National Parks and Camping (advice for me + general discussion)

[emon87]

If you must go alone, there are a few things you can do.

1. Carry a GPS, a compass, and a map. But mot importantly, KNOW HOW TO USE THEM!!!! Sooo many people have no idea how to orient a map and get to where they want to go - they just blindly carry one. Also, most GPS units won't really get you anywhere without a map - they just tell you where you are (at least the last time I used one).

2. File an itinerary and stick to it. File it with good friends/relatives and the ranger station where you will be. Tell the friends to give you a call on the day you're supposed to be back, or tell them you will call them.

3. Stay on the trail. Don't do back country hiking by yourself - it is SUPER easy to end up way off course.

4. Know your limits. Don't set unreasonable expectations for yourself and know that things take longer on the trail than you expect/than they do at home.

5. Good gear and the right gear.

That's all I can think of right now.