Conquer Adventure Travel’s Top Ten Fears

Almost by definition, adventure travel takes you outside your comfort zone. Frankly, I think that’s where the best experiences happen.

But stepping outside your comfort zone can also bring fear, anxiety, and uncertainty.

Let’s explore the most common reasons adventure travel—or even any kind of travel—can make you feel anxious, worried, or afraid. More importantly, we’ll discuss practical ways to overcome those fears so you, too, can experience the exhilaration, confidence, and sense of empowerment that adventure travel brings.

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Almost by definition, adventure travel puts you outside your comfort zone. Frankly, I think that’s where the best experiences happen. But often, leaving your comfort zone can bring fear and anxiety.

Let’s look at the top reasons adventure travel—or even any kind of travel—can make you feel anxious, worried, or afraid, and how you can overcome those fears so you, too, can experience the exhilaration, confidence, and empowerment that come from adventure travel.

Four Part Series on When Travel Goes Wrong

What are the Top Ten Fears Holding YOU Back from Adventure???

1. What If I Can’t Do It?

This is definitely a good question to ask yourself.

The key is to match the adventure to your current abilities. My advice is simple: go just one step beyond your comfort zone.

For example, if you’ve never hiked before, choose an adventure with a base camp rather than a point-to-point trek that you must complete on a set schedule. If you’ve successfully hiked a 100-mile trail in your own country, consider doing a similar hike in a country where English isn’t widely spoken.

The idea is to incrementally stretch your comfort zone—not leap far beyond it.

And whatever adventure you choose, train before you go. It’ll make the experience far more enjoyable and give you the confidence to fully appreciate the journey.

2. What If I Get Hurt?

This is always a possibility. Most injuries happen when we’ve let our guard down or are simply tired.

At the end of the day, pay extra attention to lifting your feet so you don’t trip over a root or rock. Use trekking poles whenever you’re hiking. My poles have saved me from countless falls.

If you’re crossing an area where a fall is possible, lean toward the direction you’d prefer to fall. That way, if you do lose your footing, you’re more likely to land safely—on your backside instead of tumbling downhill.

As my sister Terry said in the last episode:

“I fell. And you know what? The sky didn’t fall down, and I was OK. I just got a little muddy.”

Here are a few other ways to reduce your risk:

• Use trekking poles when hiking.
• Wear the appropriate safety gear for every activity—PFDs (personal flotation devices) on the water, helmets when cycling, and any other recommended protective equipment.
• Carry a small first-aid kit in your daypack with antibiotic ointment, adhesive bandages, blister treatment, ibuprofen (my “Vitamin I”), and a compression bandage or elastic wrap in case you sprain an ankle. (Listen to the episode to hear why.)
• Purchase travel insurance. Make sure it covers your specific adventure activities and includes emergency evacuation coverage in addition to standard medical benefits.

3. I’m Afraid of Criminals

Unfortunately, crime exists in cities all over the world, so it’s important to take the same common-sense precautions you would anywhere.

In the free Travel Planner that accompanies each podcast episode, I include a link to the U.S. State Department’s travel information page for that destination. It’s a great resource for current safety information, travel advisories, and local concerns.

Here are a few simple ways to reduce your risk while traveling:

• Keep your money in three separate places:
  • A small amount of cash in an easily accessible pocket for everyday purchases.
  • About $50 in your purse or daypack.
  • Your passport, credit cards, and the majority of your cash hidden securely under your clothing or in a concealed money belt.
• Trust your instincts. If the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, pay attention. Don’t be afraid to make a scene or leave a situation if something doesn’t feel right.
• Avoid putting yourself in vulnerable situations.
• Don’t walk alone late at night in deserted areas.
• Always keep an eye on your drink.
• Consider joining a guided tour. Traveling with a local guide and a group adds both knowledge and an extra layer of security.
• Research the areas you’ll be visiting. Learn which neighborhoods to avoid, and don’t hesitate to ask locals for advice.
• Learn about common scams before you go. The U.S. State Department’s destination page is a good starting point, and it’s worth checking recent traveler reports as well.

