Yes. Most hikers and backpackers up here in North Idaho carry bear mace and/or are carrying as we're a constitutional carry state. My wife and I love watching your videos and would love to do a hike with you sometime if you find yourself up here!
I ALWAYS carry bear spray and a four inch lightweight folding knife...not sure what I would do with that knife, but it makes me feel safer. If I encountered a Puma, though, you better believe I would have them both out.
Bear spray for sure. Also, prior to hiking I always let someone know my hiking location/plan. I hike often in Washington and along the Columbia Gorge as well. Favorite hike is at Mt Rainier snow and bench lake in June!
More solo hikes and solo camping trips please! Love to see more of your unique airbnb experiences too. How about a night in a nice airstream? Or a cabin in the wood? A boathouse? Anything!
Snowshoeing is such a good way to get into nature during the winter! It’s honestly very easy, as long as you can walk you won’t have any issues. Highly recommend :)
Solo hiker here! Some other folks have already mentioned attaching bear bells to your backback so that you make noise as you're moving. If I'm listening to music or something while I'm hiking I like to leave one ear free so that I can stay attuned to my surroundings. I always also include some kind of flashlight, headlamp, etc (something in addition to my phone), as well as a mylar blanket, emergency whistle, a bit of extra water, another hat/wool socks, etc in my bag in case of emergency. And I will always send someone my location details, info on the trail I will be hiking and an ETA on my expected return time so that someone can alert the authorities if I don't turn up within a reasonable timeframe from when I'd expected. With those simple precautions, solo hiking feels reasonably safe and is a wonderful treat! P.S. I moved away from WA a couple of years ago after living all around the Puget Sound (and getting to travel the state regularly) for over 15 years. Your videos have soothed my "homesickness" greatly, especially during this pandemic! Love that you're showing off central and eastern WA as well! Keep up the great content!
Some people wear bells to let wildlife know they’re there. Some play music on Bluetooth devices to make noise, and you could always holler every so often haha
I grew up in central/eastern Washington and now we live in north Idaho. I absolutely love seeing the area through your lens. It's nice to be reminded of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place.
Solo hiking is something I love. My favorite places to hike solo are Scotland and Germany because I feel a bit more safe and less worries about random snakes and gators. In Utah or Florida, I like being in groups.
Ughhhh to live on the west coast and have these kind of hikes everywhere you go!!!!! I love this little series of hikes in your home state, it makes me wanna explore mine!
I totally feel you on the solo backpacking! I've only done it once and it was a really popular hike. You're right - bear spray is important and a GPS tracking device like an "in reach" is a great security blanket if nothing else! And I think the biggest danger when hiking alone is getting injured or becoming disoriented so be prepared for that as well. I used to live in CDA and a Silver Mountain is a great place for trying out snowshoeing :)
Steamboat rock is my favorite state park to go to in the summer! Banks is always so warm and there's great cliff jumping and deep water solo-ing there! Also if you do the hike in the summer do it early, before it's hot or it's killer
My family has made an annual trip to bankslake every summer for the past 40 years and I've ALWAYS wanted winter photos of the peak of that hike! Your so lucky you got them and it looks great in the summer but I might have to say it loonef more beautiful in this video! 😍😍
I think solo hiking is super cool as long as you make sure you’re prepared for scenarios where you might get injured or lost. (Have ways to make fire, shelter, etc.) I recently watched Extreme Rescues on Hulu and it made me realize how a casual hike can turn into a life or death situation. As far as wildlife preparedness goes I would play something on a speaker to create noise. And of course research the animals in the area so you know what to do if you encounter them. Love the video! Stay safe.
Snow shoes is kind of like that, and it can be a little challenging physically. Its always good to start on trails that are a little packed down and with little incline. Once you know what to expect and how it feels you can move up to incline and deeper snow. Also, wear snow pants. Snow kicks up at your legs The first time I went I wore jeans and the backs on my legs were soaked , freezing and caked in snow. I've worn snow pants ever since, no matter the weather.
I think it depends on the snowshoes you use! The first time I went they were old not great ones and that's exactly how it felt, but then I used newer more modern ones and it honestly felt like normal walking even though the powder was deep and we were going 7 miles up a mountain! Also- when hiking alone bear bells are your best friend!
I looked into bear bells once and some people were saying that they can attract curious bears and I was like NOPE. Maybe I'll look into it again though, I do like the idea of being noisy. Thanks for the snowshoe tips!
I'm a huge solo hiker -- I love getting away from all people and things. But it can be intimidating if you know you're in bear or mountain lion country by yourself miles from the trailhead or camping overnight. The worst I've come across by myself is a bobcat. Still, I'd recommend a bear bell, which is what I use. Sounds weird, but it gives me comfort and I've heard from more experienced hikers that they work. I also do carry bear spray if I'm in a the real backcountry, just as an added precaution. LOVING these hiking videos by the way. More please! Your content is always so good an informative!
