Whether you’re a first time traveler or a seasoned veteran, it’s essential to properly prepare yourself for any outdoor trip. It’s not just making sure that you have all the equipment you need, but also your physical, and even mental, conditioning.
Mental Preparation
If it’s your first time adventuring outdoors, it’s important to understand the environment you’re heading towards. You’ll be disconnected from the outside world for a little bit, and while that may sound scary to some, you’ll find that it is really nice to unplug for a few days. Try to focus on the excitement of a new destination and embrace the experience!
Spend some time with your fellow travel companions to map out the area you’ll be staying in. How far is it from a town if you need to stock up on essentials? Are there wild animals that you need to keep an eye out for? Do your due diligence and research as much as you can about the area. Each environment is different from the next, so for new locations, do your homework to be best prepared.
Prepare yourself to eat some new foods. You might be surprised how much you like camp food. It is always important to get necessary nutrients to give you energy to get the most out of your trip. So even if you don’t love GORP (who doesn’t love GORP?), just know that is serving a purpose beyond its taste.
Physical Preparation
It can’t be stressed enough to make sure that you know your own physical limitations. If you plan on doing activities, choose a route that best fits your abilities. However, an outdoor trip can be a great time for you to set some goals and achieve them. Maybe you want to push yourself on your trip, so you spend a month getting ready by doing cardio workouts, so when you finally set out on your adventure, you crush it and reach those gorgeous and rewarding views.
By no means do you have to be a triathlete to enjoy an adventure, but making sure that you’re in tune with your body to comfortably handle the terrain you will encounter will help you enjoy your trip to the fullest. No one has fun being sore or hurting themself by overdoing it!
Some of the most efficient ways to get in shape for hiking including eating well, lifting weights, and committing to cardio for building your lung capacity (if running isn’t your thing, try biking or swimming!)
Safety Preparation
There are those fearless enough to travel to remote destinations on their own, but it’s always best to travel with a group or a partner. Plus, the outdoors are always more fun when you’re sharing the experience with someone.
On top of that, make sure you’re well aware of the forecast for the days you’ll be out there. If you see even a small chance of rain, bring water proof apparel and a rain jacket. Also, make sure that you have your camp fully set-up before the rain arrives, because there are few things more annoying than setting up your tent while its pouring (pro tip: even if you don’t see rain, still bring some rain gear, as forecasts can change in a minute). Keep your eye on the weather until the final moments leading up to your trip.
Figure out where you’ll be getting your water from too. You can always try and bring as much water as you can to your destination, but if you’re hiking through woods or portaging, it’ll add a lot of extra weight and strain on your journey. It’s best to find a water filter to bring along. Making sure you have access to clean water should be one of your top priorities as you prepare for your trip.
Also, it’s wise to learn some basic first-aid in the event of an injury. Check out this helpful first aid and outdoor safety guide from Sierra Trading Post to learn more about treating injuries while outdoors.
Packing Preparation
We already touched on making water a priority while traveling, but on top of that, make sure you have access to the other essentials as well: food, shelter, and appropriate clothing. Depending on how far out of the way you are from the nearest town, you’ll want to make sure you have access to at least one cell phone or GPS tracking device. While you may not have service where you are, if you have an emergency, the sooner you can contact help, the better. Therefore, a portable phone charger is also smart to bring.
Check out our recent post, Extended Trip Travel Checklist (20 Items to Make Sure You Bring Along) for more tips on packing!
Choose Wilderness Inquiry for Your Next Outdoor Excursion!
At Wilderness Inquiry, we are determined to connect people from all walks of life to the natural world around them. Our Outdoor Leaders’ passion for the outdoors is rivaled by few. If you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime, checkout our available trips. Whether you want to explore more of your home turf in the U.S. or travel abroad, we have a wide diversity of trips planned across the globe. So what are you waiting for? Join us for an unforgettable outdoor experience!
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