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Solo Tripping Safety - Dangers To Avoid
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 We can all agree that traveling in the wilderness comes with a certain degree of danger. Solo tripping ads yet another layer of risk, making it of the utmost importance to carefully analyze every situation and attempt to avoid potential hazards at all costs.
Remember that what might be acceptable practice when tripping in groups may not always be the case when out alone. In the end you are 100% responsible for yourself. If you can tip the odds in your favour and avoid all too common problems you’ll be able to spend more time enjoying the wilderness, and less struggling to deal with a trip gone bad.
We’ve assembled a number of everyday situations that can turn bad quickly. Browse through the categories below to ensure you don’t get caught up in situations that have resulted in many a trip ending early.
Slippery Rocks – Okay, so it’s likely that at one time or another you’ve climbed over wet rocks...maybe even taken a tumble as a result? Of all the things that can go wrong in the bush, attempting to traverse wet rocks probably accounts for more injuries and accidents than anything else. The problem is that even if you realize you’re walking on wet rocks, you just never know when you’re going to actually slip. A sudden movement here or there is all that’s required. Add 50 or 60 pounds of gear on your back and it’s a recipe for disaster. A fall could mean a serious puncture from a sharp, jagged rock, a fractured arm or leg, being knocked unconscious, or worse. Many of these situations will result in the need for extraction and that’s the last thing anyone wants. Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather so portaging over wet rocks is something that can’t be avoided. Proceed with extreme caution and ensure you’re properly balanced with knees bent as you make your way. If you feel you’re going to bail, attempt to rid yourself of pack and/or gear. Taking a hard fall with the extra weight of your gear can increase the severity of an injury. If faced with a major storm or steady rain it may be advisable to wait it out rather than taking the chance on the rocks.
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 Campfire Safety – A warm fire, crackling as embers rise high into the nights sky....the air is still, crisp and full of the sweet aroma of pine. You grab a stick by your side and rustle the coals...is there anything more enjoyable? To many trippers, times like that are the reasons they travel through the backcountry. To others, fire isn’t so enjoyable....in fact; inexperienced trippers often times get themselves into serious situations around the fire requiring extraction and medical treatment. This is not how you want to spend your vacation is it? Below are common problems to avoid:
Wear Proper Clothing: When sitting close to a fire, ensure your arms, legs and torso are covered. The last thing you want are hot, popping embers flying onto exposed skin. The result will be a nasty burn that at worst will become infected and at best will be extremely painful
No Sandals: This one can’t be stressed enough. Many trippers wear sandals or “crocs” when paddling because they’re comfortable and work well in the water....So save them for the water! Make it a habit to change your footwear once you reach camp or are planning to build a fire. All “covered” shoes are better than sandals, but a full grain leather boot works best. The leather won’t be affected by hot embers, and won’t melt. You can even push hot coals into the fire with your boot (but be cautious)!
Hot Water Burns: Whether you cook over an open fire or a stove, boiling hot water spilt on exposed skin will end a trip. You’re likely to receive 2nd the 3rd degree burns. Aside from the intense pain, if not extracted quickly, infection will further complicate the injury and your health. Be extremely careful when handling boiling water. As previously mentioned, don’t wear sandals, but rather opt for leather boots. For handling your pots, pack a pair of leather work gloves. If any water spills onto your hand (and eventually it will), you’re completely protected! When draining water from your pots, hold them as far away from your body as possible, gain control of the pot and slowly allow the water to drain. Never stand on loose rocks or uneven ground.
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Tie up Your Canoe – This one is probably overlooked by most trippers, but what would you do if you awoke in the morning and your canoe was gone? Remember, your canoe is your only mode of transportation and without it you’re not going too far! Many trippers simply flip their canoe over at night before retiring, believing that will suffice.....WRONG! There are many factors that could result in your canoe ending up somewhere other than where you left it. The most popular being weather and wildlife.
