“It is a good thing for any one to be entirely alone in the out -of-doors once in awhile , and take stock of philosophy and other character resources . In fact , the stock may be found so low it would be embarrassing to be otherwise than alone. And under any circumstances the experience is refreshing, to say the least. Whether or not one gathers new reserve of confidence and energy, as one is pretty apt to,  there is an  over powering feeling of getting well rinsed . 

Now I suspect you are thinking of the long “ lone ” trips Daniel Boone made, and wondering how he survived feeling entirely washed away! The best thing for you is to try it on yourself. I mean for you to  make a hike by your lonesome. The best thing for you is to try it on yourself . I mean for you to make a hike “ by your lonesome . And that immediately is a horse of another colour . Hadn’t thought of doing a thing like that , had you ? Don’t exactly like the idea , do you ? Afraid ? … No , you’re not afraid . But somehow you feel kind of queer , to think of spending a night out in the woods all alone. You’re so used to the exact opposite – living in a house, with other people around you all the time .” (Edward Cave 1920, 109)

Going into the outdoors by oneself and just absorbing the sounds and sights of nature is rejuvenating to me. I get cabin fever in the winter months and literally yearn to be outside experiencing camp life. The cold can be daunting but once prepared to experience it safely, I push that to the side and make room for the unique experiences that winter camping and hiking can make. First of all there are no bugs like mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and ticks to bother you. The energy of being frustrated with these pests can be put toward observing the animal life and signs they leave behind, you can look deeper into the forests than previously able during the warm months with greenery and thriving brush, and of course the unique muffled and almost silent sounds that tends to be all around you when you are exposed. You can breathe without heavy humidity and listen, just listen.

The clear thoughts come to me almost in a meditative way and I feel closer to my God. The outdoors is my cathedral with His creation and beauty all around me. His gifts and opportunities are abundantly visible for me to appreciate. When dusk sets in and the temperature drops aloneness can feel more present and I start feeling more vulnerable or even fleeting thoughts of danger, my human mortality is made obvious. That exposure can be uncomfortable and I have never been on an campout alone where that exposure was not felt, but take courage! It is at this time where we can be defined by our thoughts and actions.

Once we light our fire and feel it’s radiating warmth two of our fears begin to fade away, the feeling of being alone and the feeling of being exposed. The fire dances and keeps us company, gives us something to concentrate on and watch, and it provides the comfort of protection and warmth. There is satisfaction knowing that you used your available resources to build this “friend” and the relationship of the need to sustain it is much like the relationships in our life of the real world. It is a reminder that if we do not want to be alone then we must use our resources and feed our relationships to sustain them, if we don’t then the relationships will die. It is also a small accomplishment, YOU did this and accomplishments are like a drug, once you experience it you want more. What will be your next accomplishment? Making it through the night.

Now note, I did not say get a good night’s rest, no, that will most likely come tomorrow. You may be the type of camper to gather your night wood to help keep that feeling of safety alive and you warm, or maybe you are that type of camper to let it die out throughout the night and as it collapses and the light dims you are lulled into sleep into your warm bedding. Either way, the first night is the hardest to fall asleep. Breaking the routine of the daily grind is easy to do during the day but that adjustment for sleep the first night is a battle that must be won on it’s own terms. Tomorrow night will be better but tonight getting through it is just another accomplishment to break free. Once you break free you finally feel “rinsed”.