Solo “hiking”

[ApricotDanish83]

Posting here mainly for traffic to be honest.

I’m planning a day out to Dartmoor this weekend to go on a pretty long walk up a couple of the tors. Going by myself because I have nobody to go with but I’m craving being outside 😂

the route is set to be about three and a half hours back, two hours in, and about 12 miles all together. I’m relatively fit but wha do I need to take with me??? I know I’ll need some snacks but that’s about all I can think of

I wish. Sadly I’m getting the train so not really a possibility. Plus I don’t know anyone with a dog to borrow 😂

I live in okehampton. Its already very wet here. The rivers are high and the ground is boggy. I was up on the moors with the dogs today. Just be prepared.

Yes and it is Wednesday today.

not Saturday.

Get a hard copy, even if you just print bits off. What if you fall in a bog and your phone stops working.

Highly unlikely to be honest. I think some of you must stick solely to your city pavements

Ok hun, you know best. We have a brilliant dartmoor search and rescue team so you'll be fine.

What’s your aggression about?

it’s a walk on the Tarka trail. I’m not going up to the middle of the moors and I’ve made that clear. I’m from Devon, I’ve done plenty of walks around the coastal path and I know that it can get a bit rainy.

This. I live in Scotland and walk alone in the hills nearly every day. If you get into trouble Mountain Rescue will ask you to download What Three Words to make it easy to find you. Better still to put it on your phone before you go.

I love a hike! Please report back with some pics ☺️

As it can be foggy on Dartmoor I’d take a dry bag that can stretch over your rucksack even if rain isn’t forecast.

I really weirdly have one of these from a trip a few years ago 🤣 I never needed it the but at least it’ll come in handy now 😂

Im not being aggressive. The weather in okehampton and the weather up on the moors where you are planning to hike can be two completely different things at the same time.. There is a lot of cloud cover over the weekend. If that is low cloud it can be hazardous on the moors and many people have become disorientated and lost their bearings and needed help. Enjoy your walk but im just saying take care and don't just rely on the forecast.

Is that still recommended in your area? Here they now say a grid ref is much preferred and only supply W3W if you don’t have a grid ref (Peak District)

Something I always have on me when I walk alone (which is almost all the time) is a whistle. If you get into trouble and the phone lets you down, a whistle can alert people that you need help.

I hepp train Ten Tors groups on Dartmoor and have dropped my own phone in a bog as well as seen multiple people trip and fall in a bog.

Some great advice on here.

I’d add poles, if you think they’d benefit you.

I used to be a bit anti-pole, and thought they were for pensioners but I do find them useful on some types of terrain, particularly because I’m not in my 20s (or 30s) any longer.

Not essential though, so don’t worry if you don’t have them.

I'm a solo hiker. Hope you have a fab walk.

Just a few safety bits worth having in your arsenal

Download the OS app and familiarise yourself with the Locate Me function. It works from GPS and gives your grid reference. Perfect for emergencies and also a cheeky "am I where I think I am?" check.

Also register your phone with 999 to be able to send SMS.
Register for SMS messages to 999

She’s a fit young woman going for a walk.

A walk.

I don’t think they would at the moment, but if this goes well and I get more confident I’d definitely look into some!

Actually some of us do this type of walking regularly and have had all these situations happen to us or been involved in helping those how have had them. I always remember what I heard at a Mountain Rescue event which was that you carry all the stuff a couple of hundred times for the one time you really need it.

You could have hiked it today and even stopped for tea and cake in the time you’ve spent posting on this thread @ApricotDanish83 😆

Same. Then I saw lots of young 'ins using them in the Alps and elsewhere and thought 'ah ha' - I CAN use them! They're definitely helped preserve my knees over the years. I'd never use them for 4 or 5 mile dog walk at home. But in the hills or on the moors long distance, absolutely. Am a fan!

@ApricotDanish83 and anyone else who is interested in hiking, Love Her Wild facebook group is specifically for women in outdoor activities, and provides lots of opportunities to discuss routes, kit, and meet likeminded hiking/paddleboarding/wild camping companions.

PS, I am also a recent convert to poles. I was given one by our guide while climbing the Grand Piton in St Lucia, and used one since. DH and I did a 30 mile adventure race recently, and he ‘discovered’ my poles too and wants a pair of his own. Our legs are decrepit in different ways, so he had them going uphill and I had them going down. 🤣 He’s getting his own for Christmas.

Oh I’ll check it out!

Well it’s turned cold so I’ve got some thermals gloves on order!🤣