Simple, effective, and responsible. A trip plan can help you more than you know. Heading out on any type of adventure requires at least some type of preparation. Creating a trip plan will prompt you to consider important details or items to pack before heading out. The next step is to share this plan with a responsible person. By making a responsible person aware of your trip plan, you can feel confident knowing that if anything goes sideways, you will have help on the way. Let’s take a look at what a trip plan needs to include.

1. What kind of weather can you expect on your route and beyond the time you expect to be out? Prepare for the type of weather you will encounter with your clothing – your first line of defense.
2. What type of equipment would be best to take along for your trip? Take a personal survival kit or car kit along that suites the type of trip you will be going on.
3. What route do you want to take? Know your route and stick to it – look for potential detours and plan ahead if possible.
4. What time do you plan to leave and arrive at your destination? Be as precise as possible and know how much time it might take you to prepare before you leave. Plan in the time you will need to take breaks along the way.
5. Who is going on the trip? Provide details (at minimum names and contact numbers) about everyone traveling in your group.

Trip plans contain details that Emergency Personnel would need to know

One of the best ways we have found to create and share a trip plan (within Canada) is to use the Adventure Smart website or app. This makes it easy to communicate the details with your responsible person. Your filled out trip plan is sent at the specified start time, and when you arrive at your destination you use the website or app to close out your trip. Once you close your trip, your responsible person will receive notification that you have arrived successfully.

You might wonder if a trip plan is really necessary or just overkill. Each and every trip that is well planned, is a trip that builds your confidence to return safe to those you care about. A proper trip plan notifies others get help as soon as you are flagged as overdue to your destination. It allows the authorities to have pertinent information to locate you and provide you with any medical treatment if needed. It also provides a framework for others to develop a rescue plan quickly and effectively.

We can also expect that plans can and do change. A trip plan using the Adventure Smart app can be updated as needed allowing for some flexibility. You may also add some notes to the trip plan about possible changes or side adventures you might end up taking. Of course we want to allow for the extra wiggle room.

A final note, you always want to mark your trip plan as ‘completed’. Your responsible person should always try to connect with you if you have not closed out your trip plan, however, if a phone looses it’s charge, or you forget to mark the trip complete there could be some challenges. Make closing your trip plan the first thing you do.

We would love to hear your thoughts on having and using a trip plan.

P.S. Trip planning is one important aspect to building confidence and having positive outcomes. Join us for full day workshops on fire craft, shelter building, and basic navigation to further your confidence and your enjoyment in the outdoors. Find our training dates and registration here!