suggestions outlined in this chapter to help guide you through the research
process. Before you leave, you should do the following:
gather as much information as possible from printed sources
contact a local expert who can inform you about the specifics of the
destination: its flora and fauna, dangers, and any benefits or advantages (such
as shelters, escape routes, or water sources) offered by the terrain
receive at least basic training in wilderness survival and navigation skills
gage your level of fitness and determine that you’re ready for your trip
prepare a regionspecific survival kitIf you’ve completed all the above tasks, you’ll know that if you find
yourself in an emergency, you are as prepared as you can possibly be.
The other thing you can do to prepare mentally for a trip—and for any
survival situation in which you may find yourself—is to accept that the worst
can happen. If you head into any outdoor adventure with the notion that “It
can’t happen to me,” you’re deluding yourself.
You should think exactly the opposite: “It can happen to me. I could
end up in the middle of this wilderness alone, even though I’m rafting in
a group of 12,” or “I could get turned around and lost, even though it’s just
a Sunday hike and there are 75 other people out here today.” Once you
accept the fact that an emergency could happen to you, the next logical
step is to prepare so that it’s less likely to happen and so that you’re ready
to handle it if it does.
Choose the Right Gear
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ANY EQUIPMENT YOU BRING on an outdoor adventure
is up to the task: strong and versatile. Don’t ask yourself if it will function
under the best conditions, but rather, will it do so under the worst conditions?
If not, do you want to stake your life on it?
Your equipment preparation is almost entirely dependent on your des
tination. Again, I recommend that you speak with someone local or, alterna
tively, talk to another traveler who has done the same sort of activity in the
same place. They will help you to determine what equipment you need.
Trip Planning and Preparation (^) | 11