Wilderness

Editor’s Note: This post begins our Outdoor Skills Essentials series, created for anyone who wants to become more capable and prepared in backcountry environments. Each post introduces practical concepts and skills that contribute to thoughtful preparation, responsible participation, and greater confidence while living and traveling outdoors.

Long before a group reaches the trailhead for a challenging day hike that concludes at the peak of one of Colorado’s 58 Fourteeners, there’s a ton of work to do. That also goes for a multi-day backcountry expedition such as the ones we offer here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE). 

Gear needs to be sorted, the route studied, weather checked, meals planned, and group equipment divided among packs. Participants also need to consider water sources, potential campsites, clothing, travel time, and what conditions or wildlife they may encounter along the way.

All of this happens before anyone takes the first step on the trail, yet each decision from that point onward contributes to what happens once the group starts moving.

At NCOAE, outdoor skills begin with this type of preparation. Participants learn skills and put them to use in environments where their decisions affect how they live and travel in wilderness. Before those decisions involve navigation, campcraft, climbing technique, or other skills in the field, participants need to think through where they’re going and what they’ll need, as well as how they’ll contribute to the group.

Outdoor Skills Begin With an Expedition Mentality

Our Outdoor Skills Essentials curriculum introduces Expedition Mentality as a “mindset of planning, preparing, and acting in order to sustain the emotional and physical safety and comfort of self and community.”

A backcountry experience (even one lasting less than 24 hours) puts people in an (more…)

Flash floods. Drought. Heat domes. Triple-digit heat indexes. Fire clouds. Those aren’t predictions from some distant climate scenario, they’re terms pulled from today’s headlines, actively transforming how we approach wilderness adventures and outdoor expeditions.

Some of these news stories hit close to home for anyone embarking on outdoor adventure programs or remote excursions. In late August of this year, a catastrophic flash flood triggered by a glacial collapse swept through a mountainous region of Nepal popular with trekkers, killing hundreds and leaving thousands missing.

Days later, a violent thunderstorm sent floodwaters roaring through Bright Angel Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, killing two hikers, destroying footbridges, and forcing evacuations, underscoring why backcountry safety and wilderness medicine are more critical than ever.

Nature has always challenged, and sometimes punished, those daring enough to explore remote backcountry destinations. But rapidly changing atmospheric conditions have raised the stakes, even in more hospitable environments. Whether organizing guided wilderness programs or setting out for an afternoon hike, proper preparation and solid outdoor skills are more critical than ever. It means looking beyond historical norms and planning for worst-case weather shifts.

In the outdoor education and human-powered recreation industry, the playing field is constantly shifting, making it essential to continuously evaluate conditions before venturing into the backcountry.

Having recently returned from a month leading backcountry trips in New England and preparing for upcoming trips in the Southeast, I’ve experienced firsthand how adaptable outdoor enthusiasts must be; whether planning single-day outings or multi-day outdoor expeditions in remote areas.

I spend an enormous amount of time guiding adventure travel and wilderness trips in remote locations, building a deep catalog of where to go and when to avoid certain areas. But lately, even years of experience aren’t enough. I’m no longer planning around locations and calendar seasons alone. I am also having to account for potential wildfires, floods, droughts, extreme heat, and tornadoes turning up at unexpected times in unexpected places.

That started me thinking about everyday adventurers who venture into the backcountry without formal instruction or decades of experience. How can they build essential skills to prepare for unexpected hazards that weren’t an issue during past visits?

With that in mind, here are four tips to help you plan a safer, more rewarding trip when everything you knew about a destination’s environmental challenges may no longer apply.

Tip 1: Plan and prepare

“Plan ahead & prepare” is the first of the core Leave No Trace principles (LNT principles), and it used to mean picking a spot, coordinating dates with companions, and heading out. Not anymore! In today’s shifting climate, proper trip preparation requires applying careful observation to monitor conditions and gather local beta (the latest firsthand information about trails, water, weather, and hazards) long before putting feet on the ground. Are conditions ripe for a forest fire? Will there be water in the rivers and lakes? Is there potential for heavy weather, tropical storms, or flash flooding?

