TRAVEL IQ
SO YOU WANT TO VOL-BIV
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ast summer Dougie Swanson-Low travelled from Nice to the Dolomites on a 750km, 11-day vol-biv. He’d never done such a big vol-biv trip before – here’s what he learned.
Test before you go
It is so important to thoroughly test every piece of equipment before going, ideally in a range of conditions. Decisions like what footwear, rucksack, clothing and sleeping system to choose could make or break the trip. It’s also a huge confidence boost knowing what conditions you can and can’t cope with before going. It wasn’t until after I went on a long hike, with full kit, that I decided to ditch the trainers and opt for more supportive boots. Only after sleeping out exposed to the wind, in sub-zero conditions, did I learn that I didn’t really need a sleeping bag: the wing, inflatable mat and tent were warm enough. The things I didn’t test were what caught me out: how much solar power I needed to
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keep my devices charged; how much water I needed in 35C heat. The more you prepare, the more successful and confident you will be.
Go solo, or with a friend
Sharing the joys (and misery) found on a volbiv adventure with another is really special. Each person brings their own unique skills to the team, it feels less serious splitting the work and decisions, flying as a team can be more effective and most importantly having someone close if things go wrong can make a huge difference to the outcome. Strongly consider going with someone if it is your first vol-biv. Communication is essential, and you should establish clear rules in advance. It is hard, but if you are a team, then be a team and work together. So, if one bombs, both bomb. If you can’t do that, then consider going alone. It shouldn’t be underestimated how free and liberating solo vol-biv missions can be though. You are totally independent, able to move at your pace, more dynamic
CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2020 VOL-BIV
with decisions and not constantly worrying about another. I shared the first half of the trip with friend Tony Blacker, then went on alone for the second half; experiencing both aspects was perfect and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Trip duration
If you go vol-biv for just one night you will have a very good idea of what weather and terrain you will encounter, so you shouldn’t need much kit at all. On longer trips you can’t predict it as well. I was potentially out for two to three weeks, so I really had to pack for a lot of possible conditions – from a record-breaking heatwave, to thunderstorms in the high mountains. For longer trips tiredness, comfort and nutrition become more important. So, for me having a tent was essential because it put my mind at rest knowing I had adequate shelter and could get a good sleep. For people new to vol-biv, do several one-night trips in familiar terrain. As you
