June 21, 2023
You’re scrolling through a route you spotted in the feed, drooling over the photos of someone else’s adventure. It’s remote. The trail looks exciting, but not too technical, and you can see yourself out there picking up a sock-tan to be proud of.
You start daydreaming about making it a reality but then you pause. On second thoughts, that elevation profile looks pretty tough, and the distance would definitely push your limits. Adventure is about embracing the unknown, but with relatively limited experience, how do you know when a route is the right level of “challenging” for you, or if you should save it for another day?
Komoot team member, Tim Krause uses his 9-5 to ensure your data is safe with komoot, and in his “5-9”, he guides people up and down the Swiss Alps as a volunteer with the Swiss Alpine Club. Here he shares his thoughts on the things you should consider about a route so you don’t get frozen with indecision, nor find yourself in a risky situation.
There are objective safety factors when it comes to the outdoors, and Tim’s rule of thumb is the less experience you have, the sooner these factors should deter you.
What is the trail grade? Examine the komoot map of the route closely, paying attention to the grading on the trail line. Not sure what this means? Use the komoot guide to understand the hiking grading system (and MTB grading system), and examine Trail View photos to get a better idea of the route. If you aren’t familiar with route grading systems, err on the side of caution.
Is there a route warning on the komoot route? When a route includes particularly technical sections where specialized equipment or high levels of skill are required, a route warning will pop up to alert you of this. Never ignore a route warning notification.
What equipment do I have available, and how confident am I using it? Owning the tools to fix your bike, or the harness to clip into a via ferrata is not useful unless you are certain you know how to use them correctly. Make sure you’re comfortable with your equipment before committing to a route requiring you to use it.
What is the weather forecast? Generally, the colder and wetter the forecast, the more mindful you should be. Easy-peasy walking trails become slippery challenges in the rain, and the cold can pull a number on your coordination, as well as making things much worse if you get injured or take an unexpected detour. Hot sunny weather also requires consideration: For example, if it’s looking exceptionally hot, don’t risk a route that requires you to exert yourself so much that you end up with heat stroke somewhere remote.
Who am I going with? Kids and people who have mobility issues obviously require much more caution. On the other hand, if you’re heading out with a guide or an experienced friend, you can afford to be a bit more gung-ho. Do discuss the route with them first though; you don’t want to put your friend in an awkward position if they unexpectedly feel responsible for the group. What is the general landscape like? Big mountains are a completely different beast to coastal areas, for example. The higher up you go, the more changeable the weather can become, and the more likely you are to encounter steep drop-offs and sheer cliffs (intentionally or not). If you’re heading into the mountains, study the route closely and make extra-certain that you feel good about the level of technical skill that might be required. The same is true for lower-level routes requiring river crossings, particularly if tides are involved. Is there phone service where I’m going? Will you have a way to call for help if things go wrong? Do you have navigation backup if you need to reroute and there’s no signal (or you’ve forgotten to download offline komoot maps). Additionally, what is your plan if your phone runs out of battery?
There is no better feeling than an adventure gone right, and while it’s impossible to know all the risks before you get out there, asking yourself these questions in the planning phase will help you feel more confident about your chosen route, and put you in the best headspace for an adventure.
And now it’s time to plan one! Head to the route planner or follow Tim on komoot here to get some inspiration.
P.S. If you need one final note of encouragement, here you have it: The trails will always be there waiting for you, and nature is so vast that you can find joy and freedom in all kinds of terrain. It’s normal to want to push yourself and try new things, but remember that there is no substitute for experience. If you’re ready to take your exploring to a new level, start by taking it slow; underestimate your skills and abilities when you’re alone; and enlist a skilled instructor, guide, or an experienced friend who’s willing to show you the ropes in order to expand your skill set and help you gain confidence on more challenging routes.