Study a map

Look at where you’re going, and where you’re going to be. Look for anomalies, particularly large ones. The highest peak, a river, a statue or major street will not only help you get your bearings but set you up for the next step to your preparations.

Note the direction and location of these landmarks. Even a simple tourist map will help you identify boundaries and directions. Johnson Street runs East-West, Dragon’s peak is northeast of your campground, Blood River runs north south and meets the nearest town. All are important facts; write them down, if you can.

In the city, note major, rigid streets. This is particularly important in large, old cities like Dublin, where 90 degree intersections are in short supply.

Finding North in the daytime

In the woods you have many options. The stick method is one quick way to find east and west. Jam a stick in the ground and mark the tip of the shadow in the dirt. Wait 10-15 minutes and mark the tip again. A line drawn between those two goes East to West in the northern hemisphere and West to East in the southern hemisphere.

Nature gives a few indications as well. An old adage is that moss favors the north side of trees while spider webs tend towards the south. Traveler’s Palms’ branches point east-west. The movement of the sun and clouds are very rough indicators, but don’t rely too heavily on them.

In the city, look for grid structure. Even well planned cities will have anomalies, so be aware of angled streets and curves. Pay particular attention to any streets that meet at 90 degree angles, as this will suggest North-South and East-West arrangement. They will also provide a great panic azimuth (more on that later).

Use intersections as reference points and glance behind you periodically. In large urban areas particularly, the path ‘there’ can look remarkably different than the path ‘back’. If you need to ask for help, an intersection will favor you much more than a vague description.

Finding North in the darkness

The North Star has been the trusty tool of navigators in the Northern Hemisphere for eons. Pointing yourself in its direction in the dark will point you north. If you’re following a different course (e.g. West), stop periodically to relocate the star and check your bearings. As long as the North Star stays to your right, then you’re heading West. It is the first star in the little dipper, or if you cannot locate the little dipper, use the “top” of the ladle in the big dipper to draw a line that “points” to it. This only works in the northern hemisphere.

The Southern Cross

In the southern hemisphere the most prominent constellation is Southern Cross. The longer axis of this cross will direct you to an imaginary point in the sky. This point is 5 times the length between the two stars of that axis. A line drawn straight from that “point” to the ground marks South.

Urban Environments

The stars will disappear in urban environments, making navigation dependent on landmarks. It took a country bumpkin like me a few years to figure out that not everyone navigates the same way. In small towns and rural areas, street names become relatively ineffective in describing your location to others, but in cities they’re a savior. Like using the grid on a topographic map, intersection will pinpoint your location easily. This is particularly important when calling for help. Larger cross-street signs will also indicate the direction you’re traveling (e.g. “Foster Ave N” indicates that you’re heading northbound and have intersected with Foster Ave.).

Panic Azimuth

The concept of the panic azimuth is that, when all is lost, walking in “x” direction will take you to a key landmark that you can follow to safety. For example, if you’re on a hiking trip west of “Monkey River” and you’re two miles upstream from town, then all you need to do is maintain an azimuth of 90 (or East–azimuths are read in degrees from North) and you’ll run into the Monkey River. Follow that, and you’ll find your way home.

The same principle applies to cities. Noting North-South and East-West streets will give you a reference point for finding your way back. Head east till you hit Johnson street, then walk north till you hit the intersection you recognize. Be weary of unsavory neighborhoods, particularly at night. A large amount of empty lots, an absence of regular lighting or bars on the windows of most buildings should be an indication that you need to get to a phone and get assistance. Note the intersection nearest the phone.

As the saying goes, and ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure. A little bit of research into the place you’re going–whether to downtown Sydney or the Smoky Mountains–will go a long way in keeping you safe, long before you’re lost. A lot of these outdoor tricks will fail you in inclement weather, so having a small compass on you at all times is just good practice. of course, it won’t do you any good to know which direction you’re pointing if you don’t know where you are going.

