Overcome Backpacking Fears and Avoid Being Scared Of The Woods At Night 

My biggest fear Matty is usually towards the end of the trip and I remember I have to go back to work. That is terrifying and I like my job.

Most of the people I talk to have a hard time sleeping because of the night noise. The smaller the animal the more noise they make typically and those are the ones who like to visit camp. I wear ear plugs anytime I am sleeping. Happy Hiking!

I used to have a fear of cougars, but have found that they tend to leave you alone when you get older. 😁😉 Seriously, though, a USB chargeable light is generally the way to go, with a coin cell (CR- 2016 or CR-2032 batteries) are excellent back- up lights. The batteries are lithium for cold weather performance, and are used in wrist watches and small bicycle lights, so are readily available. I have one clipped to my shoulder strap. Very lightweight and unobtrusive. Extra batteries are a good idea, but if your headlamp poops out after dark, you'll still need to be able to see to replace the dead batteries. A Nightcore USB chargeable headlamp is on my wish list to simplify my hiking life. Good stuff Matty! Keep 'em coming!👍

Matty, for us noobs, thank you for actually SHOWING us how to call out, instead of just saying it. Yesterday I was day hiking the Ice Age Trail in northern WI, where we have black bears, but I wasn’t expecting any in this area. I saw something running out of the corner of my eye on a separate trail that was above me that was medium sized, black, and fluffy. My first thought was a dog and I waited to hear its owner pass by. When that didn’t happen, I thought “bear!” And then I remembered this video, and for the rest of the hike, all wildlife knew I was coming!

hey i just came accross your video while researching abt fears of woods. I wanted to say that your vids are great :) Personally i have more irrational fears of monsters or psychos in the woods and thats what scares me at night alone in the hammock or the tent ....

Thanks for making this video. My guy loves the outdoors and took me out overnight. I couldn't sleep even a wink. I love nature but dislike the crippling feeling of the "what if's.." I want to start hiking and hope to overcome my fears!!

My biggest fear is running into a Canadian yelling Hey BEAR! down here in the states..... :)😂

What I did, that helped quite a bit was going hiking with friends first, when it got dark it wasn't as creepy as if i was alone. By the time i did it with friends the 3rd time i found myself a mile out of camp at 11pm foraging for fatwood

Living in Yellowknife Canada going on 11 years now, and being in the backpacking camping bush craft survival craft going on six years now. It was a little unnerving for me when I first got into it, Thinking oh crap am I going to run into a bear is a wood bison gonna bowl me over? To be honest for the first year I stayed well within my comfort zone, and then slowly ventured out a little farther and a little farther until now I go totally off the beaten path and it’s always wild camping and wild bushwhacking. Trail marking tape is your best friend! I ran into a black bear once eating out of a berry bush he looked at me sniffed up in the air and then ran away into the bush I’ve had coyotes circling my camp at night in the winter howling their arse is off lol. This is now my comfort zone, But I’m not ready to be dropped off in a bush plane somewhere remote! I tend to like sticking to reality and not fantasy because unfortunately there’s a lot of people out there who fantasize. I learned real quick from watching lots of videos and talking to lots of people survival starts at home even if it’s just for a day hike take the necessary gear you might need for that unexpected night in the woods, Sorry for the long winded spiel new subscriber by the way thanks fellow Canadian

Keep in mind you are in their ( The Critters ) living room when you are out on the trail. Have respect , keep a clean camp and for the most part they will leave you alone. Being really quiet I have had critters ( Raccoons , Possums , Armadillos and Foxes ) walk into my camp at night and even under my hammock and myself. They left since there wasn't anything there for them. I have a Concealed Weapon Permit and the weapon stays home , my BIG can of Bear spray goes with me. It's non lethal , can be used on anything with four legs or with only two legs. The 4 legged critters don't worry me , they disappear into the brush. It's the 2 legged ones I don't trust , comes from 27 years in Law Enforcement. There's nothing more relaxing at night then the rain hitting my rain fly and the night sounds , especially if a Owl sounds off somewhere in the swamp.

Your thumbnail was scary. Love that you talk about bear spray being the last line of defense. The heebeejeebees are legit!

cool stuff i use to be afraid of the forrest at night but now i go out all the time i even post my night walks on my channel.

I always have the fear of peoples reactions when they see my ultralight pack, quilt, pad and tent, and then notice my jetboil...

Thank you, I started getting into camping/backpacking last year i tried to go once a month, usually solo. The first half of the year was certainly a learning experience but it was really fun! though a little stressful. but the last few attempts, ive been very paranoid and fearful, especially of cougars (im on vancouver island, where we have the highest population densistiy in all of north america), and i just get so freaked out, even by the thought a human will come by and have bad intentions. I will say that after buying a tent...it did help to sleep not so out-in-the open, although im much easier to spot, it was good to have somewhere safe feeling, as opposed to 'cowboy camping'

Hey Matty, I'm from Toronto and i like to fish at night by myself. This helped me out a lot. Thanks a bunch ⚡

Great video...earned a new Sub from a fellow Canadian. Thanks for the useful information for someone getting into hiking and such.👍

Another tip, if you are cooking food(other than freeze dried). Clean your pots or pans away from your tent.

