Building Your Adventure Toolkit with Jenny Isherwood

September 9, 2026

You might remember Jenny Isherwood from her previous Friend of FINDRA Blog. The Peebles-based outdoor educator, adventurer and founder of FAB Adventures. Jenny has spent years helping people build confidence outdoors – from navigation and first aid to developing the mindset and skills needed to tackle whatever comes next.

We loved Jenny’s approach then, and we love it even more now: you don’t need to be an expert to have an adventure. You just need the right tools, a willingness to learn and the confidence to take things one step at a time.

In this latest piece, Jenny shares the adventure toolkit she believes we all have the potential to develop – from navigation and problem solving to mindset, decision making and finding your people. Because adventure isn’t about how far you go or how big the challenge looks. It’s about having the skills and confidence to make good decisions along the way.

Advanced at the Basics

When I established FAB Adventures over 15 years ago, I wanted to create more than just memorable outdoor experiences. My aim was to create a space where people could become "Advanced at the Basics" and develop the confidence to make good decisions when it matters most.

At the heart of every adventure, whether that's climbing a mountain, tackling a new challenge, or stepping outside your comfort zone, is the ability to make the right decision, at the right time, for the right reasons.

Success in the outdoors is built upon a toolkit of competencies. The stronger that toolkit becomes, the more opportunities open up and the more confidence you develop to pursue ambitious goals.

In this blog, we'll explore the skills, behaviours and habits that belong in every adventurer's toolkit. We'll also look at how you can create the conditions for those skills to grow and flourish.

1. Place and Purpose: Where Do I Want to Go and What Do I Want to Achieve?

Connecting, exploring, having fun, having a chat… why we do what we do in the outdoors is so personal. It is important to remember that we are all climbing our own Everest’s. Recently a friend started Hill walking. Hiking up North Berwick Law was her Everest and it represented years of challenge and courage, of learning to take small steps each day. Now planning her first Munro with me I have been reminded that adventure is entirely personal and you should not compare yourself to anyone - Comparison can be helpful but it can also intimidate you so much that you feel you will never be good enough… Don’t get me started on what enough looks like….

Your values give you direction in your life, we all have them! Your virtues/character strengths help you action those values… what are your virtues? Can you describe your values? Big questions and ones which have a place in adventure as we often walk and talk for hours! At FAB we can guide conversations about Values and Virtues until the cow’s come home - its our favourite kinda chat!

2. Navigation

At FAB we use a simple system - the D’s of navigation, indeed they can be a great metaphor for life! Each journey should be a series of connected checkpoints, close enough to navigate to and avoid losing track of your progress.

Once you have your checkpoints, you have your first D, your Destination. Then you can estimate your Direction, Distance and Duration, look at the Description and even understand any Dangers that may be around.

Navigation is often thought of as map reading and compass skills, but it is much more than that.

3. First Aid

Adventure brings uncertainty, and uncertainty requires preparation - a complex environment needs a simple process to help when times are tricky.

By the way, first aid is always stressful - it is unexpected by it’s very nature and can feel really intimidating. I have been involved in Mountain Rescue in the Tweed Valley for over 20 years and it is always a bit stressy.

Using the ABC’s of First aid you can preserve life, prevent things getting worse and promote the recovery of your casualty!

Whether I am teaching pupils in school or members of my mountain rescue team the mantra remains… just use the A, B, C’s.

4. Problem Solving

No adventure ever goes exactly to plan.

The weather changes. Routes become blocked. Equipment breaks. Energy levels fluctuate.

Successful adventurers don't avoid problems; they learn how to solve them.

Problem solving requires creativity, adaptability and resilience. It is about assessing situations objectively, weighing up options and taking positive action. Every challenge overcome becomes part of your growing experience and strengthens your confidence for future adventures.

5. Mindset Management

Arguably the most important tool in the box is mindset.

The stories we tell ourselves have a huge influence on our performance and enjoyment. Self-doubt, fear and uncertainty are natural parts of adventure, but they do not have to control us.

Mindset management involves understanding our emotions, managing stress, maintaining perspective and focusing on what we can control.

Many challenges are won or lost long before the first step is taken.

We use a simple system for this too! We consider the mindset as either a growth or a fixed one! At FAB we have the Ps of mindsets - this nifty wee strategy helps us to understand what conditions influence me and move me from being a pilot to a prisoner or a participant into a protester or passenger. When I understand what influences my mindset I become more resilient and feel more competent.

6. Finding My People

Adventure is often portrayed as a solitary pursuit, but most great adventures are shared.

Finding people who encourage, support and challenge you can transform what's possible. The right group helps build confidence, share knowledge and create memorable experiences.

Your adventure community might be family, friends, a local club, colleagues or people you've met through training and expeditions. Whoever they are, surrounding yourself with positive people who share your values can accelerate your development and make the journey far more enjoyable.

After all, adventures create stories, and stories are often best shared.

The Findra cafe is a cracking wee place for the sharing of a story or the planning of a trip!

Growing Your Toolkit

The good news is that none of these competencies are fixed. They can all be learned, practised and improved over time.

You don't need to be an expert to begin. In fact, every experienced adventurer started exactly where you are now: by developing the basics and building confidence one step at a time.

At FAB Adventures, we believe that becoming Advanced at the Basics is the foundation for all future adventures. By investing in your toolkit, you'll not only become a more capable adventurer, but you'll also develop the confidence and practical wisdom to make good decisions wherever life takes you.

So, take a moment to reflect:

Which tool in your adventure toolkit is strongest? Which one could use a little more attention?

Your next adventure might just provide the perfect opportunity to develop it.