There’s nothing better than packing a bag and heading out. The sun beats down on your face and the feeling you get from being surrounded by nature is one so special nothing else comes close to it. Whether you live in the mountains or the inner city there’s always an adventure to be had that will connect you to the outside world, something so pleasant and calming you often don’t want it to end.
There are some people, of course, that live this life on a daily basis, traveling around and having a new adventure every day but not everyone possesses the ability to live this life of luxury so we look for the next best thing. If we plan our adventures then we know we are getting the most out of it, especially when time isn’t on our side, so here are some things to think about.
What Do You Want to Do?
The first question we have to answer when thinking about our next trip is what we want to do, this is a large part of your plan as it will dictate where you travel. If you’re a keen mountaineer and want to challenge your skills then you will have to look at which routes you’ve already climbed and what’s next in your skill level. Others may want to take to a river and kayak for a few days and some might just want a beautiful walk. Have a think about your goals and what you want to complete, once you’ve done this you can move onto the next stage.
Destination
So you’ve decided on the main goals for your adventure, now we can take a look at where it is we can complete them. My main bit of advice in this stage is never taking on something that’s out of your ability as this is where accidents happen, an adventure is only fun if you are safe and can complete it, you don’t want to find yourself at the top of a mountain without the skills to navigate safely back down.
There’s also something to be said about navigation, whilst we live in a world that has GPS devices it’s best to understand the original methods just in case something goes wrong or your battery runs out. When on a mountain there are often lots of different routes to the top that vary in difficulty and it’s essential you stay on the right path, stories of climbers losing their way and ending up on a route out of their ability don’t end in a good way, stay safe and stick to your plan.
Getting the Right Gear
Having chosen what you want to achieve and where you’re going to do it will leave you with the next stage of the plan, getting the right equipment. The adventure industry is enormous and the sheer volume of products on offer is enough to send anyone into confusion, finding real-world, trusted reviews will assist you in making the right decision when spending large amounts of money. The aim of the game is to arm yourself with the knowledge required to make sensible, informed decisions.
The professionals at Gear Disciple state that reviews from professionals, enthusiasts, and action takers, is the best way to make your decision more informed. Understanding a product fully before making an investment will leave you safe in the knowledge you’ve made the right decision. Reading trusted consumer reviews will also give you an idea of what is needed for your skill level, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars by getting something that you need instead of something that has lots of functions you will either never use or won’t need for years to come.
Budget
Unfortunately, money will always come into your plans and when we talk about heading out on an adventure it’s more important than ever. Making sure we have enough money for our entire trip is essential to our safety as it will fund everything from our food to our accommodation.
It’s best to have money as back up as well in case of any eventuality because if something goes wrong and you have to spend the rest of your money then you’ll be in a sticky situation and may even find getting home a struggle. Plan for every aspect of your trip, and give yourself a daily budget on what you can spend on food and drink and account for any accommodation costs if you’re planning on not camping.
Planning your adventure is an exciting prospect, you get to think about everything you’re going to do and it often gets people excited. Despite this don’t skip this step, especially if you’re doing something a little more extreme, it could be the deciding factor of having a memorable trip you can tell your grandkids and having to turn around after the first 6 hours. Stay safe and enjoy every moment!