Snowshoeing can be a little awkward but useful. I have a pair of Atlas Electras and they have an ascension step which is great when there is an incline. My snowshoes are also long enough to accommodate carrying a heavy backpack since I stay out overnight sometimes. Really, snowshoes will seem cumbersome if you are wearing them when they are not really needed (the trail is already packed down and you should just be wearing microspikes). If you are breaking trail on powder and actually need them, you will be grateful to not be sinking down to your thighs. Also, trekking poles in combination will greatly help prevent falls (since I hike with a tripod in hand I don't do this and occasionally fall on my face 🤣).
Have you tried hiking around Ancient Lakes near Quincy and Ebey's Landing on Whidbey Island in the winter/early spring? Lots to enjoy at these two locations. You can camp at Ancient Lakes.
Wow, in 1996 we did a family trip and drove along that highway along the water, and remember seeing "Steamboat Rock" that you climbed. Had no idea there is a trail that takes you up to the top. Would love to try it when I get out that way one day. I grew up in south eastern Washington State when I was little, Pullman WA (dad went to WSU and I remember seeing the cougar mascot), Bridgeport, Brewster, Ione, Wenatchee, Grand Coulee Dam etc...beautiful area. :) Enjoying your videos, thanks!
Hi! Washington native, solo hiker and I work with wild animals. Some of the things I do for solo hiking is bring a dog if you have one, play music on my phone so animals will hear me coming, or attach a strip of jingle bells to my backpack so they can also hear me. Since I work with wild animals I’m very comfortable with how to react appropriately if I did encounter larger wildlife, but you can’t go wrong with bear spray if it makes you feel more comfortable!
Def try snow shoeing. Not at all like wearing flippers. In fact it's just like walking. The hinge/pivot is on the front by your toes so it makes it easy to walk. Midnight snow shoeing (during full moon) is amazing. Def give it a go. You won't be disappointed.
So beautiful there! Thanks for the video. When the border opens again make your way to us here in Vancouver BC, and come see our lovely ocean and mountain views!
Absolutely stunning! Winter is absolutely my favorite time to hike both because there's often no one else on the trail and because I think snow dusted trees are just something magical. Just spent last weekend in the backcountry of Yosemite entirely alone! Also, snowshoeing is way less complicated than wearing flippers haha. If you find the right shoe, they're actually quite light and they are designed to keep your foot fairly mobile - they really make hiking in snow way easier! Would definitely recommend giving it a go :) - Elise
TH-cam Channel Goals! Stumbled upon this in my not-hiking-winter-boredom and love that you made it to my side of Washington State. Definitely motivating me to get outside now...
Allison! Super long time lurker here (from your beauty days) but girlllll all your recent videos are fire! You're getting me so excited to move to Washington!!! I would love to go hiking and backpacking with you when I arrive, especially because I've never been or lived in WA, so everything is new to me. Love you!
I always try to go hiking where I can see at least a person or two (not totally deserted trails), bringing a bell on my backpack so it can make noise and a bear spray. When you see mountain goats, go need to around them no matter what gear go have. Greetings from the western Washington 👋
Sometimes in the winter I just need a kick in the butt to get outdoors. Once outside, I almost always love it! It's just hard to get out the door when it seems cold outside! :-) Thanks! Great video, and those leggings look amazing!
Hi Allison! I've been following since the makeup days and I love this travel, lifestyle turn that your channel has taken! It's been exactly what I've wanted to see while everything is closed down because pandemic. I appreciate and love the local trips just as much as the international travel and I hope to see more! Washington has always been on my travel bucket list and your video format helps me determine what I would like to see and what I would like to do while there. Thank you for sharing! I know creating feels stifling and like you're beating your head against a wall sometimes, but when you do produce content I enjoy and appreciate it! Much love to you and yours :)
Definitely try snowshoeing, it's really not hard to get the hang of! It's pretty much just like walking, nothing too special to it, but it increases your surface area so you don't sink in the snow too much:)
Love snowshoeing in winter, I always carry my snow pants in my backpack in case the weather changes but I normally just have a base layer and my jeans, a pair of leg gaiters should keep your boots dry though.
I also snowshoe! And most snowshoes are fine for flat stuff, but if you're doing any elevation make sure to get ones that are made more for mountain conditions. Some are wayyyy better at handling incline than others. REI is alway solid place to rent and get tips for what you need.
I've been starting to travel now to places and I agree with you. I love going to these locations in the winter of Washington because there is nobody or very few people in the locations. I was just at Diablo Lake and at the vista it was just me. With the snow. But I was able to drive to the vista overlook. I am looking into trail hiking and all that. One day I will do it.
