honestly, do you like camping alone? (scary for me)

gazaati

BANNED
Joined
Apr 7, 2008
Messages
412
OK, Last weekend I wanted to try camping alone for the weekend. I have always heard of people doing it. I went for it because no one wanted to go with me at the time.

Parked my car and walked for a good 3 hours in an isolated aria. Reached the place I wanted to amp at. During the day it was OK but at night , I couldn't sleep.

I got the creeps. There I was, no one could hear me, No civilization what so ever in a place where months pass by with out a soul passing by in that aria.

( AM I CRAZY)

I couldn't for the morning to come, I packed my stuff and headed home. It still gives me chills thinking about it.

Is it normal? Is it because I am a beginner and it will pass?

Or am I just not cut out for this and i will always need buddies to go camping.

Do you have similar experiences?

please admit if you get scared :D
 
Nothing to worry about, it will pass. At night when you're in the dark, in a new environment, your mind is bound to play tricks on you. After a while you'll start feeling more 'at home' and the heebie-jeebies won't be a problem. I've camped with lots of folks who felt that at first (even with me/others around) but eventually loved it.

I end up having to go by myself all the time, just because I don't have any real outdoor buddies. So it's that or nothing! It's pretty peaceful/relaxing most of the time though, because you can make totally independent decisions and do things on your own schedule. If you wanna sit there with a bow & drill making a spark, you can! :D

So yes I too go a lot, and yes those feelings will pass for you. Just keep at it. Try giving yourself a few activities to do at night (some relaxing reading, smoking a pipe, whittling, etc.) then eat something a little heavy to help knock you out.

The night is just like the day, only there's less light. Same sticks, same critters, same people (or lack thereof).
 
I'm afraid of the dark.
one time, i slep over my cousins...
THE DARKEST HOUSE EVER!
couldn't even see my hand in front of my face...
and it took me 20 minutes to find the bathroom!
:D

i'd imagine I would be scared.
maybe you'll get used to it?

... you should just bring a gun, sleeping with weapons always works for me.

:D
 
The more you do it the more you will get used to it. If I haven't camped in a long time, I have trouble sleeping, even with other campers, but once I go camping a couple times I get used to it, and it's not a problem.

Just keep doing it, one night at a time, and maybe closer to civilization to acclimate yourself. Your experience isn't unusual for someone not used to it.

Also, bring a gun if you have one and know how to use it. If you are not in a state or federal park, most states consider your camping ground as your residence and you can legally carry. It might help you feel more confident. Check with your local laws first though, as I do not know were you live or camp.
 
It takes a bit getting used to. I really don't mind camping alone myself. Then again, when I'm camping with my family, I tend to be the guy in the know and if anything were to happen I would be the point man for responsibility.

Next time you go camping with others, take your own tent and try to be a bit more independent. This is more of a mindset. For example, start rehersing in your head what would you do if such and such happended. You might even try to take charge of the group, for example in firestarting etc. I think once you've developed the confidence about your own ability to take on responsibility for the situation you should have fewer problems.
 
It's not scary at all, and I never camp, hike, or backpack with other people. That would totally ruin the experience for me.

The oddest experience I've had was a couple of years ago, a trip Gazaati would probably want to avoid. Camped on a small hill overlooking a ghost town and cemetery, only a couple of miles from the road but 50 miles from town, and the entire area was a forest of standing dead trees from a recent fire. It was bugling season for the elk, and they 'yelled' all night - hundreds of them, in every direction. A screaming wind came up in the night, and BAM, the dead trees started 'exploding' and falling all around throughout the forest. That went on for hours, the bugling elk, the falling trees, and the howling wind...

No civilization what so ever in a place where months pass by with out a soul passing by in that aria.
Sounds like my kind of place! Hopefully you follow strict No-Trace outdoor ethics, so the next person to camp there can have the same quality experience of wilderness and isolation that you did.
 
Bob W

Cool story and brought back memories for me of nearly the same phenomena in Riding Mountain, Manitoba. I loved hearing those elk but they do make a ruckus!
 
As my father once said to me; "The most scary thing out there is almost certainly you". I've never given it a second thought since.
 
never do anything you're not comfortable doing! you're just setting yourself up to get into trouble. and never, never go into the woods with out telling at least one person, so somebody will know when you don't show up at home when your supposed to! i camped by myself for three months, but it was not the wilderness so i could walk out easily if i needed(to give my family a call, and pick up canned food:)) also your knife is not a weapon unless you are highly trained, chances are your attacker will wind up using it against you. when i felt nervous i would hold my pepper spray at the ready and be prepared to run. i'm never looking for a fight, just not my style.
 
:eek:Im just scared of the chupacabras.......

Nah man, being alone doesnt bother me at all. I think its good for the soul.
 
my perspective may be a little weird, but i think the idea of no one in the woods with you is a good thing. i have nothing to worry about except maybe a bear.
 
Seconds on what tuffblade said. The quieter and less populated the better. Going off trail a mile or two seems to help - as does a cold camp.

J.
 
never do anything you're not comfortable doing! you're just setting yourself up to get into trouble. and never, never go into the woods with out telling at least one person, so somebody will know when you don't show up at home when your supposed to! i camped by myself for three months, but it was not the wilderness so i could walk out easily if i needed(to give my family a call, and pick up canned food:)) also your knife is not a weapon unless you are highly trained, chances are your attacker will wind up using it against you. when i felt nervous i would hold my pepper spray at the ready and be prepared to run. i'm never looking for a fight, just not my style.

Sorry face.yo - but this advice seems very unempowering. While people should not take on tasks that are well beyond their comfort zone, I don't think people should shy away from trying new experiences that are within the realm of acceptability. Most of us try new things in steps and progress towards improving our skills not hiding behind insecurities. This is a survival forum after all.
 
When i was a kid 7 or 8 i had to stay at my grandparents house many nights and it was very dark and you couldn't see anything in that old house but after the first or second night i got used to it. The first time in the woods alone i was about 13 and decided to walk on a no moon night through the woods and i ended up walking several miles and i didn't even have a flaslight. I was creeped out for about a mile and a half and then thought nothing of it and ended up spending night after night just hiking through the woods through all my teen years.
 
I have never camped alone, but may be doing it soon, as I want to scout out my families land out in the boonies for a future cabin. Not to freaked out.



Though local Big Foot enthusiasts have claimed a lot of sightings of our big furry friend. Maybe he will be cool, kick back and have some whiskey with me. Hope hes not an angry drunk.
 
I camp alone all the time. I like it. Just take some equipment that makes you feel more protected. Like a gun. A tent or enclosed jungle hammock if you prefer to sleep this way. I use to sleep in an open hammock and some times I was a little worried what may be sniffing me why I was sleeping. I bought a jungle hammock. I am fully enclosed so it gives me a little better feeling of security when I sleep.

As others have said. I go off the main trail where I'm not likely to run into anyone and I try to blend in and not stand out from my surroundings. Like no big bright blaze orange tarps.

Also take plenty of bright flashlights. I carry 2 very bright LED and 2 bright incandescent lights. This helps alot. Trust me.

It's alot of fun give it a try and be safe.:thumbup: The more you do it the easier it well get.
 
Camping alone wouldn't bother me overmuch-although moving about over distance, in pitch black, with people looking for you is a whole other experience. hehe
 
I do a lot of solo trips. Keeping a flashlight and knife handy can be reassuring when things go bump in the night.

Last spring I had a weird dream that baby Baluchitheriums were attacking my camp. :eek:

They looked more like this tapir.

tapir.gif
 
Also, if you have an overactive imagination don't watch Predator before you go out there. :D
 
Back
Top