alt

TIPS FROM THE TENT

Inspiration from our athletes' solo expeditions

Usually, what happens on a solo expedition, stays on a solo expedition. Not anymore. We’ve asked some of our athletes to share their experiences, coping mechanisms and other weird stuff they’ve gotten up while going it alone.

 

SOFIA JIN

Explorer

Have you ever done anything totally unexpected to avoid feeling alone when on an expedition?
As someone who struggles to sit still for ten minutes, I totally didn’t expect to be meditating at 6,000m. Whatever I did, it really helped. Flurries of worry or fear are normal, especially when you’re out in the wild where every little blip seems infinitely scary. So make sure you know how to slow your mind down. Come up with a mantra you can say to yourself. Practice mindfulness where you can; take time to appreciate the sunrises, sunsets, the stars.

What’s your favourite thing you have the freedom to do when setting up camp alone (that you wouldn't have otherwise!)?
Between intermittent singing and dancing breaks, I like to present to my imaginary audience tough-guy-explorer-TV show style. I did a self-timer photoshoot in my summit down suite. Sometimes it’s nice to step away from a daily life that is largely shared with others and just do you.

 

about Sofia jin

SIEBE VANHEE

Rock Climber

What’s your best piece of advice for avoiding cabin fever when camping alone?
Dream! You have time to dream now; use it! Write it down, brainstorm and give air to that creativity within you. Use that restlessness in your head, it's an energy, not a burden.

Have you ever done anything totally unexpected to avoid feeling alone when on an expedition?
Instead of sending a WhatsApp message, I started writing letters to friends. Letters that, in the end, I never sent. I imagined how they would respond, I would write it down and reply with their imaginary response. Weird, I know. But at least I had a great conversation.

What’s your favourite thing you have the freedom to do when setting up camp alone (that you wouldn't have otherwise!)?
Make it cosy, make it home, make it inspiring! And do all of that... naked! Just because you can! Don't judge me, just try!

 

about SIEBE VANHEE

Caroline Ciavaldini

Rock Climber

Have you ever done anything totally unexpected to avoid feeling alone when on an expedition?

There is no better place than all alone in the wilderness to have a good old sing-song or dance party. Obviously, you need to be really alone, not just camping on your own as you wouldn’t want to bother the other campers, but really letting everything go, out there in Mother Nature, feels pretty good.

 

about Caroline Ciavaldini

CONRAD ANKER

Alpinist

What’s your best piece of advice for avoiding cabin fever when camping alone?

Having a tidy tent would be the first step in avoiding cabin fever. A place for my sleeping bag, clothing and where I set my stove. The other part of tent life is that the confinement is a respite from the wildness outside. The immensity of the location pulls us in and requires us to tune into the environment. Once you’re bundled up and comfortable you can relax from a mental standpoint.

Have you ever done anything totally unexpected to avoid feeling alone when on an expedition?

My most extreme time of being alone was on a climb in Antarctica. The weather was keeping me tent bound. This was before e-readers and I had just one book. If recollection serves me, I read it twice. The other silly thing is being able to sing. If I were to sing for friends, they’d "social distance" for their own sanity. When all alone, I can ad-lib silliness to my heart's content.

What’s your favourite thing you have the freedom to do when setting up camp alone (that you wouldn't have otherwise!)? 

Tent life with partners is about personal boundaries and compromise. How one enjoys a cup of soup might be offensive to a tent mate. Or should one "break wind" the resulting methane could be the basis for disagreement. When I'm alone, it’s my thoughts that keep me entertained. I'll revisit memories that bring happiness. If I see things that create a smile, a squirrel jumping from tree to tree, I bring those to the front. It’s always good to remember that you might not always be able to change the situation, yet you can always change your outlook. Think happy, be happy.

 

about Conrad Anker

alt