I’m a solo hiker based out of Seattle and I always carry bear spray and a knife that I can easily access. Also, I think it’s really important to know what tracks and scats look like. If I find a super fresh cougar track or some fresh bear scat, I know that I need to be cautious and on the lookout. Would love to go hiking with you sometime or any other solo females on here!
Highly recommend snowshoeing! We love it and prefer it over backcountry skiing. And yes, it’s kinda like flippers, but functional flippers! Precaution for wildlife is knowing what kinds of animals are in the area. Knowing the different kinds of bears is huge because you’d respond differently. And ultimately my biggest caution is respect their space, and they respect mine 😅 making some noise while hiking is important because most wildlife will head away from you once they hear you
I love solo traveling, mainly because I would consider myself a fast hiker and I love to see as much as possible in a day. I've been to areas that have high grizzly populations like Montana but never encountered one. I've crossed paths with a bear but I made some noise and he rain away lol
Thanks for the trail and adventure recs! We just moved to WA and already love exploring!! What types of tights other than that brand do you recommend for winter hikes?
Love this video! So fun to see the area in the winter, I’ve only ever been there in the summer. Snowshoeing is fun! I especially love my Eva Foam snowshoes by Crescent Moon - they’re SO easy to use!
I love snowshoeing! It’s just like hiking but a tad more difficult, super great for cardio! Solo hiking- I make sure to bring a pocket knife and I stick to the trail! :) Loving all of these vids about Washington & Idaho!!
Solo hiker here! I always make sure to bring a sound alarm (I carry it in the city instead of pepper spray as well). It's a device whether you can just pull the string and it'll start a loud noise. Not the best for if you're already too close to an animal, but if you see one further away it's a good precaution to let them know you're there. Also just talking (as weird as it sounds). I have some friends who would go solo-backpacking in grizzly country (noooo way I'd do that personally lol) and when they're going they just pick a phrase to call out every once in a while ("hey bears", "hiker here", etc.). Also making sure to NEVER wear headphones or earplugs when hiking alone so you can hear your surroundings. Besides that, telling people of my plans and when they can expect to hear from me, and carrying the 10 essentials.
I loved this. Please share more of the Washington state area. I have visited many many times and I love the area. Especially Seattle. Your videos are fab! Thank you x
Loved this video! I so enjoy how your channel content has shifted from years back. :) I enjoyed it back then too, but the chill vibes nowadays are welcome.
I had no idea that hike was near Banks Lake! We go walleye and perch fishing there often. I'm so excited about this! Also, for solo hiking, I carry bear spray, pepper spray, an emergency whistle and a birdie alarm hooked to my backpack :)
I love winter hiking because you get so many trails to yourself! I also do carry a bear spray that I bought a few years back when we were hiking in Yosemite but I've never had to use it, thank goodness! As for snowshoeing, it's so easy and fun. Honestly after a few steps you don't even really notice they are there, enjoyed your flipper analogy though :) I believe REI rents them if you want to test them out prior to investing in a good set.
Solo hiker! I carry bells occasionally but they can drive me insane. Usually I will kick rocks on purpose or talk/sing to myself. I've seen people yell at consistent intervals before but I don't do that.
You really should give snowshoeing a try. It's really easy and fun! It's not quite like you're wearing flippers, as there is flat material in front of and behind your foot to distribute your weight. Snowshoes allow you to walk on top of the snow instead of sinking in, almost like you float over the snow.
Hi Allison, you mentioned wanting to do some trails in north idaho. Check out the books trails of the wild selkirks and trails of the wild cabinets by Don Nichols, excellent resource. As far as solo hiking I carry bear spray and try to make some noise once in awhile, but its not as safe as when you are with someone which I am usually not.
I solo hiked that exact hike you showed in northern Idaho. I just carried bear spray and played music on a Bluetooth speaker. Definitely worth the trip
I am also from Eastern Washington and just stumbled across your channel. I am always on the hunt for some new trails too. Thanks for being so inspiring. I'm thinking about doing a SUV build too! -L
This was my first video and as someone just starting to get into vlogs it was great seeing how a pro does it! Subscribed and hit the bell! Excited to see more 😊
It’s funny cause in Utah it would be crowded anyways 😂 and answering to your question, I’ve done some hiking by myself here in Utah, but it’s like you said, more dangerous and the only options I can think are bringing a gun (what I don’t do) and spray and other stuff like that. I usually go during weekends so I find more people hiking and try to stay close to them. So even that I’m by myself, I’m near to other people.
I'm a solo-hiker based in Western WA, and my best advice is to get dogs! I know they're not for everyone, but they keep animals away and give the impression of a pack to anything that might attack a loner. Maybe you can borrow one or look into a rescue that'd let you do day trips with dogs?
@@MadLivin Given that it’s my first winter living in Boston, I feel severely underprepared to hike in the winter 😂 I’m sure I’ll work up the courage 🙏🏽🤞🏽😂
@@GenelynJaye haha yeah I understand. Starting small is definitely a lot easier. Do one or two short hikes and u learn a ton about what you want to get, or add.
