SHIT!!?? AND DONT USE COMMON SENSE!? BUT YET MAKE STUPID SMART ELIC COMMENTS THAT SHOW THEY DIDNT LISTEN AND AINT USING THEIIR COMMON SENSE OR BRAIN!!?? MAC GYVER....NEVER CARRIED A GUN!!! DIDNT BELIEVE IN THEM!!! BUT ALWAYS CARRIED THE PROPER GEAR...AND USED HIS BRAIN TO THINK HIS WAY OUT!!!! A GOOD BRAIN WHO CAN THINK THEIR WAY THRU ANYTHING!!! ANDDD GOOD SELF DEFENCE CLASSES AND A TOP BELT IN ONE ETC CAN GET U THRU AND OUT OF FAR FAR FAR MORE THAN ANY DAMNED GUN CAN!!! AND I ASSURE AS A MAJOR REPEATED VICTIM OF VIOLENCE GROWING UP I SPEAK WITH MAJOR EXPERIENCE!!! U CANT CARRY GUNS WHEN UR A BABY IR A KID OR IN FOSTER CARE ETC!! BY GOD U GOTTA USE UR FREAKIN GD WITTS TO GET THRU SHIT AND OUT OF SHIT! AND GUNS DONT WORK ON TORNADOES OR HURRICANES OR FLOODS ETC EITHER!!! AND I BEEN THRU THEM TO!!! AND NO GUN WOULD HAVE GOTTEN ME THRU THEM!!! GUNS OFTEN GET U INTO FAR MORE SHIT THAN OUT OF IT!! AND IT JUST CHAPS ME WHEN I SEE ALL THESE GUN LOVERS THINK THAT GUNS SOLVE EVERYTHING!!!!! WELL THEIR OK IN CERTAIN CITUATIONS!!?? FOR SELF DEFENCE ONLY!! HOWEVER THEY OFTEN WIND UP KILLING U OR A LOVED ONE INSTEAD!! IF U SHOOT THE WRONG PERSON OR WRONG ANIMAL! U CANT TAKE THAT BULLET BACK!!! DED IS DEAD!!! BUT U SHOOT SOME PERSON OR ANIMAL WITH BEAR SPRAY OR A TASER OR STUN GUNS ETC AND THEY WILLLL LIVE IF UR WRONG!!! GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING AND ACTUALLY WATCH AND LISTEN THIS TIME!!! GUN IS 1ST THING HE TALKS ABOUT!! AND LISTEN TO THE BEAR SPRAY PART ETC!!!!! AGAIN!!! IF IT'S CALLED BEAR SPRAY AND IT WILL TAKE DN A BEAR! THEN HELLOOOOOO IT WILL TAKE DN ANY OTHER ANIMAL INCLUDING A HUMAN!!!! DUH!!!
Hello Kevin! Nice to see ya. When it comes to wildlife, I can't stress the importance of bringing an EpiPen. I've been attacked by a swarm of bee's! I was climbing a rock next to a waterfall, and disturbed thier nest. Luckily I made it out alive, even though I was sting at least 50 times, and far from camp. Those jokers will chase you and thier attack is unrelenting.
@@EKEACRES They really are. Many people think they will see a nest, but as you know that's not the case. Take care Kevin, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend. 🙏
I went backpacking with my dad twice in Guadalupe Mountains in Texas. He rolled his ankle the first time I was 13, unprepared emotionally and physically to assist. But he was coordinated enough to catch himself and lead away from the steep drop of the trail, and wise enough to bring an ankle brace so he could finish the hike and we had a kind college kid who passed us come back and help carry his pack. If I go camping again, now in my 30s myself, I will definitely use your videos to help plan. Partly cuz the world seems scarier than back then and the body between 16 and 30 is very different under stress and danger. Thank you for the content. I also love your tone is genuine and caring and in no way judging for beginners or less informed
Good video! I tell people all the time that once you go out hiking, camping, swimming in the ocean, you are part of the food chain. The problem is that the people who really need this advice are exactly the people who would never even think of looking up how to stay safe.
Never under estimate the power of a good loud air horn to scare off a bear. They are light weight, can be used in conjunction with a whistle and double as a means of signaling for help.
Good idea 💡. A mirror is also excellent to signal in daytime. My remedy for bears is a 357 mag. Hollowpoints . First if time allows, a airhorn or bear Spray is first choice. And by all means Tell someone else when you're coming back and the area you're going.
Excellent advice. Mischief on the trail (on YT) has a horror story of hiking alone on the AT. I suggest several additions to your kit: Plastic bags that bread comes in. They can be used to cover your feet inside your shoes to keep them dry. They can also cover your hands. I would try inflating one and popping it to scare a bear. Pocket survival kit with tealight candles, lighter, mason string, and a Heatsheet Survival Blanket. When necessary, a tealight candle can be used to dry tinder and kindling. A kit in your pocket is always with you when you need it. A GI poncho or similar. It can keep you dry or can be set up as a shelter. I recently tried the River Country poncho and was very pleased with the quality for only $10. It fits my old Army woobie. Carry 25' of paracord and 2 stakes with it for a basic shelter. A Nalgene canteen with an 18 oz stainless steel cup($5 at Walmart) that fits over the bottom of the canteen. The cup will allow you to boil water for sterilization, prepare food, and fill the Nalgene bottle with hot water at night. That hot water bottle can give several hours of comfort, at night, for sleeping. An emergency food kit in a 1 qt ziploc freezer bag. Carry 3 instant oatmeal packs, 2 cup soup packets, and 2 hot cocoa mixes. Add a couple of plastic spoons. This should tide you over for a day. The satellite gps systems seem very good though I have never tried them. A handy weapon that is fun to use is a shepherd's sling. Easy to carry in your pocket and usually plenty of ammo laying around. With a bit of practice, you can get good. Same with knives and tomahawks but I hate the idea of throwing my weapon away. I've run into black bears three times, many years ago, in upstate NY. They took off very quickly. I heard that someone was eaten by a black bear on the AT, I think in VA, just a month ago. Good Luck, Rick
many people get lost and disappear completely, going off alone, even in a car. Life and adventure are always dangerous. Best not to be reckless. Thank you 4 list!
Hi Kevin! You're awesome! I'm from Romania and I used to go hiking with my family when I was a teen, on one-day trips during the summer weekends. There are a lot of beautiful mountains here in my country, a lot of wilderness, and I want to start again this summer, but this time I would like to find a group or something. But if I will ever come to the US I would love to meet ya. You give a lot of great advices and we love you. Stay safe and enjoy the wild. The forest and the mountains are the only quiet places left in this crazy world.
I have often hiked and camped solo for many years and have occasionally come across black bears. No matter what, I have always carried a firearm that was powerful enough to take down any predator in the area I am hiking/camping. I always carried a good heavy duty knife, but I also include a good quality machete. I usually carry many of the items mentioned, except for the cell phone. I've never carried one because the areas I went to didn't have a signal anyway. A couple of things not mentioned is a good topographical map and compass. Remember, when hiking with someone else, you don't have to be faster than the bear...just be faster than the person you are with. AND definitely, carry something to write with and write on. That way you can make out your last will. (Sorry. I couldn't resist a little humor) Lastly, the most dangerous predator in the woods is not a bear, a cougar, a wolf, etc. It's other people. There's a lot of crazies out there.
I hike and backcountry canoe mostly on my own in northern Ontario. I always carry a small air horn & Fox whistle, bear bangers, bear spray, a Garmin InReach (with SOS), a Personal Locater beacon, and compass & map. In my ditch kit is a screened hammock, a small cook pot, a lighter and ferry rod, a good belt knife, and some energy bars. Some might say overkill - I say two is one, one is none - redundancy is important. Good advice in this video.
Glad I stumbled across this video. Scared of the woods but intend to conquer that fear. Now I don’t have to be totally clueless. One great thought maybe I will help somebody else who never considered these things. Thanks for taking time to do this
@@karnagefails333 Because it’s a good idea to listen to your Intuition. I don’t want to discourage anyone, though. Sorry if I sounded that way. My sister used to be afraid of swimming with her face in the water, but she conquered her fear by taking a class and her instructor helped her. Now she’s out there swimming in the bay for 45 minutes, but she overcame her fear while learning inside with a group.
Great video, good advise! The only thing I do differently is I use freezer ziplock bags for organizing everything like you do. Less weight, can see what’s inside, easier to pack and still waterproof!
Some good info there ! I pretty much always hike alone since I'm the only real hiker in the family, I live in Washington so we do have bears and depending where I go there are mountain lions as well. One problem here is a lot of places that are good to hike at have no cell signal at all, although I grew up without cell phones so for me it doesn't seem like that big of a deal. In my youth I was a scout and have lived by the scout motto(be prepared) and I hike with twice the water I expect to need along with many other survival items and skills. I always have a very good hunting knife on me at the ready because I have encountered some feral dogs while out hiking, I do bring a dog with me sometimes(husky) so there are times I'm not entirely alone but the places I go I rarely encounter other people.
My friend and I hiked at Wallace Falls, Little Mashel Falls, Snoqualmie Falls, Rattlesnake Ledge, Twin Falls, and Flaming Geyser State Park. Those are the easiest hike for me here in WA. Fortunately, there are no bears or mountain lions. Only flying bugs. I would be terrified if I see a big moving creature 💀
Good stuff. Great delivery. I started hiking innocently enough while tent camping. On one camp I went off to "explore" the area with NOTHING, not even water thinking I was not going to go very far. But the woods draw you in. On the way back I started to realize I was probably not doubling back the way I had come and got a little lost, and then a little thirsty and then a little panicked. I did sit down to pause, rest and compose my thoughts and then did find familiar bearings and made it back. I now have progressed to where I have everything in my pack that you featured in this video, acquiring a little more gear after returning from each subsequent hike. As my duration and length of travel has lengthened, so has the amount of safety gear that I carry. I have to laugh now at how stupid I was in the beginning days. I do need to acquire one more thing which is a hiking partner. Let me just say that buying the gear was a lot easier than finding a partner.
True incident: Women was driving with female friend who had a dog. Unfortunately, she took a wrong turn and got lost. They decided to stop on this California winter road because her friend needed to take the dog for relief. As minutes transpired her friend did not return from the woods at which she got out of the car to look, and moments later the car doors automatically locked. Their bodies were found later.
Another good thing to do, is have large note posted on your car window, that says something like "If it's past 8pm Oct 16th, call search and rescue, im lost, and list your name, your description, where your headed, etc." Another accident that happens far more than people realize when hiking, is loosing as eye, due to broken tree branches, when hiking threw the woods. Carry a pair of glasses.
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you raising awareness about these very real dangers. I hike alone quite a lot here in Georgia and I didn't really think about a lot of these things and I definitely took notes here. Thank you!
Of all the hiking/survival videos I’ve seen, this is the first time advice to carry paper and pen to leave notes when lost or injured has been suggested. Great idea.
I work at Walmart. A few years ago, I was in the automotive section and a customer was asking questions about gift ideas for his son. His son worked on his car a lot and he was looking at a variety of things for his son’s car. I suggested a survival kit for a car with items like flashlights, flares, gloves, first aid kit and a couple of heavy blankets. The customer liked the idea and thanked me. Ultralight hiking and camping is popular with those who want to travel light. Honestly, I would probably feel a lot better if I had more than enough equipment to survive an unexpected night somewhere, either in the woods, desert or on the road. Nothing is what it seems in either case. Like the Boy Scout motto says, “Be Prepared.” Great informative video.
i grew up camping in the mountains with pine and oak trees in northern Arizona, I'm in my 60's now. Even as a teenager I carried what you recommended and more. I would use an Army LBE (Load Bearing Equipment) to carry all of my stuff including a butt-pack. I had a rifle with me, plus spare magazines, a minimum of 2 quarts of water, a shovel (entrenching tool), a knife, medical equipment/first aid, a poncho with a poncho liner, matches, lighter, and food for a minimum of 3 meals (C-Rations), and water purifying tablets. Now after spending 13 years in the Army (most of it as a Cavalry Scout), I have updated the style of gear I carry but it's still the same, only I have added an M5 or M7 Field Medical Bag, an IFAK 2 first aid kit, and a .40 cal pistol, and MRE's now instead of C-Rations. I am more careful around the 2-legged type of animals, to me they are the more dangerous, but people see me with all of my gear, and they tend to leave my wife and I alone.
