When Plans go Wrong…

By Sean Fagan

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5 Tips on What To Do when Plans go Wrong in the Outdoors

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With an alternating hot and cold fever – it was hard to thermoregulate my body temperature while hiking the frigidly cold mountains.

I took some medication. Nothing. My fever continued.

I had to be honest - my time in my beloved mountains of Kerry was souring.

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So bad, I even contemplated abandoning the trip.

So I did something I don't usually do – I changed my plans.

I got off the bitterly cold, damp mountains and camped in a fantastic oak wood at a much lower elevation – where environmental conditions were far kinder - where I could also get a proper fire going and get some quality rest.

I had a good time for the remainder of my trip (after I got over the hump about having to abandon the mountains).

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Bushcraft, and being outdoors in general, is supposed to be enjoyable.

Of course, tolerating the occasional bout of hardship is all part and parcel of being outdoors.

But when we expose ourselves to nature we place ourselves before its temperamental vagaries  -  regardless of how well-trained, experienced and well-equipped we may or may not be.

And sometimes the Gods just don’t smile on us when we are wandering about in the wild.

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So here are my 5 pointers on what to do if you are having a pretty crap time while outdoors…

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1. Consider Changing Plans: Hardly a ground-breaking suggestion but when you’ve done your best to have a good time in the outdoors and it all goes to pot with no sign of improvement – consider CHANGING your plans. Put aside ambition, pride, stubbornness and obliviousness to the situation – and look at your situation with a ruthless objectivity. Be honest with yourself when weighing up options. Don’t forget to consult your gut (often our unconscious mind has a better grasp of threats that our conscious minds).
2. Know the Difference between Necessary & Unnecessary Suffering: There is really no need to suffer unnecessarily. There is tremendous merit in possessing the intestinal fortitude to tough out uncomfortable outdoor situations - but there is a fine line between toughing it out when necessary and being masochistic when other, better options are available. Knowing when to back down and when to press forward is crucial. This discernment comes with experience and being completely honest with yourself when challenging situations arise.
3. Learn, Learn, Learn: bad outdoor experiences can be very educational. They can teach you many things about the outdoors that no book can. Embrace this truth when times are bleak.
4. Be Philosophical & Laugh it Off: When nature slaps you in the face – laugh back. It’s often the most dignified and sane thing to do. When you do things right but still have a bad outdoor experience through no fault of your own - know, in your heart of hearts, this bad outdoor experience was most likely an unfortunate and uncommon event. Never underestimate the importance of a good attitude when under the duress of challenging outdoor conditions - and I don't mean having a permanent, inane smile plastered across one's face - I mean being focused, proactive and positive when outdoor plans go awry. Smiling is optional : ).
5. Have a Back-Up Plan: This is something I highly recommend. If for example, you cannot get to your original destination - then have a plan B (preferably with a plan C). This usually requires that you research into other, more feasible destinations before you set off with plan A.

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There is really no point in chucking it all in because you can’t reach your original destination when there is a more accessible destination nearby that might not be as good as your first option but can still offer a great outdoor experience – this is so true when you’ve went through the bother of carefully packing a rucksack, booked a flight, arranged internal transport – and can’t get to the finish point when aboard.

Be flexible.

What I really like about well thought out back-up plans as regards alternative destinations - is that on-the-spot-planning is not required when you are stuck. You don't have to strain your grey matter to come up with a 'perfect' alternative (perfect is very relative to the outdoors : ).

This can take away a lot of stress when plans go sour.

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Before I even went to the Kerry mountains – I already had in the back of my mind, two fantastic woodlands that were near enough to hike to - which offered viable camping options if things went poorly on the mountains.

Why? Because there was no way I was going through the effort of carefully packing a rucksack, travelling a fair distance and hauling my rucksack up and down mountains – only to chuck it all in, because my plans didn’t work out on the mountains - as I know from experience that mountainous terrain can often be bleak and unforgiving.

I was determined to have a good outdoor experience in the general area.

And I did, despite the initial blimp in my plans.

With experience you will know when to stick with your original plans and when to deviate onto greener pastures.

I knew of these woods through previous camping trips but on other trips, especially when going aboard - I regularly trawl through online resources like Google Earth Maps or I purchase printable topographical maps online.

The important point is to do your research before setting off on your trip.

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When nature gives us a hard, sharp slap  – it can actually be a good thing (provided you survive with body & mind intact).

It can refresh our minds with a stark reality – that nature is KING.

And we must often bend our will to its bidding. Go with the flow so to speak.

These occasional reality checks keeps us grounded - both humble and respectful.

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I believe those two words, humble & respectful should be ingrained onto the minds of any serious outdoors person that frequents wild places.

There are profound reasons why hunting and gathering cultures incorporated a respectful and humble attitude towards nature. They knew all to well, the dark side of nature.

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Of course, it won’t be long before I’m on the Kerry Mountains again – soaking in the wonderful mountain vistas.

I can’t wait…

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…and yes, that’s a metaphor for “If at first you don’t succeed-  try, try again..."

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Related articles on this website:

• 3 Great Uses of Maps
• The Mountains in Winter
• Wild Places of Southwest Ireland

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