In this age of physical distancing, the idea of leaving in complete autonomy to be alone and far from the world has never seemed so appealing. If this kind of adventure works for you, these tips will help you in your quest for solitude.
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Table of Contents
GRADUALLY YOU WILL ISOLATE YOURSELF
Loneliness is gradually tamed. Before setting off on your own far from the world for a great wild escape, it is better to prepare yourself little by little. Day trips, single nights and more: respect your experience and gradually increase your solo time before setting off for a long time alone, in nature and for a long period.
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AN EMERGENCY PLAN YOU WILL LEAVE
Going alone doesn’t mean running away from it all without staying in touch with your loved ones. Always important, the exit plan and emergency measures to prepare before an adventure in nature is even more so on your own. Include as many details as possible: the planned route, an approximate time, emergency contacts to reach and procedures to be undertaken in the event of delay or absence. Leave everything to at least one trustworthy person who will follow up according to established guidelines.
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YOUR SKILLS YOU WILL PRACTICE
On your own, everything becomes more important: knowing how to light a fire, set up camp in a downpour, orient yourself, master the techniques and risks associated with the activities practiced… No one will be there to advise you in case of difficulty, ‘where the need to master the basics of outdoor life before taking the key to the fields alone.
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YOUR EQUIPMENT YOU WILL HEAL
A breakage, a technical problem, the loss of an accessory … do whatever it takes to treat your adventure equipment with care and make sure that it will not fail. Especially in solo, the alternatives will be limited, and it will be up to you to fix any problem. From maintenance to repair, once again be 100% autonomous. For the rest, resourcefulness will be your ally.
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YOUR EMOTIONS YOU WILL TAME
If the mere idea of meeting a bear in the forest or of freezing to death frightens you uncontrollably… imagine your first night without company! When alone, there is therefore no room for overwhelming fears and other fears which, very often, only come from your mind. Knowing how to keep morale away from others is also an art that develops over time. Visualization can be a valuable tool in preparing yourself.
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THE ADRENALINE YOU WILL AVOID
Alone in the world, the watchword is not to take major risks. Everything is relative to each one, but let’s just say that the main thing is not to exceed your abilities in the activities that you do. Since you will find yourself without someone to help you quickly, now is not the time to push your limits excessively, to the point of putting yourself in a potentially difficult situation.
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THE CONTACT WITH THE WORLD YOU WILL KEEP
What do the worst stories of people lost or injured in the forest have in common? Too often: an inability to communicate well with emergency services. Nowadays, far from the beaten track, it has never been so easy and affordable to call for help, thanks to satellite communicators – think of Garmin inReach – or even personal beacons, like the ResQLink d ‘ACR-Artex. In short, be alone, but well accompanied!
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THE DESTINATION YOU WILL STUDY
The choice of destination is particularly delicate in the case of outings in nature alone. You have to find a way to isolate yourself, but without necessarily going halfway around the world, which can become a challenge in itself at times, or even in certain places. You should therefore not neglect the traffic of the chosen location, in order to avoid leaving alone… with lots of people!
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YOUR LOAD YOU WILL LIMIT
Often for fear of running out of something by being alone, it becomes easy to have the reflex to carry too much material unnecessarily. To savor the moments alone, it is therefore important that you restrict yourself in order to enjoy the pleasures of this great freedom. Already the equipment – such as the tent, kitchen equipment and certain other accessories – cannot be shared, no need to add more.
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THE MOMENT YOU WILL SAVOR
Awakened senses and the loneliness of the moment will make the experience of isolation particularly rewarding. So you have to know how to take advantage of it! The ability to live in the present moment is essential. Prepare yourself mentally for those hours spent with yourself and then put aside your doubts, fears, and any other concerns… then just remember that you chose to be there for fun!