@@hailandfire1822 I don't know what kind of experience you have but there was no booze or anything like that when we were in the field. Hell, if we got some down time in the field we slept since running on 2 - 4 hours of sleep at a time and on the move for normally a 30-hour day wears you out.
A few years ago I was out on a walk by myself and I passed a group. Believe it or not one of them had just had a heart attack and another one in the group had broken her leg. They were waiting for the Mountain rescue to come. Having witnessed it myself it just made me think about walking alone and appreciating the risks.
Wow. I never knew this about the male black bears. I am one who was worried more about the females with cubs. I agree about packing extra survival equipment. “ better to have it and not need it than not having it and needing it” great video. Thanks.
That’s because it’s not true lol. You’re chances of getting attacked by an unprovoked black bear, male or female, is literally 1 in 1 million. There are over 750,000 black bears across North America and less than only 1 death from black bear attacks per year, and generally it’s with cause or provocation. Not hunting.
Outstanding job with the video. You covered the essentials and you did it in such a way that I'm convinced you sincerely want people to get out there and be safe in the great outdoors. Good job.
Good advice. But if you train and learn about hiking ,camping Mtn Medicine you can hike solo. I’ve hiked solo since the 1960’s from the Appalachian Trail to Wind River Range, Tetons,Absorokas , Grand Canyon , Alaska, Hawaii and even the Austrian Alps. I taught mountaineering and have done back to back 30 day expeditions. I enjoy hiking with friends, but I love being out alone where I really feel the wilderness. I’ve horse packed in Wyoming , Montana and Oregon solo too. Being by oneself really teaches you about yourself and the world, but have to be careful.Even with all my training I’ve run into bears, and mad moose. I’ve almost been caught in avalanches too. But I still feel safer out there alone than in cities.
I’m glad you mentioned wild dogs too. I grew up on a large farm in Ohio and the wild dogs we would get on our farm alone was surprising. We had plenty of land to explore and more than once did my brother and I get treed or chased by these dogs.
This video should qualify as a teaching material and a 'must see' for hikers and campers. I have been watching videos on hiking and disappearances and what struck me was the negligence and overconfidence shown by 'expert & experienced hikers' with great survival skills. But they showed a 'cynical attitude' towards basic precaution and safety. They had taken everything for granted and just walked into wilderness with nothing on their person, as if they are on a casual sight-seeing trip. Many of them had horrible last moments, which is heart-rending. I am never a hiker or camper. But even for a normal trip, I keep a check-list of items. Once during an 8-hour trip by car, I developed acute bronchial spasms that sent me mad. It was around 10:00 pm and luckily I was travelling with another two persons. They took me to a nearby hospital for immediate treatment. Since then, I always carried anti-asthmatic sprays in my check-list, even though I never had an occasion to use it for the last 10 years. Let the world laugh at us, but often check-list habits are game-changers and life-changers. I liked the way you presented....absolutely no fuss while talking....no exaggerations....you are calm and composed....great...
I’m just getting started with hiking 🥾! Been watching a lot of videos about it. You’re bringing up a lot of common sense and extremely important points!👍
Very interesting and informative. I’m old and not likely to hike much, certainly not alone, but it’s good to know the dangers. There have probably been a lot of people who, for whatever reason, end up lost in the woods. Even carrying in the car some of the important stuff you have suggested, like a cell phone and means of charging it, a good flashlight (and check those batteries, folks) a bright piece of clothing and some extra water.Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
such good advice and the bear stuff is spot on most do not know that behaviour of the cunning black bear changes when you are in remote areas alone. like you said your looked upon as a potential meal and need to be able to deter the bear. that happened to me in the Yukon prospecting alone in a remote area 100 miles from Dawson city. i was not armed and it snuck up behind me within 10 ft i heard nothing but sensed something was there and looking behind me it moved sideways into bush and circled around and hid among willow bush as i had rebuilt a old food cache about 15 ft up between 3 trees i got up there with the stick ladder i made and saw it close by sitting chomping its jaws not scared at all so a lot of aggression/yelling to bluff it away along with lighting a campfire to smoke it out of the little valley i was in. lucky i got out of there the next morning following the game trail out of there and will not go without a bear gun in a place like that anymore. that whole day it felt creepy like i was being watched and i had spent 2.5 decades hiking mountains without incidence before that experience.
Well delivered and sobering. One problem I see people could get into, if they're not in the best of shape, is hiking downhill, like a canyon. With minimal effort and time, they could decent several thousand feet in elevation, only to realize that it may take many hours to assent back up, especially in the heat of the day. Not only will effort be expended but the water required to stay hydrated will be multiplied by several factors.
Something I rarely see mentioned. Personal flares. If you have to be rescued by air, they are a necessity. Less than $100 for a pack of four that reach several hundred feet. If you’re in dense woods, an air rescuer may not see you. Shooting a flare tells right where you are. That last few minutes was a beautiful trip in the woods. Reminds me of our trails in East Texas.
Great video. If you mentioned it, I missed it, but carry a reflective blanket. Not the cheap and fragile mylar kind, but one that is tough enough to sit on and even fashion a shelter. Mountaineering clubs generally teach survival skills and preparations. Here in CO we have the CO Mtn Club that teaches what they call Wilderness Trekking School. Since my last dog died and I truly hike alone through thick cat areas, I am always armed with a 357 revolver, with 3" barrel, on my hip. But I am actually more concerned with people and their non-socialized dogs. The only time I have ever had to draw was in response to two Great Danes. Their owner had very little control over them.
We have miles of hiking trails on our river.i always take my German Shepherd with me as she loves going.one time two coyotes walked up on us.my dog Lola is a large female German Shepherd and she held her own and they ran away.after that day I started to carry my piston.i don’t want anything to happen to her and that encounter could have gone bad fast. Thanks for all the helpful advice and happy hiking
What kind of piston? I knew a guy who encountered a mountain lion on a trail and piston himself trying to back away from that critter. Is that related to your adventure?! lol
A lot of theses stuffs applies to cities too i went on a little trip near my town at only 20km/s away from where i live at just on a hour back on bike and i managed to get lost on the way back where i was attacked by a dog, i was on a kickscooter i managed to distance it but it was extremely close and this was not a housing dog but an industrial defending dog which happened to be able to get throught it's fences. And the fact my only option on an industrial zone all alone was running on a kickscooter against a dog left me really uneasy about going outside bare handed. I was lucky that time and this is the type of situation where it's often 0 or 1 me or the dog i won't make the same mistake twice.
Great vid, thanks for posting... I'll add, carry an extra pair of glasses... Couple years back I slipped on mud innocently enough, but with a full pack I hit hard and awkward and my glasses flew of my face... Spent the next five long minuets scraping along the ground till i found them, and they were smudged up good.... learned a good one there. Carry extra glasses and wipes.
Its interesting the different levels of comfort in the woods. I am solo hiker with my dogs, we cross black bear monthly, wolves are in the area, mountain loin as well. And I am more chicken over spooking humans or a herd of elk more than other scary ones. Be prepared, have a plan, watch the skyline, and dont be afraid to turn back. I love my miles, I am often in wilderness. Cell phone service lol that stuff dont work well. Having extra resources is part of the plan. Maybe it doesnt help you, but helps someone else. Avoid sunrise and sunsets, hiking poles or a 5 ft stick can be helpful. Give the animals some space. Its worked for 25 years. Yes ideally we hike in groups, but does always workout that way. Mountain sheep on a single track ridgeline can get iffy fast. Work your skills and knowledge up, its a wonderful world to enjoy and explore.
I am far too old and arthritic these days to get out in the woods these days, but I was a hard core solo bushwhacker, much of it in eastern New York, in my day. About the only quibble I have -- with an asterisk -- is your assessment that the biggest danger comes from animals. In my experience the biggest danger is an injury or illness that prevents you from walking out on your own. Not because black bears are not dangerous -- they certainly are, I find myself arguing this point, that black bears are much more dangerous than grizzlies all the time -- but the chances of injury are greater than the chances of meeting a predatory black bear. Now for the asterisk. Most of my bushwhacking time was spent in pre- cellphone days. If you were going solo off-trail in those days you went in assuming that you were largely on your own (minus of course leaving a detailed note where you intended to go, with a "call the authorities if you have not heard from me by x:xx PM on yy/yy/yyyy" instruction. Which is still very important.) That meant going in equipped with extra days supplies and a signal kit (signalling mirror, flares, etc). Whistles were essential then, too, but they were of little use when you were many miles off trail. It also meant thinking carefully about each step you took. That extra focus when moving I called my "no helicopters" commitment. Oh -- and not even considering off-trail backpacking unless you have damned good woodcraft, because it's a high risk activity, and you may end up separated from your gear, meaning you better know how to overnight with _nothing_ (another part of the "no helicopters" rulebook). I'm retired to a wheelchair these days, so I think I can safely say that my bushwhacking days are over. I can also say that my "no helicopters" rules served me well. Though I'd gotten lost a time or two (ironically, only on trails) and I've found myself in a few tight spots, all were manageable and I never, ever, needed a rescue helicopter (or any other kind of rescue, aside from a hiker pointing me back to my trail)
Excellent video, great info,👍👍👍👍 so many RUclips people, are shown walking and running through the woods, like Hansel and Gretel no gear, Everytime I see that I get pissed makes people think they can do the same
delinquent, Exactly. And that's why he shot himself in the foot ( in My opinion ) by proudly saying he doesn't have a firearn. Yet goes on to say feral dogs can be deadly. A knife is good, a pistol is 13 times better against two and four legged feral critters. No, i don't respect his advice. . . .
@@fjb4932 get help mr paranoid. FACT way more accidental gun deaths than actually stopping a "bad guy with a gun". You get your news from Karlson the Kiiller Klown though probably...
Excellent tips! Even when I go on a day hike, I always have: first aid, whistle, charger, Sharpie and paper, headlamp, extra warmer clothes, rain gear, even if there is zero possibilities of rain. It is a good wind blocker too. A tarp, kit to make me a fire, knife, Garmin InReach, extra food, water and filter. And also I give all the info of the place I'm going to be and the expected time of my return to my mother. I also have a copy in the car.
Such great advice. I live alone in an area surrounded by forest and am always mindful of my limitations....even when I'm within shouting distance of the house!
People underestimate how easy it is to get " turned around" in the woods. Even a 1 mile hike can be dangerous. Once you step off trail, you can get turned around so easily and head in the wrong direction. Unfortunately I have learned this the hard way. Now I bring colored tape and hang it on branches if I have to step off trail.
Colored tape is a good idea. You probably know to always hang it at eye level and in such a way you will see it when you're coming from the opposite direction.
I was a cavalry scout in the army and land navigation was our bread and butter. That being said I still got so lost one time on a spur ride in Kuwait that I had to sleep outside by myself about 100 yards from some random camel herder's shack. Someone had sent me- by myself, at night- to look for someone else who had gotten lost. I walked what I thought was a straight line for a ways, pushing further and further cause I still wasn't finding this guy, and then gave up and turned back. However walking in a perfectly straight line is much harder than some people think, especially when there's no visible landmarks or features to guide yourself by. So long story short I missed my group completely and spent a little while wandering around before I realized I was just making myself more lost and sat down and slept till the sun came up. I was out of water and about 20 miles from Camp Buehring (the 20 mile ruck march was part of our spur ride) so I genuinely wondered if I would die out there. Thankfully it all worked out fine.
Just found your channel - great video! I frequently hike alone over extremely dangerous and remote terrain but I do take as many precautions as possible. Hard to find others willing or able to take such extreme hikes so you just have to use more caution than you normally would. I will say that being out along in the extreme remote wilderness is almost a religious experience.