Yanapuma Foundation volunteer in Ecuador www.yanapuma.org

Green travel is a juxtaposition of concepts. By its very nature, “travel” is less efficient than “staying put.” But for the habitually wanderlust-afflicted or for those who must travel for business, the following ten items are simple, real things that you can do to minimize your carbon footprint while on the road.

Stay on the ground

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report finds that the nitrogen, sulfide, and carbon dioxide emissions occurring at 30,000 feet are 2 to 4 times more damaging than their “equivalent” ground emissions. With airline traffic expected to grow significantly in the coming years, these aircraft emissions are expected to take an incredible toll on the ozone layer.

What does this mean? Trains will always achieve more distance per passenger, per gallon of fuel than flights and their emissions nitrogen sulfides into the air. Unfortunately, there’s no 2:00 train from Boston to Paris, but you can plan your trip intelligently. The flight from Amsterdam to Prague may prove to be marginally faster, but taking the train will leave a lighter carbon footprint. If time is of the essence, plan your ground trips for overnight–you’ll save money on lodging while maintaining valuable time for your destination. Most importantly your traversals will utilize fewer fossil fuels.

Travel in a group

When trains are out of the question, pack ‘em in as tight as you can, whenever you can. Fuel efficiency is often measured in the amount of fuel required per passenger, per kilometer. Airlines may be more harmful, but they get as much density out of their flights as possible. Vehicles carrying a single passenger, however, often receive lower per passenger, per kilometer ratings than full cars. Whether in a taxi or a minibus, traveling as a group will always prove more efficient than flying solo.

The same argument can be made for the hot water in showers. Couples are a natural green factor, but singles can probably turn this into a compelling pick up line in hostels. When traveling in groups, put as many per room as you can tolerate. Fewer lights and hot water means less energy consumption.

Reuse!

The plastic bottle is one of the greatest inventions of all time. Unfortunately, the low cost of its production has cheapened its value in day to day life. When purchasing water, hang on to the bottle and refill it. With a biodegrading time of approximately 1 million years, even 4 refills per bottle will significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Refill gallon bottles to store in your trunk (either for radiator or waiting for the rescue crew). Doing these things will have a twofold effect on the environment; you’ll add fewer plastic bottles to landfills and—in a small way—reduce the demand for new bottles to be produced.

Be cognizant of any material that can be reused on your travels or purchase long-lasting equivalents. I’m a complete coffee addict (10 cups a day, at least) and have invested in a very rugged Nissan stainless travel mug. Whenever I stop at a gas station, I save money by refilling it and I save a styrofoam cup. Some lunch meats come in very functional Tupperware dishes. In the end, everything has a carbon price—particularly “disposable” items.

Travel light

The mantra of all seasoned travelers also has an impact on your carbon footprint. Some go as far as to say, “Pack everything you think you need. Then remove half of it.” While the physics and mathematics behind the direct energy-to-distance ratios can vary according to a myriad of variables, one thing remains clear; the more you weigh, the more space you take up, and the more fossil fuels are needed to get you there, period. This may not make as great of an impact for a family making a 200 mile trip to Disney world, but the difference can add up for someone circling the globe–and your back will thank you.

The Hooch at Rancho Mastatal in Costa Rica

Patronize Eco-Tourist locations

When planning to stay somewhere, do some research on potential eco-friendly options. While the definition of ecological and social conscience varies from region to region, organizations exist that provide some standards. Check with www.ecotourism.org for a concise list of ecotourism businesses that adhere to The International Ecotourism Society’s (TIES) guidelines. These guidelines enforce a baseline of social and ecological awareness.

For a good example check out Rancho Mastatal in Coasta Rica.

Buy local

Unless you’re traveling to the Antarctic or the Sahara, every region in the world will have home-brewed or locally-grown specialties. Research your destination’s agricultural strengths. Use this information to plan your diet around what is already there, and not around excessive amounts of foreign produce. While processing and shipping creates jobs and stimulates the some economies (it may not be the local one), it also generates unnecessary quantities of carbon dioxide. Besides, a trip to a local vendor will often pay off in flavor as well as earth-friendliness.

