In preparing for an adventure trip, when to buy airplane tickets is undoubtedly the most common question we get. With airline consolidation and elimination of many flights, airline tickets have gone up substantially and will likely continue to climb. Of course no one wants to buy a ticket now and find out the price dropped a month later, or to hold off on buying a ticket only to find it much more expensive the next time we look.
Unfortunately there is no good answer to that question, but here is our approach.
Generally, tickets are most expensive far in advance (more than four months) or very close (less than a week) to your departure date. Buying it closer to your departure time (say 3 weeks) may or may not be more expensive. It depends on how seats are filling up, how much competition there is, what the price of oil is etc.
At Adventures in Good Company we start looking at fares about four months in advance of a trip. The first place we go is Bing to see if they have a price predictor and fare history for the route and dates we want. If the price and schedule look OK, we might book right then. Yes, maybe the price will drop more later - but maybe it won't and we've locked in a price we're OK with. If we don't like the price, we then go to Kayak. Bing's results are actually powered by Kayak so you won't find anything different, but I find the interface easier to use and you can then set up a Fare Alert (maybe you can do this on Bing but it isn't obvious how). I also check Southwest if they fly where I'm going and possibly ITASoftware if I'm having trouble finding what I want, but neither of those will give you Fare Alerts.
Some other pssiblities for finding lower airfares: if you have a twitter account, follow the major airlines and also some websites that focus on lower airfares, such as Airfare Watchdog (I just generally like this website including their Facebook page). These generally work better when your dates are open.
But bottom line - your time is worth money too, and driving yourself nuts to find the lowest fare may be more anxiety and effort than its worth.
P.S. I often get sticker shock when I first look at prices. Looking at them over time allows me to adjust to the idea that I'm going to be paying that much.
If you're new to adventure travel or an outdoor activity, sometimes you might wonder if you
have to make a choice between getting what you need and putting your child through college or retiring before the age of 80. Unless you decide to become a dog musher with a kennel of 40 dogs or to climb Mt Everest on a guided climb, usually the answer is no. Here are some suggestions to help keep you solvent.
1. Focus on value rather than price. If you focus only on price, you might end up getting stuff that won't last long and not work well. For example, you can get cheap cotton sleeping bags at many discount stores (e.g. WalMart, K-Mart) but unless you're planning to go car camping, they are way too bulky, take forever to dry, and don't offer much warmth for the weight. Another example - 15 years ago I bought a synchilla pullover from Patagonia that I still wear today. Patagonia is pricey, and these days you can probably get a lot of basic clothing of the same quality elsewhere for a lower price, but Patagonia clothing is very durable. A corollary to both of these examples is that you have to know something about the gear you're buying to make good decisions. Sometimes you unnecessarily pay more simply because you're buying from a well known company, and sometimes it's the quality. So talk to salespeople and friends, and read magazines like Backpacker and Outside.
2. Don't always buy at outdoor stores. Last summer I bought a two burner Coleman stove for some of our base camp trips. At my big local outdoor store, it was $60. At my big local discount store (in this case it was Fleet Farm) it cost $45. This was a 25% difference for virtually the same product. For general camping equipment in particular, this is often true.
But having said that, if you have access to a locally owned outdoor store, you might choose to support it even if you're paying more. Like local bookstores, these are a dying breed. And while REI tries to be involved locally and have local expertise, they just aren't the same.
3. Don't wait until you need something to buy it. At the same time, don't buy something you don't really need. But if you wait until you absolutely have to have it (e.g. you don't have decent rain gear and the hiking trip leaves tomorrow) you undoubtedly will end up getting the first item you find, it won't be on sale, and you won't have time to order it. So buy summer items at the end of the summer when they're on sale. Keep a running list of things you want in your head, and then check sales for them. Check the bulletin board at climbing gyms, outdoor stores, Craigslist etc. for items that individuals are selling. This approach requires some discipline or you'll end up with too much that you don't need. But if you can avoid that temptation, you'll save money in the end.
4. Shop discount sites on the Internet. There are probably lots of sites out there, but ones that I visit are Sierra Trading Post, which carries a wide variety of seconds and closeouts from name brand companies and has a no hassle return policy; the Hot Deals section of Campmor; and the REI outlet. Again, it helps to know what you're looking for, and how to tell the difference between something that's a good value and something that is just cheap.