If you have corrective eye glasses, bring a few older pairs in case you loose or damage your current ones! Wear or bring a high quality base layer top and bottoms (i.e. silk) and another pair of merino socks in your day pack. Personally, I still think you should have and know how to use a basic compass and bring a backup paper copy of map of area you're in (top map would be ideal). Be smart & (try to) stay calm 🙂
Great advice for people going on a hike.. We dont get that many Bears here in the UK trying to eat us ..but still 95% of your advice is relevent to any hiking situation in what ever country your from.. Keep up the great vids. And Hello from the Uk
But do, sadly, have too many human bears. Friend of mine finishing a photo trip in Exmoor beaten and robbed by a group of 3 sub-animal vermin. A whistle as well as phone might, just might be off putting. As nigh carrying a VERY solid stick rather than just flimsy hiking sticks.
@@raider7829 Agree totally. If our legal authorities from police through CPS and lawyers to Courts did more to keep such predators away from the decent, law abiding in society it would help. Sadly, fanciful!
On the topic of the large knife- they are also very good for wood processing and just flat out useful. I carried mine for protection as well but have since got a pistol. However I find myself really wanting to carry the knife still just because of how much I used it.
Pistol is the way to go. Just a .22 will be adequate - and not to shoot the bear, but shoot off rounds in the air. That is enough to scare a bear away.
Excellent video. 2016 AT thru hiker. Mostly hiked alone. Other items I recommend: Ziplocks Trekking poles Line pack with white trash compactor bag Do not leave trail unless you are absolutely certain you know how to get back
Oh, one other thing that you didn't mention in the video - perhaps you have another on on this topic: HYPOTHERMIA. The importance of staying dry - both inside and out - is huge. This can be especially important for the solo hiker because one of the primary effects of hypothermia is it's effect upon your ability to make logical decisions with no one else around to counter what you are thinking and intending to do, or not. The right clothing can make a difference. Backpacking in the Great Smokies National Park along the Appalachian Trail with three other other guys, one brought only cotton sweatshirts. It started raining and with a poncho on he sweated like crazy. The temp dropped and he chilled. Then he started to think it was snowing when it was only raining. He got progressively weaker and we took his backpack and got him to an AT Trail Shelter where we got a good fire going, got him into his sleeping bag with some hot liquid in him and he was okay, but what a lesson it was for all of us.
So many people shrug off the black bear forgetting that they have all the same tools as a very large dog, but much bigger and stronger. I can only shake my head at them and hope they don’t get hurt or worse.
Personally, even on the shortest of hikes (less than 5 hours) I bring everything I would be happy with if I had to stay overnight. And I bring 3l of water and energy bars no matter how long the hike is. You never know what’s gonna happen. I was hiking out in the mountains yesterday and there was an 84 year old man (very experienced and for his age I would say elite in physical performance). He was with a big group of elder people. He fell on the descent. Thankfully he had 11 other people in his group to help him, and they denied all of our attempts to offer aid. As they had everything they needed, and everyone in their group had first aid kits and there was a nurse in their group. So they were prepared to be there and didn’t need to depend on happenstance someone else had the proper kit. Luckily there was no major injury only cuts and bruises. For his age and for how big of a tumble it was I was amazed he walked out of there only 10 minutes behind my group. If he needed emergency aid there was no cell service. One of us youngsters or one of their group members would have had to get down off the mountain and too the car, drive to where there is service. Then call in for rescue. Very scary but he was lucky that day
@@jeffreyrobinson3555 One time I hiked a long trail without any equipment, just a little water I’m sure. I’m sure I told someone where I was, but I didn’t plan for the sun setting as early as it did and hiked probably an hour in full darkness back to my car. I remember I only had my cell phone light. If I did not have cell service I would seriously reconsider my (lack of) hiking kit after that. The area is easily accessed as it’s an oil “rails to trail” one and had road crossings every few miles.
@@patrickbertlein4626 what kind of shit gear do you have? What’s the big pack for ? Everything I need to survive overnight fits in my hand and I’m a normal sized day pack (28l capacity). I laugh at people like you when they end up on “I shouldn’t be alive”
Wen I was younger I used to love hill walking with my family.. No mobile phones etc. My main seven essentials were A good ordnance survey map of the area and so you could read the land and find your route,, compass where you could take a sighting, lock the direction arm and read the bearing, extra water, Kendal Mint Cake bars. (basically a high energy source made from glucose, peppermint and water). also took a torch, whistle, first aid and half a dozen space blankets. I think that they were known as mylar blankets at the time. Naturally bad weather gear as weather changes quickly on the hills.
I carry a large knife, (boating) air horn and bear spray when out camping/hiking/cycling. Bear spray works well with problem coyotes that try nip at you. Great video :)
Great video and information. You are absolutely right about the things you have sad but you should had also encouraged people to get outside and enjoy nature by doing it consciously. Because living in fear is no Life.
All great advice. If you solo hike back-country regularly, I highly recommend getting a Garmin In-Reach Mini. Things are fantastic. Totally worth the $30/month for the service. You can send texts to loved ones. It lasts for days. Is easy to recharge. Works surprisingly well. What is great about it is handling the urgent situations, not just the emergency ones. In all my years hiking, I've never experienced an actual life-or-death emergency. Most of the issues experienced were just urgent ones. Being able to contact a friend or relative to come help has been a game-changer. Of course, you still need to be ready for those life-or-death moments. Just pointing out that the vast majority of issues range from really annoying to slightly dangerous. Not worthy of a 911 call, but certainly worthy of contacting a friend to come in for a rescue before a situation becomes an emergency.
@@raider7829, Yes, it uses satellites. A single device lets you send emergency messages, pre-configured messages, or send custom SMS text messages (works best when paired with a smartphone). It has been a game-changer for us. We are in the back-country several times a month, well outside of cell phone coverage. There are many demos on RUclips. Just throwing it out there as it has dramatically enhanced safety for us.
Just found your channel and subscribed. My wife and are just getting organized in hiking. We already tent camp but want to go beyond that. Thanks for sharing this info. I had an ATV accident 8 miles from the main road but thankfully had a friend with me. Glad you shared bear spray because I’ve thought about that.
Great video! I always hang a map of the area I plan to hike on a tack board that’s mounted on the wall in my garage, and I use tack pins showing my starting point, destination and sometimes the route I plan to take, so if I don’t return in time and as long as I don’t get lost and wander off my route, then family and friends will know where to send the search party! It’s sorta of a backup incase I can’t make calls or get ahold of anyone if I’m ever in distress.
I ALWAYS hike/camp, etc., with TWO LARGE DOGS. We have encountered wildlife, including cougars, and wildlife DO NOT LIKE the “Human/Canine combination”.
You keep saying wildlife is the biggest threat in the woods. The most dangerous things in the woods walk on TWO LEGS! Bears don't have guns and knives. I speak from many years experience in the forests of NH, Ma., NY., Me., as well as Arizona. Believe me, things are different now. I used to go unarmed, now I wouldn't dream of it. And yes, I HAVE been attacked by dogs several times. DOMESTIC ones that their idiot owners let loose disregarding all WARNING signs that say a leash is required. The last time I had my hand on my .45 and that dog is lucky it listened to it's arsehole owner. So, it's PEOPLE who are the real threat because no one cares about rules anymore out there.
Great Stuff, Just be sure to let those persons that you told where you were going that you are back safe. Just so they don't start a search for you unnecessarily. Stay Well & Safe.
Excellent advice. Just a couple of points I would add - hike early in the day so that if something happens to you, there is time for a rescue that same day. Also, don’t jump down into a place that you are not sure you can climb out of. Lastly, to the ladies - stop over sharing! Females tend to be more social and keep the conversations going. Don’t. No one needs to know your business. it’s ok to shut down conversations and move on from anyone you don’t know. You don’t have to engage.
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here is my Video of the Dangers of Tent Camping: ruclips.net/video/8kBmq0WBtB4/видео.html
Yea big hairy things that Indians petroglyphs have told us for many moons , Many other reasons too.
Great info. Do you have a video of what is in your First Aid kit and or Fire Starter kit? Thanks in advance.
That LARGE 10 to 12 Foot Dog-man or SASQUATCH Who probably came down from Canada through time or many live in that area as they do all over , You mentioned apple orchards , They love apples and the plentiful deer , I never was the same after my two experiences, I did backpack alone with a bit of a moon in the Sierra Nevada mountains which are much wilder than what you showed me , Not bad there though , When you camped before your surgery , Recent I believe , You saw that weird black like dog or ? Running ? Got an answer or an opinion ? Then the place you camped the people left in the middle of the night and you followed too , Out of the sky possibly at the first encounter u
hurt your foot getting into the drivers seat to get out of dodge like now ! Never thought of turning around to view it if lucky ? there’s weird stuff I never thought would be in our mountains as a kid , Did your was it A - Fib or that cardio issue you had get fixed ? Do you notice a difference in how you feel now and in which ways Kevin ? You could answer me it would be a good Christian thing to do and I would appreciate it immensely, Sincerely Kevin Standow ( fishing fanatic since five )
PERSONAL LOCATION BEACON - ESSENTIAL most important hiking safety equipment
Emergency shelter (bivy), water filter, first aid kit, fire starter
All of the other things are extra weight
Hey , What you experienced in your Van you could also experience out in the country too , Not just a mountain deal , As much as it’s definitely not cool , It’s a reality that’s either always been there or something fairly new , A still working in a high position for the FOREST SERVICE , Ron Kast or something like that ? As I stated he’s in a position in management and has been in the Sierra Nevada mountains all his life and has seen at least six and had a real up close and personal one with a juvenile as a kid , He was on an hour long Podcast to be interviewed recently a few weeks ago , He told why their policy to say it was a bear to employees or get demoted or be viewed as having a ….. problem if you resisted and claimed these things existed , They do and he admits it from a personal and professional position , He is in the Forest Service for at least twenty five years and he is not scared of being reprimanded as he’s a longtime employee with power and said all we knew and have been waiting to hear for years ! The Parks generate billions of dollars and if people knew truly what was up there ……. Read Missing 411 and The Canan project both by David Paulautes ( spell ? ) You will quickly understand , I responded to this so read it or don’t but it’s the truth .
Several years ago, I fixed my nieces survival kits for Christmas. I think everyone thought I was crazy and my nieces thought it was a joke. I made them get each item out and I went over them one by one explaining what it was for and why they might need it. I implored them to just put it in their car and if, while away at college, they were hiking a trail with friends to just throw it into the pack with their water and snacks. Fast forward a couple of months and their mother was going on a solo day hike. Lol ... they wouldn't let her leave the house until she put one of the kits I made them in her pack with her water. Long story short ... she hyperextended her knee and twisted her ankle about half way through the hike. She was barely able to walk, had gone way off trail after the fall, and darkness had set in. With the kit she was able to build a fire, make a tiny lean to, and wrap up in a mylar blanket. She prevented hypothermia, the rescue helicopter was able to pinpoint her location due to the fire and her signaling with a flashlight which let the rescue squad hike in and get her out by sun up the next morning. Even if a kit is small ... it might just save your life.
Wow, ok I’m definitely getting all my boys a survival kit like this.
Brilliant. I love stories of emergency kits being used x
Beautiful. How big was the kit? I made one about the size of a Fanny pack
😑 This happened..
Makes sense to have one. Never know what might happen.
A few days ago I was hiking alone on a trail near Lake Simcoe, Ont. I noticed a wooden teepee structure off to the side about 50 feet from the trail so I went to take a closer look. I turned around and couldn't find the hiking trail! For about ten minutes I wandered around in circles looking for it. What a scary and helpless feeling it is to be suddenly lost in the woods. It's amazing how easily it can happen. Thankfully I found the trail again and made it back home safe.
I've spent decades hiking, camping, hunting, fishing in the woods. I have a great sense of direction. But even with that, I've found my way out twice by compass alone. Always trust your (quality) compass. And yeah, it's scary.
