Before You Go:

Are you planning any adventures to the backcountry this summer? If so, you may want to follow these simple guidelines to help make your trip more enjoyable and safer.

• Plan Ahead: Know where you are going, when you plan to leave, when you plan to be back, and write it down. Estimate how far you plan to travel in a day (know your limits), add a complete list of your gear and supplies, include it with your trip plan, then make a few copies to leave behind when you hit the trail.
• Leave Your Trip Plan: Choose 1 or 2 people to leave your trip plan with. This will allow them to contact the authorities if you do not return on time from your adventure. It also helps to leave a copy in your vehicle with any last minute changes that had to be made before starting out.
• Stick To Your Plan: Nature is unpredictable, and there will be times when you have to alter your plan after you start your trip, but try to stick as close to your plan as possible and return to your trip plan if you have to detour for some reason.
• Learn Some Basic Survival Skills: Take a basic First Aid class or a Wilderness First Aid class before you go and add it to some self reliance training in fire building, how to signal for help, and basic shelter building. You may never need it on the trail but it will fun to learn and builds your confidence about the outdoors.
• Test Your Gear: Know how to use your gear before you go, and get an idea of its limitations. Before any trip you should also inspect your gear to see if any piece needs to be repaired or replaced prior to leaving.
• Leave No Trace: Take a few minutes to read and learn the Leave No Trace backcountry guidelines. Your goal is to set out on an adventure to remember in the wild places around us, make sure they are there for future generations to use as well.

Most importantly HAVE FUN! That’s what it’s all about. Whether it’s a day hike at a local park, an overnight campout with your family, a weekend stay in a State campground, or a multi-day solo backpacking trip in a remote wilderness. Proper planning, combined with the right gear, and a sense of adventure and you’ll have memories to share for a lifetime.

*Clip art is from Yahoo Images.