Today’s canoes, especially Kevlar models are extremely lightweight. Strong winds can easily pickup your canoe and carry it away. If you’ve left your canoe near the water, it stands a good chance of ending up in the lake or river. You’ll most likely never hear it happen and by the time you awake it could be many km’s away....Trip over!
Local wildlife can also play havoc with an untied canoe. Remember, your scent is all over it! Everything you’ve eaten and touched that day is absorbed into the material....especially if you’ve got wooden gunnels. There have been many cases of animals and especially bears investigating and in some cases destroying canoes. You can limit their ability to do so by securing it.
So how should you tie it up? Simply secure both the bow and stern to solid objects such as trees or rocks. Always tie both ends! Should one end become loose or a tree uproot, it’ll still be secure.
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 Widow Makers – Always be aware of where you pull up to camp and most importantly, where your tent is located. A widow maker can be described as loose overhead debris such as trees that may fall at any time. They have resulted in many injuries and fatalities over the years. When selecting your campsite, ensure the area is clear of any possible hazards. If it’s not, move to another location. Should there be no other suitable place to camp, and as a last resort, remove the object. It’s important to realize that trees need not be dead to pose a threat. Sustained winds and shallow soil can easily down mature trees. The bottom line is to remove yourself from any potential risk.
***Note: It may be illegal to remove dead standing timber from certain parks or areas. Consult your local ministry before removing any trees.
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Heatstroke – Many trippers routinely neglect to realize that heatstroke is extremely dangerous and can be life threatening. Paddlers are more susceptible to heatstroke due to long hours in the sun without any shade. When planning a trip, it’s important to understand what sunstroke is, common symptoms and how to deal with it.
Heatstroke is commonly caused by the body’s inability to dissipate body heat through perspiration, especially after physical activity such as paddling and portaging. This results in a sudden rise in body temperature and high fever. It’s extremely important that solo trippers take extra care in preventing heatstroke from occurring. Common symptoms of heatstroke include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, rapid heartbeat and hallucinations.....everything you don’t need while alone in the wilderness! Preventative measures paddlers can take are:
- Drink plenty of fluids. Limit the amount of coffee, tea and alcohol consumed during the day
- Wear light colors
- Take frequent, scheduled breaks
- Always protect your head with a hat, bandana or both. Routinely soaking them throughout the day will ensure your head stays cool
Dehydration – As with heatstroke, dehydration is a serious issue that solo paddlers must be aware of. Dehydration occurs when your body loses water content and essential body salts such as sodium, potassium, calcium bicarbonate and phosphate. Take steps to ensure you replace fluids lost through perspiration and paddling in the sun. Common symptoms of dehydration include thirst, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, increased heart rate and breathing. If left untreated, dehydration can also become life-threatening. Take the following steps to ensure you stay well hydrated:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Ensure you take in more fluids than you’re losing
- Paddle early in the morning and later in the afternoon, resting mid-day if possible
- Bring powders such as Gatorade to add to water will help keep important electrolytes in balance
Hypothermia – Yet another condition the solo trippers need to be acutely aware of, Hypothermia is extremely dangerous and occurs far too often with paddlers. Our proximity to water and likelihood of getting wet are major contributing factors. It’s important for solo trippers to take extra special care to prevent hypothermia, and to assess potentially dangerous situations before they occur. If you travel early or late in year, use common sense when encountering rapids or paddling in the rain. The cool air temperatures can quickly rob your body of critical heat. If you have any doubts about whether to run a rapid or not....don’t! It’s not worth the risk and there are no second chances.
Hypothermia can be defined as a condition in which your body temperature drops below that required for normal metabolism and bodily functions. Should this occur in the backcountry, far away from help, you’ll be looking at a life-threatening situation.
Common symptoms of Hypothermia include shivering, goose bumps, the inability to perform complex tasks, confusion, slow and laboured breathing and a weak pulse. As a responsible tripper, you must be aware of ways to avoid Hypothermia. They include:
- Wear appropriate clothing for the conditions
- Avoid wearing cotton. Choose layers made of wool or synthetic materials
- Avoid drinking alcohol before exposure to colder temperatures
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