You're not bringing GPS or compass and map?
@@stormyboy129 exactly. Always carry a compass and know how to use it. GPS requires batteries. I prefer compass since eventually, batteries and battery packs will drain or fail.
@@stormyboy129 The trail hike was unplanned. I was walking from my campsite to the nearby beach when I stumbled across the trail halfway.
Oh noo. Im happy your okay.
I backpacked and camped solo 99% of the time. Have smashed open my knee bleeding into my boot (had to camp there and heel a few days), slipped in mud wrenching my leg with my entire weight falling on it behind my back and I could hardly walk, lost for two days in the woods, and had a huge Baja rattlesnake tracking the movement of my leg just inches from it (two miles from my truck and 80 miles from the nearest town). I always felt I was doing what I loved and if I died doing it so be it, better while doing what I loved than some other way. Always very well prepared when going out alone and didn't even worry about being lost for two days (came into snow and lost the trail) because I had an extra week of food that I could stretch into three weeks if necessary. Better to live the adventure than to live a boring life afraid of getting hurt.Now in old age I look back and think what wonderful adventures I had.
Beautiful. Thank you. This is how I am feeling at 19 years old
@@bobrown1160 Great! Life is good, live it! LIVE your life NOW because it races by so much faster than you realize. One does have to do what is necessary to financially sustain oneself but that does not have to exclude adventure. LOL I told myself when young to do stuff then because when I get old I might not be able to physically. I was right in that LOL! All the best to you.
my Dad is the exact opposit of your comment despite the fact he lived in a village in the middle of no where not even locatable on a map. Now he lives in a big city and is afraid of taking any risks which led him to live what i consider the most boring life ever i don't plan on living the same thing as him.
@@ksweew7476 Well speaking from my personal experience, as you age things can change. I thought the same as you do about my Dad. My kids probably think the same of me now LOL.
@@patland1762 Yes of course but when i said he is afraid of taking any risk it's that he is scared of even venturing in woods or stuff of that genre, he wouldn't even mount a bike, he is 70+ years old though but as far as i can remember he was always like this.
And he is scared of even me owning a bike, he always think of the worse like if someone was hiding in a bush to kill him during hiking.
He calls every person that does something a little bit dangerous crazy.
And to be honest despite his intellectual potential and skills, his life is not what you'd expect at all from it and it's really disapointing.
He transfered a little bit of that fear of the risk to me and now my biggest challenge in life is to fight against it, luckely or unfortunately i had rough times during childhood so i had to try stuffs because of the fact i was forced to react and adapt, so i have a bit of liking for the risk.
But now im at a point in life where nobody or nothing is going to challenge me naturally and i have to go towards it.
Which makes me really bad at doing anything unless im being cornered, that is true for a lot of people but i really feel like it's on another level for me.
All of this isn't necessarely because of my dad but i feel like im the only one that can carry myself out of this because my dad cannot teach me a lot about it and that even as when i was a kid.
I still respect him. But i don't want to be like him.
50 years ago I hitchhiked from San Diego to Niagara Falls and back across the transCanadian highway to the west coast and south from Washington back to San Diego …..by myself. Spent a night outside in Timberwolf country near Thunder Bay and another night outside in Banff National Park. Saw a huge moose and a bear there near Lake Louise. Beautiful turquoise water from the glacier. Took about the entire month of September to complete that circuit. Oh, to be 20 again.
That's impressive 💪
And you still have beautiful memories of it. Unlike "things" those memories last a lifetime.
An actual ranking of hiking alone dangers:
1. People (particularly strapped spaz’s waiting to blow away anything that moves)
2. Ticks with Lyme disease
3. Falling trees and branches
4. Falling Rocks
5. Gravity in general
6. Hornets, Wasps
7. Extreme temperatures
8. Rain, snow
9. Lightning
10. Boars
11. Feral dogs
12. Poisonous snakes
13. Yourself
14. Black bears
You forgot spiders. I camped overnight on a kayaking weekend and the spiders had bit me 12 times on the face while I was sleeping. Little basturds.
Your number 1 danger is people? Absolutely the least likely issue you’ll face.
@@progradepainting3755 People outside of civilization are more dangerous than in a city when they want to kill you, due to no restrictions and total freedom to do so without consequence. Humans are more varied and intelligent than animals. You can learn the behavior of animals, you can't do the same with humans as easily.
@@progradepainting3755 Agreed. If you are hiking where you have to worry about other hikers, then you are definitely hiking in the wrong area. Get away from the cities and into the back country. I have never once had an ounce of concern about other hikers that I met on the trail after a lifetime of hiking in the US and Canada. Being in the backcountry where you have to carry everything on your back is very different from camping in a public campground where any jerk can show up in a vehicle after a short drive from a city and loudly and drunkedly ruin your night. Most people who want to party don't want to have to carry their booze very far, and booze is so often the source of conflicts everywhere. I have never seen someone drunk in a place they had to backpack to. Nobody goes backpacking to cause trouble with other hikers. Those folks generally stay close to their vehicles and their alcohol.
Extreme temps should be at the top . Especially during summer
I know this is an unpopular opinion: I think if people are relying on their cell phone to get them out of a hiking situation.. they really need to stay close to safety..
My dad, who was a lifelong mountaineer and who climbed every notable peak in the Sierra's, was getting up in age and decided to take a day hike alone during the week in the off season into Desolation Valley but got a late start.
He was very familiar with the route but on the way back from Pyramid Peak it started getting very dark just as he reached the Horsetail Falls area where the trail turns to steep boulders only about a mile from the parking lot on hyway 50.
With overcast sky's it got pitch dark and dad fell on the rocks and got a little banged up, though not seriously injured he realized it would be too dangerous to get to the car. Though he didn't have a flashlight he did have a space blanket to keep him warm since he was only wearing shorts though he did have a jacket as the temperatures plunge after sunset at that altitude.
He spent the whole night leaning against a lone tree just a few yards from the roaring waterfall. Thankfully dad made it home safe the next day.
The moral of the story is no matter how well you know your location or how experienced you are you need to plan for the unexpected as the video warns.
I did the Pyramid Peak hike in Sept last year and I did the Mt Tallac the day before.
Hiking a trail by myself, 110 lb female, only 20 minutes into the trail at wekiva state park Florida, full grown black bear emerged from the trees 60 feet ahead. If I wouldn’t have stopped to observe a turtle, we’d have had a face to face possibly. Very scary as it was isolated location.
Did you turn around and head back the way you came or did you continue on after the bear was out of sight?
Just flick the bear in the nose and say: BAD BOY!
Didn't know that in fl there were black bears
@@mallmax8015 there are mountain lions too. "Florida Panther"
Excellent video, thanks. I live in Long Island, NY and do alot of hiking just north of NYC in Harriman and The Gunks. In the past 7 years i've been involved in 2 different rescues of hikers who didn't have proper footwear and weren't being cautiously respectful of the environment. One slipped on a rock on flat ground while chatting with her friend next to her; not looking at the ground, broke her leg; needed to be carried out on a stretcher at night in Feb. The other last year slipped 10 feet from a ledge and cracked her skull, nearly died. The group I was with carried her on a litter 3 miles to the emergency team; she survived. Anything can happen on even the simplest hike.
TY for your selfless volunteering! 😁👍Also for the harrowing rescue stories. IKR. Couldn’t agree more, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. 👍Funny you mention The Gunks. Was just there, June, brief visit, just a gorgeous area! 🤩😎👍
Some of favorite hiking areas along with Bear 🐻 Mountain.
@@HappyEddyMcGuire Indeed! Many many moons since I’ve been to Bear Mountain. 👍Spent my teenage years in Rockland county, so yes, Great Times w friends and family there. Cheers! 😁😎
Great video! The only thing I need in my kit is rope and the jacket. I hike by myself 95% of the time, I’m always checking my cell service. If there is no service I only hike about 40 minutes in. If you have cell service you can pin your location in google maps and send it to a friend or yourself so if you get lost you can use it to find your way out. When hiking on new trails always hike in one direction when reaching cross roads, example hike in always turning right hike out always turn left. Always periodically turn around when hiking in, to see what your surroundings look like facing the other direction and especially when at cross roads. Listen to your surroundings be aware. When using bear spray be very very careful you do not get any back draft it can effect your ability to get away safely. This guy has some great tips. Everyone please be safe!
Good ideas!
@@oneoflokis Thank you! Glad they were helpful
One thing I'd add that can go wrong is gear failure. You blow out a boot sole or something like that, things get interesting real quick if you have a ways to go to get out of the woods. One thing I've experienced was a strap failing on a backpack and that presents all sorts of problems because it throws you all out of wack ergonomically and you end up tiring out certain muscles way faster due to the weird loads they aren't used to. In terms of wildlife, deer worry me the most because they're so unpredictable and they can get sizeable. One gets freaked out around you, ends up making contact at 20-30mph and your day will definitely take a turn for the worse.
Thank you for making this video. I have 3 sons and we are relocating up Northwest to Oregon. I like being able to show them these videos because I’m just Mom you know, i appreciate when they can hear someone else saying exactly what I tell them. City boys need to definitely be educated before going out into the woods. Anything can happen. Better to be prepared than sorry. Thank you sir 👍😊🌎
You're welcome:)
I’m a solo female hiker. I’ve definitely run into problems and needed everything in my pack!!! Loved your video and picked up some good advice.
Thank you. Glad you liked it:) Happy Hiking.
Can i hike with you lol
What problems
@@Vpopov81 I run into rattle snakes all the time. Luckily I’ve been able to get around them with no problem, but it always gets the heart pumping. I’ve dealt with dehydration for myself and other hikers I meet on the trail. My med kit has been used multiple times but mostly for people I’ve run into on the trail. Of course my scariest moment was of the human kind. A guy tried to come up behind me but I saw his shadow in front of me. I flipped around and scared the guy. He took off running before I could ask his intentions. My mistake was hiking with head phones so I didn’t hear him behind me. I’ve learned a lesson that day😳.
@@sharondruzbanski4205 I’m sorry….you saw his shadow…but flipped around fast enough? Was he 30 ft tall? If his intentions were malicious, I doubt you turning around would be enough to scare him off unless you were also wearing a Jason mask and carrying a bloody machete. Note: in lieu of a fire arm, carry a bloody machete and wear a Jason mask while hiking…waaaaay more effective
I live on The Central Coast of NSW Australia and I was into long distance walking, absolutely loved it it was my recreational hobby. However the complete enjoyment stopped because of one very odd sensation I got whilst walking the near deserted track that ran along the side of the National Park. Before you enter the track you come off the main freeway and go down into a small ravine, it’s hard to describe but you kind of walk down on to the track from the freeway. I would prepare for my walk with a little food and a large flask of water and I would listen to music as I walked. I was almost to the end of the desolate track and I was looking forward to reaching my Designated spot where I would just sit and rest for awhile have something to eat and get plenty of water into me. On this particular day it was around 3 pm in the afternoon the sun was out it was a beautiful day I was listening to some music I felt good and quite happy and calm when suddenly this awful fear came over me and I can’t really explain it I thought this is silly I’m almost to the end of the track breakthrough the fear and keep walking the fear became even stronger. I did obey the feeling and I turned around and started walking back in the direction toward home. The fear started to leave me after a minute or so. I wasn’t afraid anymore and I made it to a built up picnic area where I felt at ease. I sat there for a while and thought you know I will take my Dads advice and not venture into that lonely area again. I have never walked on that track again. I have always had strong intuition and that intuition probably saved my life. I had a few ideas as to what it may have been that was making its way toward me. A man with bad intentions maybe , angry dogs that were prowling the track, maybe, I have uncounted wild dogs on another Central Coast track before so have other bush walkers. My Dad said that the track that gave me the creepy vibes is on old Aboriginal sacred burial ground. There is also an old Cemetery a little further up by the roadside. Dad said all that area up there is haunted. I don’t believe in ghosts. I had another encounter with a guy when I was walking alone this time on a track that is more Frequented by people and there are houses along the hilltops of this track. I won’t go into detail with this encounter but if it wasn’t for four workman making their way up the track toward me I don’t think I would have survived. This guy that approached me meant to harm me. When your face to face standing on the edge of a ravine with a mad man and your life events start to play in your head that isn’t a good sign. The police did catch the man he tried to rob a woman in a shopping mall about two weeks after my Harrowing experience. I am to scared to walk alone on the beautiful tracks we have on the coast now so I had to give up bushwalking. I never considered the dangers of walking alone in pristine areas, they are such beautiful places that you forget about the dangers. I swim now in the huge saltwater baths for recreation. I live right by the sea so I can do this every day.
