Ten Tips for Adventure Holidays

Don’t be intimidated by the idea of skipping the beach in favor of embarking on adventure holidays!  It might seem counter-intuitive to take a vacation that centers around a lot of activity rather than days on end of rest and relaxation, but I absolutely love to use travel as an opportunity to stretch my boundaries and test my limits.  Whether I’m canoeing a river in Alaska or hiking a mountain the Adirondacks, I’ve learned a few tricks over the years to make adventure travel safer and more enjoyable  And since my husband and I frequently travel separately due to our work schedules, these tips are particularly relevant for singles holidays.  Solo travelers – whether traveling independently out of necessity, or to meet new people and make new friends – can benefit by keeping these ten tips in mind.

1. Research: No matter where you’re going and what you’re doing, do some homework first!  Thoroughly read the website for the company booking your trip, but also hit the local libarary or your favorite bookstore to pick up additional literature on your destination, as well the activities in which you will be participating (canoeing, hiking, rock-climbing).  It’s also important to learn about things like local customs when traveling to other countries, where certain behaviors that are normal in your country are considered rude in another.  Another good idea when traveling outside of your own country is to learn a few basic phrases in the native language.  In addition to “please”, “thank you”, and “excuse me” try learning “How much does that cost?” “Where is the restroom, please?” and “Have a nice day!”  The attempt is usually appreciated, even if you aren’t entirely successful.

2. Pack Light & Organize: I learn this one the hard way every time I travel!  I am definitely not a light packer, but when traveling solo it’s especially important that you are able to carry everything you bring with you.  Make sure you pack appropriately for the climate to which you are traveling, and be mindful of the number of days you are staying.  If you’re only going to be gone for four days, three pair of jeans might be excessive.  One of my favorite adventure travel investments was a pair of North Face pants with legs that zip-off into shorts. (In fact, I’m wearing them as I type this!)  Packing clothing that can perform double duty is always a plus; now when taking trips lasting just a few days I need only bring one more pair of pants or shorts.  Another great investment are quick-dry undergarments that can be washed by hand and hung to dry overnight.

3. Bring a Journal: Even if you don’t consider yourself much of a writer, bring at least a small book with blank notebook pages.  Photographs are great, but you can’t rely on them to record things like smells, sounds, and tastes, all of which are an important part of your adventure holiday.  Pictures can’t describe the way you feel when you scale a mountain or paddle a rushing river, either, so consider jotting a few notes to go along with your snapshots.

4. Bring a camera: I don’t recommend relying on your cell phone camera, even the nice ones.  Some trips might not lend themselves to bringing along a nice point-and-shoot – an adventure on the water, for example – so consider the type of trip your taking and make sure you bring along a way to visually record your adventure.

5. Leave a detailed itinerary with a friend or family member: No matter if you are traveling alone or with another person, it’s important that someone knows where you are planning to be and when you plan to be there, in case of an emergency.  By the same token, make sure that you designate an emergency contact in your cell phone in the event something happens but you can’t communicate to an emergency responder.  Better safe than sorry.

The author, her husband, and her zip-off North Face pants at Yellowstone.

6. Telecommunications: If you’re traveling outside of your home country, investigate the cost of international rates through your mobile provider for both calls and texts.  People have come home from an exhilarating vacation only to have the wind taken out of their sails by a hefty cell phone bill.  Call customer service and ask about rates for calls and texts before you leave.  If you are bringing a laptop along I recommend Skype, a software program that you can download to your computer (and yes, “there’s an app for that” smartphone users) and make calls over the Internet.

7. At the Airport: Check in online and print your tickets ahead of time, if you can.  Read and review all TSA recommendations and requirements, and make sure you pay special attention to your carry-on item(s) and items on your person.  Security is really where most of your time is going to be wasted if you don’t prepare properly.  Wear shoes that are easy to take on and off, remove your belt and jacket while you’re waiting in line, and empty your pockets completely.  Before you get to the airport make sure all of your liquids and gels for carry-on are under 3 ounces, and make sure you’ve stored them all into one, one-quart clear plastic zip-top bag.  Additionally, make sure to place this plastic bag in an easily-accessible pocket of your bag, as it must be removed during the screening process.  When possible, check all liquids to skip this step entirely.

8. First Aid: Adventure travel can sometimes lead to a minor injury or two; I’ve certainly had my share of bruised thumbs after canoeing, and a bloody shin or two after hiking steep terrain.  Pack a small first-aid kit so that you can tend to minor injuries without slowing down the group.  Of course, don’t try to treat anything major on your own – use discretion, and alert a group leader if you think you’ve sustained an injury that needs professional attention.  Make sure you pack any necessary medications that you take as well.

9. Gear Prep: If your adventure holiday requires you to bring your own backcountry gear, make sure you have it prepped before leaving: waterproof your tent, hiking boots, and rain jackets/pants; wax your skis; practice firing your canister of bear spray (check the wind direction first!); test flashlights and headlamps, and bring an extra set of batteries for each.  The Boy Scouts were really onto something with that “Be Prepared” business!

10. Don’t Party Too Hard: This one might seem like a real buzzkill (pardon the pun), but when you are on a trip that involves a high level of physical exertion I don’t recommend drinking too much.  Take it from me, there is nothing worse than waking up early in the morning with a sour stomach and a pounding head and having to climb into a canoe (or hike up a mountain, or strap on your skis) and put miles of backcountry behind you.  Be mindful of the next day’s planned activities before over-imbibing.

Photo credits: SXC (1, 2); Photo 3 from the personal collection of Christina Uticone & Joshua Payne.

This post was sponsored by Adventure Company; the opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.