BACKPACKING SOLO: 10 Mile Backpacking Trip Alone 

I want to start backpacking sooo bad, it looks like great personal “therapy” and you are inspiring me so much!

Thanks for watching! 💚 I hope you enjoyed the lake views and the mountains that I call home 😍

Amanda! Are you kidding me right now? So. Freakin. Good. You are so talented and you are working so hard on these videos. Listen friend, without struggle the good times have a diminished value. Just came back from a run and feeling a bit defeated. I am 27 lbs into a 55 lb weight loss journey that will hopefully end with my first marathon. Your words and your creations are inspiring. Thanks a million.

Great video Amanda, you hit the nail on the head with your summary of love for hiking that driving force of yes it is hard, you mentally have to keep pushing yourself and not a lot of people are not able to do that and still see the beauty in where you are. This is one of the things that I love about it, and why it is special and not for everyone. If I’m tired from lack of sleep the night before and everything’s sore I still wake up with a glass half full attitude. 😊

Really loved this video! I just got back from a 4 night backpacking trip in Rocky Mountain National Park which was our longest backpacking trip yet, our first in bear country, and our first hiking in altitude, so I was so nervous, but you are absolutely right about doing hard things. I keep coming back to that thought since I've been home as well, that it is so great to challenge ourselves. Happy trails!

I really like how you described the struggle, and the importance of persevering. I hiked the ice lake trails this past weekend and wanted to die on a couple of occasions, which is something you don’t realize when you watch people hiking it in videos or photos. I definitely reached a moment where I wanted to turn back. I had to fight my mind to keep going, such a mental game. And the feeling of accomplishment afterwards is worth every physical discomfort I’m feeling now. I think it would have hurt my soul more if I didn’t finish. 💜 inspiring channel with many tips I’ve adopted! Genuine thanks!

What a beautiful hike. Thank you for taking us along and for sharing your thoughts. It's true, sometimes you wonder what the heck am I doing out here but the hard is worth doing and gives you the feels.

How do you overcome fear of danger doing solo trips? Most of the time i'm more concerned about other people as opposed to bears/wildlife.

I love this. Every time I attempt to go hiking I talk myself out of it of fear running into a bear or the wrong human... I wish I wasn't so scared to do this.

10:00 I can’t stop staring at that tree

“The importance of doing hard things” hits different

The huge difference is the drone footage. it creates a 3D image, like another level of detail. Keep it up please 😚

I clicked on this and then realized that I already watched it, but I can’t click off 😍 this is so well down Amanda. The drone footage is such a nice addition.

You describing how challenging it can be is really motivating. I started backpacking last year and my asthma really slows me down. However, those challenging moments are part of the journey and they are what make you feel alive when you reach those magical moments. The rain, the gold hands, the unpreparedness are part of the experience. Thanks for sharing that it is not always easy for you.

This is an absolutely gorgeous location. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I love what you're saying about the importance of doing hard things. I can't tell you how many times I've cried on a trail because it was hard, but I kept going and then cried again when I had done it

I'm so inspired. My brain tells me I could never do this. We live in Alaska and moose and bear are big camping problem. But even the wind making the tent dusty inspires me and makes me want to go more. I love doing challenging things! Good for you!

Amanda, you are so awesome. I stumbled on your blog while looking for things I can do around Utah. I love the effort and quality you put into your work. You inspire me.

So I guess you have your drone and your selfie-stick with you. I love going out into nature like this and not seeing any other humans :D

Just wanted to say THANK YOU. After watching your videos,i did a 20mile hike in Asheville, NC . ( solo) til then..may our adventures take us more into peace. To anyone reading this...GO OUTSIDE! 😊🙏

Love from Ontario, Canada! Your videos, music and narration take us out of this world. We may not be able to visit the locations you have gone to, it is the learning from your experience that matters for us. It is my husband who goes solo, but he does take our dog along for company. I accompany him on shorter and easier hikes only :-)

Amazing footage! Solo backpacking is great! Gives time for the 3 R’s. Reflect, Relax, and Recharge!