Last year, local rivers I frequent hit all-time-high water levels, making paddling hazardous and damaging surrounding trails. Today, lake levels are strikingly low, and rivers look more like cobbled pathways than waterways. An excursion downriver or a canoe camping trip isn’t happening anytime soon. While historical data was once reliable, today’s travel requires reaching out directly to outfitters and local contacts to verify live conditions before finalizing your plans.

Pro Tip: Consider travel insurance. If your plans include a flight, hotel, and car rental, travel insurance can make it less costly to cancel if nature throws you a curve ball. Travel insurance runs roughly 4 to 8 percent of your trip costs, flights, and hotel and sometimes includes some medical coverage. For $1,000 dollars of coverage, you pay around $40.

I recently spoke with someone who had to cancel trip plans due to regional wildfires. Without trip insurance, they’re now struggling to recover non-refundable expenses—a common risk when planning unguided trips.

Tip 2: Evaluate / reevaluate when and where to travel

Look closely at the regions you plan to explore and research real-time backcountry conditions right up until departure. Evaluate and reevaluate where and when to travel based on current environmental realities. Never assume last season’s weather patterns or last month’s trail conditions still apply. Wildfires, sudden drought, and severe atmospheric shifts can quickly change where it makes sense to launch backcountry trips.

Monitor Active Fires and Air Quality

Wildfires can impact your trip even when flames are miles from your route. Dense smoke creates hazardous air quality, while active fires force trail and road closures that can compromise safety during backcountry excursions. Before embarking on remote travel, take a few minutes to evaluate real-time conditions and pack accordingly:

• Use tracking tools like InciWeb or Watch Duty to access real-time wildfire updates and containment data before you leave.
• Look at air quality forecasts on AirNow to ensure your destination is safe from heavy smoke.
• Check local ranger stations or land manager websites for the latest trail and road closures just before arrival.
• Pack N95 masks.

Consider Local Flood Risks

With little warning, severe flooding can turn a familiar trail, campsite, or river crossing into a hazard. Even under clear skies, upstream rainfall miles away can put backcountry travelers at risk. Before embarking on wilderness trips, understand where flash floods occur, watch changing water levels, and establish an emergency plan for getting to safety.

Monitor Weather Closely

• Check daily forecasts and severe-weather apps for upstream rainfall warnings before and during your trip.
• Identify local escape routes and higher ground options before setting up camp.

Pack Waterproof Gear

• Store sleeping bags and spare clothing inside heavy-duty dry bags or plastic trash can liners.
• Use a ground tarp cut slightly smaller than your tent floor, so it does not trap and pool water under the tent.

Choose High Ground

• Pitch your tent at least 100 yards away from rivers, streams, and low-lying valleys.
• Avoid natural drainage channels, dry riverbeds, and depressions where water pools.

Know When to Flee

• Move to high ground immediately if you notice even a slight or sudden rise in local water levels.
• Never attempt to walk, swim, or drive through fast-moving flood waters.

Preparing for Drought and Dry Conditions

Prolonged dry weather can change much more than the scenery. Water sources may disappear, fire danger can soar, and routine backcountry activities—from campsite selection to meal preparation—require elevated care. Before launching multi-day outings, evaluate how arid conditions impact your route and adjust your supplies accordingly.

Check Fire Restrictions

• Obey local bans: Always check official local or park fire bans before leaving.
• Bring a stove: Pack a portable propane or gas camp stove instead of relying on a campfire.
• Clear the area: If fires are allowed, clear all twigs, dry leaves, and dirt from around the fire ring.

