You Can Go Alone — But Here’s Why Going Guided Is Better

In today’s age of internet information, the allure of setting out on your own adventure, unguided, is a very real one. Trekking into the unknown, heading down a new river, and experiencing a new place can feel easier than ever before. But, what if we told you that going with a guide isn’t just an option for new adventurers – it’s a way to make a trip better for all? 

The hidden value of a guide isn’t just in their ability to show you how to do an activity, it’s the behind the scenes prep work, experience, and commitment where their true value shines. A good guide won’t just take you to a place, they will come fully prepared with area knowledge, gear, and more to ensure you have the best trip possible. 

For example, you may be great at rock climbing, but if you go to a new area, you won’t know the spots that are dry after a downpour, the easiest approach, or which wall will be more crowded or less – this is where a guide comes in! 

Why Do it the Hard Way 

In addition to the behind the scenes prep that guides put in, they also work very hard during the trip to ensure you’re able to stay present and learn more than you thought possible. Going on large adventures, like a multi-day river trip, requires a lot of gear and logistical planning, some of which can only be learned through experience. 

By going with a guide-especially if you are new to an area or sport-you can learn from the guide's experience. Whether it is something as simple as recommending a sand mat to keep pesky sand out of your tent or as important as knowing where on the river you can safely be reached in case of emergency, guides share endless knowledge, making a guided trip easier, smoother, and safer. 

Adventure like a Local

Hiring a guide can help you see a new place from a local perspective. Want to learn the local folklore? A guide can share that. Interested in going off the beaten path? A guide can safely take you to new places and trails less travelled. 

Plus, the logistical side of adventures - that can be everything from meal prepping to planning routes to watching the weather - can be taken care of by the guide, allowing you to focus on enjoying your new experience without worrying that you’ve forgotten something. 

Saving Time 

The time you have to enjoy your adventures-whether that is physically getting to them or needing to calculate your days off to squeeze in as much adventure as possible during PTO-is a finite resource. Another bonus of hiring a guide, even if you are experienced, is that they can save you so much time. Big adventures can be a big ordeal- for travel, planning, and logistics. Especially if your trip requires meal planning,  guides often shop for (and cook!) meals on trips, making your planning phase MUCH easier. Spending time logistically planning out routes, gear needed, and spots to see can all be saved by hiring a guide who has the experience and whose job it is to do exactly this. 

To summarize, yes, you absolutely can adventure alone- but going guided can make your adventure even more enjoyable. 

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