Expedition skills: coping with different terrainsTop ten expedition tips for different terrains
There are a number of bits of advice that hold true for any expedition (e.g. stay healthy, take the right clothing, eat properly etc). But some more extreme terrains require more preparation and some specific advice. So, below are our top ten tips for travel in jungle, polar, mountain, bush and desert regions. Thanks to British explorer and filmmaker Benedict Allen for some of these... Click here >> for our interview with Benedict.
Jungle
Jungles tend to be wet, dark, hot, humid places where thick vegetation can make for heavy going. Staying healthy and happy in this environment revolves around minimising discomfort and infection and protecting yourself from little things that bite.
Be sure to keep a dry set of clothes well protected from the damp by storing it in a waterproof rucksack liner or canoe bag during the day. You can then be sure of being able to getting out of your wet day clothes each evening. This does however mean you may have to get into cold damp clothes in the morning - a test of will-power! Dry damp clothes by a fire.
Wear long-sleeved tops and trousers to avoid thorns and sun over-exposure.
To stop mossie bites spray yourself with 100% ‘DEET’ (Diethyltoluamide - a powerful insect repellent) at dusk and dawn. Also tuck in shirt and roll down sleeves. Get a mosquito net that is impregnated with anti-mosquito repellent - keeps them from biting through.
Click here >> to see or buy mozzie kit in the Gap year Shop
To avoid leeches tie the bottom of trousers closed to stop them sneaking in or wear ‘leech socks’ - these are tightly woven knee-length socks which tie at the top! If they do start sucking just sprinkle a little salt on them from a salt cellar and they'll come off.
Always empty boots/shoes before you put them on in the morning - spiders and creepy-crawlies may have been using them as a temporary bedroom.
Take small frequent sips of purified water while walking or working in the jungle.
At night hang your rucksack above the ground to stop nocturnal animals pinching your food or nibbling the fabric!
Hammocks should be tied at waist height between two trees. The cord should be wrapped around the trunks a few times and then tied using a bow like you would use on a shoe - other knots will get damp during the night and tighten too much to undo without cutting.
Sleeping in tight clothing in hot damp conditions puts you at risk of developing a rash or viral infection. Keep yourself clean - fungi will grow all over your skin and start rotting it, especially groin and between toes.
In your survival kit carry water purification liquid/tablets, and anti-malarials, compass (of course) and waterproof matches.
 Desert
In contrast to rainforest travel, expeditions to desert areas are mainly concerned with conserving a precious life-giving chemical: water. Correct clothing and behaviour are the two key areas to address when combating fluid loss. The goal is to get your body acclimatised to the heat - but this may take a while (in a Saharan summer it may take three weeks for your body to properly acclimatise!). Below are ten top tips to avoid ending up like a shrivelled prune.
A deep tan may look nice, but stripping off clothing allows water to evaporate from your body increasing the risk of sunstroke and heat stroke.
Wear loose cotton clothing that will lightly cover arms, legs, neck and head for full protection (especially while your body is adjusting to the new climate). A wide-brimmed hat, or a cotton chech wrapped round the head is good at protecting the face in dust and extreme heat.
Unprepared desert travellers can be surprised at the low temperatures in winter nights or at altitude. Depending on your destination a light fleece may be a good thing to pack.
Suede desert boots offer good protection against the sun, scratches, bites and stings - but can promote fungal infections in sweaty feet. Some prefer sandals and no socks - but be careful of sunburn!
Drink adequate amounts of water to keep urine output normal (quantity and colour!). It is best to take small sips often... as your body acclimatises it will need less water. Replace lost salts too e.g. by using salt replacement sachets or a cheap homemade solution of salt, bicarbonate of soda and sugar
Put white tape on your penknife - or a colour that will show up if you drop it in sand. Red doesn't normally show. Carry a whistle - can be heard for miles if you are lost, hopefully. Carry water purification tablets and matches in your survival kit, and a torch and/or flares for attracting attention at night.
In all expeditions personal hygiene is very important - but it is particularly so in desert conditions. The spread of intestinal upsets through a small group with limited water supplies is a real safety risk - diarrhoea and vomiting cause huge fluid loss from your body.
Beware of flames from cookers and steam from pots as they are invisible in the intense sunlight.
Scorpions, snakes and creepy-crawlies are not a huge problem unless you go poking around for trouble! As a precaution you should empty boots before putting them on and always watch where you are putting hands and feet.
Do like the locals and take it easy - they know best, after all they have been living in harsh desert conditions for thousands of years: get used to dawn starts, have siesta at the hottest part of the day and take your time.
Polar
Polar adventures have produced some of the most famous explorers the world has ever seen. And now with easier and cheaper access, these inhospitable wildernesses are becoming more and more popular with ‘tourists’. The main hazard is obviously the cold - but dehydration can also be a real problem as can the sheer remoteness.
Important safety equipment includes an EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) and a satellite phone - but make sure you get one with coverage at the poles e.g. Iridium. But remember a mirror is a very effective way of signalling to an aeroplane overhead!