Pack Extra Water

• Haul extra supply: Bring more water than you think you’ll need for drinking and cleaning.
• Confirm sources: Do not trust natural streams or pumps to be running or safe during a drought.
• Use multiple jugs: Split water into smaller containers so a single leak does not exhaust your supply.

Choose Safe Campsites

• Watch the brush: Avoid setting up your tent over dry grass, pine needles, or thick brush that can catch fire easily.
• Park carefully: Do not park hot vehicle exhaust pipes over tall, dry grass.
• Clear your space: Clear any flammable debris from the ground around your tent.

Adjust Meals and Hygiene

• Plan no-cook food: Bring foods that need zero water or cooking.
• Save wash water: Use wet wipes for cleaning, or wash dishes using a tiny trickle of water in a small tub.
• Store trash tight: Keep all trash sealed up so wildlife does not look for scarce water or food in your camp.

Tip 3: Learn to read conditions during your trip

I hear story after story of people who bailed on a trip due to a threatening forecast, only to discover later that the bad weather lasted only an hour or never materialized at all. Others get caught by sudden storms they didn’t see coming. Digital forecasts and weather apps are valuable tools, but they aren’t infallible, and in remote areas, cell signal disappears entirely.

Weather awareness requires more than trusting seasonal patterns or checking an app before departure. Developing core outdoor skills means learning to read the sky and your immediate surroundings for environmental shifts. The more field observation tools you have in your forecasting toolbox, the better equipped you’ll be to adapt your route decisions or head to safety when conditions change.

Reading the Sky and Environment

Long before digital weather apps, backcountry travelers relied on natural indicators to predict atmospheric changes. Developing these observational skills gives you time to prepare, alter course, or seek shelter during unexpected storms:

• Cumulonimbus clouds: Look for dark, tall anvil-shaped clouds that signal heavy rain, lightning, or tornadoes.
• Red sky in the east or west: Recall the adage: “Red sky at night, a sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning.” In the middle latitudes, weather systems generally move from west to east. A deeply red sky indicates a high-pressure system, which traps dust, salt, and dry aerosols close to the ground, causing the sky to turn red. When that high-pressure system is west of you, it’s moving toward you, bringing fair weather. When it’s east of you, a low-pressure system is likely headed your way, potentially bringing wetter, stormy weather.
• Haloes: Notice rings around the sun or moon, which show upper-atmosphere moisture and incoming precipitation. Recall the adage: “A ring around the sun or moon means rain or snow is coming soon.”
• Sudden shifts: Pay attention to rapid temperature drops, abrupt changes in wind speed or direction, and quickly darkening skies, all of which can signal an approaching front or thunderstorm. Heavy plant smells, brought on by rising humidity, can also be a sign of unstable atmospheric conditions.

Using Safety Rules and Alerts

Reading the sky can tell you a lot, but you shouldn’t rely on your own observations alone. Established weather-safety rules and official alerts can help you recognize when conditions are becoming dangerous and, more importantly, when it’s time to act:

• Thunder: Current U.S. lightning-safety guidance generally emphasizes, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” (This guidance is stricter than the 30/30 rule: If you hear thunder within 30 seconds of seeing a lightning flash, the lightning is closer than six miles, so seek safe shelter immediately.)
• Lightning safety: If you hear thunder, seek a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle immediately. If no safe shelter is available, remember that a tent will not protect you from lightning. Get off exposed or elevated terrain; stay away from water, isolated trees, and conductive objects; and spread out if you’re traveling with a group, so a single lightning strike is less likely to injure everyone in your party. In a forest, lower terrain among shorter trees is preferable to being near an isolated tall tree, but also remain aware of any flooding risks that may be elevated by moving to lower terrain.
• Watch versus warning: A watch means severe weather is possible (stay alert); a warning means severe weather is happening or imminent (take action).
• Electronic backup: Keep emergency alerts enabled on your phone and carry a portable, battery-powered weather radio as a backup for when cell service is unavailable.