@@GenelynJaye Of course, no problem at all. Getting out, pushing yourself is so refreshing. I hiked in the freezing rain last week, first time and it was so fun. Might just tweak a couple of things but I stayed dry lol 🙏
So jealous that you get a place like that all to yourself! Pretty much any and all hikes in my area (around Vancouver) are mid-to-heavy foot traffic at any time of the week right now, it's great that people are getting outside but it'd be nice to have a view hike to myself lol. With regards to wildlife in the backcountry, read up on the animals you'd encounter in your location and how to respond appropriately, bring bear spray and a bear bell (although thats not always recommended) just for extra safety. Advice I've been given is to remember that bear attacks and wildlife attacks are really SO RARE, considering how many people are in the back country. Yes they happen, but rarely and they make the news because they are so shocking, and sometimes could have been avoide with appropriate human response.
Most critters are (correctly) afraid of humans and will try to avoid contact. Plus, encounters don’t always amount to much. I’ve run into black bears and they have simply wandered off. I also had an amusing contact with a mountain lion (I was pushing a mountain bike up a steep trail, looked up ahead, and saw the mountain lion sauntering up the same path. He/she looked back at me and took off. Of course, not all big cat encounters go so well). Brendan van Son, another photographer, just keeps saying “Hey bear” while hiking :). I think you already mentioned the Garmin Inreach in one of your car camping videos. You can clip those to your belt or blackstrap in case of accident.
I solo hike quite a bit. Yes, come out to north Idaho in the summer!!! I've never carried bear spray but I do carry a pistol whenever I go out into the mountains. Never had any problems, although I did see the biggest black bear I've ever seen last summer coming down a trail in late August. Nothing happened, just started me and it it went down the hill minding it's business.
This looks awesome!! Im also a solo female hiker and to make noise I often play music on my phone and talk to myself when I haven’t seen people for a bit! I’m curious what recs you have for the Spokane/coeur d lane / walla walla areas! I’m heading there end of April / beg of may!
I just started making solo hiking videos up here in Canada. It's a lot of fun, but a lot of work. Set up the camera...walk past the camera...go back and get your camera...fun stuff. Thanks for the video.
Anyone else getting outdoors to enjoy the solitude of winter? Solo hikers and backpackers, what precautions do you take for wildlife in the woods?
bear spray
Nice video ❤️
Yes. Most hikers and backpackers up here in North Idaho carry bear mace and/or are carrying as we're a constitutional carry state. My wife and I love watching your videos and would love to do a hike with you sometime if you find yourself up here!
I ALWAYS carry bear spray and a four inch lightweight folding knife...not sure what I would do with that knife, but it makes me feel safer. If I encountered a Puma, though, you better believe I would have them both out.
Bear spray for sure. Also, prior to hiking I always let someone know my hiking location/plan. I hike often in Washington and along the Columbia Gorge as well. Favorite hike is at Mt Rainier snow and bench lake in June!
More solo hikes and solo camping trips please! Love to see more of your unique airbnb experiences too. How about a night in a nice airstream? Or a cabin in the wood? A boathouse? Anything!
Snowshoeing is such a good way to get into nature during the winter! It’s honestly very easy, as long as you can walk you won’t have any issues. Highly recommend :)
Solo hiker here! Some other folks have already mentioned attaching bear bells to your backback so that you make noise as you're moving. If I'm listening to music or something while I'm hiking I like to leave one ear free so that I can stay attuned to my surroundings. I always also include some kind of flashlight, headlamp, etc (something in addition to my phone), as well as a mylar blanket, emergency whistle, a bit of extra water, another hat/wool socks, etc in my bag in case of emergency. And I will always send someone my location details, info on the trail I will be hiking and an ETA on my expected return time so that someone can alert the authorities if I don't turn up within a reasonable timeframe from when I'd expected. With those simple precautions, solo hiking feels reasonably safe and is a wonderful treat!
P.S. I moved away from WA a couple of years ago after living all around the Puget Sound (and getting to travel the state regularly) for over 15 years. Your videos have soothed my "homesickness" greatly, especially during this pandemic! Love that you're showing off central and eastern WA as well! Keep up the great content!
Hi! Question: if I want to hike in another country, should I buy all the stuff when I arrive there or in my country?
I must say I really enjoyed the content you are coming out with now a days!
Thanks, I really appreciate that! I find it hard to come up with content this time of year so I'm glad you're enjoying it.
@@allisonanderson I agree. This CONTENT IS SO MUCH FUN!!
You make want to go hiking right now Allison :)
Some people wear bells to let wildlife know they’re there. Some play music on Bluetooth devices to make noise, and you could always holler every so often haha
I grew up in central/eastern Washington and now we live in north Idaho. I absolutely love seeing the area through your lens. It's nice to be reminded of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place.
