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Adventure Planning
Adventure Planning
Planning is the process of developing a detailed plan, in our case, for a future outdoor adventure.
The task isn't easy at all, given the numerous pitfalls and nuances one may encounter. However, it is undoubtedly worth it! After all, the more thoughtful and detailed plan you prepare now, the more comfortable experience you will gain afterward. That is why a well-crafted plan should encompass the entire set of organizational activities related to preparing for the adventure. And the more challenging the adventure will be, the more details need consideration.
To avoid confusion, let's break down our plan into stages and proceed step by step. And we'll start with the...
The task isn't easy at all, given the numerous pitfalls and nuances one may encounter. However, it is undoubtedly worth it! After all, the more thoughtful and detailed plan you prepare now, the more comfortable experience you will gain afterward. That is why a well-crafted plan should encompass the entire set of organizational activities related to preparing for the adventure. And the more challenging the adventure will be, the more details need consideration.
To avoid confusion, let's break down our plan into stages and proceed step by step. And we'll start with the...
Adventure Goal
The initial stage in the planning process involves defining clearly the goal of the future adventure. Ask yourself, "Why am I doing this? What is the purpose of the upcoming journey?"
While everyone surely will have their own answers, the most common ones seem to be the following:
A defined goal will enable you to set corresponding priorities in the subsequent stages of planning. For instance, when planning the route line, there's no point in overloading it with technical challenges if your goal is to leisurely explore an unfamiliar area with a bunch of friends.
However, keep in mind that the goals of all expedition members should align or, at the very least, not contradict each other, to avoid potential issues :)
Let's continue planning.
While everyone surely will have their own answers, the most common ones seem to be the following:
- To chill and relax.
- To visit and explore a new area.
- To gain experience and learn something new.
- To challenge yourself and fulfill sporting ambitions.
A defined goal will enable you to set corresponding priorities in the subsequent stages of planning. For instance, when planning the route line, there's no point in overloading it with technical challenges if your goal is to leisurely explore an unfamiliar area with a bunch of friends.
However, keep in mind that the goals of all expedition members should align or, at the very least, not contradict each other, to avoid potential issues :)
Let's continue planning.
Adventure Format
The second stage of planning involves determining the format of the adventure. Here, you take into account your desires and capabilities, thereby outlining the scope specific to your particular journey. This includes:
- Type of adventure. Trekking, mountaineering, ski-touring, river and cycling expeditions, combined options, and much, much more. Each type has its features and a list of special equipment. Nevertheless, most of the recommendations we will discuss later are equally applicable to each of them.
- Time period and duration. An endless vacation is not something everybody can afford. Therefore, when selecting the season, specific dates, and the number of days allocated for the adventure, it is necessary to adapt the route not only to our preferences but also to the time available. But if you are lucky enough to have the freedom to choose the dates of your trip and have already decided on the destination, then consider the season with optimal weather conditions, also taking into account the minimum necessary number of days to complete the chosen route.
- Number of participants and their composition. Whether you plan a commercial expedition with a large group of strangers or a cozy trip encircled by close friends can affect many aspects. For example, a large group can carry a significantly larger amount of useful equipment, but at the same time, it may be more challenging to control all those people and find a camping place to comfortably accommodate them all. Additionally, with close, trusted ones, you are ready to overcome any challenges, while with a diverse, less familiar group, pushing the limits would be a really bad idea.
- Difficulty level. When planning the adventure difficulty, it is essential to thoroughly assess the physical, technical, and psychological abilities of all participants. This assessment must correlate with the challenges, risks, and hazards you plan or might face on the route.
- Budget. It is crucial to align your ambitions with financial resources, especially when it comes to safety. Adventure safety depends on participants' skills, appropriate equipment, medical insurance, and other aspects that often require significant investments.
Adventure Destination
At this stage, you need to determine the specific area for the future adventure (if you haven't done this already). Narrowing down the options should be facilitated by the goals and format of the expedition outlined earlier, as well as by gathering information about various regions, which is what we are moving on to.
When planning the destination area, the following aspects are assessed:
Proceeding to the next step.
When planning the destination area, the following aspects are assessed:
- Availability of information about the area.
- Accessibility: how challenging it is to reach the area and obtain the necessary visas and permits.
- Terrain: plains, swamps, rivers, deserts, glaciers, mountains, elevation, water and snow levels, etc.
- Climate: weather conditions from season to season and how they can impact the terrain.
- Natural hazards: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, volcanic eruptions, floods, hurricanes, blizzards and so on.
- Flora and Fauna: from delicious berries to dangerous animals.
- Infrastructure: transportation, grocery stores, medical and rescue services, shelters, and other useful facilities nearby.
- Communication: mobile, satellite, and radio communication in the planned area.
Proceeding to the next step.
Adventure Route
Having determined the adventure destination, it's time for the key and most meticulous part, which is route planning!
While most will use the pre-existing, well-described tracks, those with sufficient experience are free to make adjustments and plan their own unique route lines. However, this should be done with double responsibility and attention to details.
To plan a route, first you will need to find, survey, save and print:
Next, using the acquired information, you draw up a route line on both paper and electronic maps. This line should connect and detail the following:
While most will use the pre-existing, well-described tracks, those with sufficient experience are free to make adjustments and plan their own unique route lines. However, this should be done with double responsibility and attention to details.
To plan a route, first you will need to find, survey, save and print:
- Reports and GPS tracks from other travelers.
- Maps and satellite images.
- Coordinates and descriptions, plus
- Photographs & videos of key geographical objects and potential hazards.
Next, using the acquired information, you draw up a route line on both paper and electronic maps. This line should connect and detail the following:
- Start/drop off point.
- Movement path.