Tip 4: Be flexible and beware of “summit fever”

“Summit fever” is a term used to describe a dangerous mental state in which a person becomes so obsessed with reaching the top of a mountain that the climber ignores clear warning signs like bad weather, severe tiredness, or other dangers. In other words, the climber has a severe case of tunnel vision that prevents rational thinking.

To avoid becoming a victim of summit fever, commit to flexibility as you plan your trip and maintain that commitment over the entire trip. Before you leave, be open to changing your destination, route, schedule, or even the dates of your trip if conditions warrant it. Once you’re underway, keep reassessing the weather, trail conditions, water availability, fire activity, and other potential hazards.

Turning around, taking a different route, or calling a trip short isn’t a failure. It’s just good decision-making. The goal isn’t to stick to the plan at all costs; it’s to adapt the plan as conditions change so everyone gets home safely.

Pro Tip: Develop contingency plans. The best way to remain flexible is returning to Tip 1 and creating backup itineraries. Select alternate dates, route options, or activities, and pack accordingly. A solid backup plan can mean the difference between an awesome adventure and sitting at home recovering from an avoidable emergency.

Extreme conditions increase inherent risks, but proactive habits allow you to mitigate hazards effectively. Researching destinations, tracking weather, observing nature, and staying adaptable test your planning capabilities, highlighting where your knowledge is strong and where you need further practice.

The backcountry will always be unpredictable. You cannot control severe weather, wildfires, or drought, but you control your preparation, environmental awareness, and willingness to pivot.

Ready to build confidence and elevate your backcountry preparedness? Explore NCOAE’s courses and certifications to master real-world risk management, or contact our team to plan a custom trip. Let’s get you prepared for your next journey!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify real-time weather and fire hazards before starting a wilderness trip?

To gather accurate conditions beyond standard weather apps, contact local ranger stations or outfitters directly within 24 to 48 hours of your departure to get firsthand “local beta.”

Fire & Air Quality Tracking: Use real-time monitoring tools like InciWeb or Watch Duty for active fire containment updates, and check AirNow for regional smoke and air quality forecasts.

Trail & Road Closures: Review official land manager websites or call local forestry offices to confirm trail washouts, road closures, or temporary fire bans.

Upstream Flood Hazards: Check radar apps for heavy rainfall upstream, as severe flash floods can travel miles downstream under locally clear skies.

What steps should I take to minimize flash flood risks at my campsite?

Pitch your tent on high ground; at least 100 yards away from rivers, streams, dry riverbeds, and low-lying drainage channels where water naturally pools.

Map Escape Routes: Identify higher ground and clear exit paths before pitching your shelter.

Protect Essential Gear: Store sleeping bags and extra clothing inside heavy-duty dry bags or waterproof liners to keep them dry during heavy rain.

Monitor Water Levels: Move to higher ground immediately if you notice sudden water discoloration or rising stream levels, and never attempt to walk, swim, or drive through fast-moving floodwaters.

What is “summit fever,” and how can I prevent it from compromising trip safety?

Summit fever is an obsessive state of tunnel vision where an adventurer becomes so focused on reaching a goal, such as a mountain peak or campsite, that they ignore obvious dangers like severe weather, physical exhaustion, or incoming storms.

Establish Turn-Around Times: Set a strict, non-negotiable turn-around time prior to starting your trek, regardless of how close you are to the destination.

Build Contingency Plans: Develop alternate routes, backup dates, or secondary objectives before leaving home so pivoting feels like a planned adjustment rather than a failure.

Prioritize Safe Returns: Remember that turning back, rerouting, or ending a trip early is smart risk management designed to ensure everyone returns home safely.

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About the Author: Stephen Mullaney is the Director of School Partnerships and Staff Development at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE).

Years ago, I was working in wilderness-based setting with a group of gang members who were attempting to break away from the often-violent lifestyle in which they found themselves. During a break our programming, I asked a loaded question.