I love that you go on your own. I always want to but chicken out. I feel like there’s something super empowering once you go alone on a hike.
Solo hiking is something I love. My favorite places to hike solo are Scotland and Germany because I feel a bit more safe and less worries about random snakes and gators. In Utah or Florida, I like being in groups.
Loved this video....I really enjoy seeing people hiking in less than perfect weather (winter, rain, wind).
Thanks for watching!
I'm a snowshoer AND a solo hiker/backpacker. I highly recommend both! Winter hiking is the best - snow capped mountains and less crowds on trail. :)
Ughhhh to live on the west coast and have these kind of hikes everywhere you go!!!!! I love this little series of hikes in your home state, it makes me wanna explore mine!
I totally feel you on the solo backpacking! I've only done it once and it was a really popular hike. You're right - bear spray is important and a GPS tracking device like an "in reach" is a great security blanket if nothing else! And I think the biggest danger when hiking alone is getting injured or becoming disoriented so be prepared for that as well. I used to live in CDA and a Silver Mountain is a great place for trying out snowshoeing :)
I need a GPS tracking device, that's a great idea. I'll look into Silver Mountain, thanks!
Winter hiking is the BEST! Started doing it this year and you can’t beat the solitude.
Amen to that! 🤙
Steamboat rock is my favorite state park to go to in the summer! Banks is always so warm and there's great cliff jumping and deep water solo-ing there! Also if you do the hike in the summer do it early, before it's hot or it's killer
My family has made an annual trip to bankslake every summer for the past 40 years and I've ALWAYS wanted winter photos of the peak of that hike! Your so lucky you got them and it looks great in the summer but I might have to say it loonef more beautiful in this video! 😍😍
I think solo hiking is super cool as long as you make sure you’re prepared for scenarios where you might get injured or lost. (Have ways to make fire, shelter, etc.) I recently watched Extreme Rescues on Hulu and it made me realize how a casual hike can turn into a life or death situation. As far as wildlife preparedness goes I would play something on a speaker to create noise. And of course research the animals in the area so you know what to do if you encounter them. Love the video! Stay safe.
I'd love to see a whole video of all your favorite winter hiking gear or your must haves for a winter hike!!!
I'm thinking the same thing. I might put something together as well. Did some rain hiking last week lol
Snow shoes is kind of like that, and it can be a little challenging physically. Its always good to start on trails that are a little packed down and with little incline. Once you know what to expect and how it feels you can move up to incline and deeper snow.
Also, wear snow pants. Snow kicks up at your legs
The first time I went I wore jeans and the backs on my legs were soaked , freezing and caked in snow. I've worn snow pants ever since, no matter the weather.
Thanks for this! I definitely would have just worn leggings. Good to know.
I've been following your content over the past year and find it so refreshing and relatable. Keep up the fantastic work.
So true, totally agree! 😊
I think it depends on the snowshoes you use! The first time I went they were old not great ones and that's exactly how it felt, but then I used newer more modern ones and it honestly felt like normal walking even though the powder was deep and we were going 7 miles up a mountain! Also- when hiking alone bear bells are your best friend!
I looked into bear bells once and some people were saying that they can attract curious bears and I was like NOPE. Maybe I'll look into it again though, I do like the idea of being noisy. Thanks for the snowshoe tips!
So beautiful. Living vicariously through you. Washington is stunning
I'm a huge solo hiker -- I love getting away from all people and things. But it can be intimidating if you know you're in bear or mountain lion country by yourself miles from the trailhead or camping overnight. The worst I've come across by myself is a bobcat. Still, I'd recommend a bear bell, which is what I use. Sounds weird, but it gives me comfort and I've heard from more experienced hikers that they work. I also do carry bear spray if I'm in a the real backcountry, just as an added precaution.
LOVING these hiking videos by the way. More please! Your content is always so good an informative!
Snowshoeing can be a little awkward but useful. I have a pair of Atlas Electras and they have an ascension step which is great when there is an incline. My snowshoes are also long enough to accommodate carrying a heavy backpack since I stay out overnight sometimes. Really, snowshoes will seem cumbersome if you are wearing them when they are not really needed (the trail is already packed down and you should just be wearing microspikes). If you are breaking trail on powder and actually need them, you will be grateful to not be sinking down to your thighs. Also, trekking poles in combination will greatly help prevent falls (since I hike with a tripod in hand I don't do this and occasionally fall on my face 🤣).
I’ve been wanting to get some hiking in this winter but have been afraid of going solo, thanks for the inspo 🤩
Solo hiking is great! 10-10 would recommend
I use to hate doing solo stuff. Now that's all I do lol 😊🤷♂️
Have you tried hiking around Ancient Lakes near Quincy and Ebey's Landing on Whidbey Island in the winter/early spring? Lots to enjoy at these two locations. You can camp at Ancient Lakes.
