Solo “hiking”

So this is quite a jump. Personally someone hiking 12 miles alone in Dartmoor having only done shorter walks in local area..,, unwise

I would suggest your cut the route

The Appalachian trail looks a bit boring to me- just 2000 miles of trees! Doesn't look worth the strenuousness and danger. The Pacific Crest trail looks more interesting and varied though- have you read Wild?

Myself, I'm raring to walk the Via Francigena.

A proper packed lunch, not just snacks!

Start early giving yourself loads of contingency in daylight at the end of the afternoon.

You want time to linger and enjoy the view etc. if you feel like it.

Mist can descend very quickly and weather often defies the forecast.

I have done loads of solo upland hikes. 12 miles is quite a lot. You’ll have a fantastic day, but remember that the time to decide to shorten a walk or start your return is while you are still on top of it.

Mountain rescue would much prefer a grid reference (which the OS app will give you.) There are problems with w3w - it's positively dangerous in some places. Mainly the issue is that locations with very similar sounding w3w names can be close together. For example likely.stages.sock and likely.stage.sock are a mile apart from each other, but on opposite banks of the River Clyde...

I was involved in a rescue that got badly affected by this - the location was either misspoken or misheard and rescuers ended up going to a nearby, but incorrect location.

In theory w3w locations that sound similar should be very distant from each other, so that it is obvious that the location was reported incorrectly, but this is not the case due to a fundamental flaw with the way w3w assigned location names.

Oh no, I think you can describe it as a hike (and not even in the American sense 🤭). It is the highest point in Southern England after all!

So it’s 2 miles longer than you usual walks

and what have you packed for those walks?

I’ve used maps.me for walks deep into the cairngorm mountains. It’s maintained accuracy without any phone signal. It’s great for finding routes all over the place actually! I love when there’s a clear right to roam. I’ve been thinking about doing the camino… I’d love to walk along the Appalachian trail however am a bit scared of men tbh, esp the trump voting ones.

So you’ve done a lot of 8-10 mile solo hikes in the past?

The What3Words app. Others have covered the rest. Have fun!

Are you a walker op? The fact you’re asking what to bring would indicate may be not

What about start off with a shorter walk of maybe 5/6 miles first?

Good stuff. Make sure you download the base map for your walk. I've failed there myself previously.

Great - it's a really cool app, and there is also a companion compass app which gives you your grid reference, which mountain rescue will appreciate if you ever need them.

A paper map and compass and the ability to use them, or at the least the Ordnance Survey app. Proper clothing including a warm/waterproof jacket and trousers or leggings (not jeans). Decent shoes (doesn't need to be hiking boots, but need to have a good tread on them - trail running shoes are great for light hiking). Water, food, whistle, foil blanket.

I hiked solo for most of my 40 years on the hills - as long as you plan carefully and are mindful of the weather, it should be nothing but fun. Do not be afraid to turn back if conditions become unpleasant or you start getting seriously cold: any experienced walker will do that. The hills won't go away!

Going solo means you concentrate on your route and surroundings better - it's not in itself a hazard as long as you keep your decisions prudent. I know the walk you are describing extremely well - it's roads and paths all the way, so you are on firm ground and it's easy to navigate. There are likely to be a few other people around, there always have been when I've done it. Talk to them if you want to - there's a lovely feeling of camaraderie on the hills and you can pick up loads of information. No one will be in the least surprised to see a solo woman out there.

Mist can come in fast on Dartmoor and has a strangely intimidating effect, but if you feel secure on the road, just keep going: the road doesn't change because its foggy. Do not walk across the moor if mist comes down.

I think you are quite close to Army ranges. In true Mumsnet form, don't ignore any red flags!!

Take a plastic bag or buy a map cover if you have a paper map. It will be toilet paper within an hour if you don't. Above all, enjoy the grandeur that is Dartmoor, and feel justly proud of yourself for getting out there: this is your land! I hope this is the first of many adventures - try Hound Tor of Sherlock fame next. xx.

Paper map and spare socks. ALL the waterproofs and warm clothes.

This, plus DH always takes an actual old school map as well.

Hello, regular Dartmoor walker here. You should be absolutely fine, but do please buy a paper OS map! I do carry a compass, but have used it exactly once on all my walks on Dartmoor.

I normally walk from the centre of the Moor so have never done Yes Tor and Higher Willhays from Okehampton, but imagine that it's a very well walked route. The only problem on access land (which it is) is that there are far more paths on the ground than on the map, because people can walk anywhere, and it can be confusing to find the right path.

Does your route take you through the firing range, and have you checked they're not firing this weekend? (You can look it up online).

I would take 1.5- 2 litres of water, and waterproof boots. Even if it's a dry day, it'll be boggy underfoot in places.

Have a lovely time!

I hope you enjoy your walk. My advice is to let someone know where and when you’re walking and arrange to check in with them when you return and agree a time by which they’d alert services if you haven’t contacted them