Over the past couple of years, filming for Epic Trails ha taken me to some incredible places: hiking among the dramatic cliffs of the Faroe Islands, trekking through the wild rainforests of Costa Rica, exploring rugged Scotland with my dad, and backpacking across the open prairies of North Dakota. Whenever I'm on a trip, I'm travelling with guests, a crew, and sometimes a liaison from local organizations. Because of the wild nature of our shoots, almost anything and everything can happen. Delays, dangerous conditions, sudden shifts in weather, and sometimes even getting a little lost are always on the agenda. That's why the production crew at Heliconia and I are covered by Group Travel Insurance (specifically Redpoint Travel Protection)
Adventures Don’t Always Go as Planned
Take the Faroe Islands, for example. The scenery was jaw-dropping, sheer cliffs plunging into the North Atlantic, winding ridgelines, and trails that seemed to disappear into the clouds. But those same stunning landscapes can also be treacherous. High winds, slick rocks, and remote locations mean that a simple misstep could turn into a serious situation.
In Costa Rica, the challenge was different. Between rainforest hikes, river crossings, and waterfall rappels, we were constantly surrounded by wild, unpredictable terrain. A slip on wet ground or a sudden illness far from medical facilities can escalate quickly.
Even in North Dakota, where I was hiking across open prairie, the remoteness surprised me. It doesn’t take a mountain range to feel isolated, when you’re miles from the nearest road with unpredictable weather rolling in, you realize how vulnerable you can be. When I was hiking on sections of the Maah Daah Hey Trail, I noticed that certain times of year the trail may be impassible due to snow, ice, high water and mud.
And in Scotland, while hiking with my dad, I found myself thinking less like an adventurer and more like a family member responsible for someone else’s well-being. If something had gone wrong on those rocky trails or during one of our road trips through the West Highland Way, I needed to know we’d be taken care of.
Why Group Travel Insurance Matters
No matter how prepared you are, travel involves risk. Group Travel Insurance provides financial protection and peace of mind if something goes wrong. It can cover things like:
- Emergency medical evacuation from remote areas
- Hospitalization and medical expenses abroad
- Accidental death or dismemberment benefits
- Transportation back home for further care
- Support for family members if needed
For adventurers like me, this isn’t just about being cautious, it’s about being responsible. Whether I’m filming for Epic Trails or exploring off-camera, I want to focus on the experience, not worry about “what ifs.”
Emergency Evacuation Insurance: A Key Layer of Protection
A solid Travel Accident Insurance plan often works hand-in-hand with Emergency Evacuation Insurance. If you’re injured somewhere far from adequate medical care, evacuation coverage is what gets you to the hospital, whether that means helicopter rescue, specialized ground transport, or even a medical flight home. Be sure to look for Emergency Evacuation Insurance if you a looking to purchase Group Travel Insurance to remote areas.
Redpoint Travel Protection is a sponsor of BackpackingTV. And we couldn't be happier about it because whether we're exploring the backcountry or traveling the world, reliable insurance is a must.
Redpoint offers three tiers of coverage, but our audience will want to take a good look at the Ripcord package. It applies to “remote destinations with limited communications or medical facilities.” In other words, backpacking adventure