Four Part Series on When Travel Goes Wrong

4. I Can’t Speak the Local Language

If you’re listening to this podcast, you’re already fortunate to speak the world’s most widely used international language—English. Almost everywhere you travel, you’ll be able to find someone who speaks at least a little English. And if not, pantomime can actually be a lot of fun!

Here are a few tips:

• Ask a teenager for help. Young people are often the most likely to speak some English.
• Download Google Translate to your phone before you leave so you can use it offline.  Did you know that Google Translate can translate LIVE while you are speaking so that you hear the foreign language in YOUR language!!!  It can also translate street signs, menus, etc. using the camera.  Wild!!!

• Learn a few basic phrases before your trip, such as:

  • Please
  • Thank you
  • Hello
  • Goodbye
  • Yes
  • No
  • Where’s the bathroom?

  Even making a small effort to speak the local language will usually be appreciated and can help endear you to the local people.

• Use YouTube to learn key travel phrases. It’s a fantastic free resource. (See below for an easy way to remember new phrases.)
• Choose an English-speaking destination. There are plenty of wonderful adventures in countries where English is the primary language—or where it’s widely spoken.
• Travel with a guided tour. Your guide can translate, help you communicate with local people, and make traveling in a foreign language much less intimidating.
• Listen to this episode on Travel Language Learning Tips

5. I Don’t Have Anyone to Travel With

Please, please, please don’t let that stop you!

Solo travelers make up a huge and growing part of the adventure travel community—especially women over 50. Whether you’re single like I am, or your partner simply isn’t interested in adventure travel, you’ll meet plenty of like-minded travelers and often make lifelong friends.

If you’re worried about feeling lonely, consider joining a guided tour. I promise you’ll quickly bond with your fellow travelers.

A few things to know:

• Some tour companies charge a single supplement if you want your own room.
• Many companies offer roommate matching, pairing you with another solo traveler of the same sex so you can avoid paying the single supplement.
• You’ll rarely be alone on a guided adventure. Between your guide and your fellow travelers, there’s always someone to share the experience with.

If you wait until you find the perfect travel companion, you may never go.

Choose an adventure. Book the trip. Go.

I don’t think you’ll ever regret taking that first step.

6. I Don’t Like Roughing It

No problem!

These days, there are plenty of amazing adventure trips that end each day with a hot shower and a comfortable bed. Adventure travel doesn’t have to mean sleeping in a tent or giving up life’s little comforts.

Use the search bar above to narrow your options based on the comfort level you prefer, and you’ll find plenty of adventures that combine unforgettable experiences with comfortable accommodations.

Four Part Series on When Travel Goes Wrong

7. I’m Worried I’ll Get Lost

It’s a common concern, but there are lots of simple ways to reduce the risk.

Did you know you can use Google Maps offline? Before exploring a new destination, download the area to your phone. I also “pin” my accommodations so I can always find my way back. I carry a business card from my hotel—or at least save the address in my phone—so I can show it to a taxi driver if needed.

On the Trail

When you’re hiking, it’s important to stay alert.

For areas where it’s possible to get lost on unmarked trails, I recommend hiring a guide, like I did on my Nicaragua adventure (Episode 001). Fortunately, most popular hiking trails are very well marked, or blazed.

If I come to an intersection and I’m not sure which way to go, I use a simple trick:

1. Choose the direction that seems most likely.
2. Leave a small marker—using a few rocks or sticks—to indicate the direction you chose.
3. Turn around and look back at the trail from the opposite direction, noting both the intersection and your marker.

If I discover I’ve guessed wrong (which usually happens within the first hundred yards), I can easily retrace my steps and find the intersection again. It’s surprising how different a trail junction can look when approaching it from the opposite direction, so this little trick has saved me from missing many turnoffs.

Choose Popular Trails

If you’re especially worried about getting lost, choose well-traveled trails where you’ll regularly encounter other hikers.

Just don’t do what Rosemary Burris did in Episode 005! She intentionally hiked the Kungsleden Trail in the opposite direction from most people so she could enjoy long stretches of solitude. It made for a wonderful experience—but probably isn’t the best strategy if you’re nervous about navigation.

