World traveling is often synonymous with soul food for the adventurous. With all the sights to see on this great big globe, climbers have limitless destinations from which to choose.
They can keep it stateside with Yosemite or the Swollen Chimney in Utah, or climbers can spread their wings and fly to locations like the Matterhorn in Switzerland or Kalymnos Island off the coast of Greece. Either way, before embarking on an epic journey, there are some things every travel-bound climber (or adventure junkie) should know:
Set a Budget:
Protect your wallet. Michael Wurzel, executive director of the Southeastern Climbers Coalition, advises that whether you want to spend $20, $50 or $100 a day, plan that amount ahead of time and stick to it. Also, keep things such as cash, credit cards and passports (if going out of the country, you need one of these!) in extremely safe places, usually in a bag that is constantly attached to your hip.
Pack Light:
“I just like to throw everything in a giant haul bag,” laughs Wurzel, explaining the word “minimize” is key when stuffing a suitcase. Dan Rose, co-owner of local traveler hotspot the Crash Pad, says he avoids checking baggage as much as possible, though that is not always possible depending on the length of the trip and destination.
Both Wurzel and Rose advise climbers to bring their own gear. “I wouldn’t use any gear from an unknown third party,” says Rose. It’s usually best to trust the tried and true.
Crash Course the Culture:
“Don’t forget that people are people anywhere,” says Wurzel. “People appreciate when they see you at least attempting to embrace a part of their culture.” He suggests at least learning the basic “survival language skills” when exploring a different country.
For example, learning the words for numbers is important to avoid being over charged (let’s face it-you are a tourist).
Expect the Unexpected:
“It’s important for me to have a really flexible itinerary or goals for a trip,” says Rose. “Just get there and let the adventure unfold as it will.” Wurzel agrees, saying,
“Inevitably when you are traveling you will face something unanticipated.
Be open-minded and have a sense of adventure.”
Wes Napier, left, and Dan Rose stand at the top of the Incredible Hulk in the Sierra Mountains.Where they’ve been: Dan Rose: » Kenya » Spain » Netherlands » Israel » Nevada » Maine » New York » Vermont Michael Wurzel: » Mexico » Ecuador » Peru » Bolivia » Chile » Thailand » Nicaragua » Costa Rica