part, scoot, probe, pad, scale, wade, troop, amble, slither, hunt, root, tread, clamber, scramble, scamper, track, trail, pursue, scout, spot, seek, investigate, read, trace, circle, explore, snoop, progress, hike, troll, romp, muck around/about, make one's way, plot (a course), trek, backpack, tramp, pick one's way (through the thicket), scan (for landmarks), grope around/through, slice across (terrain), swing at, duck under, wind through (terrain), journey, cover (miles), navigate (with a compass), slop (through puddles), avoid (poison plants)

hollow out, excavate, unearth, bore, scoop out, tunnel, disinter, burrow, mine, quarry, extract, push up, dig, rig, cut, descend, climb, pan, expose, sift, partner, ascend, bring to light, dredge up, ferret out, spelunk (in a cave), cave, gouge out, rappel, strap on (a headlight), buckle (a safety harness), test (equipment/air), memorize (navigational points), lock and hold, maintain (equipment), wrap (a rope), abseil, secure (tools/lights)

devise, organize, establish, settle on, suggest, imagine, coordinate, schedule, disperse, commandeer, orchestrate, rule out, mull over, deliberate, consider, evaluate, calculate, enlist, recruit, advise, formulate, predict, forecast, resolve, propose, fill out (forms), arrange, prepare, assemble (a team), extrapolate, check out (the terrain), deem (workable), weigh (risks and benefits), rehearse (scenarios), practice (a rescue), generate (funds/goals), plan (a search), procure (supplies), attend to (details), fill in (holes in one's strategy), determine (the scope of the search), size up (a situation)

draw up, project, sketch, study, draw, plot, research, reconnoiter, consider, systematize, translate, chart, check out, figure out/in, google, look into, map out, verify (methods of contact)