Basic Tips Every Adventure Traveler Should Know

Adventure travelers can find a thrill from spending time reconnecting with nature, regardless of their level of experience. Whether it's a day-long hike at a nearby forest or a week-long trek through the Alps, exploring the wilderness can be a fulfilling way to see a country in a new light. All travelers, particularly those on their own, should take precautions to stay safe when hiking and be careful to avoid activities that are beyond their knowledge or experience level. I have been out and about many times in remote areas where different rules apply. So for those times when the typical tourist destinations won't do here are some basic tips every adventure traveler should know.

Basic Tips Every Adventure Traveler Should Know:

Know how to find clean water

If stuck in a jam and forced to look for fresh water, experts suggest searching for light green areas by surveying foliage from higher up, or searching where harder rock meets softer rock. They warn against the idea of consuming water from a creek or fall that is “clear enough to drink," noting that most dangerous bacteria and viruses are so small they're impossible to see. Always treat your water with purifying tablets.

Pay attention to your surroundings

It may seem like obvious advice, but when hikers are getting into the zen of their environment and having a poignant moment, it can be easy to make a costly mistake in terms of navigation or other such misstep. Experts recommended looking both forward and back as you walk to keep aware of what's around you and to note any helpful landmarks.

Be prepared to get lost

If hiking outside of a cut path, it can be easy to become disoriented as the forest grows higher. It's important to come prepared with tools just in case you do get lost, such as a map and a compass. GPS can be useful, but relying on anything with a limited amount of battery can be a mistake. If you get lost and you're in a safe environment, you should take a few moments and sit down, trying to relax as much as possible. Don't panic and to run aimlessly. If you're close to a summit, climbing up those extra few hundred feet to get a better view of your surroundings can also be a good idea.  

Don’t let your inner hunter/gatherer run wild

After some experience as a boy or girl scout, or a binge-watching marathon of survival shows, it might be tempting to try to harvest edible berries and plants along the trail.Barring any true expertise, this can be a fatal error. Unless you know for sure what it is that you’re ingesting, leave it alone.

Be familiar with the basics of first aid

Particularly for multi-day treks, take a first aid course to know how to treat minor injuries and identify symptoms of more serious health events, like how to tell if someone is having a heart attack. You never know when you’re going to need those skills.

Know how to call for help

When a situation exceeds ones own first aid knowledge, it's important to know local emergency numbers. In rural parts there are mountain rescue numbers that are more responsive and better prepared for those situations the typical 911 equivalent.

Carry two methods for fire

Cary both a lighter and strikers, as lighters can often break and it's necessary to have a back-up method. Carry blocks of chemical fire lighters in case you get stuck in a mountain overnight. Using these and finding tinder and kindling nearby can help keep you warm during a cold night. That potentially is going to save somebody’s life.

Keep on traveling and exploring, but stay safe!
Do you have any tips for adventure traveling?

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