We are all somewhat explorers within ourselves. Whether you want to explore the neighborhood or become a professional, we can help you. From preparing your backpack to getting your next expedition funded, the world is at your feet. Let's go!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Amateur Scout
Step 1. Find an area to explore
It can be a hidden door to your home, the woods, a path, or just the area you live in. There are always new things to be found even in the most "normal" of places.
Are you feeling adventurous? What does the Earth have to offer for your explorations? Do you live near the mountains, the jungle or a forest? If possible, venture into uncharted territory - but first prepare yourself properly for the specific obstacles that each environment brings
Step 2. Pack all your belongings in your backpack
You will need a bottle of water, something to eat, a notebook and a pen, a torch, a compass, and anything else you may need for the journey you are facing. Find more tips in the "Things You Will Need" section.
- Again, each trip needs different things. If you go camping for an entire weekend, you will need camping equipment, a tent and enough water and food. If you are only going out for an afternoon, you can travel lighter.
- Make sure you wear your backpack correctly - you don't want to hurt your back mid-exploration! It shouldn't be too heavy either. You will wish you had brought less stuff as you carry it around, realizing that it only slows you down.
Step 3. Invite a friend
Having another person will help you feel safer and you can help each other - two pairs of eyes work better (twice as fast). You may also need an extra pair of hands to climb trees, to stand guard, or just to keep track of notes and directions.
- Choose a friend who is as adventurous as you are. Someone who is afraid of heights, insects, or who doesn't want to get their clothes dirty would only slow you down!
- 3 or 4 people are fine too, but if you're just exploring for fun, it's probably best not to have too large a group. When you are more than 4, it becomes a problem to keep everyone up.
Step 4. Wear appropriate clothes for what you want to do
Do you climb the trees in your garden? You will need comfortable pants and sneakers that you have no problem getting dirty and protect your legs from scratches and brambles. Do you explore the beach? Bring some sand boots, and don't forget your sunscreen!
Make sure your friend knows how to dress too! If he gets depressed because he's not prepared, he might blame you
Step 5. If necessary, bring a map of the area you are exploring
The last thing you want is to turn your adventure into an emergency. You will also want to know where you have been. That way, when you come back you will know exactly where you have been and what you have seen - and you will be able to retrace your steps when you want to recreate your amazing experience.
If there is no map of the area, create one yourself! It's fun, and it makes you feel like a real explorer. You can make your own map of an area that is already mapped by adding more details or by correcting the map if it is not up to date
Step 6. Study the surroundings
It is a good idea to know what is normal, what is not, and to know what signals Mother Nature is giving you. Read the constellations, plants, clouds, and always keep the compass in mind. Imagine going to a foreign country for the first time. You'll be much better off doing some research first!
This is especially important when it comes to things like poisonous plants or traces of wild animals. You should be able to say "Let's go back!" when it's time. Exploring can be dangerous, and the more knowledge you have the better
Step 7. Prepare the pitch
Exploring is more fun when you have more time. If everything is possible, choose a place that you will call "exploration headquarters". If you can go there at night, perfect! Place your tent in a nice, quiet, level place away from animal hiding places. From there, consider some activities like:
- Follow the animal tracks
- Identify plants and animals
- Study the rocks and the terrain
- Look for fossils or archaeological objects
Method 2 of 3: Become a Professional Explorer
Step 1. Read, study and talk to other people
Knowing that you want to be an explorer is not enough. You need to know what there is to explore. Try to seize all the opportunities that await you on the doorstep, read books about exotic and unexplored places. Study the geography and culture of peoples. Tell other people about their experiences and places they find interesting. The more you know the better you will know what you want to do and the better prepared you will be to do it.
Exploring on a professional level isn't just exploring - it's finding something to add to knowledge of the world. You will need another idea to work on. Do you want to submit a research? Write a book? Doing a research will help you clarify your ideas
Step 2. Decide on a project
All reading and studying are not ends in themselves - now that you have a clear idea of what is out there, you will have to choose where you want to go. The frozen rivers of Siberia? The dusty huts of the Naga people in southern Africa? Above all, what do you want to do in the project? Will the result be building a new irrigation system for African tribes? Or write a novel about life in the Arctic climates?
The more interesting and unique your project, the easier it will be to get started. When you're done exploring, you'll still have some work to do - and you'll be able to experience your travels once more as you complete the project
Step 3. Present the project to the sponsors
Simply put, exploring costs money. A lot of money, especially if you're doing it long-term or need expensive equipment to study what you want to study. For this reason you will need to find sponsors, media partners and good souls who keep the project afloat and make it valid - when you come back you will want to share your work, not just having done it!
- Kickstarter is a great site for finding sponsors. It's full of people who propose projects like you, and people donate money to causes they believe in. When you're done, you can give them a preview of your new successful novel, or invite them to the premiere of your documentary.
- You will have to sell it as if it were all or nothing. You have to show others your passion and be able to share your vision, why it is important and what is innovative about it. The more you believe in your project, the more others will believe in it.
