7 Important Backpacking Tips for Adventurous Women

As a woman, there may be times where you tell your friends that you’re going on a backpacking journey and they’ll answer “who are you going with?”. But everything is the exact opposite when a man tells this to his friends. Instead, he’ll receive encouragement and will be praised for going out alone. Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean you can’t do things a man can do right? Now that’s an unfair thing when it comes to gender equality. Women can do it too! Backpacking on your own gives you that rewarding feeling that you achieved something without the help of others.

So what are the things to do to backpack safely as a woman? Below are seven essential tips that you can follow so that your journey goes smoothly and enjoyable.

  1. Maintain a Good Body Posture

  • You’ll less likely encounter any difficult situations during your journey when you feel confident to yourself. But if you do find yourself in a sticky situation, root your feet hip-width apart and firmly to the ground. Keep your head up and look forward, and make sure your shoulders and arms are as square as possible.
  1. Choose the Right Clothing

  • When it comes to going into an adventure on your own, it’s important to wrap yourself with the right clothing as possible. Having bare shoulders or knees, or even a deep neckline can draw unwanted attention. Choosing the proper clothing is a good rule of thumb. But if you’re unsure what to wear and what’s not, you can look up dress codes online and see which clothing is best. You can also ask local women in your area who has an experience on backpacking for advice.
  1. Keep in Touch with Other Women

  • In case being alone is not your thing, you can ask other women to accompany you during your journey. It doesn’t matter if it’s just the two of you or a small group as long as you have company. If you’re single, wear a ring that can act as a wedding band. Whenever a creep or an unfamiliar guy approaches you where you’re being questioned about your status, tell that you’re married and he’ll definitely stay away.
  1. Trust Your Instincts

  • If ever you feel that something’s not right, always trust your instincts as it’s the only thing that can help you in case you’re in survival mode.
  1. Stay Away from No-Go Areas

  • If you happen to reach a place where you have a really bad feeling about it, don’t go there and find another path that’s safe to go on. Remember not to lose yourself during your journey. The old saying goes “curiosity killed the cat” and I’m sure you don’t want that to happen to you right?
  1. Be Cautious of What You Drink

  • Strangers or unfamiliar persons are everywhere. If you happen to stumble upon one and they offer a drink to hydrate yourself, always choose to say “no” most especially if you’re having doubts. Remember that you’re a woman, and rape is a thing especially in places that are far away from people.
  1. Listen to Other Travelers

  • You’ll eventually meet other backpackers along the way. If you ever feel lost, feel free to ask them for guidance. These people have a lot of experience in this kind of thing, and for sure they’ll be happy to share some tips and provide you with their insights.