I too was hiking alone, a new forest I hadn’t hiked in when I got that eerie, breath on the back of your neck feeling I put my knife in my hand and walked back out. Nothing happened but I never went back there.
Thank you for your sensible recommendations regarding solo-camping. In 2018, I spent 23 nights in the forest, 20 solo. When Covid hit in 2020, many other engagements were cancelled, and I spent 38 nights in the woods, 35 solo. I'm a little less risk-averse than some, and the forest I spend most time in has no campsites, dumpsters, etc., and includes (partly) PA Gamelands 39, where people hunt for bear. So the bear in my forest never get near me (I find their scat, and paw-prints), because they are wary of humans. I'm always armed, but am more concerned about two-legged critters than four-legged ones, and have made my peace with soloing. But your advice was sane and judicious, and ought to be considered. Thank you for sharing with us.
Humans are my #1 concern too.
That is one of my biggest regrets these last few years, that I did not take the time during Covid to hike more. What a great opportunity squandered.
That’s sounds like an awesome way to escape the pandemic!
This is an excellent tutorial. I spend allot of time alone in the Appalachian Mountains. Fly fishing, hunting and trapping. Your kit is exactly what I’ve learned to carry in my pack. Exactly. Good job you know what you are talking about. Black bear are like people, occasionally you run into one that has a bad attitude. Especially backpacking alone. Food smells linger. It is a good idea to carry a firearm when alone in bear country. When a bear especially a male pursues you, your world pulls into one concern. Stopping the threat. Great video
The 750,000 black bears of North America kill less than one person per year on the average, while men ages 18-24 are 167 times more likely to kill someone than a black bear. Don't bother with a gun, you're far more likely to accidentally shoot yourself (as well as coming across as a nutcase to anyone who isn't from america 😂).
My friend kept pestering me about going hiking sometime. Now that I've shown him this video, he no longer wants to go hiking. Thank you!
I’ve lost the urge as well. Going to buy bear spray tomorrow just to have it.
as a woman i would not want to hike alone, more scared of men who want to rape and and kill me and chove in in a ditch for their sex fantasies. I just hike short trips with a trusted friend or a group. some men see woman as easy sexual sadist prey
I used to believe going solo heightened my senses, I then realized it was being in population that dumbed them down. For this reason going solo is the only way for me. Great advice on this vid 👍🏼
I firmly believe that somewhere down the line if someone had watched, listened and remembered the advice contained in this video it absolutely will have saved some lone hikers life. Thank you
I ride and hike alone. The must # 1 carry item would be a PLB (personal location beacon) and your bear spray. There are other items to carry but you must practice using them . But get a PLB and get the one that is waterproof even if your not on boat.
Great topic! I took my 12 year old, at the time, on a "day hike" in an area I'd previously lived in for 2 months and knew well. But it had been about 8 years since I was there and things had changed. Old trails were grown over, curious horses were loose, and a few acerages had sprung up. This was on a small island, about 4 miles wide, 17 miles long. We got totally lost and were prepared only for the day trip....we did manage to stumble out onto a road, tired, hungry and cold, about 11 pm. Learned a lot on that one!!! 🥴👍🇨🇦
acerages?? inventing words now are we?
This is 'schooling' that truly makes you learn. LOL. Glad it turned out well 🙂
@@wesleyhempoli5548 Odd, right? Though it seems rudeness and idiocy have been around for some time.
I hike alone at 76 and have been doing so for several decades. I am well aware that I may suffer a catastrophe and not be rescued in time. That is something I'm prepared for and if I'm not comfortable with a certain area I'll turn back. Unfortunately many inexperienced hikers go alone and get into trouble because they are not prepared. Carry the 10 essentials and if you can afford it a GPS tracker from Garmin (the Inreach) or a PLB (more pricey). I don't carry either but am thinking of buying one. If hiking in the mountains be prepared for a weather change at all times, in any season.
You're making me have a panick attack! Hahahaha....!
I hope you have been able to purchase a Garmin!
man if I could choose between dying out in the woods for basically ANY reason, including a bear attack (which holy crap people it almost never happens) vs dying in a car accident or getting mugged, its not even close to a choice, so obvious which way I would rather go. I think the best, honestly sorry to get dark but that is who I am, way to go is about your age just walk as deep into the woods as you can, far far from any trail, find a tree that is starting to hollow out, crawl inside and wait...no ceremony no body just returning to nature the way it should be.
Respect. ✊🏻 I hope I’m still hiking at 76.
@@patrickbertlein4626 you sound like my ex boyfriend. He used to freak out and say if you pay for any sort of funeral I will haunt you. If I die just put my body in the woods for the Animals. Its the cycle of life.
I ran into a pack of house dogs in the woods when I was young. I yelled and they retreated, except for a doberman which stopped and stared me down. I had a .22 long rifle in the chamber and said to him, "don't do it. don't do it" and I had him sighted in. He got smart and ran off after a bit. I've always carried a long rifle, and later, a pistol in the woods. I can enjoy the hike a lot better this way.
What pistol you go with?
Facts I hear ppl saying what a bad idea it is. And I’m like?? my damn whistle ain’t gonna do a thing if a a bear or cougar stares me down. Plus I’m a girl and I’ll trust my gun more than my muscle if some 6”4 guy is trying to grab me.
I would have started with the 10 essentials..
1. Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger
2. Headlamp: plus extra batteries
3. Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
4. First aid including foot care and insect repellent (as needed)
5. Knife plus a gear repair kit
6. Fire matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove
7. Shelter carried at all times (can be a light emergency bivy)
8. Extra food Beyond the minimum expectation
9. Extra water Beyond the minimum expectation
10. Extra clothes Beyond the minimum expectation
You missed the #1 item, a gun!
Do you really expect to fight off a mountain lion or bear with a knife!?
I'm just gonna call 📞 911. 😶
yes, i was wondering why he didn't mention these.
@@LosDoyerss yup, there are three kinds of predators out there. Two legged, four legged, and good ole ma nature. The above list is good for ma nature, not so much for the predators.
@@LosDoyerss
SERIOUSLY!!?? OK 1ST OFF THE GUN WAS THE 1ST THING MENTIONED!!!! HE SAID FOR MOST MANY CARRY A GUN AND IF U DO THAT'S FINE OK GOOD ETC...!? BUT HE PLAINLY ALSO SAID THAT HEEE DOES NOT OWN NOR CARRY A GUN!
SO HE DOES NOT DO GUNS!!! BUT ABSOLUTELY DID MENTION THEM RT UP FRONT 1ST THING!!!??? APPARENTLY U AND THE ONES HERE WITH U DIDNT ABD DONT PAY ANY ATTN TO VIDEOS MUCH LESS UR SURROUNDINGS!!??
AND DUH!!!!!! BEAR SPRAY WAS ALSO A HUGE BIGGIE HE MENTIONED!!!!! IF BEAR SPRAY WILL RUN OFF A FREAKIN GRIZZLY OR BEAR PERIOD!!!! IS ANYONE REALLY STUPID ENOUGH TO THINK THAT I WONT FREAKIN WORK ON UR OTHER PREDITORS!!!??? IT WILL ALSO WORK ON U AND OTHERS HERE!!! BEAR SPRAY WILL ABSOLUTELY DETEER ANY PREDATORS INCLUDING HUMANS!!! WILL TAKE DN A GROWN ASS BIG ASS MAN!!!
LIKE HE SAID 2 LEGS R REALLY THE MOST DANGEROUS!! NOT TO MENTION THE MOST STUPID!!!
THIS IS WHY HE GAVE A GOOD SOILD LONG LIST OF THINGS!!! ONE SHOULD NEVER EVER RELY SOLELY ON ANY ONE THING!!! AND MANY FOLKS WITH GUNS GET KILLED AND OR DISAPPEAR AND DONT MAKE IT OUT!!! TONS OF HUNTERS WITH FN GUNS HAVE DISAPPEARED AND BEEN MURDERED OR DIED FROM FALLS ETC!!!!
THOSE STUPID GUNS SURE AS HELLAINT GONNA HELP U IF U FALL OFF THE MOUTAIN!!?? OR DN A CLIFF OR A REVENE!? ALSO NUT JOBS CARRY GUNS ETC AS WELL!!! SO IF THEIR ALREADY OUT THERE STALKIN WAITING ETC AND U DONT KNOW THEIR THERE WELL HELL THEY CAN SHOOT U DEAD B4 U EVEN KNOW THEIR THERE!!! MUCH LESS HAVE TIME TO GET URS OUT!!?? ANYONE WHO JUST TAKES A GUN AND THINKS THAT IS ENOUGH IS FN STUPID!!!
ANYONE SOLO OUT IN NATURE SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE ALL HE LISTED!!!! PLUS OTHER THINGS LIKE TASERS OR STUN GUNS....I MEAN THERE R JUST TONS OF SELF DEFENCE WEAPONS BESIDES JUST GUNS THAT ACTUALLY CAN WORK BETTER IF THEY R DISCUISED!!?? THERE R MANY DISCUISED WEAPONS THAT NO ONE EVEN KNOWS IS ONE SO U HAVE THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE!!
AND ALSO!! IF U PRATICE KNIFE THROWING REG OR HACHET THROWING REG U DAMNED SURE KILL ANYTHING WITH A GOOD KNIFE AND A GOOD THROW!
HELL!!! DAVID KILLED FREAKIN GOLIATH WITH JUST A SLING SHOT AND A FREAKIN ROCK!!! SO THIS BS THAT U CANT PROTECT URSELF OR KILL ANYTHING COMING AT U WO A GUN IS JUST GUN LOVIN BS!
IVE BEEN IN 100S IF NOT 1000s OF DEADLY SITUATIONS AND BEEN ASSULTED ATTACKED ABUSED U NAME IT!!!! AND NEVER ONCE DID I EVER HAVE A GUN ON ME!!! ESP AS A CHILD!!! BUT BY GOD IM ALMOST 59 AND I HAVE SURVIVED AND LIVED THRU ALLLL THE HORRORS MAN AND LIFE AND THROWN AT ME DUMPED ON ME AND FORCED ON ME!!!!
AND HONESTLY SELF DEFENCE IS THE BEST!!! GET A GOOD BELT AND U CAN KICK ANYTHINGS ASS!!!! A GOOD BELT PERSON CAN TAKE DN SOMEONE WITH A GUN!!
AND IF SOME NUT IS SHOOTING U FROM A DISTANCE WHILE HIDDEN WELL HELL U AND UR GUN R FD ANYWAYS!!??
MANY DONR BELIEVE IN VIOLENCE AND DONT BELIEVE IN GUNS!! HEEEE HAS THE RT TO NOT OWN ONE AND NOT CARRY ONE IF HE SOOO CHOSES!!!
HE LISTED A TON OF ITEMS HERE!!!! INCLUDING UR ALLS GUNS!!! SERIOUSLY DUDES!!! THE GUN WAS FHE 1ST GD THING HE MENTIONED!!!!
HE ALSO MENTIONED BEAR SPRAY WHICH WILL TAKE DN A FREAKIN BEAR!!!! ANY HUMAN!!!! AND ANY OTHER ANIMAL!!!! KNIFE! WHISLE! 1ST AID SHIT!! CELL PHONE!! BATTERIES CHARGER HEADLAMP....I MEAN OMG DID ANY OF U LISTEN TO ALL HE SAID AT ALL!!!???