And the next time you wince at the price of something, keep it in perspective. Your sleeping bag will be the cost of staying in a fancy hotel for one night and will last for years. Your outdoor clothes are way cheaper than the latest fashions. And your tent is definitely less than a month's rent. In the long run, spending time in the outdoors and/or engaging in active travel will keep you and your pocketbook much healthier than many of the other addictions people have.
Editor's note: A couple of weeks ago I received an email from Christy, who has traveled with us to Kilimanjaro and Bhutan. She was urging me to consider offering a couple of adventure travel treks to really off the beaten path places. I replied that we had tried that in the past (e.g. the 
Snowman Trek in Bhutan), and we simply didn't get enough sign ups. But I knew Christy was a very engaging writer with a unique style, so I asked if she would be interested in writing a piece for the blog that explains her draw to far off places. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Why? Why do it? Why go to the edges of the earth, then peak over and wonder what’s beyond? Beyond this be there dragons? Why do names like Auyuittuq, Irian Jaya and Borneo make my blood boil? Places so remote, so wild and so unlike anything else I know, unlike anything I can even dream up.
I live in a well manicured garden. It’s hard to imagine places that are not garden. In gardens, life is planned and managed; school, job, family, meals and laundry. Pesky unexpected weeds are pulled. Unexpected weather, lack of rain or money, is managed, either by breaking out the garden hose or beginning anew with more drought resistant plantings. Life in the gardens of Western society is relatively predictable. And what garden would be complete without a garden wall? My garden wall is made of things; books, photos, computers and a variety of other toys, and oh, the ubiquitous television and DVD player. The whole conglomeration is held together with strong mortar; a mixture of family, memories and traditions. I’m getting kind of up there in years, so my garden wall has become rather high, thick and durable. Even though everything I need is right here in my Midwest garden, come nightfall you may find me standing in the middle gazing up at the stars, looking for Draco. It is a yearning to go beyond, to venture into the untamed, the unknown wildness.
Garden and wildness, each stands in relief to the other. Not all who wander are lost, but some are and that is a very freeing experience.
Click here for Christy's account of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro.
In the last blog post I said that, in considering the price of a trip, you wanted to know:
- What are you getting for your money?
- How much else will you need to spend (i.e. what is your total cost)?
I covered the first previously. For the second question, how much additional will you end up spending, here are the issues to consider:
• what meals are included? How many meals will you be responsible for and what is the cost of an average restaurant dinner, breakfast etc. Are there options for buying food from a local grocery store or deli, or are you limited to restaurants?
• what activities are included? Is it an all-inclusive package (more expensive, less flexible) or are there lots of optional add-on activities? If the latter, are there other things you can do that are inexpensive or free, or are you going to be twiddling your thumbs if you don't sign up for something? As an example, on our Grand Alaska Road Trip most of the activities are included. But we leave one day at Denali open because there are some expensive things people might choose (flightseeing, rafting, tundra buggies) or lots of free things (hiking, ranger talks, a dogsled demo.
• what gratuities are included? Typically gratuities for your main guides are not included, and suggestions can range from $7/day to 10% of the trip cost. But how about incidental guides - the rafting guides, the guide who takes you glacier walking one day or shows you around a town? Those can add up so know what you should expect to budget for them.
• Are there additional flights? Very few adventure travel companies include flights to the trip starting point in the price of their trips. With small groups and people coming from all over the world, it is just too much of a logistical nightmare. However there may be additional flights during the trip and if they are not included, can you get an estimate of the additional cost.
• what else? If you're not sure what the total price is going to be, a good general question is "What additional costs can I expect to pay?"
Some people complain that airline pricing is opaque because of fees, taxes etc. - but that is nothing compared to adventure travel. Now you probably don't choose one adventure travel company over another based solely on price - at least you shouldn't, for reasons I explained in 
the previous post on choosing an adventure travel company. But it could be that you have come down to two or three trips offered by different companies, and at that point the price can be an important part of the decision.
There are two things you want to know:
- What are you getting for your money?