Use Rechargeable batteries

This is one of the easier ones to follow. If you own an iPod, cell phone, laptop or iPhone, then you are already participating in this step. Many of these devices utilize lithium ion batteries, one of the most “green” due to lack of heavy metals and long (approximately 2 years) lifecycle. For many electronics, particularly cameras, double- or triple-A batteries are still the standard. New Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH) will give you over 500 recharge cycles before they give out, and utilize fewer groundwater-polluting heavy metals than its predecessor, the Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cad). The only downside is staying in one place long enough to recharge them.

Carbon Neutrality

This is an ideological, but increasingly popular way to travel green. The concept is this: you give money to an organization whose goal is to fight global warming. This amount is said to offset the amount of ozone-destruction your journey has caused. Independent Traveler maintains an excellent list of carbon offsetting organizations.

Use Non-Toxic Products

Many products you use for your travels have a biodegradable version. When camping, consider purchasing rapid-dissolve toilet paper. Delicious Organics sells earth friendly detergents and bath soaps that are non-toxic and often sold in a concentrated form to reduce packaging.

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Editor’s note:

In addition to the ways listed above, we encourage volunteering abroad as a greener alternative to regular travel.

For a fantastic list of volunteer opportunities and organizations working to protect the environment check matador’s organizations section.

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A regular contributor to Matador, Jacob Bielanksi is currently working on a project uncovering how the US government obtains data on travelers.

Montego Bay, Jamaica. Photo by rappensuncle/

Jamaica

exchange rate: 1 to 69.775

When one hears the words “Sandals Resort”, we immediately think of over-priced and undercultured. This is unfortunate, as Jamaica offers not only one of the most fascinating islands in the Caribbean, but can be traversed for very little–provided you stay away from the resorts! Jamaicans have a rich history, excellent food, and a demeanor that can’t be beat.

Dominican Republic

1 to 47.28

Another of the Caribbean islands that does not rely too strongly on Tourism and “services,” the Dominican Republic boasts a stable democracy (30 years) and a weak peso (DOP). Within very uneven wealth distribution, even those of moderate means in the states can live like–er–royalty. An old travelpunk.com friend of my wife and I purchased an apartment there.

Trinidad/Tobago

1 to 6.25

Populated on one end (Trinidad – lots of manufacturing for goods throughout the Americas), heavily wooded on the other. Primary language is English making it relatively comfortable. While tourism is growing, however, T&T is not nearly as dependent on tourism as other Caribbean islands–making it a paradise for those looking to go off the beaten path.

Cuba

1 to 0.92 or 26.5

The taboo island. Bay of Pigs aside, the Cuban flavor has long-heralded a island rich with excitement. As a communist nation, foreign currency becomes relative icing on the cake. There’s a strange caveat though–Cuba maintains two “parallel” currencies whose values vary depending on who you are. Foodstuff and other essentials operate under the traditional peso (1:26.5), while luxury goods operate on the higher-conversion rate “covertible” peso. US dollars used to be accepted currency, but now carry a 10% commission. The lesson? Untangle the socio-politico-economic mess that is the currency and your exchange rate changes significantly.

Mystery Island

1 to ?

I can’t give away all of my secrets, can I? Turks & Caicos is being billed as a “Last Chance to See” kind of place–due to simply turn into another Bahamian resort site soon. The islands have remained relatively unspoiled for many years which have kept its costs down. This is good, because savings will not be as a result of currency conversion–they are on the U.S. Dollar. The Netherlands Antilles, with a diverse history resulting in half-dutch, half-French colonization and an economy based heavily on drug traffic and money laundering, would probably make the bottom of a 5-point list (1:1.79).

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A regular contributor to Matador, Jacob Bielanksi is currently working on a project uncovering how the US government obtains data on travelers.