Going Outdoors With Your Friends? Here's What You Need to Get First
For any sort of outdoor adventure, preparation would be essential. All necessary supplies and equipment are must-haves since they can make a huge difference in the overall experience and enjoyment of you and your traveling companions. A great tool that will help you with your organization is to have a checklist.
Although, the camping list can vary depending on the type of outdoor activities you and your friends have planned as well as the places you are going and the time of the year you have decided to go. Thankfully, here is a short list of some basic items you should bring with you first for just in case.
The Camp Stove
If you are not the most make it yourself type of person, which is nothing to be ashamed of, it would be recommended to bring a small burning camp stove that can keep you and your friends warm during the night.
They can be safe and portable which makes them easy to carry. In case you decide to have one, the recommendation is not to forget the handy starter batteries that go with it.
Proper Shelter
Even if you as a group are fans of sleeping under the stars, it would still be recommended to have some sort of shelter brought along. If not, you might come across an unexpected weather condition like midnight deluge, snowstorm, or heavy dew which are the best to avoid. Especially since it can leave you drenched and put you all at risk of hypothermia. Having a camping tent, for 4 people at least, will surely serve as a good shelter. The tent can keep you warm and keep you safe from the surrounding elements if needed. Combining sleeping bags into the mix will make you more comfortable as well. It is always better to come prepared ahead than to regret your decisions later.
Clothing
When going on an outdoor adventure, when it comes to clothes, it would be wise for you and your friends to pick out some lightweight fabrics that are moisture-wicking and shoes that complement the surroundings. The reason is that you will want to use the same bottoms and tops a few times if you are staying in nature for a longer period of time. Here is the list of other clothing pieces you might need:
Breathable jackets
Hiking boots
Lightweight hats
Long pants
Long-sleeved shirts
Polarized sunglasses
Storage compression cubes
Swimsuits
Trail runners
Water sandals
Water shoes
Wool socks
The Small “Kitchen”
There is a chance that all of you will have to prepare your own meals. Especially if you are camping in the woods since there are no nearby restaurants to stop in for a quick lunch.
For that reason, it would be wise to have a portable "kitchen" on your adventure. These are the items that are important if you think about eating anything while in the great outdoors:
Bear bin
Camping stove with fuel
Cooking and eating utensils
Cookware
Food
Small cutting board
Soap
The reusable bottle filled up with water
Towels
Water filtration system
A Good Cooking Set
Everything you would need in order to cook a tasty meal under the stairs is to bring a camping cooking set. Some models can be portable and light with foldable handles even, to help you cook better. It would be wise to have a nonstick pan, rice ladle, soup spoons, and scrub sponges with you as well. All of it can be kept together in a mesh carry bag.
First Aid Kit
Even though it is not as likely you will be in presence of a life-threatening injury while being out in nature with your friends, it would still be wise to bring a first aid kit for those blisters.
Small scrapes or cuts can easily become infected if not taken care of so antiseptics and bandages should be close by. Usually, your first aid kit should include:
Adhesive
Gauze
Scissors
Soap
Also, it is recommended to carry at least one bottle of sunscreen with you, alongside the insect repellent. Bug bites or sunburns can end your trip faster than expected.
The adventure in the outdoors will give you as a group the opportunity to connect with nature and to push your everyday boundaries. No matter if you are seasonal hikers, campers, or have just made a decision to spend time in the wilderness for the weekend, it would be the wisest decision to bring some essential items with you.
By making sure you have everything you need, the overall experience will be enhanced and you will avoid the bad situation where you will retell your families how miserable the trip has been.