Avoid travelling in white-outs (when light reflects between cloud and snow surface, creating a shadow-less effect) as it is easy to get very disorientated. In camp, tents and equipment should be linked by lines or flags.
Remember it's a cold desert. You will need a stove to melt ice in order to drink. I always carried a spare mini stove in my emergency kit - and a survival blanket and flapjack etc. Maintain good ventilation when cooking with gas stoves in confined spaces. The build-up of odourless carbon monoxide can be deadly.
Ice and snow for water should be gathered well away from toilet areas.
Expeditioners in cold climates often take pee bottles that can be used during the night and emptied in the morning - this avoids the need to leave the safety and warmth of your tent during stormy, freezing nights.
Avoiding dehydration is made harder in cold conditions for a number of reasons: your kidneys find it harder to conserve water; you will feel the need to urinate more as blood is shunted from your extremities to the core of your body; polar air very low in moisture content and this will promote evaporation.
Good clothing and equipment is essential. Don’t wear tight boots or gloves as this will restrict blood flow to your feet and hands making them chill more quickly
The temptation with inexperienced expeditioners is to throw on all your clothing when in cold weather, however it is important not to sweat too much — instead adjust layers when you walk or stop.
Always wear goggles or glasses to avoid snow blindness.
The use of a neoprene facemask is a good way of stopping small sections of frostbite (frostnip) on exposed parts of your face such as nose and cheek bones. For more advice on frostbite and other medical issues Click here >> to visit our expeditions health section.
 Mountain
Mountain travel is one of the most popular forms of adventure travel as mountains are easily accessible - and there are loads to choose from! Where and how high the mountain is will have a huge impact on your expedition, but much advice holds true whether you are on Kilimanjaro or Mt Blanc. The main risks in mountaineering arise from extreme altitudes, colder weather and overcoming geographical hazards such as rock faces and glaciers.
Make sure you acclimatise properly at altitude - this is done by ascending slowly and taking adequate rest days.
Some climbers take half an aspirin a day to thin blood and aid acclimatisation. For more on the causes and treatments of altitude sickness Click here >> to visit our expeditions health section.
Weather can change rapidly on a mountain. Be prepared by researching weather patterns and looking out for tell-tale signs of impending bad weather.
Staying properly hydrated on a mountain is very important as the negative effects of dehydration are compounded by increased altitude. Follow the old saying: a healthy mountaineer should always pee clear!
Invest in a decent pair of hiking/mountaineering boots. Blisters and sore feet will turn a dream ascent into the trudge from Hell! Good ankle support should also limit the risk of strains or sprains when walking over uneven ground.
If you suffer from knee of feet problems, trekking poles can help limit injury - especially when descending.
The effects of sun at altitude can be a real problem. Don’t equate sunburn with hot weather... at high altitude the atmosphere is thinner and offers even less protection from damaging ultraviolet rays. Slap on the sunblock, wear sunglasses and a hat.
Wear properly maintained safety equipment (e.g. helmet, harness, ropes etc) and be sure you know how to use it correctly.
When employing porters in places such as Nepal, make sure they are being adequately paid and looked after too.
How you climb a mountain will depend on its size, accessibility and your experience. Light and fast ‘alpine-style’ climbing is an approach that seeks to leave behind everything but the minimum gear required and reach the top in a single, continuous push without the use of external help. The opposite of this is often called ‘seige-style’ and involves a prolonged attempt on the mountain where climbers do many ‘carries’ of gear that they deposit as a ‘cache’ to be used later. Everest is climbed in this way.
 Bush
Bush is a term used in places such as Africa and Australia and can describe a variety of vegetation - from grassland to an area thick with trees and thorns. Bush is described on a map as open, medium or thick. Many of the hazards of bush travel revolve around the wild animals found there - high temperatures and water availability are often of concern too.
If in a vehicle around wild animals do not get out! If walking, do not go off on your own.
It is easy to get lost in bush so normal rules of good navigation apply. Take a compass, a whistle and try to look behind you every so often so if you have to retrace your steps you can recognise your route. Spotting geographical features is also a good way to keep on the right track!
Avoid walking in bush at night, as that is when many dangerous animals are active.
Do not camp in a dried-up watercourse as sudden heavy rains can cause flash floods and sweep away tents.
Clear the area where you want to camp of dead wood and scrub so that you don’t share your sleeping patch with something else. It is also important to check for ants - they can give painful bites.
When collecting water from pools try to take it from a point at which wild animals don’t drink. This water should also be well boiled before use.
Wear strong boots and trousers to guard against thorns, insects and snake bites (especially in long grass).
If you wear contact lenses normally you may consider taking just your glasses - it can be very dusty.
Try not to wear bright-coloured clothing if you are looking for wild animals. But don’t wear camouflage-style gear as you might give local police and army the wrong impression!
If you come across a wild animal don’t run away. Instead stay still (or move very slowly), always keeping it in view. It should not see you as a threat if you keep your distance and will soon wander off. If you are in thick bush then making noise is enough to warn wild animals you are nearby so they can avoid you.
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