How to plan a good and safe trip in the wilderness
Do you also sometimes dream of venturing far into the wilderness on a grand adventure?!
Maybe you are already planning to go to Sweden, Norway, or perhaps the remote areas of Canada and try your hand at wilderness life...
Before you set off on adventures in such places, there are several things you should research, plan, and consider before you leave.
When you venture into the wilderness, good planning is the key to a safe and memorable experience. Preparation involves choosing the right equipment, knowing the terrain, and ensuring you are ready for the challenges nature may present. In this blog post, we guide you through the essential steps to plan a successful and safe wilderness trip – so you can focus on enjoying nature and having a fantastic and exciting outdoor experience.
Plan the trip:
Where?
Where do you plan to go? Research as much as possible about the area before you leave: terrain, routes, study maps, Google Maps, talk to locals, check the weather, find out where the nearest emergency room is, etc.Who?
Who is coming and what experience and skills do you have together?
Do you have experience with trips, first aid training, can you navigate with map and compass, does anyone have illnesses or conditions, etc.When?
In which season do you plan to go, what weather can you expect, are there risks of forest fires, floods, or similar in the area.Logistics.
How do you get to and from the trip, can you carry all equipment and food on a
In case of emergency, can you be evacuated?Equipment
Bring the right equipment for this specific trip: warm sleeping bag, warm clothing, life jackets, plenty of food, and the ability to obtain water. The equipment can vary quite a bit depending on where the trip goes and what time of year it is.
It basically always comes down to covering the basic needs (Shelter, fire, water, and food), also called full, warm, and dry, and it’s useful to keep this in mind when packing your gear for a wilderness trip.
A standard equipment list for one person typically looks like this:
Shelter:
- Tent, tarp, or hammock
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Clothing for the season
Fire:
- Lighter
- Fire steel
- Fire starter
- Axe
- Saw
- Knife
Water:
- Water bottle
- Pot or kettle
- Water purification filter
Optional isotonic tablets/powder
Food:
- Pot
- Pan
- Kettle
- Eating utensils
- At least 2500 Kcal per day in the form of at least 3 meals, plus snacks
Other personal equipment:
In addition, there is various personal equipment such as compass, map, string, headlamp, toothbrush, first aid kit, repair gear, power bank, phone, toilet gear, etc.
Shared equipment:
Maybe you are several people going and therefore also need to bring some equipment? Typically, you can share equipment such as tents, cooking gear, toilet gear, first aid supplies, etc.
In other cases, it may be necessary to add extra equipment such as canoes, satellite transmitters, or similar depending on the trip.
Get home safely again!
Rule number 1 before going on a wilderness trip is to inform family and/or friends about where you are going, the route, area, etc., when the trip starts, and when you expect to return. This small rule is the most important thing to remember before you leave. If an accident or similar happens on the trip, someone will react and look for you if you do not return at the agreed time.
Another important rule is to study a map of the wilderness area you want to visit and find easy landmarks in the terrain, as well as catch points/backstops, for example, a high-voltage power line in the western part of the area and a river or lake in the northern part. This way, if you get lost, you can always find your way out by, for example, walking north until you reach the power line and then knowing to walk south along the line to reach civilization.
Enjoy planning your next trip.
Wilderness Courses:
Bushcraft Denmark often offers various types of courses in bushcraft and outdoor life. You can find these two courses, which are guaranteed to be a challenging and exciting experience for life.
In the Swedish wilderness, you will learn to build a bushcraft camp from natural materials and live off game, edible plants, and basic supplies. The focus is on practical skills such as fishing, carving, navigation, and bushcraft projects. The course includes canoe paddling with instruction in paddle technique and rescue.
Welcome to the Winter Wilderness Course in Lapland. Set out into the wilderness on mountain skis, with dog sleds, and on homemade snowshoes. Sleep in a traditional Lapland shelter (Loue), try ice fishing, prepare reindeer over a campfire, and maybe see the northern lights dance.