Wowww....you are so valient and Great....thank you for sharing youre experiences AND tour meaning. Blessings from México City!!!!

Beautiful scenery and thoughtful comments along the hike. Thanks for sharing.

Nice video. It brings back memories. I've hiked hundreds of miles alone in Utah---just grab a ground cloth and sleeping bag and a few supplies and head out. Your trip looked like the Wasatch. You'd enjoy the Uintas as well.

You have confidence. I think you know your stuff! Thank you

The importance of doing hard things - you said it perfectly. The most physically and mentally challenging hikes have led to my greatest personal growth. Hearing and feeling your body tell you you can't do something, and then doing it anyway ... what a way to build grit, strength, and perseverance. Beautiful video Amanda.

Back packing alone is one of my favorite things to do. #1 -You must be very careful not to get hurt. #2 -Make sure you tell people EXACTLY where you are going and time of return. Follow those two rules and it'll give you a good chance of surviving if something happens. Besides that, it's a great experience being alone in the wilderness.

Lovely drone shots, I really like your music choice...it gives nature a majestic ambiance.

I subscribed right away. Unusual for me. Here's what I observed. A very thoughtful deep thinking moral person. Young, bright, and energetic. Whats not to like?

I enjoy watcing hiking videos... this is different than the usual... I see people hiking 20-30 miles day after day on PCT, AT, etc and that is beyond my ability... I admire it, but for me 10-15 miles is a good hard day.... this is only 5 miles in 2 days, but sure looks like epic fun... great video & production work.

This is truly beautiful country.

Your a bad axx! You go girl.. I go horse camping by myself and my family and friends give me an earful on why I shouldn't. I understand that there's safety in numbers but if I waited for others to get it together to go with I might not get a chance to go at all. Love all the info you provide on camping, cooking outdoors, etc. Keep being you! You're fabulous and inspirational like you are.😊

You are one brave lady, thank you for taking us through your beautiful journey ❤

Absolutely beautiful scenery. Makes me miss the Big Horns. Nice production.

This video captures everything I love about the outdoors. Beautifully shot.

You described exactly why we day hike. It’s hard. We can. Be thankful you have the ability to do it. ❤️

In a few weeks I’m taking my 13 year old daughter on her first overnight backpacking trip. She’s excited! We’ll watch your challenge together.

Awesome! Your videos are a big inspiration for me, I’ve been living in Yellowstone and started a small backpacking channel. I’ll be traveling around for the next few years to different National Parks with a thru-hike every couple years. Thanks for all you do!

"That's a good thing.". Words of wisdom.

" Exploring" my favorite word and activity when I go out on the trail or camp, thanks for sharing and greetings from this small rural town somewhere in Mexico!

Beautiful video, love the aesthetic, the music and the thoughts about doing hard things. My only hesitancy to solo backpacking is wildlife while I’m sleeping. One solo camping trip I was terrified there was a bobcat right outside my tent (they were local to the area) and spent a half an hour lying in my sleeping bag trying to decide what to do (make noise? Stay quiet and hope it goes away? Shine some light? Will that scare it or will it come to investigate?), finally catching a glimpse in the moonlight that they were just raccoons who I then scared off. It was a great trip but I’ve been hesitant to do it again because that genuine fear is not something I’m keen to experience again

Thanks for this video, Amanda. Such a great video and a great message as well. Videos like this keep me motivated to pursue my goal of backpacking alone -- this year is the year! And it's great to know there are other women out there who actually enjoy hiking alone :)

Yes, the wilderness reminds you that we are modern day guests in a harsh unforgiving environment. I find that backpacking brings this to the forefront of the mind, so as to not take for granted the conveniences that have invaded our space. Our experience is tied to the uncomfortable nature of survival in a strange land. Loved the video!

