If you’re planning an adventure that will take you over a few days, there’s going to be a lot of preparation involved. Some of this might be things like preparing training adventures and learning the skills you will need on your trip.
The first thing you’ll need to do is decide what kind of adventure interests you. This might sound obvious but it can be tricky to work out.
1. Don’t Overcomplicate Things
The first step in planning your adventure is to figure out what it is that you want to do. This might seem obvious, but it’s a pretty important part of the process. If you don’t have a clear idea of what you want to do, it will be hard to plan your trip effectively.
It’s also possible to overcomplicate things when it comes to planning an adventure, so take a look at Genuine Adventures. This means that you might spend too much time preparing and analyzing every detail of your trip, which can end up being quite stressful. This can also prevent you from enjoying the adventure itself, as you will be distracted by all of the details and will be more likely to stress out about little things that might go wrong.
While it is important to do some planning before embarking on an adventure, you should also remember that adventures are meant to be fun and exciting. They are meant to be challenging and unpredictable, which is why they’re called adventures! So if you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by all the planning that needs to be done, remember that adventure is supposed to be fun, and try to embrace the uncertainty. The sooner you can do this, the better!
2. Don’t Overestimate Your Ability
When it comes to adventure, the first thing you need to do is work out what interests you. This can feel daunting if you don’t know where to start, but there are some simple questions you can ask yourself to help you figure out what kind of adventure you want to do.
For example, do you want to spend a few days tackling the peaks of Durmitor National Park in Montenegro or go for a hike in Lanzarote? Or perhaps you want to go hiking in the Alps or paddleboard around the Fjords of Norway.
It’s important to be honest with yourself about your abilities, and also remember that adventures don’t always go according to plan. Many people who are rescued from wilderness incidents had a strong track record of outdoor achievements, but they put too much confidence in their ability and weren’t prepared for unforeseen circumstances. For example, Big Bend National Park is a beautiful wilderness destination, but it’s a harsh environment that can easily bring even the most experienced adventurer to their knees (and in some cases, death).
Make sure you research the area you’re going to be exploring and find out what sort of terrain you’ll be encountering – this will give you an idea of whether you need to prepare for snowy hiking or hot climbing conditions. It’s also a good idea to test out any equipment that you’ll be using before your trip. This way, you’ll know if something is broken or not working properly – and you can fix it before you get out there! Also remember to pack a whistle – it’s the only way to communicate with other hikers in the case of an emergency.
3. Don’t Overestimate Your Time
The first thing you’re going to have to decide is what type of adventure you want to do. This will determine a lot of the other planning decisions you’ll have to make.
Are you looking to do a weekend camping trip or are you looking at something more like a month-long backpacking journey? This will have a huge impact on the types of things you’re going to be able to do, as well as how much time you’re going to need to prepare for it.
When you’re planning an adventure, it is easy to get carried away and think that you can do more than you actually can. This is why it is so important to take the time to work out if you’re taking on too much. Nobody wants to be the body found on Mount Everest wearing their wellies, after all!
The best way to do this is to look at the bigger picture and break down the elements of your adventure. This will give you an idea of how long it might take and allow you to pad your estimates in case of any unforeseen delays or interruptions. You can also use data from similar adventures to help you create a realistic estimate.
The other thing to remember is that it can be hard to stay motivated during the long periods of saving, training and prepping for an adventure. This is why it’s so important to keep yourself inspired and enthused by constantly feeding yourself adventure content. This can be anything from outdoor books and documentaries to films and podcasts that focus on the type of activity you’re planning on doing.
4. Don’t Overestimate Your Budget
While it’s important to plan carefully, there is a danger of getting too carried away. This is especially true for the cost of an adventure, which can often be a major consideration. There are a few ways to avoid this trap:
First, don’t forget to consider the full costs of your trip. This includes everything from accommodation to food to transportation. Fortunately, you can usually find good deals on these things, so it’s worth doing your research. You may also be able to cut down on other daily expenses or put more money into your adventure fund.
Once you’ve got a clear idea of the costs, you can then start to work out your budget. It’s worth noting that some countries will be much more expensive than others (such as China, Eastern Europe, most of continental Africa), so make sure to take this into account.
Lastly, don’t forget to factor in the cost of any necessary equipment and supplies. This can be tricky for longer trips, but there are plenty of ways to keep costs down – such as buying used equipment, looking for group buys or seeking out local stores that sell gear at cheaper prices.
Finally, don’t forget to keep yourself motivated! If you have a long time to go until your adventure, it’s a good idea to keep yourself entertained by reading or watching adventure content. Whether it’s cycle touring books like Full Tilt by Dervla Murphy or vegan trail running guides by Scott Jurek, there is a wealth of material out there to keep you inspired and on track for your big trip.
5. Don’t Overestimate Your Safety
When planning an adventure, it’s important not to overestimate your safety. This is especially true for outdoor adventures, where you can be miles away from civilization and hours from help if something goes wrong. Overestimating your abilities can lead to injuries or even fatalities. It’s also important to be realistic about your group’s abilities and preferences. If you have a group with mixed skill levels, it’s best to choose activities that suit the lowest level in the group so everyone can enjoy themselves.
Finally, it’s important to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong during your trip. If you’re hiking, for example, it’s a good idea to identify several different places along your route where you can escape in case of emergency. In addition, be sure to share your itinerary with friends and family before leaving on your trip, especially if you’re going somewhere remote or with limited cell service.
Despite the inherent risks, adventures are still one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences you can have. However, there are a number of things that can make an adventure unsafe, including overconfidence, underestimating the difficulty of the activity, and misguided social media portrayals of easy adventures. The consequences of these mistakes are not only devastating for individuals, but they can also strain the resources of emergency services and discourage people from experiencing nature in ways that benefit everyone involved.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your next adventure is both safe and fun. And who knows, you might end up creating a new adventure legend in the process!