- How much else will you need to spend (i.e. what is your total cost)? We'll cover this in another post.
For the first question, there are five main issues to consider. Each of these presents a choice on your part. What's important is for you first to know what you want, and then second be sure you are getting what you expect.
- type and level of of accomodation: Lodging is often a major determinant of price. Let me give you an example from our trip calendar. We offer 3 different 4-day trips: the least expensive is Waterfalls and Wineries, which costs $785 and includes lodging in a hostel (its beautiful and new, but you're sharing with 3 other women); the second is Paddling with Manatees, which costs $995 and includes double accomodation in an older fishing resort; and the third is Kayaking Maryland's Eastern Shore, which costs $1185 and has single accomodation, 2 nights at the Atlantic hotel in Berlin and one night at the Lighthouse in Ocean City- both really nice hotels. What level of accomodation is acceptable is totally an individual choice. You may prefer saving money as long as you have a safe and clean place to sleep; or having a nice hotel room may allow you to relax in a whole different way.
- number of guides: In general, having two guides on a trip will allow for greater flexibility in the itinerary. This might mean different lengths and speeds of hikes or bike rides, or the group splitting up for the day and pursuing different activities. But its also more expensive. If you are content with everyone following the same itinerary, it might not be worth it to you.
- meals: How are meals handled? When you have a meal as a group, do you order off the menu (more expensive, allows for individual choice) or is it arranged beforehand (less expensive, usually takes less time)? For eample, we usually offer the former; but in places where restaurants are expensive (e.g. Switzerland), we opt for the latter to keep the trip price reasonable.
- free time: Some people love having lots of free time so they can sleep, shop, people watch etc. Other people like having a very full itinerary and don't think they are getting their money's worth if there is too much free time. Again, it comes down to you knowing what you prefer and whether that is what the trip offers.
- size of group: As I have written about before, the size of the group has a significant impact on what it costs to run the trip. Most adventure travel companies say that they offer small group travel - but the definition of a small group seems to be anywhere between 6 and 26. There are advantages and disadvantages of any size of group, but generally you should pay less for a larger group size.
If any of these elements are unclear from the description of the trip you're considering, simply ask.
Next time I'll address the question of how to determine the total cost of your trip.
Let's start with the premise that there are lots of good adventure travel companies out there and that the great majority of companies that survived the last 3 years are doing something right, at least for some people. What you want is to find the one or ones that you'll be happy with. And that involves knowing yourself and what you're looking for.
Unfortunately I don't have a travel personality quiz for you to take if you're unsure, but I can suggest 5 steps. As you take each step, pay attention to how you feel and what your gut 
is telling you.
1. Look at the website. In particular look at the Who We Are section. Now surprisingly enough, many companies have a Who We Are section that says absolutely nothing about who they are. But what you want to look for are their experience, their philosophy, and how you feel about what they're saying about who they are. You should not come away from a website with absolutely no idea of the company personality or what kind of customers they're trying to attract.
2. Look at their Facebook page. Some companies haven't gotten into social media yet, and a limited or absent Facebook page doesn't mean they're not perfectly fine. BUt what companies choose to post and what kind of response they get (and how they respond to responses) can be informative.
3. Call them. I know, you're afraid they'll try to sell you something and you'll end up on a trip you really didn't want to go on but got talked into. That might happen with a company that is desperate or only has the short term in mind.
But think about it this way- why would any company want you on a trip that you weren't happy with or wasn't appropriate for you? Your unhappiness will almost certainly be obvious, it will affect the other people on the trip, and you'll go home and share your negative experience with others - and probably post it on your Facebook page too. You will be particularly unhappy if you think you were given the wrong or insufficient information to make the right decision - and the internet gives us myriad ways of making our unhappiness known. Ethics and morality completely aside, it makes good business sense for a company to help people choose a trip that will delight them, or to be honest if there isn't a good fit. So call, ask all the questions you can think of. And if you think you're being sold, look elsewhere.
4. Ask for references. Especially if you're considering a certain trip, ask to contact people who have been on it previously. If a company tells you that they don't give out the contact information of people who have traveled with them, that's absurd. Of course they shouldn't do it without permission. But at the least they should be willing to contact some clients and ask them if it would be alright to share their email, phone number, or whatever.