Amanda I am really enjoying this format of video you are creating. It is very inspiring to me. Nature has a lot of wisdom to share with those that are willing to listen, like putting things in perspective and being thankful. I am thankful for the time you have invested to package your experiences and share some wisdom with the masses. Cheers!

Love your comment about the excitement about exploring - YES! That's why backpacking is so great; you hike to a great spot where you stay long enough to make yourself at home and get to know your surroundings. Just love it!

Wow I just started watching you and your friend thank you I miss hiking. I use to work in yellowstone and I did a lot of overnight trips . I can't wait to see all your bids love what I seen and god bless you guys. I'll keep you guys on my prayers

It’s so nice to see a solo backpacking video from a woman! I’m about to go on my first solo through hike soon and I’m so excited 😁

Love this! My soul has been calling to get out in nature by myself. Hoping to get out a few times this summer. 😍

That is so unbelievably pretty! I live in NY and the mountains here are pretty too but damn the west coast just seems like a whole other planet. Travel goals for sure! Great video

Great video. I love that spot. About 25 years ago I had a spot like this in NorCal. Then one summer day I showed up for my annual week-long survival trip and there were paved roads, showers with flushing toilets and cars and people everywhere! Glad you found such a nice spot. Keep up the excellent video work.

This makes me miss backpacking so much!

Your video is so relaxing and the music was perfect.

Hi Amanda...🙋‍♀️I love the music you chose for this video! And thank you for being so candid and transparent...I appreciated your words. 🤗😊

Very well-done video. Good mixture of drone footage with long camera shots (I really admire backpackers who take the time to put the camera in place, walk back, and hike again - or walk away and go back for the camera.). Your choice of music and the way you wove it into the narrative was excellent. The scenery (grand and small) was wonderful (You have a good eye for that!) and you truly became a part of it. I loved the commentary at the end of the day and the end of the video. It was humble, open, and inspiring. I love hiking alone for all the reasons you talked about, but mostly because the wilderness becomes a metaphor for my walk through life. It allows me to leave my faults and failings behind, to get closer to God, and to get real with who I am and who I am becoming as I push through the trials of the trail and experience the triumphs of the summits and the quiet of the campsite at the end of the day. Your video reminded me of all that. I'm glad I stumbled onto it. I plan to watch more. Again, great job, Amanda!

Doing hard things where there’s a real risk of failure is important. It pushes you to work hard and problem solve. Thank you for sharing this wonderful trip.

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

Hi Amanda, I respect you so much for doing what you are doing and you seem like such a wise person for someone so young or at least much younger than me. I am in my seventies and have been hiking and backpacking all my life and it has made me a better and healthier person. I don’t backpack much anymore, but i still dayhike several times a week here in Northern California, although it’s a little smoky at the present time. Hang in there and keep on doing what you are doing!

I can’t wait to do this

Wonderful message! Our first world is built around ‘ease of living’ but when the inevitable hard times come, coping is far more difficult.

Solitude is a gift.

I'm soo jealous. I love living in Iowa but we definitely don't have beautiful mountains like this! Enjoy it

Outstanding

Somethings hiking alone is better then with someone else 🤙

Looks like a lot of fun.

What a beautiful spot! Wow!

Today I learned a new word challenginesss, challenge would have done ! Love your healthy appetite !

Thank you; I'm enjoying your videos

This was beautiful, thank you for sharing your trip!

As someone branching out to camp more by myself its always nice to tune in to a solo hike for reassurance !

Kudos, keep up the good work. Hiking solo is so rewarding, it challenges us in so many ways.

Amanda, a collapsible funnel travels well and would make waterfalls easier to siphon from! LOVE this and ALL your cooking (no ice, no cook) videos ROCK! And then THIS one?! You are such an inspiration that I can't wait to go solo, too. Signed- Total Greenhorn :D

it is a beautiful scene and the song is also good match with your video.

Nice video! Awesome place to camp for sure!! And wow your cook kit is HUGE!

This really captures the essence of the backcountry experience. Thanks.

