Microadventure - What Do You Need To Know?

I have been speaking about microadventures to loads of people over the last few months. The general consensus amongst people who have never really been on expeditions is this:

I love the concept. I’md love to do something like this for myself. But…

This ‘but’ is the part I am interested in. Does it apply to you?

Would you love to wake up on a mountain top, sleep on an island or cycle to the sea for a night but don’t know how to begin?

I’md like to give you a helping hand.

What is stopping you?

Is it lack of kit, not knowing how to find somewhere wild close to where you live, uncertainty about the legality of wild camping, fear of being shouted at by an angry farmer, or not having a clue where to poo?

Do you need to find someone to go with, need convincing that you can have an adventure even on a work night or need some advice on the difference between a Thermarest and thermal undies?

Please let me know what you need to know. I’mm going to help.

Please fill in the very quick survey below (or here). Fill in as much or as little as you wish. Or get in touch via email, Twitter or the new Microadventures Facebook page.
And maybe you’d like to volunteer to join me on a microadventure?!

It doesn’t matter how small an issue it is – if it’s the hurdle that is stopping you getting out there then let me know!

“¡Hasta la Victoria Siempre!”

15 Comments

James Handlon 25/03/2013 at 12:41

I think the idea of an event / system that helps you find new people to go on microadventures with sounds very interesting indeed and I hope something comes of the idea as I can see some great potential in it. Interesting to see where that one leads.
Sam Clifford 25/03/2013 at 16:51

Al, I can see a whole new forum based http://www.UKMicroadventures evolving before my eyes. A place where people can get advice, hook up with other microadventurers (is that a new noun?) see adverts about lightweight kit etc etc!
Regards,
Sam
PS Bought “There are other rivers” at the Plymouth College talk you gave last Autumn – a very lovely, gentle book, thank you :-)
- Alastair 25/03/2013 at 16:52
  
  Thanks, Sam! Glad you liked the book.
Linda Larsson 25/03/2013 at 20:29

Love the word, microadventure! It makes me want to go out camping now! Keep up the good work!
Alex Knill 26/03/2013 at 20:11

I agree with everything said in this article. It really can be just the desire to get out there that drives an micro adventure. My school had to postpone the Gold DofE I supervise last weekend because of the snow. As a result of having a few free evenings, I packed the bivvi bag and headed off into local woodland. Hot bourbon biscuits and custard before bed and tea made with melted snow in the morning before heading home. Perfect!
Ross Lawrie 28/03/2013 at 20:58

Adventures – get out there ‘inhale & live!’ :o}
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Martin 02/04/2013 at 21:12

Everyday I sit on the train to work and watch the countryside go by and look oh so longingly at the woods, the woods, we gotta get into the woods!
- Alastair Humphreys 03/04/2013 at 08:32
  
  Why don’t you walk home from work one Friday night. Try to follow the train line as close as you can cross-country. You will see things from such a different perspective. And whenever you are on the train to work in the future you will have great memories of the microadventure…
  - Martin 06/04/2013 at 21:35
    
    Am taking your idea a step further and will wild camp the night in the woods that I see from my train. More on this project here: http://martinblack.com/2013/04/a-microadventure-for-the-spring-a-wood-in-hertfordshire/ Cheers!
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Steven 05/04/2013 at 09:27

For those with young kids, even a walk with the dog can be turned into a micro adventure by packing a stove and stuff to make hot drinks. All you then need is encourage their natural instinct to explore, boulders are mountains, small burns massive rivers etc. As an adult their sense of wonder helps restore your perspective. Kids love helping plan and organise adventures as well. Perhaps another theme to be explored?
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