But won't they just give you names of people who thought they did a good job? Of course! So what you want is to ask questions such as: How many trips have you taken with Company XYZ? Why do you like them? What did you think of the guides? What are the other people who go on the trips like? Remember, you're trying to figure out whether this company is a good fit for you, not whether it's a good company.
5. Look for reviews on the internet. In particular you might go to one of the travel websites with an active discussion page and search for the company name or post a question asking for feedback about a company. While customer reviews are undoubtedly the wave of the future, right now its pretty hit or miss and more likely to be successful for the larger companies. But again, it's not just whether a person likes or dislikes a company, it's why.
Do I really believe there are no bad adventure travel companies? Pretty much. Or at least I think they won't be in business for more than a few years. But I do believe there is lots of potential for customer/company mismatches, and that's what I hope this will help you avoid.
In the next blog post, I'll discuss how to look at prices as part of the trip decision making process.
I used to think adventure travel was the right kind of travel for anyone who was basically healthy and mobile. Of course in my 20s, I also assumed that everyone, given a choice, would prefer to spend their weekends hiking and camping. I have since been disabused of both notions. But with adventure travel, I've also seen that some people think they should like it because it sounds so - well, so adventurous! And a little Indiana Jones lives within many of us.
But is it really for you? Having lead adventure trips for over 20 years, I've met a wide range of people and seen the characteristics that allow different individuals to get the most out of adventure. So ask yourself and be honest- do these characteristics sound like you? Because if they don't, other kinds of travel will make you much happier and feel more worthwhile.
1. Flexibility. Every kind of trip has an itinerary and some kind of schedule. But on adventure trips, there is a greater likelihood that the itinerary goes awry, sometimes in major ways. Is that OK, or does it make you feel anxious? How about food? What if dinner is at 8pm and nothing on your plate looks familiar? Does that sound exciting or is it your worst nightmare? Do you need 8 solid hours of sleep every night or can you occasionally make do with whatever you get without going into a meltdown?
2. Goal orientation. You know that saying "It's the journey, not the destination". Well is it? What if you trained for climbing Mt Kilimanjaro for 5 months and paid lots of money and that week the worst weather in 20 years descends on the mountain, making a summit attempt impossible. Of course you'll be disappointed! But will you think the trip was a failure and wish you had never gone?
3. Patience. I can guarantee that your patience will be tried during group adventure travel. Whether it's by the other people in your group, the leaders, the food or the accomodations, the weather, the logistics snafus - whatever, you will at times feel impatient. And the more often you feel impatient, the less you will enjoy the experience.
4. Taking things as they are. On an adventure, whether its backpacking in the Sierras or trekking in Nepal, everything will be different- food, companions, activities, scenery etc. Are you going to compare everything to some standard - usually how it is at home - or enjoy things for what they are. This is particularly true in less developed countries and that constant critique of things not living up to some external standard is the genesis of the Ugly American.
5. Reaction to challenge. At the end of any vacation, you want to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. You may feel physically tired, but it should be the "good" kind of tired that comes from putting out energy and being satisfied with what you accomplished. You don't want to feel physically tired and emotionally drained because you've been on edge the whole time- what kind of vacation is that?!
Of course different trips have different challenges. More people will feel comfortable hiking in Utah than traveling in Bhutan. And if you're not sure where you fit on the "adventure scale", starting with something that you feel more comfortable with can build your confidence. If you have never traveled with a group of people you didn't know before, just coming by yourself on your first trip is a huge adventure. If you like the experience, then next time you might choose something that feels less familiar. Or you might decide that next time you need something that leaves you feeling more rested and relaxed.
In the end, the only thing that is important is to be honest with ourselves and to see and accept ourselves as we truly are. A dachsund doesn't beat up on herself because she's not as fast as a whippet. There are so many travel options out there - choose the one that's right for you.
Adventure travel is expensive. Maybe not compared to luxury cars, exclusive resorts, or fancy jewelry - but those aren't the yardsticks most of use to judge whether something costs alot. Adventure travel especially looks expensive compared to the tours advertised in the Sunday newspapers that are often half to two thirds cheaper - and include airfare! Even when you figure in all the costs they aren't telling you about (add ons, taxes, fees etc), those tours are still a much cheaper way to travel.
