Here is what I'm carrying for my overnight trek into the wilderness:
1 - headlamp - carrying a flashlight is annoying, especially when you're just trying to go to the bathroom. Mine is great because it has three settings including a red LED that is easier on your eyes if you've grown really accustomed to the darkness. You do not need an expensive headlamp unless you are planning on doing some mining deep in some cave somewhere. Which you're not.
2 - extra batteries, waterproof matches, duct tape, safety pins - those random tiny things you're probably not going to need but if you don't bring them Murphy's Law will find you.
3 - lighter - I like as many options to start a fire as possible
4 - Camelbak bladder - one of my best investments. It's the easiest access to water because you can snake the bite valve out through a hole or a zipper in your pack, clip it to you, whatever you want to do to have handy, hands-free access to water.
5 - blades - you can never have to many blades. I bought my first camping knife two autumns ago. It was a simple flip blade but sooooo handy. Then last summer I added the Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife (or "bear killing knife" as a friend and I used to kid), which also has a whistle, knife sharpener, and fire starter incorporated into the design. (I told you I like lots of ways to start a fire!) Yesterday I purchased my third Gerber blade: a small hatchet to cut firewood, and - surprise! - it has yet another knife hidden in the blade. Again, you can never have too many.
6 - pajamas and extra socks - my lungs do not like it if I sleep in the clothes that I wear around the fire so I am bringing my yoga pjs. I usually don't sleep in socks but when it's 10 degrees outside I like my fuzzy aloe-infused socks. And always always always bring extra socks, especially if it is cold, and preferably make them wool. And always carry them with you in your day pack. Oh how I wish I had known this when we had to ford a stream in November. Brrrrrrr!
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Gerber 31-001054 Gator Combo Axe |
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| Woolrich Women's Aloe Vera Slipper Sock |
8 - gloves - also from the little girls section at Target. I love that they can turn into mittens or be fingerless, but I wish I could use my phone without exposing my fingers to the elements. Next set of gloves I get will do just that.
9 - Fooooooooood! (and also a small cookpot that is hidden under the hotdogs) - I chose hot dogs because they are easy and precooked, so you probably won't get sick from them. I also found a squeezable ketchup packet, which is nice because it will pack better than a bottle (and it was cheaper). For breakfast I've concocted my own apple-cinnamon oatmeal baggie thank you Pinterest!) and I also brought a granola bar, some hot cocoa, and - what else? - trail mix.
10 - gallon baggie - currently holding my silverware and some food, it can pull double duty to hold trash...or wet socks...
11 - first aid - I was given a free first aid kit that I love because it has tiny tubes of antiseptic you can break open and swab over things. Also bandaids, obviously. And I bring my inhaler...because my lungs hate so many things.
12 - space blanket - these things ROCK. They give them away for free at all the best long distance races to help preserve body heat. This combined with my down comforter and aforementioned fuzzy socks will hopefully be enough to keep me comfortable while I sleep. It can also be used as shelter in reverse to reflect the sun if you are in hot conditions, or to signal for help.
13 - travel towel - they're lightweight and absorb more water than regular towels. This will be my first outing with one and I'm hoping the "large" size I selected will be big enough to use as a regular towel in Europe.
14 - chemical warmers - for if my space blanket, socks and down comforter don't work. They advertise that they last 6 hours. I've owned them for over a year and never had to use them.
15 - day pack - I prefer really lightweight sports backpacks when just going out from camp for a little while. Got this one for free at a race. God I love race swag.
16 - books - Always need to have a journal nearby since outdoors is when I have my most profound thoughts and closest encounters with God. Also need something to do, so I'm bring the ninja book I bought for my sister's boyfriend. I mean, I gotta make sure it's any good before I give it to him, right?
17 - travel pillow - I looooove my travel pillow. There are a thousand different ones out there, but I find it difficult to locate a comfy one that can be rectangular or a neck pillow just by turning it inside out, which is exactly what mine does. Love it.
