Which practice is NOT advisable when planning a trip?

• A. Notifying Others of the Trip Plan
• B. Not Establishing a Route in Advance to Keep Things Flexible
• C. Establishing a Route in Advance
• D. Establishing Emergency Plans

Answer: (B)

Planning ahead with a specific route is essential for a safe and organized trip. Having a route in advance provides a clear path to follow, helps estimate travel times, gauge the terrain, and determine what gear and resources you’ll need. It also makes it easier to recognize landmarks, avoid dangerous areas, and choose sensible turn-backs if conditions change. Sharing that route with a trusted person means someone knows where you’re headed and when you expect to return, which is a key safety precaution. Pairing the route plan with emergency considerations—like what to do if weather shifts, someone gets hurt, or you’re delayed—further strengthens safety.

Choosing not to establish a route in advance in an effort to stay flexible sounds appealing, but it raises risk. Without a plan, you’re more prone to getting lost, running out of supplies, or making poor decisions under pressure, and it’s harder to coordinate help if something goes wrong. You can still maintain flexibility by having a primary route with well-understood backups, rather than forgoing route planning altogether.