Solo “hiking”

Yep, although when it’s hundreds of miles away at least you know it’s wrong. It’s when it’s two miles away but on the wrong side of a mountain ridge that it’s really problematic. In the incident which I was involved in it ended up with the patient spending two hours in extreme pain and becoming hypothermic because the team had gone to a plausible (but incorrect) location in the same general area. All because of misheard word.

That distance seems fine to me, I did longer than that on a whim with no equipment recently and I’m unfit too (feet were in pieces I admit) the right clothes, food, water and a map, you’ll be fine, it’s not that remote

Nothing to add to the fine advice already given. Just wanted to say, if I wasn't busy already this weekend, I would have loved to have accompanied you. Dh and I go hiking, similar terrain, similar distances whenever we can. He is out of the country at the moment and I am really missing hiking. I just don't quite feel able to do it alone which is a bit pathetic of me, I know.

Anyway, happy hiking!

You know what?

Fine if the OP Wants To walk with others but walking solo is incredibly liberating, empowering and refreshing.

I often walk with friends and family and often walk alone. I LOVE walking alone. It isn’t a sign of being a failure if some kind and women don’t need to always have someone to cling to for safety or company.

I’m not saying that that is what you are saying, just pointing it out.

In the context of MN being a place where frequently women are advised not to walk alone, go out after dark alone, stay overnight in the house alone etc etc.

Plenty of water

A woman on here started a thread a few weeks back, she'd drunk stream water and felt terrible

Your day out is going to be great. Just by asking for input you are showing you have all the sense you need to do this. If you do decide to go in for this big time, there are lots of short courses on map reading and navigation which give you a great day out and some nice walking companions. (The very best is Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre but it's £££.)

You have absolutely no reason to feel nervous about this - there are 16 year olds on Dartmoor doing the Ten Tors! Everyone was new to it one time.

This is the type of foil / space blanket I carry as part of my 1st Aid kit.
It costs less than £1
www.medisave.co.uk/products/emergency-foil-blanket-medium-size-200130cm-p-6308?currency=GBP&variant=44837012668699&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=34c6ddfaad06&utm_medium=adwords&utm_campaign=&utm_source=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22363246754&gbraid=0AAAAACjCjVYJRd3RdhGMYdBS26K5nqn17&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2Imgktu3kAMVIppQBh1FbylYEAQYBSABEgLVxfD_BwE

Lip balm!

I thought I recognised your posting style
it’s so good you’re doing this
you live with your parents?

They all help one another out with lifts

how old are you? Do you work? Something you could mention to colleagues?

Met office which I rely on says light showers all day
Your comment about the os map app . The most useful thing on Dartmoor is the little red arrow that shows your exact location.

Actually it’s forecast to be showery which on Dartmoor due to the terrain and height can feel worse than lower ground. So definitely bring waterproofs , stout boots and other things mentioned above. Leave details with someone with arrangements to rigpng in at a certain time.

If you don’t have anyone in your life that enjoys walking, have you considered a walking group?

If you haven’t already, download OS Maps-the premium is around £25 a year but well worth it and powerbank. A flask of hot coffee. Buttered Bara Brith is wonderful on a hike. Obs appropriate clothes, shoes-I never bother with boots now if decent hiking shoes. Proper hiking socks-you’re going to be a bit footsore. I find hat and gloves make you feel far more comfortable than thick coats. Proper walking trousers which allow movement and dry off quickly. Layers, waterproof jacket in backpack. A tick remover might come in useful. And light trainers to change into when you’ve finished the hike-I can’t wait to get out of my hiking shoes and a change makes your feet feel refreshed. Also some blister plasters, painkillers foil blamket. Hope you enjoy it!

Looks perfect, it's what I would call a bivvy shelter but perhaps for one person. Yep foil blankets are pretty disposable and you can at least sit on that for your lunch and then pack it up again. Have a fab time, Dartmoor is one of the places I haven't done any walking yet and now I want to go!

As a regular solo walker (Lakes, Peak District, S Downs, Greek mountains, Canada) there are things that just stay in my rucksack
Little pack of Compeed plasters
Little pack of any bac wipes
Whistle
Tick remover
Foam mat to sit on
Foil blanket.

The foil blanket is about the size and weight of a pocket tissue pack. Thankfully I have never had an accident myself but I have used 2. Once when I came across a couple waiting for Mountain Rescue for an ankle injury and once when I stopped to help with a cyclist who had come off her bike on a mountain pass road, and as she was in cycling gear she was shivering while waiting for help.

I have one in the glove box in my car too.

It’s easy to get hung up on the ‘risks’. Walking / hiking is simply going for a walk away from roads and pavements. It’s highly unlikely that anyone who is fit enough for what they intend, knows where they are (navigation), has a normal level of common sense and adequate clothing will ever come any kind of cropper.

It is highly likely that they will have a great time and come back healthier, fitter, inspired, content, happier… and healthily tired.

But a few back pocket precautions can make things less bad if bad luck strikes.