How do you handle being outdoors on your own?

MNUplander wrote in post #18807113
Aside from the obvious "being aware of my surroundings", it all comes down to being prepared and having the right gear with me.

1. Let someone know where you're going and when you plan to be back.
2. Do your research - if you're headed somewhere new, familiarize yourself with maps/gps before heading out.
3. Pay attention to the weather report.
3. Dress for the weather in layers - I like to be slightly cold when I get out of the truck so that when I get hiking and warm up, I won't overheat or sweat. Wind/water proof layers as needed.
4. A NICE pair of boots - dry feet and ankle support can't be understated.

In your truck:
1. Full first aid kit.
2. Tow strap, jumper cables, shovel, large tarp, and a chainsaw. I had a huge dead fall come down behind me on the only road out. Really wished I had the chainsaw then - took me forever to drag it out of the way with the tow strap, now I always bring the saw.
3. Extra water and snacks.
4. Duct tape.
5. 5 gallons of fuel.

In your pack:
1. Water and snacks.
2. A good, sharp knife.
3. Headlamp, batteries, gps, two lighters, battery charger.
4. Small first aid kit.
5. Extra clothing layers - wind/water/insulating as needed.
6. If you're really getting out there, a folding saw (I like the Sven saw), smaller tarp, rope, sleeping bag and water purifier. See ultralight backpacking gear for these.

Most of this can just be in a plastic container stored in your garage that you can just toss in the truck on your way out.

Spot on with the plastic containers, too. I keep things stowed in clear containers with lock down lids so I can see what is in the tote before grabbing it.

Maybe take this guy hiking with you? I can't even think of a clever quip for this one.

https://finance.yahoo.​com …-lion-self-190726006.html

How do i handle it? I enjoy it. It's my zen time .

Last thing i want is to be distracted by people. Especially the chatty ones. I want to listen for wildlife. Not nonsensical bs that people like to pollute our brains with. Sometimes i try to walk quietly so i don't scare the wildlife only to have loud chatty people stomping by.

Bringing someone with me means they get bored and restless while I'm doing my thing. Sometimes i just stand in one place and watch and listen. And wait. Other times I'm on the go and looking to be inspired and don't want someone taking me out of the zone.

Just be smart where you go, what you do and your preparation.

rjx wrote in post #18816881
How do i handle it? I enjoy it. It's my zen time .

Last thing i want is to be distracted by people. Especially the chatty ones. I want to listen for wildlife. Not nonsensical bs that people like to pollute our brains with. Sometimes i try to walk quietly so i don't scare the wildlife only to have loud chatty people stomping by.

Bringing someone with me means they get bored and restless while I'm doing my thing. Sometimes i just stand in one place and watch and listen. And wait. Other times I'm on the go and looking to be inspired and don't want someone taking me out of the zone.

Just be smart where you go, what you do and your preparation.

That's how I feel about it, too. The only thing I worry about is my car getting broken into while I am away. Otherwise, if I run into other people, I am the one who usually scares them off. Animals don't bother me, and I don't take any chances risking injury.

Looking forward to getting my son out with me more. He is just turning 4. Keeping him entertained and safe while I shoot is going to require some practice though!

kitchentime wrote in post #18832129
Looking forward to getting my son out with me more. He is just turning 4.

That's what my Dad did with me, from an early age. It developed in me an unsatiable passion for wild places and wild animals, and this passion is what shaped my entire life.

Awesome! That's what I'm hoping. I've really began to enjoy being outside moreover the last 3-4 years. Now, getting my son out with me gets me pumped to look up new places to explore (and shoot)!

Water, expect bad weather, always keep a charged cell phone with yourself and always tell someone where you will go. And i don't go to risky places as when i have some company.

But that's here where we don't have dangerous animals and crime is low.

Azathoth wrote in post #18842567
always keep a charged cell phone with yourself

Risking to come over as annoying bean counter:

There are a lot of areas in the outdoors without reliable cell phone reception, even in a relatively densely populated country like Germany where I am living. For example, I am driving through a large area with hills covered by forest every day on my commute and there is no cell reception for miles.

Cell phones are an amazing invention and I am spending way too much time with mine but always good to have a plan B in case they do not work.

Hugo Schnabel wrote in post #18842882
Cell phones are an amazing invention and I am spending way too much time with mine but always good to have a plan B in case they do not work.

Before cellphones existed, I worked for a small publisher that had a line of guidebooks for hikers. I remember that a list of what to pack included "a mirror for signaling," presumably to rescuers in the air. From the news, people who got lost have spelled out HELP in stones on the ground.

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Hugo Schnabel wrote in post #18842882
There are a lot of areas in the outdoors without reliable cell phone reception .....
Cell phones are an amazing invention ..... but always good to have a plan B in case they do not work.

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You make a very good point, Hugo.

The local areas where I do most of my photography do not have any cell reception. . I mean, I will be driving through the National Forest for an hour and have no signal at all, then come to a little spot that has a signal - like, for maybe a half mile, and then coming out the other side of that spot there won't be any reception for another 10 or 20 miles.

In the very same area that I frequent, just a half hour from my home, this woman was VERY lucky to have her mishap occur in one of those small areas with cell reception:
http://www.spokesman.c​om …st-treed-by-wolves-in-ok/

But she had to climb 30 feet high to get that reception. . She would only have had to climb about 10 feet to get out of reach of the wolves.

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I try to remember to wear appropriate foot wear. Usually I forget.
Last Summer in Newfoundland I got caught in the rain,.. three times!
And no, I still did not have a rain coat by the 3rd time...

I'm in Oztralia so:

Water, plenty, in coolbag.
Hat, so Mrs Wife can't call me Mr Tomato Head again
Sunnies (sunglasses)
Sturdy footwear with hi-grip soles and ankle support
Mozzie/bitey critter repellant
Knee pads because I tend to shoot from low angles a lot
Long and strong trousers unless it's silly-hot

This is for shooting in 'the wild' but usually not more than two hours from civilisation, so not really 'remote'.

Ok. I'm going to be that guy. I'm in the US and when I am going alone to a questionable area, I make full use of our 2nd amendment.

sjnovakovich wrote in post #18846018
Ok. I'm going to be that guy. I'm in the US and when I am going alone to a questionable area, I make full use of our 2nd amendment.

You join a militia?