Honestly, before I got in the business I thought itwas "luxury pricing" - the con
cept that if you put a high price on something, people will believe it is more valuable. As Forbes Magazine says "A high-priced item can convey prestige and a sense of belonging to an elite group." There may be some of that, particularly among the more high end adventure travel companies - but I've also come to learn more about the basic economics of adventure travel, and it's that I want to share with you.
The most important driver of costs is the size of the group. If you have a large group, you can spread your fixed costs out over a larger number of people. Obviously a leader/participant ratio of 2:12 is much more expensive than 1:40. In addition, with large groups you have "pricing power". If you can guarantee a hotel that you will fill 15-30 beds, especially if you do that every month, they will give you much better rates than if you reserve 7 rooms once a year. The same thing is true for meals at restaurants and activities on a trip. It really does cost less to travel in a large group that on your own with comparable lodging. But the very essence of adventure travel makes it incompatible with a large group. Obviously tramping through the Grand Canyon or a small hilltown in Italy is going to feel very different in a group of 10 to 12 than in a group of 50 - or even 20.
So the size of the group is the biggest factor, but another important factor is the level of customer support and the expertise of the people who provide it. People who are going on their first adventure trip often have lots of questions - and while some can be answered in trip literature (e.g. what should I pack or how can people reach me in an emergency), many questions are unique to the person asking them. So most adventure travel companies have people on staff who hike, kayak, backpack etc and/or travel extensively. When you call or email, you don't talk with someone who has been trained to answer the 20 most common questions. You usually talk to someone who has first hand experience and is passionate about travel, and who knows how to track down the answers to obscure questions when they need to. But one person can't provide that level of support for 1,000 customers.
Also, adventure travel is a very personal business. In more than one case, when a large traditional travel company has bought an adventure travel company, especially when that large company has no roots in the adventure travel business, prices may have gone down - but so has the quality of the experience and ultimately the success of the business. Adventure travel isn't a commodity; treating it like a typical mass travel experience robs it of what makes it special.
So that is a broad overview. In subsequent blog posts I'll discuss why women's travel can be more expensive than similar mixed-gender travel and how to choose an adventure travel company.
Posted by
Deb Malmon on Thu, Dec 29, 2011 @ 12:22 PM
If you are a woman who loves outdoor adventure, you probably have noticed many women-specific items on the retail market. Backpacks, climbing harnesses, sleeping bags, bicycles, etc. The design of gear oriented towards women is based on the general anatomy of the female body - narrower shoulders, shorter torso, and wider hips.
While I am definitely not built with this anatomical womanly shape I understand the need for differently designed gear and have seen countless women through my years of guiding benefit from women-specific fit.
One area that has seen recent growth is gear for women's kayaking adventures. From kayaks, to paddles to PFDs women are getting new, technical and better fitting equipment. One of the most valuable pieces of gear for women, in my opinion, is a women-specific PFD. If a PFD does not fit your anatomical shape it is not merely a matter of being uncomfortable - it actually can be unsafe.
What is a PFD and how should it fit? PFD stand for: personal flotation device (aka lifejacket) and is your most important piece of safety gear when paddling.
A good PFD will:
- provide adequate flotation
- be Coast Guard approved (most paddling sports require Type III)
- fit properly: it should be snug around the torso with all the straps cinched down and when you pull on the shoulder straps the PFD should not rise above your lower ribs.
- be designed specifically for paddling: it will have less bulk around the shoulders, bigger arm holes to allow a full range of motion, and a shorter torso for comfort when sitting in a kayak.
Sizing: Historically PFDs have come in men's sizing. Many of these PFDs come in small, medium and large, though some places definitely have just one-size-fits-all style of PFD. All are adjustable to widen or tighten straps based on your size.
