ST. PETERSBURG - A Boy Scout leader once gave me some valuable advice.
"Remember the five Ps," he said. "Proper planning prevents poor performance."
Each time I get ready to embark on an expedition by land, sea or river, I think about his words.
"Planning is everything," said Dr. George Stovall, who has accompanied me on several adventures, including a 90-mile outrigger canoe paddle to the Bahamas and a 280-mile sea kayak trip to the Florida Keys. "And it's funny. The more planning you do, the more flexible you can be when you are actually on your trip."
Stovall, who in addition to being a veteran waterman also is an accomplished climber, is often asked how he prepares for adventures such as our recent 48-hour trip down the St. Johns River.
"You need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario," he said. "Because once you are out there, you are self-sufficient. You can't depend on anybody but the people who you are with."
There are many facets to planning an expedition. The best bet is to make and follow a checklist.
Start by determining the length of the trip (days and/or miles), degree of difficulty, possible hazards (wildlife, weather, etc.), equipment needed, specialized skills and level of fitness required.
"The last thing you want to do is be out in the middle of your trip and realize that you are not in shape," said Jon Willis, a personal trainer who specializes in helping people prepare for triathlons and adventure races.
Ideally, a person should maintain a base level of fitness through cardiovascular exercise (running, swimming or biking) and some type of strength training (weights or calisthenics), Willis said.
"Then as the date of your expedition approaches, you add in sport-specific activities," he said. "So if you plan a kayaking trip, you increase your paddling efforts."
Being in shape gives you an edge if you encounter unforeseen environmental variables (wind, waves or cold). But even more important than conditioning, Willis said, is a positive mental attitude.
"I think 90 percent of it is mental," Willis said. "When things start to go bad, you have to have the ability to dig deep."
And things inevitably will go bad.
"It is not really adventure if you go into it not being at least a little scared or apprehensive," Stovall said. "That is what makes it exciting."
You can increase the chances of overcoming any unexpected obstacle by planning for a variety of situations, former Green Beret and veteran expeditioner Darry Jackson said.
"The key is being self-sufficient," said Jackson, whose family owns an outdoor retail store in Pinellas Park. "That means having the right stuff with you."
On a trip in which weight is a factor - every ounce of equipment means one less ounce of food or water - each item in your backpack or kayak must be well chosen.
"Find out what other people have used in similar situations," Jackson said. "Do your research. And before you go, make sure you field-test it so you are sure that you have made the right decision."
You don't want to wake up on your first morning in the wild, go to light your stove and discover it is not working. It also is a good idea to go through a dry run before you leave on your trip.
"I have been kayaking before with people who wait until the last minute to see if all their gear will fit in their kayak," he said. "They get ready to go and then find out that half of their stuff won't fit."
If you're traveling with a group, hold a meeting before you leave to make sure everybody shares expectations.
It also will give you a chance to discuss the equipment needs of the group. For example, everybody doesn't need to bring a first-aid kit and spare paddle.
Sharing those items leaves more room for essentials such as food and water. But at the same time, it is always a good idea to have a backup stove or Global Positioning System receiver.
It also helps to tie up any loose ends before you leave, said Casey LaLomia, a former Eagle Scout and father of two who has learned to balance his professional career, home life and love for the outdoors.
"It helps to have a supportive spouse," he said. "My wife knows that an adventure once in a while makes me easier to live with the rest of the year."
Stovall, the most experienced member of the St. Johns River team, summed it up:
"I think when all is said and done, the most important thing to keep in mind when planning any trip is who you take with you," he said. "Equipment is important, but in the end, the thing you depend on most is your mates.
"It doesn't matter if you are hanging off the side of a rock face or floating down a river. In the end, all you can really count on is each other."