Carry Navigation Backups

There are several excellent hiking map apps available for your phone, but I always carry backup navigation tools as well:

• A compass
• A paper map
• A whistle attached to my backpack
• A headlamp

If your paper map isn’t waterproof, here’s an old backpacker’s trick:

Mix a little Elmer’s Glue with water and brush a thin coat over one side of the map. Once it’s dry, repeat on the other side. After both sides have dried, dust the map lightly with baby powder before folding it. This keeps the map from sticking to itself and works on photocopies as well.

8. I’m Worried I’ll Get Sick

It happens. Sometimes you eat something that doesn’t agree with you.

I always pack a couple of oral rehydration packets just in case. Fortunately, I’ve never had to use them! They’re lightweight because you simply mix them with clean water if you need them.

When traveling, especially in developing countries, I’m careful about what I eat and drink.

Here are the precautions I take:

• Eat only cooked foods that are served hot.
• Choose fruits you can peel yourself, such as bananas or oranges.
• Eat at busy restaurants. Local people usually know which places have the best food and the highest food safety standards.
• Eat during normal meal times so you’re less likely to be served food that’s been sitting out.
• Skip raw salads unless you’re certain the vegetables have been washed in purified water.
• Drink bottled or properly filtered water.  I like my Sawyer Squeezeif I need a lot of filtered water or aLife Straw
• Brush your teeth with bottled water if the local water isn’t considered safe.
• Avoid getting shower water in your mouth.
• Depending on the destination, I may also carry a water filter or a SteriPEN so I can safely purify drinking water along the way.

I also ask my doctor to prescribe an antibiotic to carry with me, just in case. My doctor usually recommends Cipro for the destinations I typically visit.

Finally, remember that many travel-related illnesses are preventable. Before your trip, consult a travel medicine clinic or your local county health department to find out whether any vaccinations or preventive medications are recommended for your destination.

9. I’m Afraid of Terrorists

It’s an unfortunate reality that terrorism is something travelers need to be aware of today. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce your risk and stay informed.

• Check the U.S. State Department’s travel information before your trip. I include a link to the appropriate State Department page in each episode’s Travel Planning Cheat Sheet. It’s an excellent resource for current travel advisories, common scams, safety concerns, and any terrorism-related risks for your destination.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Most terrorist attacks are aimed at crowded public places, so you’re generally much less likely to encounter problems when you’re out hiking, cycling, or otherwise enjoying nature.
• Avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings. Even peaceful protests can become unpredictable.
• Use common sense in major cities. Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid situations or locations that make you uncomfortable.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you’re a U.S. citizen, registering your trip means the U.S. Embassy can more easily contact or assist you during an emergency. I register every international trip I take. If you’re not a U.S. citizen, check whether your country’s foreign affairs office offers a similar traveler registration program.

These programs are also helpful for our final concern…

10. What If There’s a Natural Disaster?

Yes, natural disasters can happen. That’s one reason I recommend enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before traveling internationally. If your trip is registered, the U.S. government knows where you’re traveling and can more easily contact or assist you during a major emergency.

Linda, from Episode 007, mentioned that one of her Mont Blanc hiking companions happened to be in Nepal during the devastating earthquake. What’s remarkable is that the experience didn’t stop her from taking future adventure trips.

While no one can predict every natural disaster, today’s monitoring systems do a remarkably good job of providing advance warnings for many events, including volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and some other natural hazards. If conditions become unsafe, you’ll often have the opportunity to change your plans.

The way I look at it, I’m far more likely to be injured in a car accident close to home than by a natural disaster while traveling. I don’t let fear keep me from experiencing the world, but I do pay attention to warnings and adjust my plans when necessary.

Don’t Let Fear Keep You from Your Adventure

These are the Top 10 Fears I hear most often from people who are considering adventure travel. In reality, many of them are simply common travel concerns.

I hope today’s episode has shown you that there are practical ways to reduce these risks so you can confidently book—and enjoy—the adventure trip of your dreams.