I JUST LOVE IT WHEN FOLKS DONT LISTEN TO SHIT!!?? AND DONT USE COMMON SENSE!? BUT YET MAKE STUPID SMART ELIC COMMENTS THAT SHOW THEY DIDNT LISTEN AND AINT USING THEIIR COMMON SENSE OR BRAIN!!??
MAC GYVER....NEVER CARRIED A GUN!!! DIDNT BELIEVE IN THEM!!! BUT ALWAYS CARRIED THE PROPER GEAR...AND USED HIS BRAIN TO THINK HIS WAY OUT!!!! A GOOD BRAIN WHO CAN THINK THEIR WAY THRU ANYTHING!!! ANDDD GOOD SELF DEFENCE CLASSES AND A TOP BELT IN ONE ETC CAN GET U THRU AND OUT OF FAR FAR FAR MORE THAN ANY DAMNED GUN CAN!!! AND I ASSURE AS A MAJOR REPEATED VICTIM OF VIOLENCE GROWING UP I SPEAK WITH MAJOR EXPERIENCE!!! U CANT CARRY GUNS WHEN UR A BABY IR A KID OR IN FOSTER CARE ETC!! BY GOD U GOTTA USE UR FREAKIN GD WITTS TO GET THRU SHIT AND OUT OF SHIT!
AND GUNS DONT WORK ON TORNADOES OR HURRICANES OR FLOODS ETC EITHER!!! AND I BEEN THRU THEM TO!!! AND NO GUN WOULD HAVE GOTTEN ME THRU THEM!!!
GUNS OFTEN GET U INTO FAR MORE SHIT THAN OUT OF IT!! AND IT JUST CHAPS ME WHEN I SEE ALL THESE GUN LOVERS THINK THAT GUNS SOLVE EVERYTHING!!!!! WELL THEIR OK IN CERTAIN CITUATIONS!!?? FOR SELF DEFENCE ONLY!! HOWEVER THEY OFTEN WIND UP KILLING U OR A LOVED ONE INSTEAD!!
IF U SHOOT THE WRONG PERSON OR WRONG ANIMAL! U CANT TAKE THAT BULLET BACK!!! DED IS DEAD!!! BUT U SHOOT SOME PERSON OR ANIMAL WITH BEAR SPRAY OR A TASER OR STUN GUNS ETC AND THEY WILLLL LIVE IF UR WRONG!!!
GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING AND ACTUALLY WATCH AND LISTEN THIS TIME!!! GUN IS 1ST THING HE TALKS ABOUT!! AND LISTEN TO THE BEAR SPRAY PART ETC!!!!! AGAIN!!! IF IT'S CALLED BEAR SPRAY AND IT WILL TAKE DN A BEAR! THEN HELLOOOOOO IT WILL TAKE DN ANY OTHER ANIMAL INCLUDING A HUMAN!!!! DUH!!!
Hello Kevin! Nice to see ya. When it comes to wildlife, I can't stress the importance of bringing an EpiPen. I've been attacked by a swarm of bee's! I was climbing a rock next to a waterfall, and disturbed thier nest. Luckily I made it out alive, even though I was sting at least 50 times, and far from camp. Those jokers will chase you and thier attack is unrelenting.
That's good advice. Bees can be ferocious in Nature.
@@EKEACRES They really are. Many people think they will see a nest, but as you know that's not the case. Take care Kevin, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend. 🙏
*stung. *their
@@GratefulOverlander *Fugg *U
...Please correct that for me and have a nice day.
@@GratefulOverlander*.
I went backpacking with my dad twice in Guadalupe Mountains in Texas. He rolled his ankle the first time I was 13, unprepared emotionally and physically to assist. But he was coordinated enough to catch himself and lead away from the steep drop of the trail, and wise enough to bring an ankle brace so he could finish the hike and we had a kind college kid who passed us come back and help carry his pack.
If I go camping again, now in my 30s myself, I will definitely use your videos to help plan. Partly cuz the world seems scarier than back then and the body between 16 and 30 is very different under stress and danger. Thank you for the content. I also love your tone is genuine and caring and in no way judging for beginners or less informed
Good video! I tell people all the time that once you go out hiking, camping, swimming in the ocean, you are part of the food chain. The problem is that the people who really need this advice are exactly the people who would never even think of looking up how to stay safe.
Never under estimate the power of a good loud air horn to scare off a bear. They are light weight, can be used in conjunction with a whistle and double as a means of signaling for help.
Good idea 💡. A mirror is also excellent to signal in daytime. My remedy for bears is a 357 mag. Hollowpoints .
First if time allows, a airhorn or bear
Spray is first choice. And by all means
Tell someone else when you're coming back and the area you're going.
@@davidchrist1037 Take some advice from this old Alaskan. Use solid bullets. The name of the game is penetration.
@@texasstadium That's what she said.
@@davidchrist1037 Amen!
@@davidchrist1037 Dude 🤣💀
Excellent advice. Mischief on the trail (on YT) has a horror story of hiking alone on the AT.
I suggest several additions to your kit:
Plastic bags that bread comes in. They can be used to cover your feet inside your shoes to keep them dry. They can also cover your hands. I would try inflating one and popping it to scare a bear.
Pocket survival kit with tealight candles, lighter, mason string, and a Heatsheet Survival Blanket. When necessary, a tealight candle can be used to dry tinder and kindling. A kit in your pocket is always with you when you need it.
A GI poncho or similar. It can keep you dry or can be set up as a shelter. I recently tried the River Country poncho and was very pleased with the quality for only $10. It fits my old Army woobie. Carry 25' of paracord and 2 stakes with it for a basic shelter.
A Nalgene canteen with an 18 oz stainless steel cup($5 at Walmart) that fits over the bottom of the canteen. The cup will allow you to boil water for sterilization, prepare food, and fill the Nalgene bottle with hot water at night. That hot water bottle can give several hours of comfort, at night, for sleeping.
An emergency food kit in a 1 qt ziploc freezer bag. Carry 3 instant oatmeal packs, 2 cup soup packets, and 2 hot cocoa mixes. Add a couple of plastic spoons. This should tide you over for a day.
The satellite gps systems seem very good though I have never tried them.
A handy weapon that is fun to use is a shepherd's sling. Easy to carry in your pocket and usually plenty of ammo laying around. With a bit of practice, you can get good. Same with knives and tomahawks but I hate the idea of throwing my weapon away.
I've run into black bears three times, many years ago, in upstate NY. They took off very quickly. I heard that someone was eaten by a black bear on the AT, I think in VA, just a month ago. Good Luck, Rick
Thanks Rick.
many people get lost and disappear completely, going off alone, even in a car. Life and adventure are always dangerous. Best not to be reckless. Thank you 4 list!
Hi Kevin! You're awesome! I'm from Romania and I used to go hiking with my family when I was a teen, on one-day trips during the summer weekends. There are a lot of beautiful mountains here in my country, a lot of wilderness, and I want to start again this summer, but this time I would like to find a group or something. But if I will ever come to the US I would love to meet ya. You give a lot of great advices and we love you. Stay safe and enjoy the wild. The forest and the mountains are the only quiet places left in this crazy world.
Thanks.
I have often hiked and camped solo for many years and have occasionally come across black bears. No matter what, I have always carried a firearm that was powerful enough to take down any predator in the area I am hiking/camping. I always carried a good heavy duty knife, but I also include a good quality machete. I usually carry many of the items mentioned, except for the cell phone. I've never carried one because the areas I went to didn't have a signal anyway. A couple of things not mentioned is a good topographical map and compass. Remember, when hiking with someone else, you don't have to be faster than the bear...just be faster than the person you are with. AND definitely, carry something to write with and write on. That way you can make out your last will. (Sorry. I couldn't resist a little humor) Lastly, the most dangerous predator in the woods is not a bear, a cougar, a wolf, etc. It's other people. There's a lot of crazies out there.
I hike and backcountry canoe mostly on my own in northern Ontario. I always carry a small air horn & Fox whistle, bear bangers, bear spray, a Garmin InReach (with SOS), a Personal Locater beacon, and compass & map. In my ditch kit is a screened hammock, a small cook pot, a lighter and ferry rod, a good belt knife, and some energy bars. Some might say overkill - I say two is one, one is none - redundancy is important. Good advice in this video.
Great advice. Thank you From Southern Ontario (but grew up with a prepper dad 🙂and outdoors man!)
Thank you for passing your wisdom on to those of us who are not well versed in the ways of the wild. So many great tips. Thank you again! Peace!
You're welcome.
Travel light, freeze at night!! Very informative. Thank you.
Glad I stumbled across this video. Scared of the woods but intend to conquer that fear. Now I don’t have to be totally clueless. One great thought maybe I will help somebody else who never considered these things. Thanks for taking time to do this
Glad it was helpful!
Don’t go scared.
@@amythompson7700 Why not?
@@karnagefails333 Because it’s a good idea to listen to your Intuition. I don’t want to discourage anyone, though. Sorry if I sounded that way.
My sister used to be afraid of swimming with her face in the water, but she conquered her fear by taking a class and her instructor helped her. Now she’s out there swimming in the bay for 45 minutes, but she overcame her fear while learning inside with a group.
This is one of the best, no nonsense videos I have seen. Well done!
Great video, good advise! The only thing I do differently is I use freezer ziplock bags for organizing everything like you do. Less weight, can see what’s inside, easier to pack and still waterproof!
Some good info there !
I pretty much always hike alone since I'm the only real hiker in the family, I live in Washington so we do have bears and depending where I go there are mountain lions as well. One problem here is a lot of places that are good to hike at have no cell signal at all, although I grew up without cell phones so for me it doesn't seem like that big of a deal. In my youth I was a scout and have lived by the scout motto(be prepared) and I hike with twice the water I expect to need along with many other survival items and skills. I always have a very good hunting knife on me at the ready because I have encountered some feral dogs while out hiking, I do bring a dog with me sometimes(husky) so there are times I'm not entirely alone but the places I go I rarely encounter other people.
My friend and I hiked at Wallace Falls, Little Mashel Falls, Snoqualmie Falls, Rattlesnake Ledge, Twin Falls, and Flaming Geyser State Park. Those are the easiest hike for me here in WA. Fortunately, there are no bears or mountain lions. Only flying bugs. I would be terrified if I see a big moving creature 💀
Good stuff. Great delivery. I started hiking innocently enough while tent camping. On one camp I went off to "explore" the area with NOTHING, not even water thinking I was not going to go very far. But the woods draw you in. On the way back I started to realize I was probably not doubling back the way I had come and got a little lost, and then a little thirsty and then a little panicked. I did sit down to pause, rest and compose my thoughts and then did find familiar bearings and made it back. I now have progressed to where I have everything in my pack that you featured in this video, acquiring a little more gear after returning from each subsequent hike. As my duration and length of travel has lengthened, so has the amount of safety gear that I carry. I have to laugh now at how stupid I was in the beginning days. I do need to acquire one more thing which is a hiking partner. Let me just say that buying the gear was a lot easier than finding a partner.
True incident: Women was driving with female friend who had a dog. Unfortunately, she took a wrong turn and got lost. They decided to stop on this California winter road because her friend needed to take the dog for relief. As minutes transpired her friend did not return from the woods at which she got out of the car to look, and moments later the car doors automatically locked. Their bodies were found later.
@@AMC-eq3jr what did they die from ?
@@ksweew7476 Hypothermia
@@AMC-eq3jr Damn what a horrible story
Another good thing to do, is have large note posted on your car window, that says something like "If it's past 8pm Oct 16th, call search and rescue, im lost, and list your name, your description, where your headed, etc."
Another accident that happens far more than people realize when hiking, is loosing as eye, due to broken tree branches, when hiking threw the woods. Carry a pair of glasses.
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you raising awareness about these very real dangers. I hike alone quite a lot here in Georgia and I didn't really think about a lot of these things and I definitely took notes here. Thank you!
Of all the hiking/survival videos I’ve seen, this is the first time advice to carry paper and pen to leave notes when lost or injured has been suggested. Great idea.