First video I have watched on your channel. I like how you talk about the challenges of hiking and backpacking. It is the challenges and doing something difficult that gives you a feeling of accomplishment.

Thanks for showing the struggle and hard work, which makes those amazing views so worth it.

Your videos are like an escape

Loved this trip of yours! You found another great spot. Don’t you just love the power that comparative experience gives you? “Well, if I can trek over this difficult terrain, and not be rattled by the obstacles that the environment throws at me, then I can certainly...(insert lesser challenge here.)” Thanks for taking us along!

Thoroughly enjoyed your adventure. I hike all the time, but I do only day hikes and really want to start backpacking. Thank you for inspiring me to finally get going and have my own adventures!

Fantastic video and amazing scenery.

I'm 65 now and come from the era of pre video, the challenges you encounter are the real deal, and you quite rightly don't take them lightly and we cannot take them for granted if we truly respect and appreciate the outdoors so if its hard its worth it. My first experience of mountaineering nearly resulted in my death at fifteen I was in North Wales staying in a converted cow shed that served as a mountain hut that belonged to Liverpool probation service, it was the depths of a British winter and we were there for the weekend our route was a traditional one known as the Snowden horseshoe three peaks combined altitude was fourteen thousand feet duration of eight hours to complete the route. I was on the final peak called central trinity when I lost my footing lucky I was belayed and saved by a rope and an ice axe and a leader who knew what he was doing frightened the life out of me at the time but I was hooked for life

Looks beautiful there.

You are very inspirational. I’ve been watching your videos a lot lately trying to learn everything i can so that I can go backpacking sometime.

Didn't look like that much dirt... UNTIL you touched your sleeping pad. 😂 What a beautiful hike, though. Looks absolutely worth it.

Thank you for the video. This makes me feel better to go hiking by myself.

Just wonderful. Enjoying nature is for those who like it, not for those who want it. (Tarley Persan)

Just awesome! What a wonderful journey. I know the windy nights can be tough with the dust, but so worth the experience. "Less reactive" ... a great benefit for us all. Thank you for the video!

Awesome video. Thanks for the upload 😃

White Pine Lake! So amazing to have such scenic hikes so close to town. I grew up in Salt Lake City and I miss it. Incredible video!

Thank you for sharing!!!

Wow!! I enjoy your video. The scenery is awesome. And you are so brave!! At first i was looking for outdoor yoga video then i came to your channel. I like yoga and outdoor. But your videos about real outdoor "life" and backpacking challenge gimme a different perpestive about being strong, confident, selfcare and enjoyment. Thanks Amanda!! You are brave and inspiring.

A wonderful solo hike.. spending time alone and happy. Thanks

Wow! Very inspiring. Just got my first Osprey Backpack and did my first backpacking/base camping in Sequoia. One day, i will reach your level.

type 2 fun- yesss

I love watching your videos. The few times that I have gone backpacking I loved it. I miss it. Your videos let me kind of go.

Wow- first time I’ve seen your channel and was very impressed! Great scenery and camera skills- will be watching more.

Hello Amanda, Very cool video. Nicely done, I really enjoyed watching! A little hack that you may know: the Smartwater bottles have a thread that fit the filter that you use. I find them a lot more convenient than the bags that come with the filter. I usually pack a pair of empty ones that I flatten in my pack. They are much easier to fill than the bags.

This was so awesome to see. I can’t wait to get home from school this semester so I can go on adventures like this in my own mountains!

Nice video, beautiful location. Tiny bit of unsolicited advice: When you are putting your stove together hold the stove and spin the gas bottle, this will enable you to make the connection seal faster and reduce the (potentially dangerous) wasteful gas leakage. Don't worry about the dust and sap and yak shit you're not an adventurer until you are filthy. Keep at it you looked really happy, you've got all the kit you need now (although that plastic spork will break soon and you'll buy a titanium spoon ) so you can do less work to earn money so your happiness can grow exponentially.

Perfect video work and beautiful scenery. Good chat and great attitude about everything!