Risk management used to be one of my least favorite parts of owning and operating a guide service. It’s not exactly fun to sit around thinking about everything that could possibly go wrong in the outdoors—especially when you’re the one carrying the responsibility for it.
Every year we were convinced we had covered every possible scenario in our growing “What if…” folder. Yet somehow, each season that document got a little longer. We kept encountering situations that were so strange, so specific, that we never would have thought to plan for them ahead of time.
But over time, I began to appreciate the value of that process.
When incidents happened—the kind that spike your heart rate and send stress levels through the roof—we could pause, take a deep breath, and rely on a plan that had already been thought through. Risk management became a way of staring your worst-case scenarios in the face and saying: Okay. I can handle this. I know what to do.
A few years ago I sold the hiking company, and now I enjoy cheering on the new leadership team and guides as they continue preparing, managing risk, and helping people experience the outdoors safely.
But selling the company didn’t mean retiring those risk management skills.
I still use them for our family and personal adventures, and I firmly believe that a simple risk management blueprint is an essential tool for anyone planning extended, self-directed outdoor trips. The good news? You don’t need a professional background in guiding or risk management to create one.
Just follow the template below:
1. Start With Your Trip Details
Begin by documenting the basic information about your trip. This creates the foundation for your risk assessment and gives others a clear understanding of your plan.
Include:
Destination
Trip dates
Anticipated daily distances
Planned campsites
Possible evacuation points
Contact info for route resources. (This can include nearby outfitters, shuttle services, and land management offices.)
Think of this section as your trip blueprint. If you ever need help—or someone needs to locate you—these details can make a critical difference.
2. Research Regional Risks
Every environment comes with its own set of challenges. Before your trip, spend time researching the common hazards in the region you’ll be visiting.
Consider factors such as:
Severe or rapidly changing weather patterns
Anticipated Temperature Range
Altitude Considerations + Elevation Change
Wildlife encounters
Exposed or technical terrain
Heavy use by other trail users
Seasonal environmental risks
Understanding the landscape and conditions ahead of time allows you to prepare appropriately rather than react under pressure.
3. Evaluate Your Personal Risk Factors
Next, take an honest look at your personal preparedness + health considerations.
Ask yourself questions like:
What is my backcountry experience level?
Do I have any pre-existing or chronic medical conditions? (And do I have a plan to manage those conditions in the backcountry?)
Do I have any known allergies?
What is my mental and emotional state heading into this trip?
In some cases, it may also be worth consulting your doctor or a telehealth provider before your trip. They can advise whether you should carry “just in case” medications, prescriptions, or diagnostic supplies.
4. Rank and Plan for Risks
Once you’ve listed the environmental and personal risks, take the next step: evaluate their likelihood.
Assign each risk a category:
High probability
Medium probability
Low probability
From there:
Ask yourself if there are ways to reduce or mitigate any of the potential risks listed above.
Run through the low/medium probability events and either think through or jot down how you would respond to this scenario. (I usually just run through the risks identified as low/medium probability in my head to make sure I feel capable and comforatble with each one. But usually there are one or two items that need a little more research. For example, if I am hiking and camping in tornado country? Do I know what to do if one comes through? If you need a good laugh Dusty Slade has a bit on this.)
Then I develop a more detailed action plan for high-probability events and I write it down. (Risk: Bee sting(s) with moderate bee allegery. Administer Benadryl immediately. Monitor symptoms. If hives or wheezing presents, use epinephrine. Administer more benedryl. Stay calm and self-evac and nearest access point.)
The goal isn’t to eliminate uncertainty—that’s impossible in the outdoors—but to prepare your mindset and response ahead of time.
5. Share Your Plan
The final step is one of the most important.
At the bottom of your document, list your emergency contact. Then:
Share the completed document with that person.
Print a copy to carry with you on the trail. (If you need help on trail - and particularly if you are struggling to communicate or unresponsive - Search and Rescue will likely search your gear for personal medications and health information.)
You will also want to communicate with your emergency contact person on anticipated check-ins. Intinerary delays and lost/broken communication devices are common on trail, because of this I like to give a wide windows for check-ins before any action is taken. (Example: 'I should get to this destination by Friday and will plan to check in then, but it may take me longer. If you haven't heard from me by Saturday night you should reach out to the local authorities and let them know.')
Managing Risk Management
Adventure always carries some level of risk, but thoughtful preparation dramatically improves your safety in the backcountry. A Personal Risk Management Document helps you think through potential hazards before they become real problems—and ensures someone else knows your plan if things don’t go as expected.
One of the biggest mistakes adventurers sometimes make is spending countless hours researching gear or dehydrating food and not dedicating time to researching resources and potential risks and then making a plan to stay safe and prepared in the backcountry. So before your next trip, take the time to create one. A little planning can go a long way toward protecting both your adventure and your well-being.
