Security & Camping alone

[S. Heisley]

Gaelen wrote:

If I ever am awakened by someone standing over me in bed, I pray it's Brad Pitt.

WooHoo!

 

[peggyearlchris]

I've never camped alone. I'm too much of a chicken. I would have to have my son or husband with me or a dog or two.Maybe someday I will get brave. Peg

 

[Hiker Chick]

This is a terrific topic, especially for the women's section. Coincidentally, we recently had a lengthy discussion on this in the Honda Element forum.

I've camped solo many times, love it, but never feel "alone." That's in large part due to the presence of Gidget, my Samoyed, who is a magnet for visitors and tries to lure every passerby to visit by enthusiastically wagging her tail. The teardrop is also -- as everyone here knows well -- a magnet for visitors. And we so far have camped only in national parks (Shenandoah National Park and Acadia) and a popular state park in Virginia (Douthat). We've met countless people, I have several new e-mail buddies and new friends at camp who are also regulars.

Years ago, in regard to foreign travel, I'd read that if you travel solo you are more approachable and more likely to meet the locals than if you are in a self-contained group. I've found that also applies to travel within the U.S., especially campgrounds. Camping with friends is fun but I get more reading and relaxing done camping solo and certainly meet a lot more people.

My tips for a woman camping solo:

1. A well-patrolled campground with other campers around. Talk to the ranger(s), introduce yourself, and ask if they've had any security problems. Living in DC, most places and all campgrounds Outside the Beltway seem like Mayberry to me.

2. Research the campground. I personally wouldn't stay at a venue popular with speed boaters and jet skis or college kids. I'd rather stay at a campground on a lake that bans motors, is popular for fishing and canoeing (Douthat State Park) and is more family-oriented.

3. Carry Mace and keep "bear spray" in your teardrop. Even if I had a gun handy, I'd want the bear spray (REI and Cabela's) for a non-lethal means of self-defense.

4. Pack a good book.

5. Keep a travel journal. I've been keeping trip journals for foreign and domestic travel for a decade. Great way to stay in the moment, record experiences and plan future adventures.

6. Get a super bright flashlight. I'm a big fan of the Surefire flashlights and have a 6P, 9P, E2D Executive Defender and the G2 Nitrolon. That last one, the G2, is only $35 at LL Bean. The batteries are lithium with a shelf life of 10 years. These flashlights are incredibly bright, you'd blind an intruder with one. I consider them all a bargain because they've twice saved me and Gidget from skunks (of the 4-legged variety, who don't like bright light).

 

[oklahomajewel]

You girls rock!!!! What great input and brain storming, etc.

I think Barb or MJ should take Becca and 'hikerchick's points and compile them into an infomative sticky.

I've had some people ask about me going camping and "getting away from it all and having a nice weekend alone" ... I feel stupid to remind them that I'm single, no boyfriend, kids gone... I have ENOUGH lonely weekends alone.

I would love to have a ladies only gathering someday !!!!

 

[Pam Wright]

I camp alone! I have for years and will continue to. I love it! I have overnighted in Walmart many times, after letting the customer service desk know I am there and asking about their security, (I go one better, I call ahead, when planning my trip to make sure it is okay to overnight there). I have many spots (dispersed) in National Park land that I love to go to.... many times there is not another camper for miles. This is my "re-group" time. a good book, a new magazine, my cross-stitching and of course Whiki, the mighty schnauzer watch dog! Now Brandie is with me some, but she's growing up so fast that I have to schedule time for her to go. But I'll keep on going, and I have to admit, it is very rarely in a "campground". I am leary and uncomfortable being alone with a lot of people around that I do not know. I would use the "someone is joining me" line, if I was feeling uneasy. I do not carry a gun either, maybe I should. Camping is my passion, I'll go, with or without friends.

pam

 

[Gaelen]

Gaelen wrote:

If I ever am awakened by someone standing over me in bed, I pray it's Brad Pitt.

hehehe...actually, that wasn't me--I'm more the Mel Gibson or David Boreanaz type.
That's not to say that I'd kick Brad out of the trailer, though...

 

[oklahomajewel]

If I ever am awakened by someone standing over me in bed, I pray it's Brad Pitt.

I'm waiting for Kevin Costner to crawl in bed with me....

 

[S. Heisley]

Besides enjoying the pic of Hiker Chick's pooch, I just learned two things from her:

- I didn't know there was a bear spray and will definitely look into that!
- I didn't know that skunks hate bright lights.

Thanks!

 

[S. Heisley]

OklahomaJewel wrote:

I think Barb or MJ should take Becca and 'hikerchick's points and compile them into an infomative sticky.

This is an absolutely great idea!

 

[Hiker Chick]

Besides enjoying the pic of Hiker Chick's pooch, I just learned two things from her:

- I didn't know there was a bear spray and will definitely look into that!
- I didn't know that skunks hate bright lights.

Thanks!