Step 4. Prepare the body for your task
Most expeditions will test you incredibly both psychologically and physically. Many explorers train for years before the project begins. This means weight training, cardio exercises, and changing your diet. You will be thankful you did in the end!
Train according to your project. Will you climb trees or mountains? Train your arms and especially your biceps. Will you try to cover miles and miles of arid tundra every day? Start walking, jogging and running every day. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel during the journey
Step 5. Join groups and companies dedicated to exploration
Try to join associations (including international ones, such as the Royal Geographical Society, Explorers Club, Explorers Connect, Travelers Club or others) to build a reputation as an explorer. These groups will not only be potential financiers of future expeditions, but are also full of people who will be unparalleled resources.
You will have to promote what you do in these groups as well, as you did with sponsors. But now you are a professional. So as long as they see your professionalism and enthusiasm, they will welcome you with open arms
Step 6. Don't worry if people think you are crazy
Most of the reactions to the phrase "I'll spend the whole summer living on the banks of the Congo River with the Pygmies!" they will take it lightly, mock it, criticize it, or they will think you are making fun of them. They might think you're crazy, and that's okay - most explorers are a little out of their minds. But they are definitely never boring!
The old adage that “no one said it will be easy, but it will be worth it” is certainly true in this case. You are literally taking the less traveled path, which many people are afraid of. Don't let it depress you - it's doable
Step 7. Believe in yourself whatever happens
It's a hard road to go - in fact you make your own way. To go through those who tell you no, the bureaucracy, and the nights spent in the tent freezing, you will have to believe in yourself and in your work, that you are doing something important. Sometimes it will be the only thing that will keep you going.
Method 3 of 3: Become an Expert Explorer
Step 1. Learn to survive
There is nothing to do: wherever you go you will find yourself in some truly unexplored place. And you will probably be alone in a situation that you have never been in before. How are you going to do it? With survival techniques, of course.
- Learn the art of mimicry. In many situations you will have to blend in with the environment for the simple reason of preventing wild animals from running away in order to study them (as well as to protect yourself!).
- Learn to light a fire. This is quite simple: you need to warm up and cook your food (at least to cheer you up). You also need it to keep wild animals away.
- Be able to collect water. If you run out of supplies, you will be in serious trouble, unless you are able to collect plain water. Knowing that you have this chance will make you feel better.
- Learn to build yourself a shelter. To keep animals, insects and bad weather away, you need shelter. It will also be nice to have a place you can call home.
- Learn the basics of [Provide First Aid | first aid]. Whether it's a wound or a broken ankle, you are the only doctor. Learn first aid, when and how to use certain dressings, as well as how to block a broken limb or sterilize a wound.
Step 2. Always be on guard
It doesn't matter if you are in your garden or paddling between the islands of New Guinea - a good explorer is always on the alert. If you are not, you will spend all your time traveling without having found anything. For your project you need to be absolutely vigilant.
If you are in a group, use numbers as much as possible. Everyone should have their own area of expertise to be sure to check each stone
Step 3. Change your plans in a flash
While exploring, it is a good idea to have a plan. But will you stick to the plans? Almost never. When you notice something interesting that strays you from what you planned, go after it. Sometimes it's the little things that lead to big adventures.
This is where your knowledge of maps and your sense of direction become most useful. When you get off the track, you will need to be able to get back there. Remember to leave a track that you can follow to go back, and / or plan a new route on the map as accurate as possible
Step 4. Make a note of your findings
What reason is there to explore if when you come back you don't remember well what you saw, heard and did? You want your memories to be as vivid as possible - so write! You will need these notes when you get back.
- Make drawings too. They are vivid and more illustrative of what you are experiencing - and they are also faster than writing an essay on every single detail of what you are seeing. You can also refer to these drawings to look for anomalies and patterns later.
- Take some time during the day (or night) to do this. You don't want to have your head on a book all the time - or you may be missing out on what you were looking for.
Step 5. Think about origins, patterns, connections
Take a broken branch on the ground. Seen from the outside it is quite insignificant. But if you stop and think about where it came from and how it got there you can come to certain conclusions. Is there a wild animal nearby? Has there been a storm recently? Is the tree dying? Take even the smallest things, put them together, and you may find the answers.
In the end, conclusions will be important on this journey. You'll have to take everything you've seen and put it together until it becomes one huge coherent puzzle (ideally, of course). As you put it all together, you will be able to see what catches the eye and needs more attention
Step 6. Just sit down and observe every now and then
In addition to going there with enthusiasm and conquering the world, sometimes you just have to sit back and let yourself be conquered. Stand still. Observe. What are you beginning to notice that you didn't see before?
Use all your senses. Focus on each one separately. What do the soles of your feet feel, the palms of your hands, and everything else in your body? What do you see, from the earth to the sky? What noises can you hear in the distance? What do you smell? Do you feel any flavor?
Advice
- Seize the opportunities!
- Check the weather today to find out what clothes to bring on your explorations.
- Before leaving for the adventure, make sure that someone who is not coming with you knows where you are going.