When you return, you may discover that overcoming your fears has given you something even more valuable than an unforgettable vacation: greater confidence and the courage to add just one more “+1” to your own comfort zone on the next adventure.

And if I’ve missed one of your fears, I’d love to hear from you. Send me an email!

Four Part Series on When Travel Goes Wrong

(C) Active Travel Adventures LLC – All Rights Reserved

Podcast Transcript: Conquer Adventure Travel’s Top 10 Fears

Prefer to read instead of listen? Below is the complete transcript of this Active Travel Adventures podcast episode. Kit Parks shares practical advice for overcoming the ten most common fears about adventure travel, including concerns about fitness, injuries, crime, language barriers, solo travel, getting lost, illness, terrorism, and natural disasters. If you’ve ever wondered whether adventure travel is right for you, this episode will help you travel with greater confidence.

Conquer Adventure Travel’s Top Ten Fears Almost by definition adventure
travel puts you outside of your comfort zone. Frankly, I think the best
experiences do, but often leaving your comfort zone brings fear and
anxiety. We’re going to look at the top ten adventure travel fears that
may be holding you back from adventure traveling and how to mitigate
those fears or at least live with them so they don’t hold you back.
Ordinarily, we go on an adventure to some exciting destination. Many of
you are telling me that you want to try adventure travel but you’re
afraid and those fears come in many shapes. Let’s tackle those fears
head-on one by one so you too can feel the exhilaration, confidence
building and empowerment that comes from adventure travel. After all,
adventure travel not only get you to places you can’t see unless you
propel your body to get there. It also makes you feel so much better
about yourself as you can hear in the voices of everyone I’ve ever
interviewed. No wonder, we all get hooked. What If I Can’t Do It? Let’s
get into it, number one, “What if I can’t do it?†This is definitely a
good question to ask yourself. The key is to match up your abilities to
an adventure just go plus one. For example, if you’ve never hiked
before, choose an adventure that has a base camp rather than a linear
hike that you must accomplish on a set schedule. If you’ve gone on a
week-long hike, perhaps it’s time to try something with a little bit
more elevation like I did when I climbed Chirripó in Costa Rica. That
was a hard hike for me but I was able to do it, so I know I could maybe
push myself a little bit more a plus one on my next adventure. If you’re
new at this, perhaps first try something in the 3,000 feet to 5,000 feet
elevation range and see how you do.

  Likewise, I know it wouldn’t be good for me personally to hike to
Everest base camp as I already know that I’ve got some elevation issues.
You want to match how much physical endurance you wanted in a trip to
the handy rankings that I’d give to each adventure we cover. They’re
ranked on a scale of one to five with one being a couch potato, two
being easy. Three being steady possibly all-day activity with only a few
hard parts. Four has a lot of harder parts and you’re probably working
at it all day and five is hard, but not climbing Mount Everest hard,
it’s just hard. A fit person who did not train could do level three in
below with no problem but surely have a lot more fun if he or she
trained. Four to five stars that requires training or you’re not going
to be a happy camper. I’m not saying you can’t do it, you just won’t be
happy about it. Your training is important. Realistically, look at your
schedule to determine if you could do the proper training. I’ve decided
to keep doing my daily walks from now on with the 25 pounds of my pack.
As we near backpacking season, I’m going to beef that up to about 35
pounds. I’ll keep adding a couple of pounds of weight to the pack each
week until it gets up to about the 35, 36 pounds. Even if you are
carrying twenty pounds on your back, you still need to get your feet and
back used to it. Can you do it without training? If you’re fit usually,
but expect high physical rated adventures to kick your butt, truly it’s
so much better to train. You’ll have so much more fun.