It also lets the serial killer track you easier.
Great idea for sure. I never thought of that.
I work at Walmart. A few years ago, I was in the automotive section and a customer was asking questions about gift ideas for his son. His son worked on his car a lot and he was looking at a variety of things for his son’s car. I suggested a survival kit for a car with items like flashlights, flares, gloves, first aid kit and a couple of heavy blankets. The customer liked the idea and thanked me.
Ultralight hiking and camping is popular with those who want to travel light. Honestly, I would probably feel a lot better if I had more than enough equipment to survive an unexpected night somewhere, either in the woods, desert or on the road. Nothing is what it seems in either case. Like the Boy Scout motto says, “Be Prepared.”
Great informative video.
I think it is a good idea having a good dog with you, dogs can warn you about some other animals or people aproaching and they are good company.
My dog comes with me every time and she loves it. 🙂
i grew up camping in the mountains with pine and oak trees in northern Arizona, I'm in my 60's now. Even as a teenager I carried what you recommended and more. I would use an Army LBE (Load Bearing Equipment) to carry all of my stuff including a butt-pack. I had a rifle with me, plus spare magazines, a minimum of 2 quarts of water, a shovel (entrenching tool), a knife, medical equipment/first aid, a poncho with a poncho liner, matches, lighter, and food for a minimum of 3 meals (C-Rations), and water purifying tablets. Now after spending 13 years in the Army (most of it as a Cavalry Scout), I have updated the style of gear I carry but it's still the same, only I have added an M5 or M7 Field Medical Bag, an IFAK 2 first aid kit, and a .40 cal pistol, and MRE's now instead of C-Rations. I am more careful around the 2-legged type of animals, to me they are the more dangerous, but people see me with all of my gear, and they tend to leave my wife and I alone.
Cavalry Scout? I bet you’re used to riding everywhere with cases of beer and coolers filled with tri-tip.
@@hailandfire1822 I don't know what kind of experience you have but there was no booze or anything like that when we were in the field. Hell, if we got some down time in the field we slept since running on 2 - 4 hours of sleep at a time and on the move for normally a 30-hour day wears you out.
this video has DEFINITELY saved someone's life that's critical information
A few years ago I was out on a walk by myself and I passed a group. Believe it or not one of them had just had a heart attack and another one in the group had broken her leg. They were waiting for the Mountain rescue to come. Having witnessed it myself it just made me think about walking alone and appreciating the risks.
Just pray 🙏 and the angels 😇 will come down and save you. 😶
You still have to do it.
Wow. I never knew this about the male black bears. I am one who was worried more about the females with cubs. I agree about packing extra survival equipment. “ better to have it and not need it than not having it and needing it” great video. Thanks.
I've only ever encountered one black bear and it was a female with cubs. She ran off after I yelled at her and left her cub to climb a tree.
That’s because it’s not true lol.
You’re chances of getting attacked by an unprovoked black bear, male or female, is literally 1 in 1 million.
There are over 750,000 black bears across North America and less than only 1 death from black bear attacks per year, and generally it’s with cause or provocation. Not hunting.
Outstanding job with the video. You covered the essentials and you did it in such a way that I'm convinced you sincerely want people to get out there and be safe in the great outdoors. Good job.
Thank you , my wife says I worry about things too much ,but I showed her this video ,and she actually agreed that I was right
Kevin you talked about the pain of losing someone. I'll never forget that video
Good advice. But if you train and learn about hiking ,camping Mtn Medicine you can hike solo. I’ve hiked solo since the 1960’s from the Appalachian Trail to Wind River Range, Tetons,Absorokas , Grand Canyon , Alaska, Hawaii and even the Austrian Alps. I taught mountaineering and have done back to back 30 day expeditions. I enjoy hiking with friends, but I love being out alone where I really feel the wilderness. I’ve horse packed in Wyoming , Montana and Oregon solo too. Being by oneself really teaches you about yourself and the world, but have to be careful.Even with all my training I’ve run into bears, and mad moose. I’ve almost been caught in avalanches too. But I still feel safer out there alone than in cities.
Wow you're an inspiration to many--thanks!!! 🙂
I’m glad you mentioned wild dogs too. I grew up on a large farm in Ohio and the wild dogs we would get on our farm alone was surprising. We had plenty of land to explore and more than once did my brother and I get treed or chased by these dogs.
This video should qualify as a teaching material and a 'must see' for hikers and campers. I have been watching videos on hiking and disappearances and what struck me was the negligence and overconfidence shown by 'expert & experienced hikers' with great survival skills. But they showed a 'cynical attitude' towards basic precaution and safety. They had taken everything for granted and just walked into wilderness with nothing on their person, as if they are on a casual sight-seeing trip. Many of them had horrible last moments, which is heart-rending. I am never a hiker or camper. But even for a normal trip, I keep a check-list of items. Once during an 8-hour trip by car, I developed acute bronchial spasms that sent me mad. It was around 10:00 pm and luckily I was travelling with another two persons. They took me to a nearby hospital for immediate treatment. Since then, I always carried anti-asthmatic sprays in my check-list, even though I never had an occasion to use it for the last 10 years. Let the world laugh at us, but often check-list habits are game-changers and life-changers. I liked the way you presented....absolutely no fuss while talking....no exaggerations....you are calm and composed....great...
I’m just getting started with hiking 🥾! Been watching a lot of videos about it. You’re bringing up a lot of common sense and extremely important points!👍
Very interesting and informative. I’m old and not likely to hike much, certainly not alone, but it’s good to know the dangers. There have probably been a lot of people who, for whatever reason, end up lost in the woods. Even carrying in the car some of the important stuff you have suggested, like a cell phone and means of charging it, a good flashlight (and check those batteries, folks) a bright piece of clothing and some extra water.Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
such good advice and the bear stuff is spot on most do not know that behaviour of the cunning black bear changes when you are in remote areas alone. like you said your looked upon as a potential meal and need to be able to deter the bear. that happened to me in the Yukon prospecting alone in a remote area 100 miles from Dawson city. i was not armed and it snuck up behind me within 10 ft i heard nothing but sensed something was there and looking behind me it moved sideways into bush and circled around and hid among willow bush as i had rebuilt a old food cache about 15 ft up between 3 trees i got up there with the stick ladder i made and saw it close by sitting chomping its jaws not scared at all so a lot of aggression/yelling to bluff it away along with lighting a campfire to smoke it out of the little valley i was in. lucky i got out of there the next morning following the game trail out of there and will not go without a bear gun in a place like that anymore. that whole day it felt creepy like i was being watched and i had spent 2.5 decades hiking mountains without incidence before that experience.
bear gun? is it an exceptionally large calibre?
Well delivered and sobering. One problem I see people could get into, if they're not in the best of shape, is hiking downhill, like a canyon. With minimal effort and time, they could decent several thousand feet in elevation, only to realize that it may take many hours to assent back up, especially in the heat of the day. Not only will effort be expended but the water required to stay hydrated will be multiplied by several factors.
Something I rarely see mentioned. Personal flares. If you have to be rescued by air, they are a necessity. Less than $100 for a pack of four that reach several hundred feet. If you’re in dense woods, an air rescuer may not see you. Shooting a flare tells right where you are.
That last few minutes was a beautiful trip in the woods. Reminds me of our trails in East Texas.
Just carry some matches and build a fire. No flares, please.
Great video. If you mentioned it, I missed it, but carry a reflective blanket. Not the cheap and fragile mylar kind, but one that is tough enough to sit on and even fashion a shelter. Mountaineering clubs generally teach survival skills and preparations. Here in CO we have the CO Mtn Club that teaches what they call Wilderness Trekking School. Since my last dog died and I truly hike alone through thick cat areas, I am always armed with a 357 revolver, with 3" barrel, on my hip. But I am actually more concerned with people and their non-socialized dogs. The only time I have ever had to draw was in response to two Great Danes. Their owner had very little control over them.
We have miles of hiking trails on our river.i always take my German Shepherd with me as she loves going.one time two coyotes walked up on us.my dog Lola is a large female German Shepherd and she held her own and they ran away.after that day I started to carry my piston.i don’t want anything to happen to her and that encounter could have gone bad fast.
Thanks for all the helpful advice and happy hiking
What kind of piston? I knew a guy who encountered a mountain lion on a trail and piston himself trying to back away from that critter. Is that related to your adventure?! lol
@@___HH___ 🤣
@@raider7829 lol
A lot of theses stuffs applies to cities too i went on a little trip near my town at only 20km/s away from where i live at just on a hour back on bike and i managed to get lost on the way back where i was attacked by a dog, i was on a kickscooter i managed to distance it but it was extremely close and this was not a housing dog but an industrial defending dog which happened to be able to get throught it's fences.
And the fact my only option on an industrial zone all alone was running on a kickscooter against a dog left me really uneasy about going outside bare handed.
I was lucky that time and this is the type of situation where it's often 0 or 1 me or the dog i won't make the same mistake twice.
Great vid, thanks for posting... I'll add, carry an extra pair of glasses... Couple years back I slipped on mud innocently enough, but with a full pack I hit hard and awkward and my glasses flew of my face... Spent the next five long minuets scraping along the ground till i found them, and they were smudged up good.... learned a good one there. Carry extra glasses and wipes.
Its interesting the different levels of comfort in the woods. I am solo hiker with my dogs, we cross black bear monthly, wolves are in the area, mountain loin as well. And I am more chicken over spooking humans or a herd of elk more than other scary ones. Be prepared, have a plan, watch the skyline, and dont be afraid to turn back. I love my miles, I am often in wilderness. Cell phone service lol that stuff dont work well. Having extra resources is part of the plan. Maybe it doesnt help you, but helps someone else. Avoid sunrise and sunsets, hiking poles or a 5 ft stick can be helpful. Give the animals some space. Its worked for 25 years. Yes ideally we hike in groups, but does always workout that way.
Mountain sheep on a single track ridgeline can get iffy fast.
Work your skills and knowledge up, its a wonderful world to enjoy and explore.
I am far too old and arthritic these days to get out in the woods these days, but I was a hard core solo bushwhacker, much of it in eastern New York, in my day. About the only quibble I have -- with an asterisk -- is your assessment that the biggest danger comes from animals. In my experience the biggest danger is an injury or illness that prevents you from walking out on your own. Not because black bears are not dangerous -- they certainly are, I find myself arguing this point, that black bears are much more dangerous than grizzlies all the time -- but the chances of injury are greater than the chances of meeting a predatory black bear.
Now for the asterisk. Most of my bushwhacking time was spent in pre- cellphone days. If you were going solo off-trail in those days you went in assuming that you were largely on your own (minus of course leaving a detailed note where you intended to go, with a "call the authorities if you have not heard from me by x:xx PM on yy/yy/yyyy" instruction. Which is still very important.) That meant going in equipped with extra days supplies and a signal kit (signalling mirror, flares, etc). Whistles were essential then, too, but they were of little use when you were many miles off trail. It also meant thinking carefully about each step you took. That extra focus when moving I called my "no helicopters" commitment. Oh -- and not even considering off-trail backpacking unless you have damned good woodcraft, because it's a high risk activity, and you may end up separated from your gear, meaning you better know how to overnight with _nothing_ (another part of the "no helicopters" rulebook).
I'm retired to a wheelchair these days, so I think I can safely say that my bushwhacking days are over. I can also say that my "no helicopters" rules served me well. Though I'd gotten lost a time or two (ironically, only on trails) and I've found myself in a few tight spots, all were manageable and I never, ever, needed a rescue helicopter (or any other kind of rescue, aside from a hiker pointing me back to my trail)
Excellent video, great info,👍👍👍👍 so many RUclips people, are shown walking and running through the woods, like Hansel and Gretel no gear, Everytime I see that I get pissed makes people think they can do the same
for me its the other people lurking on trails and sites that i fear most.
delinquent,
Exactly.
And that's why he shot himself in the foot ( in My opinion ) by proudly saying he doesn't have a firearn.