18 - yoga mat - placed under your sleeping surface to insulate and provide just a smidge of cushion. It's no sleeping bag mat, but it's better than nothing, and I already owned it.
19 - backpack - I'm using a regular old backpack because this is a spur of the moment trip and I don't have my nifty new one yet.
20 - Road ID - I bought this for running but I use it whenever I am out and about outside my hometown as well. It has my name, allergies, emergency phone numbers etc.
21 - carabiners and rope - currently it is jury-rigged to connect my tent to my bag, but the list of things you can accomplish with carabiners and rope is pretty long. I'm not even any good with knots and I can do it.
22 - tent - got this two-person tent on mega-sale at Target months ago. Really hoping I can put this up by myself. It says "2 minute" set up time. Ha ha. I'll be timing it.
23 - toiletries - DON'T FORGET YOUR TOILET PAPER!!! Also bringing my travel toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitizer, lotion, and a sunscreen stick because you can still get sunburned when it's 20 degrees. And then you just look stupid.
9 - Fooooooooood! (and also a small cookpot that is hidden under the hotdogs) - I chose hot dogs because they are easy and precooked, so you probably won't get sick from them. I also found a squeezable ketchup packet, which is nice because it will pack better than a bottle (and it was cheaper). For breakfast I've concocted my own apple-cinnamon oatmeal baggie thank you Pinterest!) and I also brought a granola bar, some hot cocoa, and - what else? - trail mix.
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| DIY individual oatmeal packets: oats, sugar, salt, dried fruit/nuts |
11 - first aid - I was given a free first aid kit that I love because it has tiny tubes of antiseptic you can break open and swab over things. Also bandaids, obviously. And I bring my inhaler...because my lungs hate so many things.
12 - space blanket - these things ROCK. They give them away for free at all the best long distance races to help preserve body heat. This combined with my down comforter and aforementioned fuzzy socks will hopefully be enough to keep me comfortable while I sleep. It can also be used as shelter in reverse to reflect the sun if you are in hot conditions, or to signal for help.
13 - travel towel - they're lightweight and absorb more water than regular towels. This will be my first outing with one and I'm hoping the "large" size I selected will be big enough to use as a regular towel in Europe.
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| Sea to Summit DryLite Towel |
14 - chemical warmers - for if my space blanket, socks and down comforter don't work. They advertise that they last 6 hours. I've owned them for over a year and never had to use them.
15 - day pack - I prefer really lightweight sports backpacks when just going out from camp for a little while. Got this one for free at a race. God I love race swag.
16 - books - Always need to have a journal nearby since outdoors is when I have my most profound thoughts and closest encounters with God. Also need something to do, so I'm bring the ninja book I bought for my sister's boyfriend. I mean, I gotta make sure it's any good before I give it to him, right?
17 - travel pillow - I looooove my travel pillow. There are a thousand different ones out there, but I find it difficult to locate a comfy one that can be rectangular or a neck pillow just by turning it inside out, which is exactly what mine does. Love it.
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DreamTime Convertible Companion Wonder Pillow
(similar to mine)
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19 - backpack - I'm using a regular old backpack because this is a spur of the moment trip and I don't have my nifty new one yet.
20 - Road ID - I bought this for running but I use it whenever I am out and about outside my hometown as well. It has my name, allergies, emergency phone numbers etc.
22 - tent - got this two-person tent on mega-sale at Target months ago. Really hoping I can put this up by myself. It says "2 minute" set up time. Ha ha. I'll be timing it.
23 - toiletries - DON'T FORGET YOUR TOILET PAPER!!! Also bringing my travel toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitizer, lotion, and a sunscreen stick because you can still get sunburned when it's 20 degrees. And then you just look stupid.
(Not pictured: down comforter and the clothes I'm wearing on the trek)
By the time you read this, I should be off adventuring!
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