Overcoming the Fear of the Wild

TL;DR: The best way to overcome a fear of the outdoors is with the right support. Lost Terrain connects you with experienced outdoor professionals who teach practical skills like wildlife safety and map-and-compass navigation, helping you build confidence one step at a time.

How can I stop feeling afraid of the woods and start exploring?

I am Eli Adams, founder of Lost Terrain Tours, and I know that nature can feel big and scary when you are a beginner. I started Lost Terrain to help you find expert guides who make the forest feel like home. These professionals have spent thousands of miles outside, and they want to share their secrets with you!

Why do I feel so nervous about going into nature?

Answer: Feeling nervous is a normal reaction to being in a new place where you do not yet know the rules of safety.

Trish Schales - Owner of Trails Diverged

Many people worry about bears or getting lost because these things feel out of their control. Trish Schales, who owns Trails Diverged an outdoor guiding company in the Pacific Northwest, says that learning something new as an adult can make you feel very vulnerable. Trish helps people see that these fears start to go away as soon as you have a plan and some practice.

How do guides help me feel safe?

Answer: Guides use their years of outdoor experience and professional training to manage risks and teach you exactly what to do in different situations. For example, Brooks Coker, a hiking guide with Blue Ridge Hiking Company, helps hikers realize that bears are not something to be terrified of if you know how to interact with them. Brooks reminds us that your comfort zone will grow simply by spending more time outside.

"What we enjoy is watching that level of confidence build as someone steps in and they have all these questions... and just watching that like melt away."

What happens if my phone dies in the woods?

Answer: You use a map and a compass as a backup!

Phones can break or die, which is why our guiding partners teach you real navigation skills. Learning how to use a map means you do not have to rely on a screen to find your way back to camp. These skills act as a "safety net" that gives you the courage to explore further.

Key Takeaways:

• Experts help you turn fear into confidence through hands-on practice.

• Learning to use a map is the best way to feel safe when technology fails.

• Guides like Trish and Brooks have the training to handle any situation on the trail.

• Spending time in nature with a pro helps your comfort zone expand every day.

Watch the Full Story: I sit down with expert outdoor guides to talk about the "boogeyman in the woods" and how we help you move past it. Watch the full conversation, "Adventures in the PNW with Trish Schales," on our YouTube channel, Lost Terrain Tours!