REI and Cabela's are good sources for bear spray. I've been carrying it on my backpack's hip belt for years when we hike. Less out of concern for bears than for it's utility in defending against two-legged animals.

I also keep bear spray on my nightstand at home and on my bike's handlebars at night.

Cabela's has this kit which includes bear spray and two MACE canisters

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... ISO-8859-1

Or they offer just the bear spray. I like the neoprene holder this comes with because it fits securely on my bike's handlebars when I ride home from work in the dark.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... ISO-8859-1

REI sells bear spray in two sizes, here's the smaller one. They sell the holster separately.

http://www.rei.com/product/623173

 

[Hiker Chick]

More info on skunks and how to deter them can be found at these links:

http://www.nativeanimalrescue.org/index ... &Itemid=13

Skunks are normally very predictable and easily manipulated. Hereʼs how to convince them to leave:

Place a light source such as a lamp, drop light or flashlight where you suspect the skunks are staying, so their home is well lit at night. Skunks are nocturnal and donʼt like light. At the same time, play a radio as loud as is comfortable for you and place several ammonia soaked rags in the general vicinity of the suspected den. Basically, what you are doing is making the skunks den unappealing to the skunk and they will readily move to more a more friendly home.


http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Get-Ri ... id=1262389

Skunk repellents

* Bright light - Skunks are nocturnal and prefer to stay hidden, flooding an area with light can be an effective deterrent. Use flood lights in combination with motion sensors.

* Automated sprinklers - Contech manufactures a device called 'The Scarecrow' which is essentially a sprinkler attached to a motion sensor that will spray any animals that wander into your yard.

* Spicy pepper solutions - Pepper sprays are reported to work well but must be reapplied every few days to remain effective.

* Commercial repellents - There are many available types, people have also reported success with commercial dog and cat repellents.

 

[Arne-TNT]

I was camping last month in VT and saw the cutest little skunk. must have been from this years breeding... it was cute because it was not in my camp site....

Wonder how they stay so clean?

 

[Arne-TNT]

I travel alone once in a while. With dog. If I am concerned about someone coming up to me (extremely rare), I tell them to stay back as the dog is vicious and has bitten people (the one wagging it's tail)..... I talked to a k9 state trooper once about his dog. My take was, a person might give the trooper a hard time... that same person will rarely give the dog a hard time. He agreed. Teeth hurt.... a lot.

Also, I bought some pepper spray from a gun shop. It is not the little wimpy squirt type. It is a bit taller and about 3 times the diameter, and it sprays a fog about 3 feet in diameter (I've tested it).

In a moment of potential danger, this one is much more likely to hit the target.

This is the closest one I could find to mine. It is a 'fogger', not a 'squirter'.

http://mace.com/index.php/product/index/id/22

 

[CAJUN LADY-TNT]

Uh, Hiker Chick...why do you have bear spray on your nightstand?

 

[Hiker Chick]

Uh, Hiker Chick...why do you have bear spray on your nightstand?

I live in Washington, D.C.

Until recently, self-defense with a gun was illegal.

 

[Mary K-TNT]

Great Subject. Lets not forget Ladies, we do have other options. Although I have not camped by myself, I do have one of these.

This one does not shoot out wires and you have to be up close to use it.

But here are some that do "shoot" AND make a fashion statement.

Here is a link Tasers for Ladies

Food for Thought if you are not comfortable with a gun.

Mk

 

[CAJUN LADY-TNT]

Uh, Hiker Chick...why do you have bear spray on your nightstand?

I live in Washington, D.C.

Until recently, self-defense with a gun was illegal.

Ahhh....wasn't thinking about the 2 legged creatures.

 

[kayaklover]

I love traveling and camping alone. I can read a book all day if I want , eat when I want ,and sleep when I want to. It's a great way to relax. Or if I feel like spending the day at a farm auction I don't have to get back to camp to feed the kids. It makes for some nice "me time" to recharge for the week ahead.
I only had trouble one time when I was skiing up near Ely Mn. and went to a casino and won some money. A guy followed me out to my van and was peeking in the windows. Security saw him on the cameras and came out to check on me and asked if I knew the guy. I told them "no" and they hauled him away.

Casinos, rest stops , and other places that have good security cameras can be a girls best friend when traveling alone. I like sleeping cheap or free when I'm not setting up camp and just on the move. I have also found truck stops to be OK for a little boondocking. If a place feels creepy I won't stay there and will find a motel parking lot . They also tend to have pretty good security.

Camping in state park campgrounds up north here seems to be pretty safe and I have never had any trouble. I do like the bear spray idea though as I have had trouble with animals taking food. I just hid in my tent ( back b4 I discovered the wonderful world of teardropping) and let them eat.

 

[Miriam C.]

Good morning ladies. I have split and made Galen's list a sticky. Feel free to add to it.

 

[Ivar the Red]

I have also found truck stops to be OK for a little boondocking.

Be careful doing that, I drove a 18 wheeler coast to coast and there were some of those I wouldn't stay in. And I carried a .357 Mag under my truck seat.