- Campsites.
- Points of interest.
- Obstacles, technical sections: river crossings, mountain passes, swamps, etc.
- Infrastructure objects (if any): stores, shelters, roads, etc.
- Finish/pick up point.
- Escape route: a backup option in case of insufficient time to complete the main route and for emergency situations.
Adventure Daily Plan
Next, you break down the prepared route line into a daily plan, where for each day of the adventure, you consider the:
The daily plan can be as detailed as you need, starting from the moment of leaving home and finishing with post-adventure gear cleaning and storing. For some, such a scrupulous plan may provide confidence and serenity throughout the journey, while for others, it may lead to boredom due to the lack of challenge and surprise. It is necessary to maintain a reasonable balance, guided by the group's experience and the difficulty of the expedition.
- Points of interest and target distances.
- Estimated time for each segment.
- Elevation gains and losses.
- Wake-up time (for those on duty and all the rest), head-out time, stop/return deadlines and other checkpoints.
- Rest intervals.
- Meal menus, and etc.
The daily plan can be as detailed as you need, starting from the moment of leaving home and finishing with post-adventure gear cleaning and storing. For some, such a scrupulous plan may provide confidence and serenity throughout the journey, while for others, it may lead to boredom due to the lack of challenge and surprise. It is necessary to maintain a reasonable balance, guided by the group's experience and the difficulty of the expedition.
Adventure Equipment & Food Checklist
Now that you know where and how you're going, it's time to plan what gear and supplies you need to take with you.
To do this, you:
To do this, you:
- Create a list of necessary group and individual equipment, taking into account what you already have, and what needs to be purchased or borrowed.
- Check the condition, functionality, and suitability of the equipment: break in the boots, practice setting up a new tent, assess the comfort temperature of sleeping bags, etc. If necessary, conduct repairs and upgrades.
- Develop a daily menu with proper variety and considering the preferences of all expedition members and anticipated physical activity.
- Plan the purchase of groceries, especially perishables, acquired just before the trip.
- Address fuel concerns, whether it involves purchasing and transporting gas or liquid fuel, or assessing the availability of firewood on-site.
- Assemble the group and individual first aid kits, considering personal needs and medical prescriptions.
- Prepare a repair kit, tailored to the special gear that will be used during the expedition.
- Estimate the starting weight of backpacks and distribute group equipment, food, and fuel among the expedition members.
- Download guidebooks, descriptions, maps, and route tracks for smartphones and handheld GPS navigators. Print the most valuable information for extra safety.
- etc.
Adventure Insurance
Insurance could be included in the above-mentioned "equipment list", but considering its importance and how often it is overlooked, let's discuss it separately.
Accident Insurance: Those participating in remote or foreign expeditions are strongly advised to have accident insurance. Regardless of the route's difficulty or the participants' experience, none of us is immune to simple injuries like a sprained ankle or food poisoning. Even such seemingly minor issues during journeys far from civilization can lead to very unpleasant consequences, including financial ones. Not to mention more serious cases...
When planning to purchase insurance, carefully study the contract terms to ensure that the proposed medical coverage aligns with the risks that may arise during your outdoor adventure.
In addition to medical insurance, there are several other ways to safeguard yourself:
All these types of precautions and insurance can and should coexist simultaneously. Do not compromise your safety!
Accident Insurance: Those participating in remote or foreign expeditions are strongly advised to have accident insurance. Regardless of the route's difficulty or the participants' experience, none of us is immune to simple injuries like a sprained ankle or food poisoning. Even such seemingly minor issues during journeys far from civilization can lead to very unpleasant consequences, including financial ones. Not to mention more serious cases...
When planning to purchase insurance, carefully study the contract terms to ensure that the proposed medical coverage aligns with the risks that may arise during your outdoor adventure.
In addition to medical insurance, there are several other ways to safeguard yourself:
- Designate an Emergency Contact – a responsible person (a close friend or relative) who possesses your daily expedition plan and contact information. This person can not only provide you with useful information, such as weather forecasts but also assist in case of emergencies, acting as an intermediary between you and the insurance company, emergency services, and other organizations.
- Set aside an Emergency Fund for unexpected expenses.
- Include Backup Days for rest, bad weather, participant illness, or emergencies.
All these types of precautions and insurance can and should coexist simultaneously. Do not compromise your safety!
Pre-Adventure Training
The last but certainly not the least important aspect that requires a well-thought-out plan is training. The physical fitness, knowledge, and skills it provides are key factors for the success of any adventure.
Here's what needs to be done:
Here's what needs to be done:
- Honestly assess your physical fitness, health condition, and level of specialized knowledge.
- Develop a workout schedule depending on the expected challenges and adhere to it strictly.
- Improve skills that will be useful in the upcoming journey, such as: fire building, gear packing, setting up camp, navigating using a map, compass, and GPS, handling portable radios, satellite phones, and trackers, providing first aid and transporting the injured, handling specialized equipment, and so on.
- Based on each person's strengths, skills, and abilities, distribute responsibilities among the members of the expedition.
Phew, looks like we're done! Quite an impressive plan, don't you think? :)
Of course, each of the mentioned steps and points can be discussed separately and in great detail, but we will leave that for the future articles.
Hope I was able to convey the significance of expedition planning and provide you with clear guidelines for preparation and organization of your own outdoor adventure.
As a final note, allow me to offer one more piece of advice:
Of course, each of the mentioned steps and points can be discussed separately and in great detail, but we will leave that for the future articles.
Hope I was able to convey the significance of expedition planning and provide you with clear guidelines for preparation and organization of your own outdoor adventure.
As a final note, allow me to offer one more piece of advice:
Always start planning ahead, as ahead as possible!
10.01.2024
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