Solo hike and camp

How to prepare for a mini-expedition alone

I got into solo hiking as I like being in deserted places, free from egos and reliant on no one but myself, but for many, the act of spending any time alone in nature's isolation is not worth thinking about.

If you think that getting away from the rat race – alone – is for you, then the first thing to think about are the potential dangers of being in the mountains in general. In the 10 year period from 1996 to 2005 Scottish mountains alone had 3,315 casualties and average 16 hill walker fatalities per year.

If that hasn't put you off and you still want out of the house for few days in the mountain air, consider doing a risk assessment. Running through worst case scenarios in your mind can help you prepare for the trip and all it really takes is common sense.

Take a six-hour walk as an example: You could be three hours (say, nine miles) from your start point when you fall and break your leg (unlikely? 44% of the above casualties were limb injuries, and over 90% of those were legs and feet). If the area is remote, what happens if no one passes by? Add the fact your phone has no reception … ouch!

Did you tell someone where you were going and when you expected to be back? You still have three hours before they consider making a call – four if they leave an hour for late arrival. If the weather turned foul, did you know it would? Perhaps they need to rescue you on foot – that's another four hours to locate you, so that’s at least eight hours you have sat motionless in nasty weather. Are you warm enough and have you dealt to your wounds with first aid? If your phone starts to work can you give your position? Do you have a torch to help them locate you in the dark.

This scenario is basic and could, of course, be far worse. Yet this alone provides a laundry list of things to....

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