Wow, in 1996 we did a family trip and drove along that highway along the water, and remember seeing "Steamboat Rock" that you climbed. Had no idea there is a trail that takes you up to the top. Would love to try it when I get out that way one day. I grew up in south eastern Washington State when I was little, Pullman WA (dad went to WSU and I remember seeing the cougar mascot), Bridgeport, Brewster, Ione, Wenatchee, Grand Coulee Dam etc...beautiful area. :) Enjoying your videos, thanks!
Hi! Washington native, solo hiker and I work with wild animals. Some of the things I do for solo hiking is bring a dog if you have one, play music on my phone so animals will hear me coming, or attach a strip of jingle bells to my backpack so they can also hear me. Since I work with wild animals I’m very comfortable with how to react appropriately if I did encounter larger wildlife, but you can’t go wrong with bear spray if it makes you feel more comfortable!
Why aren't travel companies not sponsoring you like crazy! This is beautiful! Oh, yeah, right, forgot our little situation for a sec
Def try snow shoeing. Not at all like wearing flippers. In fact it's just like walking. The hinge/pivot is on the front by your toes so it makes it easy to walk. Midnight snow shoeing (during full moon) is amazing. Def give it a go. You won't be disappointed.
So beautiful there! Thanks for the video. When the border opens again make your way to us here in Vancouver BC, and come see our lovely ocean and mountain views!
Absolutely stunning! Winter is absolutely my favorite time to hike both because there's often no one else on the trail and because I think snow dusted trees are just something magical. Just spent last weekend in the backcountry of Yosemite entirely alone! Also, snowshoeing is way less complicated than wearing flippers haha. If you find the right shoe, they're actually quite light and they are designed to keep your foot fairly mobile - they really make hiking in snow way easier! Would definitely recommend giving it a go :) - Elise
TH-cam Channel Goals! Stumbled upon this in my not-hiking-winter-boredom and love that you made it to my side of Washington State. Definitely motivating me to get outside now...
Allison! Super long time lurker here (from your beauty days) but girlllll all your recent videos are fire! You're getting me so excited to move to Washington!!!
I would love to go hiking and backpacking with you when I arrive, especially because I've never been or lived in WA, so everything is new to me. Love you!
I always try to go hiking where I can see at least a person or two (not totally deserted trails), bringing a bell on my backpack so it can make noise and a bear spray. When you see mountain goats, go need to around them no matter what gear go have. Greetings from the western Washington 👋
Sometimes in the winter I just need a kick in the butt to get outdoors. Once outside, I almost always love it! It's just hard to get out the door when it seems cold outside! :-) Thanks! Great video, and those leggings look amazing!
Hi Allison! I've been following since the makeup days and I love this travel, lifestyle turn that your channel has taken! It's been exactly what I've wanted to see while everything is closed down because pandemic. I appreciate and love the local trips just as much as the international travel and I hope to see more! Washington has always been on my travel bucket list and your video format helps me determine what I would like to see and what I would like to do while there. Thank you for sharing! I know creating feels stifling and like you're beating your head against a wall sometimes, but when you do produce content I enjoy and appreciate it! Much love to you and yours :)
Definitely try snowshoeing, it's really not hard to get the hang of! It's pretty much just like walking, nothing too special to it, but it increases your surface area so you don't sink in the snow too much:)
Love snowshoeing in winter, I always carry my snow pants in my backpack in case the weather changes but I normally just have a base layer and my jeans, a pair of leg gaiters should keep your boots dry though.
Awesome shots! So beautiful
I honestly think cold winter hikes are the best!
You are one of the reasons I braved up solo travelling! and I love your style too! Thanks for sharing this!
I also snowshoe! And most snowshoes are fine for flat stuff, but if you're doing any elevation make sure to get ones that are made more for mountain conditions. Some are wayyyy better at handling incline than others. REI is alway solid place to rent and get tips for what you need.
I've been starting to travel now to places and I agree with you. I love going to these locations in the winter of Washington because there is nobody or very few people in the locations. I was just at Diablo Lake and at the vista it was just me. With the snow. But I was able to drive to the vista overlook. I am looking into trail hiking and all that. One day I will do it.
Snow shoes are like backwards flippers which takes 90% of the awkwardness out of it. That last 10% is helped by using trekking poles.
I’ve heard of bear bells to attach to your pack but I’ve never used them
Allison! I loveeee all of your outdoor content lately. Thank you for bringing us along!
Hiking & Solitude are the best...unique area for sure...there are some cool caves near there! Close to Soap Lake
I’m a solo hiker based out of Seattle and I always carry bear spray and a knife that I can easily access. Also, I think it’s really important to know what tracks and scats look like. If I find a super fresh cougar track or some fresh bear scat, I know that I need to be cautious and on the lookout. Would love to go hiking with you sometime or any other solo females on here!
