We all have a bit of an adventurous soul. Whether you're exploring where you live or turning it into a career, wikiHow is here to help. From packing a backpack to getting funding for your next project, it's all there. Let's move on!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Exploring as an Amateur
Step 1. Find an area to explore
This area could be a hidden door in your house, a forest, a trail, or simply the neighborhood you live in. There is always something new to discover even in the most “normal” places.
Feeling adventurous? What on earth can you explore? Do you live close to mountains, forests, or wilderness? Whenever possible, enter this uncharted territory, just make sure you are prepared for the specific obstacles that lie in each different terrain
Step 2. Pack all the equipment in the backpack
You'll need a water bottle, snacks, a notebook and pen, a flashlight, a compass, and anything else that might come in handy for this particular trip. More equipment ideas are in the "Things You'll Need" section.
- Again, each trip requires different equipment. If you're going to camp over the weekend, you'll need camping gear, a tent, and enough food and water. If you're only going out in the afternoon, you can bring much lighter equipment with you.
- Make sure you're wearing your backpack properly – you definitely don't want to injure your back when you're only halfway through your exploration! The backpack shouldn't be too heavy either. When you take it with you later, you'll expect to pack less stuff, knowing that the load is only slowing you down.
Step 3. Invite a friend
Having a second person will help you feel more secure ''and'' you can both help each other – two pairs of eyes means twice as strong (and twice as fast). You may also need another pair of hands to climb trees, just in case, or just to take notes and directions.
- Make sure the friends you bring are also adventurous like you. Someone who is afraid of heights, insects or doesn't want to get your clothes dirty will only slow you down!
- Three or four people are fine too, but if you just want to explore for fun, you probably don't want a large group. When your number is more than four, equalizing everyone's mission will be quite a task.
Step 4. Wear appropriate clothing for the place you are exploring
Strolling through the small forest in your backyard? You'll need tennis shorts and shoes to keep your feet on the ground and protect your feet from weeds and thorns. Exploring the beach? Bring boots for walking in the sand, and don't forget sunscreen!
Make sure your friend knows what to wear too! If he's struggling for not being prepared, he'll probably blame you
Step 5. Have a map of the area you will explore, if necessary
The last thing you want is to get lost and turn the adventure into a catastrophe. Of course you also want to see where you are. That way, when you return, you'll be able to tell exactly where you went and what you saw-and can retrace the path if you want to repeat the amazing experience.
If there's no map for the area, create your own! It's definitely fun, and makes you feel like a true explorer. You can create your own maps from areas already mapped on paper by adding extra details or updating outdated maps
Step 6. Study your surroundings
It would be nice if you know what is normal and what is not, and know the signs that nature gives you. Read constellations, plants, weather signs, as well as a compass in your head. Imagine you are going abroad for the first time. You'd be much better off if you did your research beforehand!
This becomes even more important when you come across poisonous plants or bear tracks. You should be able to say "Let's turn around!" when the time is right. Browsing can be dangerous, and the more knowledge you have, the smoother your journey will be
Step 7. Set up the tent
Exploration is more enjoyable when you have plenty of time. If possible, choose a place to call your "browsing base." If you can go all night, great! Set up the tent in a pleasant, sturdy, and level place away from animal dens. From there, consider the following activities:
- Tracking animals
- Identify plants, animals and insects
- Studying rock and soil
- Digging up fossils or relics of ancient times
Part 2 of 3: Become a Professional Explorer
Step 1. Read, learn, and chat with other people
Knowing that you want to be an explorer is not enough. You need to know what can use browsing is out there. To find out all the opportunities that await you on this earth of ours, read books about untouched exotic lands. Study geography and knowledge of other cultures. Chat with people about experiences and places they find interesting. The more you know, the more you will know exactly what you want to do and the more prepared you will be to do it.
Exploring on a professional level isn't just about exploring – exploring means finding something to add to the world's knowledge. You need another idea that you want to work on. Do you want to present research? Writing book? Doing research will help you refine this idea
Step 2. Define one project
The reading and study isn't without purpose-now that you have a good idea of what's out there, you need to choose where you want to explore. Frozen river in Siberia? The dusty huts of the Naga tribes in southern Africa? What's more, what do you want to do with the project? Will it produce new irrigation for African tribes? Or will it be a novel about life in the Arctic climate?
The more unique and interesting your project is, the easier it will be to get started. When the exploration ends, you'll still have this job to complete-and you'll be able to relive your journey when you finish it
Step 3. Present your project to the sponsor
Simply put, browsing costs money. Large sums of money, especially if you are doing it long term or need expensive supplies to get whatever you learn from your studies. Because of this, you have to find sponsors, media partners and good people to keep your project running smoothly and to give it the validity it needs – when you come back, you want to share your work with others, it's not done!
- Kickstarter is an excellent website for this. It's full of people proposing projects just like yours, and people donating money to projects they believe in. When you're done, you'll either name them in the best-selling novel you've written, or put them on the first line of your documentary's premiere.
- You have to sell the project as if you had no other choice. You must show your passion to others and be able to clearly state your vision, why the project is important, and what makes the project different from the previous ones. The more you believe in your project, the more people will believe in it.
Step 4. Prepare your body for the task
Most expeditions will be very tough psychologically and physically. Many explorers begin intense exercise programs years before the project begins. This means weight training, cardio, and changing diet. After that, you'll be grateful you did.