Winter camping solves the bear issues. When camping in summer, you can use a small UDAP electric bear fence to help you sleep at night. Won't stop them but it will give even a grizzly pause before it comes into your tent...you'll hear it at least and it would give you time to grab your spray. Hanging an empty tin can off your belt with a rock in it makes enough noise for most animals to hear you coming.

If I was in Canada, I would be terrified to solo camp. on the AT, I think I will be more afraid of people!!

Totally agree 👍 I used to have a hard time sleeping at night mainly fear of the unknown, until I realized the wildlife are generally way more afraid of humans. I just play my small radio overnight low to drown out the noises now.

Outstanding video- subscribed

Really enjoy your trip videos Matty, really get a chance to see some beautiful landscapes I prolly will never get the chance to see. Respect your experience and the information and tips you give out. Wondered why moose didn’t make it into your animal encounter fears? My animal fears is stepping over a log onto a snake always put my trekking pole over the log first. Second animal fear is sitting on a black widow or a brown recluse in a privy. For me my biggest fear is a true accident where and ankle is turned or a knee is sprained, the unavoidable oh snap and how would I get myself out of this mess. Keep up the great work.

Congrats On your upcoming fatherhood Matty that's fantastic news. My two are the best thing that ever happened to me. Fears - Columbia Ground Squirrels - bastards got under my vestibule and dined on my boots (seriously) at Skoki. earplugs work wonders for a better nights sleep and just getting out and going solo to a familiar place near by helped me a lot. Your thoughts on bear bangers vs. bear spray ?

Great info. Thanks for sharing. I'm a new subscriber and I keep a YT channel and fb site for people living with disabilities who want to use backpacking and nature as a therapy. I recently had a question posted to my site about one gentleman's fears of moose after having one walk through his camp on one of his first outings. Which really freaked him out as it was in camp and the moose was literally a few steps away on the other side of his tarp. I'm an east coast Pennsylvania guy, so I've got absolutely no experience with moose, but I do know they have a reputation for being extremely aggressive especially during the rutting season. I'm going to share this video on my site, but if you have any advice I could pass on on this topic it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I am absolutely going to yell HEYYYY BEEEAAARRR on my next big hike and think of you 😂

My problem with considering solo hiking is two fold. First I'm afraid of creepy people, and second, as a sasquatch researcher - I know what's out there. I've seen three. And as weird as it is, if they know you know about them, they come around. If I'm solo hiking, I'd rather them not be around! I don't suppose you have any suggestions for this unusual scenario (besides being armed and carrying a Garmin InReach Mini for emergencies). Any ideas for camp site security?

Overcome your fear solo EASY carry a magnum revolver and a 8" blade survival knife. Also I always carry a proximity alarm(Ebay < $15) and solar garden light with motion sensor as well as a bright flashlight, first aid kit and mini cherry bomb firework. When I hear a noise I light one and throw it out of my tent if the bang does not scare whatever is outside then it is magnum time.

How to overcome fear of someone from outside of your tent asking you “How to get to the Bells canyon?” in the middle of the night?

Oh ya.. i subbed

Poison ivy on the buttocks was always my biggest fear. Good tips man, thanks for sharing. Stay safe and good adventures. 👍✌

Being a solo female, my biggest fear is predatory men. I do carry, but aside from that, how do I let go of that fear? 😕

I m more worried because of bad people

One fear I get... That I wasn't aware of is when your out and about in even a local state park that you've been to a few times. An hour or 2 so walk in any direction and your out. But when your off the trail just exploring and things suddenly get... Weird. You start to feel very unwelcomed and even a sense of danger creeping up in you. Like the trees themselves don't like you. There something your gut telling you to get outta there it's not where you should be. When your truly alone. And it's not like exploring the woods at night where the is an inheritant creepy feeling to it. It's just a strange and odd feeling. Like turn and run. I have gotten this feeling twice. Almost like anxiety but I'm not an anxious or nervous person. I found that sitting there and watching and listening. And getting familiar settles. But the other time I just turned back and couldn't jack the feeling. Anyone else ever get this?

I just don’t like being in the night in general for some reason when it gets dark I just have this anxiety waft over me, I know Im safe but it’s an irrational anxiety. Any tips on how to get over this?

I have no problem sleep alone in wood at night. I slept hard same a bear.

My biggest fear isnt animals its cosmic horrors, my imagination runs riot at night.

3:37 LMAOOO

Lol I sleep with a 44 magnum and ar pistol that will take care of anything that surprises me in the night

AFRAID TO LEAVE THE HOUSE MATTY anxiety is a bastard but i am working on it

Lol. You couldn't get me to wear ear plugs at night in the woods. To me that's like closing your eyes while driving.

Out of curiosity are you allowed to carry a firearm in Canada if you so chose to?

Heebie jeebies it my biggest fear.

Lmao! Darn Canadian!

We want them scared!! Keep them out of the woods!! To many dimwits have found their way into the woods lately anyhow!! Thanks Covid!!

What about storing cannabis? Would a bear want to eat weed?? Just curious..😲 😆🐻🧸🐻‍❄️

My biggest fear is other people in the woods.

Make noise till there's feral pigs or wild boar that do not give a crap

i dont "fear" animals but why would anyone say the last line of defense they want is bear spray ?????? its like skydiving with a parachute thats opens 33% of the time instead of taking the one that opens 99,5% of the time

Matty ? lol. Earplugs ? So we can just be killed without warning ? Dumb advice