  What If I Get Hurt? Number two, “What if I get hurt?†This is always
a possibility. Most people often get hurt when they’ve let their guard
down or tired. At the end of the day, pay attention to lifting your feet
up so you don’t trip on a root. Use trekking poles. My poles have saved
me from countless falls. If you’re in an area that you think you could
fall, lean towards the direction you prefer to fall in, so if you do
happen to fall, you can fall more safely preferably on your butt. My
sister, Terry, said in the last episode,”I fell and this guy didn’t fall
down and I was okay. I got a little muddy.†Keep a small emergency kit
in your pack, a small tube of antibiotics, some Band-Aids, a bandage and
some vitamin I, Ibuprofen. Also pack a compression sock in case you
sprain your ankle. Check out the bonus episode we did on what to do if
you sprain your ankle while you’re in the wild. I also wrap duct tape
around my poles. I’ve used it before to wrap my feet to reduce friction
on blisters, repair tents and so much more. Finally, especially if
you’re traveling out of the country, buy travel insurance and get it
with the evacuation coverage. It can cost $50,000 to $100,000 to get you
and fly you out to desired hospital. Policy prices are based on age,
country and activity and you want to make sure that your policy covers
whatever your adventure activity is going to be. A good policy will also
reimburse you if you have an accident and can’t participate in the
adventure. I also like it because it allows me to return home if there’s
a death or illness in the family. I have an elderly mom, so I always
want to make sure that I can get back here quickly and easily.

  I went to Tanzania with my girlfriend, Mickey. On the morning, we were
to start the Safari and literally seriously right on the way to
breakfast an hour before our trip started, Mickey trips and face-plants.
Her face was all torn up and the doctor wouldn’t let her go into the
bush in case it got infected. Mickey stayed in that lovely lodge for the
five days of the Safari. It took a while but she eventually got
reimbursed by her travel insurance company for missing that Safari.
Accidents are rare but it’s best to be prepared. I’m Afraid Of Criminals
Number three, I’m afraid of criminals. In all cities the world now, you
need to take the normal precautions. I put link to the helpful State
Department Travel website for each country and the free travel planners
that correspond to each episode. The travel planners are sent to you
automatically if you get the newsletter or you could download them
directly from the webpage. Remember on most adventures, you’re in the
city. However, whenever I am in the city here’s what I do. I keep a
little bit of cash in my pocket. I keep my passport, credit cards and
the big money in a hidden pouch under my clothes and I may put up $50 in
my purse or a backpack. I never wear any flashy jewelry and if I need to
get into my good stash, I make sure I do so out of sight, in a restroom
or something. I remember my girlfriend, Mickey, cracking up when she saw
me pull out my credit card from a little hidey-hole pocket I sewed into
my camisole. The passport, credit cards, etc. rest in the pocket against
my rib cage and you can’t even see them hiding anything under my
clothes.

  Luckily, crime in the countryside is pretty much a non-issue in all
the many countries I’ve been to. Still, I avoid putting myself in a
vulnerable position such as walking alone at night when all the other
people have turned in. I watch my drink at all times to make sure
something doesn’t get slipped into it. Be smart and you’ll be fine. You
can also join a group tour, so you have the safety in numbers plus have
a local guide, who knows the ropes. One last thought on crime, I hear
all the time from non-US citizens that they are afraid to come to the US
because of all the gun violence. Remember, the US is a huge country. The
vast majority of which is completely safe from gun or any other kind of
violence or serious crime. You don’t go into the troublesome areas. It’s
like saying, “It’s too dangerous to come visit me in North Carolina
because there are twenty shootings in Chicago last weekend.†I live
about 1,000 miles from Chicago. I can’t recall any shootings in my area
and there’s a ton of guns around here with all the hunting. Most of the
Chicago shootings are in particular neighborhoods that you avoid. Simply
do the same when you’re traveling. I love Chicago. It’s one of my
favorite US cities and just because they have gun violence in certain
parts of the city, doesn’t mean I’m not going to go to Chicago anymore.
The locals can advise you where it’s safe. ”Accidents Share on X For example,
I was going to a dinner meet up outside of Berlin. Traveling solo and
not knowing the area, I asked a local if it was okay for me to be
walking around by myself after dark, about 9:00-ish. He said the streets
were fine, but that I shouldn’t cut across the park. Likewise, since I
do like to wander, explore and get lost whenever I’m in a new city, I
had another local take my map of Berlin and circle all the neighborhoods
I should be avoiding. I had no problem whatsoever and I never felt the
hairs rise. That is the signal that I always listen to and recommend
that you do as well. Your brain has somehow picked up a signal. Listen
to it and don’t worry if you have to make a scene if necessary, if you
feel that you’re an unsafe situation. I Can’t Speak The Local Language
Number four, I can’t speak the local language. If you’re reading this
episode, you are blessed that you know the world’s international
language. You can almost always find somebody who speaks a little
English. If not, pantomiming is fun or find a teenager. They learn
English by watching movies, listening to music and playing video games,
so they can often help. You can also download Google Translate directly
to your phone and use it offline. If you’re traveling to a country that
does not speak English, take the time to learn at least,”Please, thank
you, where’s the bathroom? Yes, no, hello and goodbye.†It’s going to
endear you to the locals.

  YouTube is a fabulous free resource that you can use to pick up a few
key phrases. I’m learning some Thai and Dzongkha for my upcoming trip to
Bhutan. Here’s a trick I learned when I was getting my teaching English
as a Second Language certification. Draw the phrase, the more ridiculous
you make it, the more memorable it is to you. For example, I’m learning
the Thai phrase for, “Can you speak English?†What I drew is a
ludicrous picture of a raccoon with a big foot sticking out. A large
double arrow to indicate passing. The best I could come up with is
knitting needles and yarn for xạngkvs̄ʹ, a sunrise for dị̂ and
arms half fold it across the chest for h̄ịm, and all polite females
end sentences with kha so I’m able to remember that part. This is an
effective technique for somebody visual like me because I readily
remember my picture. The drawing is nothing but a simple stick figure
representation, but it truly is an effective technique that’s helped me
a lot. Alternately, you can stick to English-speaking countries or
places where almost everybody speaks English. That’s still going to give
you tons of options or you can go in a guided tour. There your guides
are going to be able to speak the local language and English.

  I Don’t Have Anyone To Travel With Number five, “I don’t have anybody
to travel with.†Please don’t let that stop you. Solo travelers make up
a huge and growing portion of the adventure travel community
particularly with women over 50. Whether you’re single like myself or
your partner doesn’t like adventure travel, you’re going to meet plenty
of fellow travelers and are often going to make some lifelong friends.
Linda of the Mont Blanc episode and her husband met Phil, who was
traveling solo. Phil then joined them on their trip to Machu Picchu. I
met Simon on the West Highland Way in Scotland last June and we still
keep in touch. He and his girlfriend have offered to show me around
whenever I do the Cotswold way. If you’re worried you’re going to be
lonely, go on a guided tour. I promise you’re going to bond with your
fellow travelers. Sometimes you’re going to have to pay a single
supplement and if you don’t want to pay it, some companies will match
you up for the same sex roommate. If you wait until you find a travel
mate, you may never go. Pick an adventure, pick a time and then book it.
You’re not going to be sorry. I Don’t Like Roughing It Number six,”I
don’t like to rough it.†No problem, nowadays, there are tons of great
adventures that end each day in a comfy bed. You can use the search bar
on the ATA website to narrow your options to those that have the comfort
level that you prefer. Many of the adventures I’ve covered, use guest
houses for accommodations. If you’re not willing to camp or stay in a
mixed dorm with a shared bath, simply eliminate those adventures from
your list. You’re never going to have enough time to do all the
adventures that you want to do, so pick accordingly. To help you choose,
you can look at the itineraries on the website and in the travel
planners. For example, you have to camp if you want to trek the Inca
Trail which is episode 14. If you hike Mont Blanc or many of the other
adventures I’ve covered, you sleep in a lovely guest house each night.
On many adventures, you can arrange for someone to transport your
luggage, all you have to do is carry a daypack. Super easy, super comfy.

  I’m Worried I’ll Get Lost Number 7, “I’m worried I’m going to get
lost.†Did you know that you can use Google Maps offline? Whenever I
get to a new location, I pin my accommodation so I can always find my
way back home. I also carry either the business card or put on my phone
the address so that can always hail a cab or Uber if I need to. In the
wild, you’re going to have to pay attention. I recommend a guide in
areas you could conceivably get lost on the unmarked trail like on my
Nicaraguan adventure, but most trails are very well marked or blazed. A
blaze is a symbol like the white bar painted on trees alongside the
Appalachian Trail or a thistle in the post on the West Highland Way. You
simply follow the blazes. There should be one at every turn or wherever
there could be a confusion on a mark trail. If I come to an intersection
and I’m not sure which way to go I do two things, first, I choose a
direction and then mark on the trail with rocks and sticks indicating
which direction I plan to go. I turn around and look to see what does
this trail look like if I’m coming from a different direction. I also
look down at my little trail indicator that I made in the dirt. If I
figure out later that I guessed the wrong way and this generally happens
in the first hundred yards or so. I turn around and then I can readily
find my intersection again so I can head back in the proper way.

  You would be surprised at how often you can miss a fork if you’re
coming from a different direction. This method helps me to self-correct
and not miss any turn offs. There aren’t many popular trails these days
that you won’t see other people. If you’re concerned about getting lost,
purposefully choose a popular trail and then go in the popular
direction. Not like Rosemary Burris in episode five who went in the
opposite direction of most hiking the Kungsleden Trail so she could have
the trail all to herself for much of the day. There are also great map
apps you can put on your phone, but as a backup I always carry a compass
and a paper map in case my phone dies. If the paper map is not
waterproof, I make it so by watering down some Elmer’s glue or any of
the white glues and then I’ll paint over the whole map completely on one
side. Once it’s dry, I turn it over and repeat on the other side. When
both sides are completely dry, sprinkle them with baby powder and
that’ll help keep the map from sticking together when you fold it. This
technique works on xerox copies as well. It’s also smart to keep a
whistle on your pack and carry a headlamp. “Solo Share on X I’m Worried I’ll
Get Sick Number eight, “I’m worried I’m going to get sick.†It happens,
you eat something that disagrees with you. When I travel, I pack a
couple of oral rehydration packets to help me with rehydration and
gratefully, I’ve never had to use them. You mix these packets with water
so you’re not carrying around a bunch of water weight. It’s like
Pedialyte, but without the water. I’m careful about what I eat and drink
especially in second or third world countries. In those countries, I
only eat cooked food, fruits I can peel and I eat at popular places
because popularity with locals is a good indicator of a clean quality
restaurant. I also only eat during normal meal time, so I don’t get old
food. Particularly important if you’re eating in a buffet. Therefore,
I’m not going to eat any salads unless I know that the veggies have been
well washed in filtered water. I drink bottled water and even brush my
teeth with it. I also avoid drinking any water when showering. Depending
on the adventure and my access to filtered water, I may carry a water
filtration system so I can drink water that I’m treating myself or
SteriPEN. I’ll often trust a spring if I don’t see the signs of
livestock grazing in the area. I avoid drinking in lakes and rivers and
preferred drinking out of springs and small streams whenever possible.
Back when I was learning to backpack, I had what I thought was a great
idea. I’m going to train my body to get used to the stuff in untreated
water. I purposely drank untreated water from the river at Linville
Gorge in Western North Carolina. I foolishly thought that I was going to
be able to build up an immunity like locals do in foreign countries. I
got Giardia. I didn’t realize Giardia is a parasite. I had to take
antibiotics to get rid of it. I’m also bringing antibiotics just in
case. My doctor recommends I bring Cipro.

  There’s a chance you can get diarrhea but you can mitigate this risk
with some simple precautions and if you bring some of this powdered
electrolyte in a prescription for Cipro. You certainly don’t want to
forget a small bottle hand sanitizer, so when you’re out in the wild and
nature calls you have proper sanitary facilities of your own making. You
can also get immunization shots for many of the diseases and I’ve taken
about all of them. Don’t let fear getting sick keep you at home. Take
recommended precautions and consider visiting a travel nurse to review
what you should do ahead of time. My local County Health Department
offers this service and there are also travel clinics and cities that
you can find by googling it. Be sure to keep good records of all your
immunizations. I’m Afraid Of Terrorists Number nine, “I’m afraid of
terrorists.†I know it’s a new world we live in today. I got a couple
of pieces of advice to offer regarding terrorism, A) Check with the
State Department. The State Department travel website is super helpful
in letting you know not only the common scams of an area, but also what
danger there is of any terrorist threat. Most terrorist attacks are
where there are lots of people, so you’re unlikely to have an issue when
you’re out in nature. That being said when you’re in cities, avoid
staying in American hotels or hanging out where a lot of Americans do.
Never go to demonstrations, which could turn unruly. B) Americans should
sign up for the smart traveler enrollment program. This is referred to
as STEP. In the unlikely event of a problem, it’s nice to know that our
embassy can find and help us. Every time I travel overseas, I register
my trip with the government. This way if there’s an attack of any kind,
the US government knows to look for me. If you’re not a US citizen,
check to see if your country offers a similar program. These kinds of
programs are helpful too for our final fear.

  What If There’s A Natural Disaster? Ten, “What if there’s a natural
disaster?†Disasters can happen. If your trip is logged on the STEP
program, the government knows to come look for you. Linda in episode
seven mentioned a Mont Blanc adventure group mate who had been in Nepal
for the earthquake. Note that this didn’t stop that woman from going on
this adventure holiday with Linda. My Nicaraguan guide was guiding a
trip up Telica, the volcano I climbed in 2015. This already active
volcano decided it was going to spew out a little bit more that day.
When they started hearing new noises, they ran and everybody else in the
area was safe. You can’t predict all-natural disasters, but the
scientific monitor is in place around the world are pretty good at
advising about potential earthquakes, eruptions or tidal waves. The way
I look at it is that I’m much more likely to be killed in a car accident
at home than by any natural disaster in nature. Hopefully if Mother
Nature plans trouble, there are going to be monitors in place to advise
me ahead of time, so I can change my plans. This is what happened to my
recent adventure to Costa Rica. Due to volcanic activity, we couldn’t
climb to the top of the Turrialba Volcano. Scientific monitors indicated
that it would not be wise, so the authority closed the area. On the web
page for this Costa Rica episode, I have a cool video of this
apocalyptic scene that’s at the highest point we were allowed to climb.
There’s absolutely no vegetation. It erupted before, so there’s just the
blackened tree trunks and the gases are still spewing up out of the
ground. It’s eerily cool. These are the top ten fears I’m hearing from
you about why you’re putting off adventure travel or basic travel fears
in general. I hope that if you have any of these concerns that you’ve
learned ways to mitigate these fears, so you can go forward with
confidence to book and accomplish the adventure trip of your dreams.
When you return, you’re not going to believe how much tackling your
fears, we’re going boost your confidence and give you the courage to add
a plus one degree of nervous twitch factor to your next epic adventure.
If I’ve missed any of your fears, be sure to write me at
Kit@ActiveTravelAdventures.com, or please write me anyway and tell me
what you think of the program or to offer suggestions. I do love hearing
from you. If you wouldn’t mind me calling you to ask you a few questions
about this podcast and what you think of it, please include your phone
number in your email. I’ve got some exciting news for you. Several of
the folks I’ve interviewed said trekking Nepal is right up there as
their favorite adventure. Until my interview with Janet, I thought that
this adventure is only for the hard-core, high-altitude super hikers. I
didn’t think it was something that I could do particularly since I’m a
bit altitude challenged. Remember even though Nepal is in the land of
Mount Everest, I don’t cover any crazy dangerous adventures on the
Active Travel Adventures podcast. After researching Nepal, I wouldn’t
even include Everest Base Camp on this show because it’s too hard and
it’s too high. I was thrilled to learn that there is an adventure in
Nepal that I can do and if I can do it, so can you. I’m going to be back
with Janet Hanpeter. She’s going to tell us about her adventure trekking
at Nepal at a lower altitude, which still makes it doable. You still get
to see all the beauty and to get to feel the whole Nepal trekking vibe,
but without killing yourself on a death march and a high altitude. I
can’t wait for you to hear it, so be sure you subscribe so you don’t
miss it. Until next time, adventure on.