I'm planning my first big solo hiking/camping trip, the destination is Olympic national park. I've done plenty of solo trips and trips with others but haven't attempted a big solo trip like this. What would you recommend I bring apart from the common stuff? Any tips for places to go, park, camp, etc. and things to do?

>>2828389 (OP)
bear spray

>>2828389 (OP)
Look up the park on Google and AllTrails, they'll give you information on what kind of stuff there is to do. As to what to bring outside of the normal stuff? Depends on what you mean by normal. What are you bringing? A book? A cell phone? I like to put radio shows and podcasts on my phone so I can listen to them at night. I also bring a battery pack to charge my phone.

>>2828403
I was thinking about bringing a handgun, Washingtons an open carry state after all.
>>2828405
Any tips on how to dodge the crowds?

Here you go anon: https://yellowstonebearworld.com

>>2828470
>I was thinking about bringing a handgun, Washingtons an open carry state after all.
You're welcome to make an embarrassment of yourself, but you would be smarter to bring bear spray.

>>2828531
Is that a virus link?
>>2828540
Nothing embarrassing about carrying anon

>>2828543
It will be when they find out you tried to kill the bear but failed to make proper shots with it charging you at 20mph+ from a distance of less than 50 feet when you could have just sprayed it and been fine.

>>2828543
>>2828546
i realize america is a pretty big place and there are bears around but do you realize how dumb it sounds to the rest of the world when we have just as many bears and nobody gives a shit about them

There are no brown bears like in OP in olympic national park so this argument is all a moot point. Black bears are big babies and all you have to do is store your food properly and you will never have trouble

Also keep in mind that while the state may allow for carry of a weapon, it is still always illegal to discharge a firearm in a national park

>>2828389 (OP)
Are you more interested in mountains or lowland rainforests or coast wilderness? That park has it all, up to and including some very difficult mountaineering and glacier travel. The windward and leeward sides are very different too. For a first solo trip I'd do something basic, but the trail system is like a web in the interior, infinite options for different routes.
As others have said get a bear canister and not a gun, only black bears. Cougars are scarier, but they don't want to fuck with you.
The Ozette loop is about as beginner friendly as it gets. It's a two day affair if you don't want to sit around in the same place, otherwise 3.

>>2828543
Sorry, I posted that in the wrong thread.

>>2828579
Its part of a larger trip I'm doing with others, however I would be continuing onward alone to Olympic. Any recommendations for places to stay, camp, etc.?

>>2828549
Many Americans never interact with bears as they live in the suburbs and cities and as a result are afraid because they're unfamiliar with them. This isn't unique to America, it is a problem with everyone all over the world

>>2828549
>when we have just as many bears and nobody gives a shit about them
Are you fucking retarded? Even in Europe where brown bears are it's advised to take bear spray. Feel free to end up like this retard if you think brown bears aren't dangerous:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/motorcyclist-bear-death-romania-transfagarasan-road-b2782638.html

>>2829282
He probably lives in Bongland

Bring a gun

>>2828549
Grizzlys are more agressive, and territorial than european brown bears.

>>2829636
What do you recommend?

>>2829803
Glock 19, and get it with some buffalo boar or hornady hardcast lead +p. Won't be as hard-hitting as 10mm, but it'll still pack a whallop while being cheaper

>>2829837
What are the laws for carrying in Washington if I'm from out of state?

>>2828389 (OP)

Carry Benedictine medals and the Bible, you can be possessed or tempted by Satan.

I will never understand why Americans decided to willingly reintroduce grizzly bears back into their lands after having wiped them out.

>>2829858
Because grizzlys are cool

>>2828543
>I’ve never done this
>let me tell you why you’re wrong
Maybe use that gun to kill yourself

>>2830127
I don't care about the opinion of people with no guns, either effeminate or convicted felon who can't legally buy one either way you shouldn't leave your mothers basement

>>2830678
my only use for a gun has been plinking in summer. i brought bear spray in early april.

>>2829858
>reintroduce grizzly bears
this never happened.

>>2829858
That was wolves

>>2828389 (OP)
If you're going to the southern part of it then flapjack lakes are pretty cool. They were my go to for solo camping one night on the weekend because it was like a 90 minute drive from where I lived. Almost no one goes there so you get some alone time watching the fish jump in the lake ans there's usually an Osprey flying around fishing in the evening.

Have seen some cougars on the trail there though so be a bit careful in that area. Also it's a lake so expect mosquitos at night.

>>2830880
Where did you park?