Yet goes on to say feral dogs can be deadly.
A knife is good, a pistol is 13 times better against two and four legged feral critters.
No, i don't respect his advice. . . .
@@fjb4932 get help mr paranoid. FACT way more accidental gun deaths than actually stopping a "bad guy with a gun". You get your news from Karlson the Kiiller Klown though probably...
Idk, you're probably more likely to run into problems from other people in an urban or suburban area than on a hiking trail.
Excellent tips!
Even when I go on a day hike, I always have:
first aid, whistle, charger, Sharpie and paper, headlamp, extra warmer clothes, rain gear, even if there is zero possibilities of rain. It is a good wind blocker too. A tarp, kit to make me a fire, knife, Garmin InReach, extra food, water and filter. And also I give all the info of the place I'm going to be and the expected time of my return to my mother. I also have a copy in the car.
Such great advice. I live alone in an area surrounded by forest and am always mindful of my limitations....even when I'm within shouting distance of the house!
100%
People underestimate how easy it is to get " turned around" in the woods. Even a 1 mile hike can be dangerous. Once you step off trail, you can get turned around so easily and head in the wrong direction. Unfortunately I have learned this the hard way. Now I bring colored tape and hang it on branches if I have to step off trail.
Colored tape is a good idea. You probably know to always hang it at eye level and in such a way you will see it when you're coming from the opposite direction.
I was a cavalry scout in the army and land navigation was our bread and butter. That being said I still got so lost one time on a spur ride in Kuwait that I had to sleep outside by myself about 100 yards from some random camel herder's shack. Someone had sent me- by myself, at night- to look for someone else who had gotten lost. I walked what I thought was a straight line for a ways, pushing further and further cause I still wasn't finding this guy, and then gave up and turned back. However walking in a perfectly straight line is much harder than some people think, especially when there's no visible landmarks or features to guide yourself by. So long story short I missed my group completely and spent a little while wandering around before I realized I was just making myself more lost and sat down and slept till the sun came up. I was out of water and about 20 miles from Camp Buehring (the 20 mile ruck march was part of our spur ride) so I genuinely wondered if I would die out there. Thankfully it all worked out fine.
@@plaguepandemic5651 oh man! glad you made it! Crazy how a sense of direction gets so easily lost!
Thanks for the reminder of the importance of having a whistle while hiking. An easily overlooked item that could prove to be very helpful out there.
Just found your channel - great video! I frequently hike alone over extremely dangerous and remote terrain but I do take as many precautions as possible. Hard to find others willing or able to take such extreme hikes so you just have to use more caution than you normally would. I will say that being out along in the extreme remote wilderness is almost a religious experience.
i like the point about being fit to hike in 10 miles but unfit to do the return hike i have experienced a similar situation unpleasant at best
That comment might save a life or two
If you have corrective eye glasses, bring a few older pairs in case you loose or damage your current ones! Wear or bring a high quality base layer top and bottoms (i.e. silk) and another pair of merino socks in your day pack. Personally, I still think you should have and know how to use a basic compass and bring a backup paper copy of map of area you're in (top map would be ideal). Be smart & (try to) stay calm 🙂
You seem to be one of the only people on RUclips that actually tell the truth.
It's because I don't run a fake channel.
@Pony Girl “top then things I carry on a hike!!”
1. Tripod
2. Extra batteries
3. Water bottle
4. Sunglasses!
5. You get the point….
Great advice for people going on a hike.. We dont get that many Bears here in the UK trying to eat us ..but still 95% of your advice is relevent to any hiking situation in what ever country your from.. Keep up the great vids. And Hello from the Uk
Same here! 👍
But do, sadly, have too many human bears. Friend of mine finishing a photo trip in Exmoor beaten and robbed by a group of 3 sub-animal vermin. A whistle as well as phone might, just might be off putting. As nigh carrying a VERY solid stick rather than just flimsy hiking sticks.
@@kronkite1530 we have so so many evil people in our world. Why should we have to be so stressed about others. Isnt it sickening 😢
@@raider7829 Agree totally. If our legal authorities from police through CPS and lawyers to Courts did more to keep such predators away from the decent, law abiding in society it would help. Sadly, fanciful!
On the topic of the large knife- they are also very good for wood processing and just flat out useful. I carried mine for protection as well but have since got a pistol. However I find myself really wanting to carry the knife still just because of how much I used it.
Pistol is the way to go. Just a .22 will be adequate - and not to shoot the bear, but shoot off rounds in the air. That is enough to scare a bear away.
@@BlackMan614 many of us live in countries where we cant carry a gun. U fortunately!
Excellent video. 2016 AT thru hiker. Mostly hiked alone. Other items I recommend:
Ziplocks
Trekking poles
Line pack with white trash compactor
bag
Do not leave trail unless you are absolutely certain you know how to get back
Oh, one other thing that you didn't mention in the video - perhaps you have another on on this topic: HYPOTHERMIA. The importance of staying dry - both inside and out - is huge. This can be especially important for the solo hiker because one of the primary effects of hypothermia is it's effect upon your ability to make logical decisions with no one else around to counter what you are thinking and intending to do, or not. The right clothing can make a difference. Backpacking in the Great Smokies National Park along the Appalachian Trail with three other other guys, one brought only cotton sweatshirts. It started raining and with a poncho on he sweated like crazy. The temp dropped and he chilled. Then he started to think it was snowing when it was only raining. He got progressively weaker and we took his backpack and got him to an AT Trail Shelter where we got a good fire going, got him into his sleeping bag with some hot liquid in him and he was okay, but what a lesson it was for all of us.
So many people shrug off the black bear forgetting that they have all the same tools as a very large dog, but much bigger and stronger. I can only shake my head at them and hope they don’t get hurt or worse.
Personally, even on the shortest of hikes (less than 5 hours) I bring everything I would be happy with if I had to stay overnight. And I bring 3l of water and energy bars no matter how long the hike is. You never know what’s gonna happen. I was hiking out in the mountains yesterday and there was an 84 year old man (very experienced and for his age I would say elite in physical performance). He was with a big group of elder people. He fell on the descent. Thankfully he had 11 other people in his group to help him, and they denied all of our attempts to offer aid. As they had everything they needed, and everyone in their group had first aid kits and there was a nurse in their group. So they were prepared to be there and didn’t need to depend on happenstance someone else had the proper kit. Luckily there was no major injury only cuts and bruises. For his age and for how big of a tumble it was I was amazed he walked out of there only 10 minutes behind my group. If he needed emergency aid there was no cell service. One of us youngsters or one of their group members would have had to get down off the mountain and too the car, drive to where there is service. Then call in for rescue. Very scary but he was lucky that day
I agree. I carry a minimum of survival gear on even short walks in to the woods
@@jeffreyrobinson3555 One time I hiked a long trail without any equipment, just a little water I’m sure. I’m sure I told someone where I was, but I didn’t plan for the sun setting as early as it did and hiked probably an hour in full darkness back to my car. I remember I only had my cell phone light. If I did not have cell service I would seriously reconsider my (lack of) hiking kit after that. The area is easily accessed as it’s an oil “rails to trail” one and had road crossings every few miles.
Nah I have to giggle when i see people with a giant bag on a tiny ass hike!
@@patrickbertlein4626 what kind of shit gear do you have? What’s the big pack for ? Everything I need to survive overnight fits in my hand and I’m a normal sized day pack (28l capacity). I laugh at people like you when they end up on “I shouldn’t be alive”
@@KevAlberta LMAO THIS!!!!!!
The best comprehensive summary ever heard, at least simply smart, thank you! Take care.
Wen I was younger I used to love hill walking with my family.. No mobile phones etc. My main seven essentials were A good ordnance survey map of the area and so you could read the land and find your route,, compass where you could take a sighting, lock the direction arm and read the bearing, extra water, Kendal Mint Cake bars. (basically a high energy source made from glucose, peppermint and water). also took a torch, whistle, first aid and half a dozen space blankets. I think that they were known as mylar blankets at the time. Naturally bad weather gear as weather changes quickly on the hills.
Good stuff:)
Trekking poles... Have saved me from serious injury so many times, I can't even count.
I always carried a large contractor trash bag..shelter pancho or bag for dry clothes to cross streams or in rainstorm stay dry..great video.
You think the woods are dangerous, try hiking through Camden or Newark New Jersey. A whistle with some pepper spray not going to cut it.
Why is it so dangerous srs question ?
I carry a large knife, (boating) air horn and bear spray when out camping/hiking/cycling. Bear spray works well with problem coyotes that try nip at you. Great video :)
Great video and information. You are absolutely right about the things you have sad but you should had also encouraged people to get outside and enjoy nature by doing it consciously. Because living in fear is no Life.
very true but be preparred👀
All great advice. If you solo hike back-country regularly, I highly recommend getting a Garmin In-Reach Mini. Things are fantastic. Totally worth the $30/month for the service. You can send texts to loved ones. It lasts for days. Is easy to recharge. Works surprisingly well. What is great about it is handling the urgent situations, not just the emergency ones. In all my years hiking, I've never experienced an actual life-or-death emergency. Most of the issues experienced were just urgent ones. Being able to contact a friend or relative to come help has been a game-changer.
Of course, you still need to be ready for those life-or-death moments. Just pointing out that the vast majority of issues range from really annoying to slightly dangerous. Not worthy of a 911 call, but certainly worthy of contacting a friend to come in for a rescue before a situation becomes an emergency.
Is it satellite 🛰 ? I heard a man who lives in his van speak of this. So do we just need one device for ourselves?
@@raider7829, Yes, it uses satellites. A single device lets you send emergency messages, pre-configured messages, or send custom SMS text messages (works best when paired with a smartphone). It has been a game-changer for us. We are in the back-country several times a month, well outside of cell phone coverage. There are many demos on RUclips. Just throwing it out there as it has dramatically enhanced safety for us.
@@Usul Im considering van life in next few years and I want all safety devices. Its sounds amazing. Thank you so much!
One of the best survival videos I have watched period,EXCELLENT.
#1 dangers is getting lost and exposure to the elements
Just found your channel and subscribed. My wife and are just getting organized in hiking. We already tent camp but want to go beyond that. Thanks for sharing this info. I had an ATV accident 8 miles from the main road but thankfully had a friend with me. Glad you shared bear spray because I’ve thought about that.
Welcome:)
Great video! I always hang a map of the area I plan to hike on a tack board that’s mounted on the wall in my garage, and I use tack pins showing my starting point, destination and sometimes the route I plan to take, so if I don’t return in time and as long as I don’t get lost and wander off my route, then family and friends will know where to send the search party! It’s sorta of a backup incase I can’t make calls or get ahold of anyone if I’m ever in distress.
I ALWAYS hike/camp, etc., with TWO LARGE DOGS. We have encountered wildlife, including cougars, and wildlife DO NOT LIKE the “Human/Canine combination”.
You keep saying wildlife is the biggest threat in the woods.
The most dangerous things in the woods walk on TWO LEGS!
Bears don't have guns and knives. I speak from many years experience in the forests of NH, Ma., NY., Me., as well as Arizona. Believe me, things are different now. I used to go unarmed, now I wouldn't dream of it. And yes, I HAVE been attacked by dogs several times. DOMESTIC ones that their idiot owners let loose disregarding all WARNING signs that say a leash is required. The last time I had my hand on my .45 and that dog is lucky it listened to it's arsehole owner. So, it's PEOPLE who are the real threat because no one cares about rules anymore out there.
Great Stuff, Just be sure to let those persons that you told where you were going that you are back safe. Just so they don't start a search for you unnecessarily. Stay Well & Safe.
Excellent advice. Just a couple of points I would add - hike early in the day so that if something happens to you, there is time for a rescue that same day. Also, don’t jump down into a place that you are not sure you can climb out of. Lastly, to the ladies - stop over sharing! Females tend to be more social and keep the conversations going. Don’t. No one needs to know your business. it’s ok to shut down conversations and move on from anyone you don’t know. You don’t have to engage.
Great video. Thank you for sharing this valuable information.