What are Trip Plans and Why Leave One Behind?



Trail runner - why leave behind a trip plan?

“I’m doing Foran Grade again,” I told my mother-in-law as I left for a trail run.

Heading out of town, I changed my mind to a longer, steeper trail a further drive away. Knowing there was a good chance I’d be at least an hour later than last time and that she’d be worried if I was, I sent her a quick message updating her on my plans and got a thumbs up in return.

The act of leaving a trip plan with someone when we head into the wild was on my mind as I clipped on the running pack, double checked the safety on the bear spray and trotted into the trees. We used to just pack up, leave and come back without letting anyone know anything. Our newfound habit of sending a message to a family member who’d notice if we didn’t come back—like my mother-in-law, who was watching my kids in this instance—was a drastic improvement.

Man hiking - what is a trip plan and why leave one behind?

But as I wove my way upwards and broke a sweat, I knew it wasn’t enough. I’ve read and watched enough hiker-gone-missing stories to know communicating your intended trail is the bare minimum. A good trip plan has saved lives.

In reality, creating and leaving a trip plan with someone should be viewed as essential as wearing appropriate footwear or packing water. They only take minutes to create but can save search and rescue crucial hours or days.

How to Write a Trip Plan

To write one, think through the 5 W’s and H: who, what, when, where, why and how.

Who: List who is in your party (names, experience, training), what everyone is wearing and important pieces of gear they are taking.

What: Provide details on what supplies you have packed, particularly first aid supplies, the 10 Essentials, tent colour and beyond.

When: Write down the date and time you are heading out and the date and time you plan to return. Add in a buffer to allow for underestimates, minor misadventures or an unplanned, lazy lunch at a waterfall.

Tent in the forest - what is a trip plan and why leave one behind

Where: Describe where you are going, including the area of the trip, intended route, possible alternate route and planned camp spot. Your best chance at rescue exists close to the place where you became lost, so stick to your planned route. If you become lost one kilometre from your planned route, the search area is 3.1 square kilometres. Three kilometres off your planned route, though, and the search area expands to a massive 28 square kilometres.

Why: Jot down why you are going, whether it’s to bag a specific peak or for a relaxing SUP on a lake.

How: Include how you are getting to the trailhead, whether it’s by your vehicle or someone else’s, public transport or bike. Add information for the person you leave your trip plan with on how to proceed if you don’t come back on time.

Why Leave a Trip Plan Behind?

Pointing at a map - why leave a trip plan behind?

Is all this detail really necessary? Combined, this information is an essential snapshot of your adventure. It helps you assess your own preparedness. It will help whoever you left your trip plan with decide when to sound the alarm, not a moment too late. Crucially, it will give search and rescue an idea of how, where and what to look for if something does go wrong.

Create a trip plan every time you head out, whether for a day hike, trail run or a multi-day backpacking trip. Even simple hikes, well-known to the hiker, can—and have—become their nightmare. In fact, a study shows day hikers are of the most vulnerable, often not carrying more than a camera and a snack.

Carrying a personal locator device is smart, but search and rescue recommends not to put all your faith in it. Weather, tree coverage and equipment failure can hinder your ability to communicate with the outside world. That’s where the people you left your plan with will step in.

How to Leave a Trip Plan Behind

A map and notebook - Why should you leave behind a trip plan?

Fundamental to creating a trip plan is to leave it with someone who will look out for your return. If no one knows you are missing, no one will be looking for you.

There are a variety of ways to leave a trip plan with someone, from sending a detailed message to printing and handing it out. Alternatively, enter everything into the handy AdventureSmart Trip Plan App.

Canada-specific, free and very thorough, the AdventureSmart Trip Plan App is a great tool for painlessly creating and handing off your trip plan. It’ll ensure you cover all your bases, and it allows you to share with multiple contacts who will be notified if you don’t mark your trip complete on time.

The AdventureSmart website also has plenty of information on preparing yourself for the outdoors, from activity specific skills training to essential safety information. Their motto: “Get informed and go outdoors.”

In this case: get informed, inform others and go outdoors!

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