Women, with almost any sized torso, often do not fit in this "universal design" of PFD. And if you have an ample bosom, in order to fit around your torso, you usually have to go up a size in PFD. This oftentimes means it is too long in the back and too loose around the shoulders no matter how much you tighten the straps. So once you sit in your kayak seat it rises up around your chin or even ears. This can (and has) cause skin abrasions while paddling and interference with your stroke; but worse, if you fell in the water, the PFD is no longer snug around you which is the key to it helping keep you safely afloat.
Women-specific PFDs: Women's PFDs allow for a greater range of adjustability and various foam panel configurations to accommodate different builds. They often have split paneling on the front of the jacket so that it wraps around the front of the body and keeps the bust securely in place.
As with any gear or equipment for paddlers, there is no one PFD that can be considered "best" for all female paddlers. When selecting a PFD, each individual needs to take into account factors such as how well it fits, how you plan to use the PFD (for day trips or extended journeys), and how advanced a paddler you are-do you really need the tow rope loop if you don't even own a tow rope?
Some features to look for in determining which PFD is right for you are: visibility; range of motion (for paddle sweeps and bending during rolls); length (the shorter styles are usually better fitting for women); comfort; and useful features such as mesh pockets or gear loops.
Low profile PFDs: They have less foam on the front of the jacket (under the arms and neck), especially in the chest area. For women these can be a good choice; because we already have natural "flotation devices" on our chest, PFDs that are bulky (high profile) in the front can feel restrictive and uncomfortable. If the PFD you're looking at is low-pofile, coast guard approved and fits you well, then you can feel confident that it has enough flotation to float you even though it may look smaller than other designs.
Own it. If you join us on a kayaking vacation and have your own PFD which you find very comfortable and well-fitting, bring it with you. Most places we kayak are going to have universal sized PFDs and they may not fit you adequately. Alternatively, if you like to join other groups on kayak trips and do not have your own PFD, and end up with ill fitting ones on the trip, consider buying one that is suited for your body. It will make your trip much more enjoyable.
And really- isn'that the goal of paddling - to be enjoyable?
Posted by
Deb Malmon on Thu, Dec 22, 2011 @ 10:53 AM
Winter time does not necessarily mean we need to put an end to our outdoor adventures. We can still hike, run, snowshoe, cross country ski, dogsled and even paddle (at least in places where the water isn't frozen!)
What it does mean, though, is that we need to pay more attention to our clothing. One increasingly important area of focus is on our hands. If you spend time in the outdoors someplace where the temperatures are in the 30sF and below, you will have noticed that your hands tend to get cold much more quickly, sometimes even if you are staying warm in the rest of your body.
Gloves work similarly to your sleeping bag: it is not the glove/mitten that is what keeps us warm. It is the heat we put into the spaces in the gloves/mittens that provides the warmth and the amount of insulation in the glove that keeps that heat in. A good hand covering is not only for comfort, but also can be a safety issue as well (i.e. frostbite) so I recommend getting a variety of weights and styles.
So how do you choose?
1) What activity are you doing? Is it highly aerobic or slower paced? Running in NYC will need a different type of glove/mitten than dogsledding in Northern Minnesota. Are you going to be digging/falling into the snow so that you need a waterproof/Gore-tex glove? Will you be out all day or only a few hours? All those glove you see in the store are designed to meet the needs of all the various cold-weather activities.
2)How warm of a person are you? Some folks just generate more heat to their hands than others. Just like our general layering principles, you want a glove/mitten that is warm enough but does not make your hands sweat. Once your hands get sweaty, your gloves will absorb that sweat, and they may ultimately end up colder.
3)Do your hands actually stay warm in gloves? For some of us, a nice insulated pair of gloves keeps our hands plenty warm. And for others, no matter what weight glove we have, our fingers are still cold. That is me. I need the warmth of my other fingers to keep my hands completely warm. I can only wear mittens whenever I am out in the winter. This is a common occurrence; so if you have tried every kind of glove and your hands are STILL cold, try switching to mittens.
4) To liner or not to liner? A lot of times we recommend a pair of glove liners under a pair of thicker gloves to really protect your hands and keep them toasty. However, if you are someone whose fingers do not stay warm in gloves, wearing glove liners under mittens is actually going to make your fingers colder than if you just wore the single pair of mittens.
So, don't stop your outdoor activity in the winter, just dress well for it!