A vacation is a wonderful way to escape the hustle and bustle of life and just relax but, having said that, not everyone’s idea of vacation is the same. For some people, there is a bit more adventure involved in their vacation, and it doesn’t include lying on a beach, sipping a cold drink while listening to the waves. For some, a perfect vacation is getting out in the wilderness and enjoying nature in its rawest form.
If you’re getting ready for a wilderness travel adventure, there are several items you’ll want to pack.
Be Prepared with a Map, Compass and Handheld GPS Unit
Before you start packing all the other essential gear, a top priority should be to pack a map of the area you’ll be exploring and a handheld GPS unit. The wilderness is just that, it’s wild and remote and you don’t want to end up lost. Don’t forget to also pack a traditional compass, just in case you have issues with the GPS unit.
You’ll Need Shelter for Your Adventure
Another important piece of gear is your shelter. Your tent will be your refuge during your adventure so you must pick the right one. Because this is a wilderness adventure, there is a good chance that you’ll be parking your car in one location and then need to trek/hike to where you’ll be setting up your tent. Consider how easy it is to carry your tent, regarding the size and weight of it. There are models meant for these specific conditions.
Other factors to consider are how much space you need in the tent (how many people will be sleeping in it), the weather conditions you’ll be dealing with, how durable and strong the tent is and how easy it is to put up.
Have You Packed Enough Ammo?
If you plan on hunting during your wilderness adventure, you need to be sure all your hunting gear is ready to go and that you’ve packed enough ammo. You don’t want to run out halfway through your trip with no way to restock. Due to the popularity of AR-15s, you can purchase ammo in bulk, which is ideal for wilderness travel. Purchasing in bulk means you don’t have to worry about running out and sometimes it can be more cost-effective.
Get Smart About the Cooking Gear You Pack
It’s easy to be swayed by all the cooking gear available by campers and you may even think you need most of it, but remember, you’re going to have to carry that with you. Again, if you’re hiking on foot to your campsite then weight and space in your backpack need to be factored in. This is why you need to get smart about the cooking gear you pack.
You can slim the must-pack list down to a few essentials by purchasing a cook set. Look for sets that are lightweight, nest within each other to save space, have heat-resistant handles, are easy to clean and are made from durable materials such as cast iron, aluminum or stainless steel.
Let There Be Light – with Your Headlamp
Finally, don’t forget to pack a good quality headlamp and batteries as the wilderness will be pitch black. You want to be sure that you always have an excellent view of your surrounding area.
Headlamps have come a long way and are now more comfortable, have brighter more natural-looking lights and the batteries last much longer.
By taking the time to pack in a smart manner you’ll be ensuring that your trip is safe and enjoyable. All of this gear needs to be on your must-pack list.