Be sure to practice according to your project. Will you climb a tree or climb a mountain? Strengthen your upper arms. Trying to explore the barren tundra for miles every day? Start walking, jogging, and running every day. The better prepared you are, the more confident you will be during the trip
Step 5. Join groups and organizations dedicated to exploration
Try joining the Royal Geographical Society, Explorers Club, Explorers Connect, Travelers Club and Long Riders Guild (if you're a cyclist of course) to cement your reputation as an explorer. These groups will not only be potential donors for your next exploration, but they will also be a pool of people who will be a valuable resource in the future.
You should also throw what you're doing at the group, just as you would a sponsor. But now, you are a professional. As long as they see your professionalism and dedication, you will be welcomed with open arms
Step 6. Take it easy when someone says you're crazy
Most people react when they hear "Next year I will live on the banks of the Congo river with the pygmies!" is, to put it mildly, distrust and critical judgment. They might think you're crazy, and that's okay-most explorers are a little crazy. But certainly not a boring person!
The old adage "no one says everything will be easy; but it will be worth it" in this case really contains truth. You're literally taking the road less traveled, which makes a lot of people frown. Don't let them discourage you-exploring is doable
Step 7. Believe in yourself in both good and bad circumstances
It's a tough road-in fact, you'll make your own way. To deal with all the dissent, paperwork, and nights spent in a tent with frozen feet, you need to believe in yourself and your work, that you're doing something meaningful. On some days, it's just that belief that keeps you going.
Surround yourself with positive people who make your job easier. Get close to family and friends in the few weeks before your departure to keep your spirits up and dispel doubts. It's perfectly normal to think, "What am I getting into?!" but doubts will fade as soon as you immerse yourself in the work
Part 3 of 3: Become a Master Explorer
Step 1. Have the ability to survive
There's no question: wherever you go, you'll find yourself in serious areas that aren't on the map. Chances are you'll be alone in a situation you've never been in before. How to handle it? Of course with the ability to survive.
- Learn the art of camouflage. In many situations, you'll need to blend in, not only to survive, but also to keep the wildlife from rushing away so you can learn about it (in addition to protecting yourself!)
- Master how to light a fire. This one skill is pretty basic: you need warmth and you have to cook food (at least to keep your morale up). If necessary you can also keep wild animals away with fire.
- You should be able to fetch water. If your savings run out, you'll have a hard time unless you can draw water naturally. Knowing that you have these options will make breathing easier.
- Know how to build a shelter. To protect yourself from animals, insects, and bad weather, you need shelter. Having a place that you can call home will also be nice.
- Master the basics of first aid. You are your own doctor, treating both wounds and broken ankles. Master the basics of first aid, learn how to use certain medications and when they can be given, in addition to learning how to splint broken bones or sterilize wounds as needed.
Step 2. Always be alert
Good explorers are always on the lookout – whether it's venturing in the backyard or paddling through the islands of Papua New Guinea. If you're not vigilant, you'll end up spending time traveling and not returning with anything. This project is defined by attention.
If you go with a team, make sure you make the most of that number. Everyone should have their own area to explore so that nothing is missed
Step 3. Change your direction as desired
Having ideas in exploring is a great idea. However, will you stick to the plan? Probably never. When you see something interesting that diverts you from the plan, follow it. Sometimes it's the littlest things that bring the biggest adventures.
This is where your mapping and tracking skills will come in handy. When you deviate from a plan, you should be able to come back again. Make sure you leave trails you can follow back on, and/or plot new directions on the map as accurately as possible
Step 4. Record your findings
What good is exploring if you come home and can't fully remember what you've seen, heard, and done? You want all of your memories to be as clear as possible – so write them down! You will need these notes to complete the project when you return.
- Also make graphics. Graphics display what you're experiencing in a clearer and more illustrative way-and it's quicker than writing an essay about every little detail you see. You can also refer to this chart later to look for anomalies and patterns.
- Set aside time during the day (or night) to do this. You don't want to keep your head in books forever-or you'll lose what you're really looking for on this journey.
Step 5. Think about origins, patterns, and relationships
Take for example a broken tree branch on the ground. From the outside, the branch is not so significant. But if you really think about where it came from and how the branch got there, the question can lead you to a number of conclusions. Are there any wild animals nearby? Has there been a violent storm recently? Will the tree die? Pay attention to even the smallest things, put them together, and maybe you'll find an answer.
In the end, the point of this journey is the conclusion. You need to jot down everything you see and put it together until it becomes a coherent giant puzzle (ideally so). When you put all the pieces together, you'll be able to see which ones stand out and need attention
Step 6. Sit down and observe for some time
Apart from going out in high spirits and battling a storm, sometimes you just need to sit back and let the storm carry you. Sit quietly. Observe. What you didn't see before but is now becoming visible as the seconds pass?
Take advantage of all your senses. Think one by one. How do you feel on the soles of your feet, on the palms of your hands, and everything in between? What can you see, from the ground to the sky? What can you hear in the distance? What smell do you smell? Can you feel something?
Tips
- Take your chance!
- Check the weather forecast on the day you are planning to find out what extra clothes to pack on your expedition.
- Before setting out on an adventure, make sure someone you're not traveling with knows where you're headed.
