Specialty travel tips planning a navigation adventure vacation

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Having an unforgettable and exciting navigation adventure vacation doesnt begin when your out in the middle of the wilderness but in the planning stages of the trip. The enjoyment of the adventure vacation is in direct correlation to the preparations you made prior to leaving your house. The time to be honest about your skill level and those traveling with you is right now in your home. An honest assessment of your skills will help with the decision as to the best location for your adventure. A good assessment will leave you having just as much fun in your local outdoor park as a beginner as you would in the Cascade Mountain range of Washington being an experienced land navigator.

The next decision to consider is the time of year you would like to go. A winter trip will require certain skill levels that include understanding how to recognize and treat frostbite and hypothermia and more importantly how to dress in order to prevent such things from happening. Summer trips are generally safer but not without their own risks. Understanding how to recognize and treat signs of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration are imperative when you expect to be away from civilization (even if its only for a few hours) for any length of time. Now that you have made a decision as to location and time of year, your next step should be a visit to your local outdoor supply store. These stores are usually a great place to find topographical maps of the area you wish to explore, and if they are unavailable they should be able to either order them for you or point you in the right direction.

Gear Considerations:

Compass

Compasses come in a variety of designs ranging anywhere from light weight clear plastic with minimal options, Digital watch compasses with an altimeter to help zero in on an exact location, to the more expensive military lensatic compass. Much like riding a bike, they all have two wheels and operate the same but if you dont understand the basic concept of riding, then which bike you use is inconsequential and the same applies to choosing a compass. In short, any compass will work if you understand how to use it in conjunction with a topographical map.

Backpacks

Finding the right size backpack, whether a smaller day pack or a larger multi-day frame pack will ultimately be decided on the duration and amount of people joining you. For obvious reasons you want to go with the lightest pack possible that will accommodate your needs to ease the stress on your body. Packs are a good way to be prepared for the unexpected such as sudden rain, sprained ankle, and emergency communication just to name a few.

Communication

Having the ability to communicate in one fashion or another will prove invaluable when you expect to be away from civilization for any length of time. For emergency purposes you should always carry a whistle in arms reach just in case you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to move because of injury or getting stuck. In the event a whistle fails to get peoples attention, than a signal mirror is another option to get the attention of possible search aircraft or as an alternative to the mirror, a signal flare which serves the same purpose. Beyond these, either a portable radio or cell phone with GPS capabilities will be the best option if available to you. When putting together a communication package remember it is by no means a substitute for telling friends and family where you will be and how long you expect to be away.

Food and Hydration

In general trail mix, sport bars, fruit, cheese, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will provide the best energy and nutrition without worrying about carrying a cooler for preservation. Frequent snacking provides better nutrient body absorption over large sit down picnic type meals. Water is the best source of hydration and just like food consumption; frequent sips of water will reduce the chances of dehydration. Something to remember is that dehydration can and will happen in any weather condition from winter to summer if you fail to hydrate your body properly.

Clothing

Layering your clothing with lightweight synthetics will whisk away perspiration to keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The layers will give you the option to control your body temperature by either adding or subtracting layers depending on the weather. Stay away from cotton fabric because of its inability to evaporate sweat and water. Wool fabrics are a great option in the fall and winter times of year because of their ability to still keep you warm whether wet or dry.

Lighting

Headlamps have come a long way in the past five years. Prices and weight have dropped dramatically giving everyone the ability to see at night no matter what their budget constraint may be. Headlamps free up your hands to utilize your map and compass, eat on the run, or move tree branches out of your way. Lighting should be a mandatory piece of equipment considering night time can arrive rather quickly when youre having fun and focusing on other things.

Planning a navigation adventure vacation can and should be a lot of fun. Take the time to plan for the unexpected whether it is the sudden drop in temperature overnight, rain, falling in water, twisting an ankle, or getting lost you want to be prepared. Remember that the best source of information will be found at your local outdoor supply store for suggestions, recommendations, and answers for any questions you may have.