From Office to Outdoors: Solo Hiking Tips for Career Women

Solo backpacking didn’t start in the mountains for me—it began in the hustle and bustle of business trips. ✈️🌆 My journey into solo travel and exploring the wilds of the world was rooted in how I approached my career adventures. Business trips were my training ground. I flew to new cities alone, networked at conferences, stayed in unfamiliar hotels, and dined solo. I treated each trip like a mini adventure, seizing every opportunity to explore and connect with people who enriched my experiences. 🌍🤝 Here’s how you can get started with solo backpacking: 1. Start Small: Begin with day hikes or local overnight trips. Get comfortable with your gear and the solitude. 2. Research and Plan: Know your trail, the weather, and the essentials you’ll need. Preparation builds confidence. 3. Stay Connected: Tell someone your plans and check in regularly. Safety is key. 4. Embrace Solitude: Use this time to reflect and connect with nature. The quiet moments are where you truly find yourself. 5. Build Your Network: Just like business trips, make connections on the trail. Fellow hikers can become lifelong friends. Ladies, if you can navigate a city on a business trip, you can navigate the wilderness. Let your professional travels be the stepping stones to your outdoor adventures. Trust yourself, embrace the journey, and remember—every trail begins with a single step. 🏞️💪 Once upon a time, I felt like a complete foreigner in the wilderness and an outsider to a community exclusive to “real adventurers”. Turns out the only thing stopping me was a shift in my mindset and a willingness to try. I hope you can grow to feel more at home in the wilderness you find yourself in and learn to see your day-to-day activities as the training ground for the things you want to do but are too afraid to try.