If you read last week, you know we are solo car camping and Food Partying! in the great outdoors – Colorado and the Southwest.
For the last few years I’ve noticed an increase in woman, of all ages, camping on their own, and this year I’ve seen a new exciting trend, woman camping with their teenager daughters. It’s inspiring to see other woman doing it for themselves, even though I’ve been practicing the habit over 30 years. Something about a woman setting up her own tent makes me smile.
So after camping in a row of ALL women at Cottonwood Hotsprings outside of Buena Vista, CO, I decided to ask why they do it. Sushmita (29 years old from Denver) was the youngest of “Ladies Camp.” This was only her second time camping solo, out for just the night. She was the first woman of Indian heritage I have ever seen camp alone. When I noticed her pounding in tent spikes with a rock, I couldn’t help but think of my younger self doing the exact same thing for years. I offered my hammer (the FIRST camp trip I’ve brought one). It took me 30 years to realize rocks weren’t up for the task and I hoped to spare Sushmita from the same arduous fate. That started our conversation.
ME: Hi, I write for a local newspaper in Silicon Valley and we’re doing a story about women camping solo. Can I ask why you do it? Aren’t you afraid?
SUSHMITA: I do it because I want to! I’m new to it, but like spending time on my own. I’ll absolutely do it again. I stay in camps with other people to be safe.
Ann (32, from Denver) and had a lot to say when I asked her the same question.
ANN: I do it because I can go anywhere and do anything I want to. If I want to go to Crested Butte (1.5 hr drive) for my favorite bagel sandwich – I can do it. I do it because I have confidence in myself. I always felt out of place in school because I seemed to have more confidence, but Mom said it would pay off in the long run. She was right!
You know, I just can’t wait for someone else to start living my life. Last time I camped solo, a women came up to me and said “I’ve been watching you set up all your stuff. It’s great to see you do your thing.” People watch what is going on, there’s a commerodery in camp.
Leanna (in her 50’s) was camping with a friend in her 40’s. When asked the same question she too had been camping solo for years and enjoyed being out on her own. She also only stays in structured campsites. I actually ran into her a week later camping solo in Colorado National Monument.
It was interesting how we all gave the same reasons for camping solo.
Whether you are traveling solo or not, food is definitely coming along for the ride. A few more thoughts about eating on the road:
Paper towels: I’m not a big fan of paper towels at home but at camp they really help. Most meals I just rinse my equipment with water, dry it with a paper towel, and burn the towels in the fire that night. Another joy of camping solo – less dishes to wash!
Forks: I prefer a metal fork for meals but never seem to be able to find one when I need it. Note to self: Don’t spend your whole trip looking for things or you’ll go nuts. Bring a few forks and store them in your car in different places for easier access. New for me this year is an extra stash of plastic forks kept in the glove compartment for backup.
Kitchen Box: I use a “small box system” in the car which makes finding things easier. One box is the “medicine cabinet,” two others hold back up food, and one is the all important “kitchen box,” filled with anything needed nightly (chefs knife, cutting board, peeler, dish towel, paper towels, bowl, coffee, coffee maker, etc). At camp I only need to bring out the kitchen box and supplement with backup food as needed. I use cardboard boxes mostly so if the Chili Crunch spills (it did) – I just throw the box away and get a new one. I also use a small plastic Tupperware placed on top of the ice in the cooler to protect anything I don’t want from swimming.
Staple foods: Some foods travel better than others. Here’s a few that hold up well: apples, oranges, cabbage, dark leafy greens, sprouts (in cooler box), carrots, cucumbers, snow peas, hard boiled eggs, lemons, limes, peanut butter.
More on water bottles: Bring 4 or 5 different shapes and sizes. You will use all of them. I suggest a wide mouth, insulated bottle that holds ice, a bottle with a clip to connect to your paddle board or wherever, a small bottle that’s easily carried in hand for quick hikes (i.e no fanny pack), and 1-2 bottles bike bottles if you bring one. A Camelback (backpack water holder) is also very helpful. In the car, the red bag holds my bottles straight up, increasing safety from possible spills.
More on stoves: New this year: I store my lighter in my stove so I don’t have to go looking for it every night (and this took 30 years to realize?) Note to self: Anything you use a lot of, i.e. lighters, forks, water bottles, phone charger, sun hats, etc, bring multiples. Inevitably they’ll get lost in the car or you will leave them somewhere.
Finally, train yourself to put everything back in basically the same spots in your car and you will spend A LOT less time looking for things. This is KEY to improving the camp experience.
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