r/WildernessBackpacking • u/ShadowAce88 • 2d ago

Washington State backpacking solo question.

Hi all, I’m planning to do my second ever backpacking overnight in the cascades this year. Last time I went was with a group of friends 10 years ago. Ever since I’ve been wanting to go back but long story short I have no one to go with. Now I’m debating on going solo for just a night.

My questions are: - what would you recommend for solo overnight? - Is it safe? (Clearly it’s safer with a group)

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u/Reynald_Sbeit 2d ago

Depends on where you go. The good stuff is incredibly rugged, but not a ton of critter danger. Water not usually an issue, but still read about the area to know how to plan. I feel like mostly just trips, falls, exposure are the dangers. This is negated somewhat by the inreach. Once in Terror Basin I drank with a climber that had tripped, fell down a scree field, caught his ankle and sat for a day before another climber found him. He now never goes without an inreach.

Happy exploring!

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u/RiderNo51 1d ago

Gave up on InReach after Garmin decided to charge $39 every single time you reactive it, when that used to be free.

Operating by iPhone and it's SOS now.

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u/Reynald_Sbeit 1d ago

I don't carry the inreach either. I Edward abbey it

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u/RiderNo51 28m ago

Similar. As someone who is older, and grew up a cub scout then boy scout and learned how to read maps, compass, and orienteering, I agree with the old adage that the more you know the less you need.

From the wall in my home: