7 Lifehacks for extreme traveling alone

A change of scenery is the best way to reboot, get rid of stress and emotional burnout. It is worth saying that this is the first thing your therapist will advise you if you come to see him. Naturally, it is more fun to travel with a company, but you can travel without. With proper preparation, it turns out to be no worse.

To tell about the secrets, tricks and nuances of solo traveling agreed to the same “master of sports in sports” from YouTube channel “VDud”, extreme sports operator, mountain guide and the owner of a thousand stories Sergei Firsov. He knows exactly how to properly pack a backpack for climbing Elbrus, how many cameras you may need on a trip and 26 ways to extract water.

traveler, extreme sport operator

Talks about the secrets, tricks and nuances of solo travel.

Solo travel is about seeing many places and things from a completely different angle, learning to feel and respect silence. But I don’t feel very cozy more than three to five days alone. A lot depends on temperament.

The more you travel, the less you travel.

When we get to famous places for the first time, we are full of enthusiasm and immediately run to see the sights. And when the question of going somewhere else comes up, you start thinking, “Why? I’ve already been there.” But if you come again and take a closer look at what is around the corner, you can find many interesting and beautiful places that even the locals are not always aware of.

Lifehacks for solo travelers:

If you’re planning to explore a cave, climb higher in the mountains, or walk through the forest in an unfamiliar region alone, it’s best to be prepared for anything.

1. Take the bare minimum of essentials with you

It’s like the question, what to take with you if there’s a risk of being stranded on a deserted island? In this case, I would take a firestarter, a knife, a rope. And everything else will be realistic to get. If we talk about cities, these are banal but important things that will help in case of unforeseen circumstances, and if everything will be ok, they will just brighten up the trip.

• Powerbank under the phone and probably under the laptop;
• Cash tucked away in a backpack (in case cards and staples are lost or stolen).

2. Don’t clash with locals and watch the weather forecast

It is definitely not a good idea to clash with the population and violate their customs, rules, traditions. Many places may not appreciate it.

Do not neglect the weather forecast, and if you are promised a hurricane, there is a chance that it will be exactly that.

3. Let your loved ones know when you show up

If you don’t want to stay in touch with the whole world, at least let your loved ones know the reference dates and times when you should show up. And leave your loved ones with your itinerary so you can be rescued in case of emergency.

4. Do not trust cheap bling

Here, of course, everything depends directly on your goals and objectives. But it’s better to take equipment from brands that have long established themselves in this or that industry. For example, you should not trust a Chinese headlamp if you are going to walk in a cave.

5. Don’t skimp on the essentials

Definitely don’t overpack, because you’ll have to carry all your stuff with you. But don’t skimp on the really important things.

You can almost always use a raincoat, which can provide you with much-needed shade if you stretch it between trees or trekking poles in the blazing sun. Spare socks are never superfluous. It will be important to replace them if you get chafed feet.

6. Plan

Of course, improvisation is everything. But it can make any trip more expensive and complicated. That’s why it’s better to plan everything. For example, not all regions can be traveled all year round, there are seasons of rain, hurricanes, tornadoes or drought.

You need to know in advance whether there will be cell phone service. If it’s a mountain trail, will there be places to refresh your fresh water supply, or will you have to take a few bottles with you.

7. Don’t procrastinate your trip

Any trip starts with the fact that you have to go on it. That’s my point, don’t overthink and procrastinate, it’s time to rush. As a reminder, if possible, it’s best to plan a trip to enjoy the sights, food and atmosphere rather than urgently looking for somewhere to get water before your insides dry up.