“Anybody want to tell me about their tattoos and what they mean?”

The 30 or so gang members, hailing from a variety of organizations — MS-13, Bloods, Crips and Latin Kings — stared up at me. Hard. One participant in the back shouted, “Nobody gives a shit about our tattoos!”

When I burst out laughing, I was met with even harder stares, I realized an explanation was in order. I told the participants that everyone wants to know about their tattoos. They’re just too afraid to broach the subject.

I said that if we were to put a person covered in tattoos from head to toe on a scale, and then somehow remove all that ink on their skin and weighed them again, the weight change would probably be undeterminable.

If, however, that same tattooed gang member walked into a job interview, the weight of those tattoos — what they represented — would be a thousand pounds. So again, I asked them to tell me the stories and histories behind their tattoos. What followed was an enlightening experience. The curtain was pulled back and these folks opened up and shared the significance behind their body art. 

My point is this: Words and images have weight. 

Words and Images Have Weight

I tell you this because a leading outdoor industry retailer — REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) — recently announced an adjustment to their marketing, based on patterns they say are cropping up in our culture today. REI’s announcement that the company is rebranding its tour business from REI Adventures to REI Experiences caught many people I know off guard, myself included. 

It’s an effort, they say, to increase their participant base to three million clients a year. The company’s officers and administrators fear the word “Adventure” is getting in the way of its effort to grow the business.

So, what is it we think when a brand that builds a $3.7-billion-a-year business around catering to adventurers decides to change the word to experiences instead? Is adventure too heavy of a word? Is the term adventure dangerous? Are we — both consumers and outdoor community members — becoming soft?

What comes next? Will the (more…)

Zac Adair, our co-founder and executive director, recently asked one of our course
participants why they signed up for a particular outdoor adventure. “It was a photo that
appeared on your website of a guy on top of a mountaintop with the blue skies above the
glaciers in the background.”

Picture yourself here. It’s a common tactic in all great marketing campaigns. If after
seeing an advertisement, you can picture yourself wearing a specific shirt, driving a
particular truck, or vacationing on a cruise ship that’s making its way to the Bahamas,
then the team of marketers responsible for those ads has done their job.

Here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education — where we’re focused
on designing and guiding outdoor and adventure education experiences that promote
personal growth, professional development, and stewardship in our community and the
natural environment — we employ the same tactics. Take one look at our website and
you’ll see photographs and videos featuring real NCOAE students participating in the
very courses and trainings that we offer around the globe.

So, it’s little wonder that these videos and photos prompt our website visitors to picture
themselves on one of our backcountry adventures. But here’s the thing that may escape
such a casual or initial thought. That picture of a (more…)

Happiness is an inside job. And on the flip side of that coin, depression — a mood disorder — is a condition that also primarily originates from inside our minds. Happiness is an action word. It requires a decision. And happiness does not have to wait.

Take the winter months, for example. If you are an outdoor enthusiast — and we assume you are if you’re perusing our NCOAE website — you know the true meaning of “winter blues.” Often, we find ourselves cooped up inside, postponing our happiness until the spring.

When it’s unbearably cold, windy, and wet outside, many of us feel out of sorts. We’re moody, have no energy, and we’re eager to get outside. Unfavorable weather conditions often put a halt to those plans, or seriously limit our participation.

Doctors have a name for this mental anguish, and it’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). We’re not trying to be cute or funny here, because it really is SAD. It’s a form of depression that is directly related to changes in season, usually beginning in the late fall and continuing throughout the winter months.

Doctors put part of the blame on the decrease in sunlight in fall and winter that can disrupt your internal clock. That same lack of sun beams can prompt a drop in serotonin — a chemical in the brain that affects mood. Finally, the seasonal change can increase the production of melatonin  — a hormone that regulates the sleep–wake cycle in the body and plays a big role in sleep patterns.

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder

According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of SAD may include: (more…)