Highly recommend snowshoeing! We love it and prefer it over backcountry skiing. And yes, it’s kinda like flippers, but functional flippers!
Precaution for wildlife is knowing what kinds of animals are in the area. Knowing the different kinds of bears is huge because you’d respond differently. And ultimately my biggest caution is respect their space, and they respect mine 😅 making some noise while hiking is important because most wildlife will head away from you once they hear you
I love solo traveling, mainly because I would consider myself a fast hiker and I love to see as much as possible in a day. I've been to areas that have high grizzly populations like Montana but never encountered one. I've crossed paths with a bear but I made some noise and he rain away lol
We love walking in the snow.
Thanks for the trail and adventure recs! We just moved to WA and already love exploring!! What types of tights other than that brand do you recommend for winter hikes?
Love this video! So fun to see the area in the winter, I’ve only ever been there in the summer. Snowshoeing is fun! I especially love my Eva Foam snowshoes by Crescent Moon - they’re SO easy to use!
I love snowshoeing! It’s just like hiking but a tad more difficult, super great for cardio! Solo hiking- I make sure to bring a pocket knife and I stick to the trail! :) Loving all of these vids about Washington & Idaho!!
Solo hiker here! I always make sure to bring a sound alarm (I carry it in the city instead of pepper spray as well). It's a device whether you can just pull the string and it'll start a loud noise. Not the best for if you're already too close to an animal, but if you see one further away it's a good precaution to let them know you're there. Also just talking (as weird as it sounds). I have some friends who would go solo-backpacking in grizzly country (noooo way I'd do that personally lol) and when they're going they just pick a phrase to call out every once in a while ("hey bears", "hiker here", etc.). Also making sure to NEVER wear headphones or earplugs when hiking alone so you can hear your surroundings. Besides that, telling people of my plans and when they can expect to hear from me, and carrying the 10 essentials.
I loved this. Please share more of the Washington state area. I have visited many many times and I love the area. Especially Seattle. Your videos are fab! Thank you x
I've tried snowshoeing once in the Rockies. It was a little harder than just walking, but not too bad. Love your videos
Loved this video! I so enjoy how your channel content has shifted from years back. :) I enjoyed it back then too, but the chill vibes nowadays are welcome.
I had no idea that hike was near Banks Lake! We go walleye and perch fishing there often. I'm so excited about this! Also, for solo hiking, I carry bear spray, pepper spray, an emergency whistle and a birdie alarm hooked to my backpack :)
I love winter hiking because you get so many trails to yourself! I also do carry a bear spray that I bought a few years back when we were hiking in Yosemite but I've never had to use it, thank goodness! As for snowshoeing, it's so easy and fun. Honestly after a few steps you don't even really notice they are there, enjoyed your flipper analogy though :) I believe REI rents them if you want to test them out prior to investing in a good set.
Loved the brief history of the Dam. Thanks for the knowledge.
Allison, could you share your outdoor gear recommendations - like must-haves and favorite brands?
Great content, new to your channel, hyper-obsessed hiker and Washingtonian as well, super glad we found you!
Solo hiker! I carry bells occasionally but they can drive me insane. Usually I will kick rocks on purpose or talk/sing to myself. I've seen people yell at consistent intervals before but I don't do that.
You really should give snowshoeing a try. It's really easy and fun! It's not quite like you're wearing flippers, as there is flat material in front of and behind your foot to distribute your weight. Snowshoes allow you to walk on top of the snow instead of sinking in, almost like you float over the snow.
Hi Allison, you mentioned wanting to do some trails in north idaho. Check out the books trails of the wild selkirks and trails of the wild cabinets by Don Nichols, excellent resource. As far as solo hiking I carry bear spray and try to make some noise once in awhile, but its not as safe as when you are with someone which I am usually not.
I'm not outdoorsy or a hiker by any means, and I went snowshoeing and it was totally fine and pretty easy to catch on as a beginner!
An excellent video with superb scenery. Glad that you popped up on my recommendations. Thanks.
I solo hiked that exact hike you showed in northern Idaho. I just carried bear spray and played music on a Bluetooth speaker. Definitely worth the trip
Love that you came to my neck of the woods! Sooooo cool! We go boating there allll the time!
I am also from Eastern Washington and just stumbled across your channel. I am always on the hunt for some new trails too. Thanks for being so inspiring. I'm thinking about doing a SUV build too! -L
Looks like an absolutely magical hike!
Scotchman's Peak is a great hike with a cool view at the top!
Snowshoeing is not that bad. You'll enjoy it. It's like floating on snow.
