Outdoor recreation in all its forms offers one of life’s great pleasures. Once you have acquired the basic equipment necessary, it offers an extremely cost-effective method of experiencing the natural world while gaining physical fitness and mental well-being. There are however things that you have to keep in mind when you venture out. Each year in British Columbia there are approximately 1,000 incidents involving outdoor recreation that require the services of search and rescue teams.

Because of these incidents, numerous injuries and occasional deaths occur. Much of the following information is gleaned from the BC Search & Rescue Association literature. I strongly suggest that you read and take it to heart. Several of the trails mentioned in this book take you into areas that could find you in a position where you will be forced to spend a night on the mountain if you make grave errors in navigation or judgment.

Let someone reliable know where you are going, how long you expect to be and when you’ll return.  Complete a basic trip plan and leave it with a friend or loved one - even a sketch on a napkin is better than simply walking out the door without a word.  The trip plan explains your destination, the route you are taking, who is in the group and your approximate return time.  If you fail to return as planned, your friend can provide this information to the relevant authorities.

Bring two sets of clothing.  During the summer for instance, this might include a breathable short-sleeve shirt and shorts for the ascent and breathable long-sleeved top and pants for the descent and after-trail relaxation.  A hat, gloves and light rain-shell are also excellent additions.  In winter months this might also include an extra pair of gloves and socks.

Spare Parts bring smiles.  I have always been the guy who drags too much up the mountain in his pack.  On the other hand, being 10k from home while staring at a snapped bicycle derailleur isn’t much fun.  Whatever your mode of transport, consider bringing along a spare bit of whatever component might most readily break.  At a minimum, carry what you might use to repair your most important component(s), should it break far from home.  Duct tape, cable-ties and general-purpose wire allow one to effect repairs on a wide variety of devices.

Be prepared; honestly assess your skill level & degree of fitness and stick to your trip plan.  Take the proper equipment and use guide books such as this one.  Always bring more water than you think you’ll need; you can dump it out at the end of a trail, but you generally can’t ‘dump it in’ without carrying special filtration units if you happen to run out.  View the extra weight as a logical tradeoff and be pleased with yourself knowing that the additional ballast is improving your cardiovascular fitness level.

Create a checklist and use it There are few things worse than gaining a trailhead or summit only to realize that you’ve forgotten an important item. Mental checklists are ok for some, but a written one will allow you to concentrate on more important matters as you ready yourself for the trip.