FIVE THINGS I DO BEFORE EVERY CAMPING TRIP
There are a million and one resources out there for what to pack when camping (or backpacking!), but what about other forms of preparation? Here are five non-packing related things I do before every trip to help me feel prepared to hit the road:
Research trails, activities, and events in the area. I think there are some people who are happy to set up camp and then hang out at their campsite all day. Unless I’m in an exceptionally beautiful place, that’s not me! I like using a campsite as a jump off point to explore an area that’s new to me. If I’m camping near Aspen, for example, I’m going to check out trails, events, restaurants, etc., within about an hour drive. I want to see all of what Aspen has to offer! Sometimes I bookmark things for future trips, sometimes I change plans at the last minute, but I always like to have an idea of what there is to see and do.
Download road maps, trail maps, permits, audiobooks, podcasts, etc. So many of the places we travel in Colorado and the surrounding states have no phone service. I always download an offline map for the region we’ll be traveling as well as trail maps for any hikes we might go on. If we are camping, parking, or hiking anywhere that requires permits, I download/print those ahead of time, too. The last thing I download is entertainment. I LOVE audiobooks and they are my main form of entertainment while driving. I always make sure to download a few before each trip. If my husband is tagging along, then I’ll usually download a few podcasts that he’ll enjoy and, if I’m feeling really crazy, I’ll download a few shows or movies on our iPad so that we can watch something after Ivey goes to sleep. This is probably silly to more “serious” campers, but we hardly have any time to watch shows together any more so we enjoy this!
Triple check the weather forecast. This is a boring one, but it’s necessary with the constantly changing weather in the mountains. I’ve learned to pack for all weather, no matter the forecast. Knowing what’s on the radar doesn’t dictate how I pack because I know it could change, but it does help me set expectations for the trip. Torrential downpour on the forecast? Might be spending more time hiding in our tent. Unbearable heat? Might head home a day early. For a planner like me, having appropriate-ish expectations helps manage my attitude and outlook.
Let someone know where I’ll be, what my plans are, and when I plan to return home. Since I usually travel alone (without another adult), I share these details with my husband before I leave. When he travels with us, I share with my mom instead. My calendar is also shared with my coworkers so they would notice if I was back “online” but not responding to texts or emails.
Tidy the house - run the dishwasher, take out the trash, clear the fridge out, etc. This is usually my last step before leaving the house. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the tidiest person ever (hard when you travel regularly and juggle multiple priorities!), but I HATE coming home to a mess. I usually don’t have time for a deep clean, but I try to make sure everything is tidy before we head out the door and this makes the unpacking process less stressful.
There you have it - five non-packing related ways to prepare for a camping or backpacking trip! Would you add anything to this list? Let me know in the comments below!