Preparing for the ultimate trip

With less than a month to go, I’m starting to feel very excited! I’ve been preparing for this trip since +1 year and saving money even longer. At the moment, I’m trying to figure out the last details and although I feel fairly confident, I’m nervous. I’m sure you know that feeling when you start to worry about everything?

Did I train enough to master the weight of my backpack? Did I calculate my costs accurately? Did I make the right choices regarding my gear and shoes? Did I think about everything I’ll need once I’m en route?

I have a social and financial backup (thank you my dear friends) and I think this is important.

However it is still me who is on the other side of the pond (I’ve only ever been once to the US, 10 years ago, a 4 day trip to NYC… ) and spending most of my time in the wilderness in solitude. That’s why I need to be self-sufficient and prepared for the situations where something goes wrong. I try not to freak out to much about mountain lions (but in my mind I do…🐆) and sprained ankles or water shortages.

My planning started once I’ve narrowed down my dream goal “South-Western USA” to three destinations: exploring slot canyons on the state border of Arizona/Utah, hiking a (shorter) long-distance trail and visiting Yosemite NP. Here’s a chronological overview of how I prepared for the trip:

1 year ago aka “the research phase”

Roughly planning the outlines and length of my trip, researching hiking trails, climbing destinations, cool places and communities to visit in California, Utah and Arizona

9 months ago

Booking flights, obtaining a VISA waiver, getting medical check-ups and advice on vaccinations, choosing the “must do’s” along my route, researching the chosen trails in detail (such as the route, permit deadlines, experiences of other hikers…)

7-8 months ago

Creating a budget plan and gear list, making appointments for medical check-ups (dentist, gynecologist,…), getting new contact lenses, changing my health insurance to a world-wide plan

4-6 months ago

Shopping for new gear and learning how to use it (a new backpack had to be broken in, a water filtration system…), applying for trail permits and ordering topographic maps, letting my potential employers know that I’ll be traveling for two months (which is easier as a freelancer but it also means no income during that time)

2-3 months ago

Specific training (running, hiking with a heavy backpack, climbing…), informing my bank that I’ll be traveling and using my credit card abroad (to avoid any issues), booking hotels, campsites and organizing sleeping places along the route, reading more hiking & travel blogs, learning about survival essentials, buying a bear canister

1 month ago

Printing out tickets & permits, getting familiar with the GPS app I use on my phone (Osmand), last check if my gear is complete

1 week before departure

Checking in flights, organizing a good bye party