Beautiful shots and some amazing views. Love the area
This was my first video and as someone just starting to get into vlogs it was great seeing how a pro does it! Subscribed and hit the bell! Excited to see more 😊
Discovered you about a few weeks ago and I’m a fan! You’ve gotten me considering hiking more and going on solo trips 🤙🏽
It’s funny cause in Utah it would be crowded anyways 😂 and answering to your question, I’ve done some hiking by myself here in Utah, but it’s like you said, more dangerous and the only options I can think are bringing a gun (what I don’t do) and spray and other stuff like that. I usually go during weekends so I find more people hiking and try to stay close to them. So even that I’m by myself, I’m near to other people.
What an amazing view!
wildlife precautions: I sing while I'm walking. Sometimes jingle my keys if it's close to dusk or dawn.
I’ve also been enjoying lots of Winter hiking in Sweden recently 😊🇸🇪
Hi Allison. Snowshoeing is awesome. You would love it!
I'm a solo-hiker based in Western WA, and my best advice is to get dogs! I know they're not for everyone, but they keep animals away and give the impression of a pack to anything that might attack a loner. Maybe you can borrow one or look into a rescue that'd let you do day trips with dogs?
This video makes me want to go hiking! What an amazing view!😍
Do it!! Lol
@@MadLivin Given that it’s my first winter living in Boston, I feel severely underprepared to hike in the winter 😂 I’m sure I’ll work up the courage 🙏🏽🤞🏽😂
@@GenelynJaye haha yeah I understand. Starting small is definitely a lot easier. Do one or two short hikes and u learn a ton about what you want to get, or add.
@@MadLivin this may have been the motivation I needed!! Thank you 🙏🏽😊
@@GenelynJaye Of course, no problem at all. Getting out, pushing yourself is so refreshing. I hiked in the freezing rain last week, first time and it was so fun. Might just tweak a couple of things but I stayed dry lol 🙏
If you're going to snowshoe I'd recommend Panorama Point at Mount Rainier
Love the content you are posting. I'm from spokane and familiar with all these places you've been visiting lately.
Thank you!
So jealous that you get a place like that all to yourself! Pretty much any and all hikes in my area (around Vancouver) are mid-to-heavy foot traffic at any time of the week right now, it's great that people are getting outside but it'd be nice to have a view hike to myself lol. With regards to wildlife in the backcountry, read up on the animals you'd encounter in your location and how to respond appropriately, bring bear spray and a bear bell (although thats not always recommended) just for extra safety. Advice I've been given is to remember that bear attacks and wildlife attacks are really SO RARE, considering how many people are in the back country. Yes they happen, but rarely and they make the news because they are so shocking, and sometimes could have been avoide with appropriate human response.
Yeah that's definitely an upside of eastern vs. western Washington - way less foot traffic on all of the trails. Thanks for the wildlife tips!
Clicked so fast! Love your videos! They are visually stunning!
Most critters are (correctly) afraid of humans and will try to avoid contact. Plus, encounters don’t always amount to much. I’ve run into black bears and they have simply wandered off. I also had an amusing contact with a mountain lion (I was pushing a mountain bike up a steep trail, looked up ahead, and saw the mountain lion sauntering up the same path. He/she looked back at me and took off. Of course, not all big cat encounters go so well). Brendan van Son, another photographer, just keeps saying “Hey bear” while hiking :). I think you already mentioned the Garmin Inreach in one of your car camping videos. You can clip those to your belt or blackstrap in case of accident.
Snowshoeing is awesome! Highly recommend and think you’d love it!!
I solo hike quite a bit. Yes, come out to north Idaho in the summer!!! I've never carried bear spray but I do carry a pistol whenever I go out into the mountains. Never had any problems, although I did see the biggest black bear I've ever seen last summer coming down a trail in late August. Nothing happened, just started me and it it went down the hill minding it's business.
Wow. Glad nothing happened! North Idaho is so beautiful in the summer, I would love to do more hiking there.
@@allisonanderson Come up anytime this summer and I'll take you around the lakes and mountains! :)
This looks awesome!! Im also a solo female hiker and to make noise I often play music on my phone and talk to myself when I haven’t seen people for a bit! I’m curious what recs you have for the Spokane/coeur d lane / walla walla areas! I’m heading there end of April / beg of may!
I had snowboots for my trip to Quebec. They were called Baffin Boots. Ugh! It was like walking on clouds 😍
I just started making solo hiking videos up here in Canada. It's a lot of fun, but a lot of work. Set up the camera...walk past the camera...go back and get your camera...fun stuff. Thanks for the video.
Haha definitely! Being both behind and in front of the camera makes it twice the work. Thanks for watching.
That was fun. I need to get out more in Winter. It’s so cold here in Wisconsin, though!
What an incredible spot! Somehow it makes me think of "Iceland meets the Grand Canyon" 🤩
Have you hiked around the Columbia gorge? Highly recommend it.
Beautiful! Can you camp up top on the rock? I've been looking for a Winter backpacking trip! Thanks!
I’ve visited this park before. Camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds. No camping/backpacking on top of Steamboat Rock.
Love the quality of your vlogs!