Preserver – Adventure Travel Boot Camp

It’s certainly better to be safe than sorry whether trekking in India, deep-sea diving off a remote Indonesia island or scaling a lonely peak in the Himalayas. “Not sweating the small stuff” can be the beginning physically and financially, and, remember, sometimes, you can choose your lot in life.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

* Government Advisories
It’s always worth read the travel advisories published online by the governments of the united states, united kingdom and Australia to determine crime, terrorism and other risks – but be aware that government information gathering is an inexact science. Travel advisories are often researched and written by overseas embassy staff who rely on personal experience, local and foreign media reports and, only in some cases, on field assessments.

* Tour Companies
Check out the tour company/outfitter before you submit your credit card. Make sure the organization has an excellent service and safety track record, as well as liability insurance. Contact former clients and get their honest feedback.

*Tour Guides
Select a company that employs local guides who are environmentally ethical and experienced and/or licensed on this activity.

* Read
Carefully comb through your brochure reading every word, line and footnote. Give particular attention to the small print: are you sleeping in hotels, or school, huts, and tents? Will you carrying your backpack, sleeping bag, cooking pots, and food supplies? Is the tour company providing a van to move the heavy equipment from sire to site? Will the company address your dietary and/or medical restrictions/preferences?

* Pre-trip Directions
Do you need anti-malaria drugs, vaccinations, and water sterilizing and snake bite kits? Will you be met at the airport by a company representative, or do you have to find your way to the hotel on your own?

* Age/Activity Appropriate
Select an age and experience appropriate adventure, if you are not sure where you fit, call the company and discuss your abilities as well as your limitations and expectations. Listen carefully to the responses to your questions. Remember, the tour operator is motivated to get your business, and may not necessarily have your very best interests at heart.

* Bring the Right Equipment
For example, if you are going white-water rafting and kayaking, pack waterproof gear. For horseback riding and hiking, break in the boots before you leave for the trip. If you are not sure what you need, ask the tour operator and speak with other people who are going to be part of your group.

* Get in Condition
Increase and direct your workout regime to meet the demands adventure. Hike, bike, walk the number of miles each day that you are expecting on the trip. If you don’t have the stamina at home, you will not have it on the trip!

* Insurance
Purchase the appropriate travel insurance plan for the type of adventure you are planning (i.E. Scuba diving, mountain hiking) and the number of days you will be engaged in the activities.

PRIMED, READY TO GO

Adventure travelers are a hardy bunch. Don’t even think about complaining. Bad weather is just “weather” and sport enthusiasts don’t let rain, sleep or wind prevent them from climbing the mountain or hiking the planned 15 miles. By being prepared mentally, physically and emotionally for the “great adventure”, time outdoors will not only be memorable, it is likely to become an addiction.

MUST HAVES

For the newbies to the great outdoors, the following lists will help to insure both an excellent and safe experience.

* Sleeping Bag
This is not a time to compromise. The best sleeping bags are available. Bag selection is based on the temperature and conditions expected on the trip. For a comfortable trip, include the pillow, sleeping pad and booties, as well as a storage sack.

* Walking Sticks
It is hard to image that a walking stick is necessary for climbing a hill, and actually eases muscle strain on straight terrain, but it does. Do not even think about mountain hiking, or country walking tours without a stick for both your right and left hand.
Select a stick with a leather handle and sturdy grips, so that they do not slide out of control from sweaty palms, or drift away if you trip. If you select a model that folds, the walking sticks can be tucked into backpacks when they are unnecessary.

* Rain Cover
This means a poncho for cover from head to ankle. Raincoats are not useful outside the city, and usually do not have enough repellant to keep bone dry in severe weather conditions. Under the poncho the smart adventurer will wear a water proof jacket and water repellant shirts, pants, socks and hiking shoes.

* Rain Cover Backpack
Holding survival gear, including water bottle, walking sticks, flash light, first aid bandages, sun block, etc. A backpack is one of the most important items that adventure travelers carry. A rain cover for the backpack will ensure the stuff inside stays dry and useable.

* Stuffed in the Back Pack
> Water Bottle – Do not leave anywhere without at least one full water bottle or a hydration system. Depending on the planned route, and anticipated conditions, supplemental water bottles may be necessary.

> Pocket knife with locking blades – The Swiss army knife is a wonderful invention and all the included options are delightful to have; however, with a limited budget, a good hunting knife from the local army/navy store will be ok.

> First aid kit – Available in sports dear shops at a premium, the traveler can put a fist aid kit together at a minimal coast.
ESSENTIALS – Ace bandage + alcohol swabs + alka seltzer + antibiotic cream + antihistamine tablets + aspirin tablets + band-aids + bug repellant + Dr.Scholl’s foot products, from mole skin to inner soles + duck tape, 6-12 feet + flash light + energy drink + Kleenex tissues + nylon cord, 30 feet + Pepto-Bismol + Phillips milk magnesium + plastic bags + safety pins + sun block + sunglasses + sun hat + survival whistle + watch + wind goggles.

> Stuffed in the Duffel Bag
The duffel bag holds all the things needed throughout the trip, from basic hygiene products to frills and fluff.
ESSENTIALS – Aluminum foil _ antibiotic tablets + bandana/hair clip + bath towel + bathing suit + batteries for flash light + binoculars + camp shoes: sandals, flip flops, water shoes + camping necessities + candles + cell phone + clothes pins + clothing: pants/t-shirts + comb/brush + compass + corkscrew/bottle opener + cutting board + day or fanny pack + deodorant (unscented) + dish cloth/sponge + dish washing detergent, low phosphate + disinfectant cleaner (Lysol) + disposable cameras + drinking cup + emergency space blanket + food, spices, salt/pepper + hand cream + leather and/or cotton gloves (waterproof) + laundry detergent (low phosphate) + lighter + matches (waterproof) + pocket magnifying mirror + nail file/emery board + needle/thread/buttons + pan for barbecue + paper toweling + pencil/paper + plastic fork/spoon + pot holder + pot scrubber/steel wool pad + razor (disposable) + sack for dirty clothing + safety pins + serving plate + shampoo in plastic bottle + tube shorts/long pants + soap in plastic container (glycerin) unscented + socks (light/medium weight/water proof/resistant) + space contact lenses or glasses + sweat shirt + tarp (footprint or drop cloth) + toilet paper in Ziploc bag + tongs/spatula + tooth brush/paste in plastic holder + towel + trash bag + t-shirts (short/long sleeve) + underwear + weather radio.

> For Cold Weather/Mountain Tops
Cap + crampons + glacial glasses + hand warmers/wool gloves (water proof) + heavy socks + hiking boots + neck scarf + ski mask-small pot/container for melting snow + trekking poles.

* Cooking and Eating
Camp cookware + camp stove + coffee, tea, hot chocolate + collapsible fresh water jug + condiments + cooking oil + cooler- food + fuel for stove + honey, sugar + measuring cup + metal skewers + plastic tableware + tongs + trash bag + Ziploc bags.

* Nice. Not Necessary
Board games + books + dice + disposable underwear, socks, hand towels + Frisbee + magazine + playing cards.