Planning your trip and preparing is the first step to enjoying nature and outdoor activities responsibly. This is the first of the seven principles of Leave No Trace.
And why is it important to plan and prepare? You enjoy the outing and the activity more, you avoid accidents, you guarantee your safety and that of your team. You also avoid damaging the natural area you visit or interfering with natural processes, for example, the mating season of an animal.
Tips
Some tips to prepare your trips are:
- Find out about the place you want to visit, for example the weather, opening hours, road conditions, regulations and if there is an entrance fee. Consider having another option in case the place is closed or difficult to access.
- Check the weather. Will it be very hot? Will it rain? Will it be cold? This is important to know what clothes to wear.
- Check your equipment and verify if it’s the right one for the activity you will be doing, for example if you will be hiking or camping.
- Prepare your vehicle and be sure to bring a tool kit. We recommend bringing a flashlight, shovel, jack, spare tire, etc.
- Take garbage bags with you, it’s likely that you will not find cans and you will have to take the garbage with you and deposit it in another place.
- Bring enough food, coffee and water. Use thermos, cutlery and reusable containers, so you avoid carrying things that could be thrown away on the way.
- If you take your pets don’t forget the leash and bags to collect their droppings.
- Tell your family or friends that you will be away and the day and time you plan to return. Make sure you have a way to communicate based on where you’re visiting.
Outdoor essentials
- Compass, map and GPS.
- Sunscreen protection.
- Extra clothes.
- Illumination.
- First aid kit.
- Matches, candles, etc.
- Repair kit and tools.
- Extra food.
- Water.
- Emergency shelter.
